EATING OUT is a sensory experience: the noise level, presentation, service, your conversation, and the flavors on the plate.
And then there’s the décor. Many Portland restaurants apply the “just add horns” formula; others go for the straight outta Stockholm Ikea look. But more and more places are turning to ornate wallpaper to spice up a room. Dame, Angel Face, and Rum Club all have gorgeous interiors thanks to their fancy paper. Here are the stories behind our most recent favorite swatches—and the tale of the iconic Doug Fir wallpaper… that isn’t wallpaper.
La Moule
The heart-shaped mussel wallpaper in the bar area of La Moule—especially when the evening light is still shining through—is probably the best place to selfie in all of Southeast. This wallpaper makes this place tick.
The story, as told by owner Aaron Barnett: “I found the image online by Googling “vintage mussel print.” It popped up as an old wrapping paper from the ’50s or ’60s. I screen grabbed it on my phone. I’ve tried to find it since and it’s disappeared! Never to be found again. Anyways, an artist friend, Damien Gilley, made the image digital, cleaned it up, enlarged it and tinkered with the colors. Then we had it sent to some people in Texas who turned it into pretty wallpaper. We were so excited to see it go up. It could’ve been a terrible look or too much for the space, but it wound up being perfect!”
