For designer Janie Wilburn, wallpaper is never an afterthought - it’s a defining design tool. Known for her nuanced, elegant interiors, Janie approaches wallcoverings with intention, using them to elevate spaces in ways paint simply cannot. In her work with Daisy Bennett Designs, that philosophy comes vividly to life.

Why Wallpaper Matters More Than Paint

“I always tell clients that wallpaper does what paint can’t do,” Janie explains. 

For Janie, wallpaper is about enrichment - creating layered, textured backdrops that bring depth and character to a room without overwhelming it.

One recent project illustrates this beautifully: a chic, personal retreat designed for a client to host Mahjong and unwind - a space they affectionately dubbed the salon. The room began with a playful archival Clarence House print for the window treatments, featuring a periwinkle and taupe motif on a crisp white ground. Rather than repeating the color with paint, Janie leaned into subtlety.

Using Wallpaper to Create Order and Direction

Beyond color and texture, Janie often uses wallpaper as a way to solve architectural challenges. In her own home, a transitional space that functions more like a hallway presented a common issue: misaligned doors and openings that lacked visual harmony.

Her solution? Look up.

A Favorite: The Charleston Garden Mural

When asked about her favorite Daisy Bennett Designs piece, Janie doesn’t hesitate: the Charleston Garden Mural.

“The ground of that paper is sublime,” she says. “The color is nearly indescribable - that cool, icy blue-gray that’s barely discernible but gives the pattern real life.”

She’s equally drawn to the composition itself: oversized poppies, elegant birds and butterflies, and low-country botanicals, all rendered in a palette that feels both classic and joyful. 

So much so, in fact, that she already knows where it will end up eventually - her own home.

A Bedroom That Feels Like a Boutique Hotel

Janie’s favorite room in her house is her bedroom, which she wrapped in a cream and taupe tonal chinoiserie, the walls quietly mask the quirks of a previous renovation while enveloping the space in softness. Drapery installed years earlier happens to echo the wallcovering so seamlessly that the two feel like long-time companions.

The One Thing That Matters Most

If Janie had to name the single most important element in design, it would be scale and proportion.

Feeling Overwhelmed? Call a Professional

For homeowners feeling paralyzed by choice, Janie’s advice is refreshingly direct: hire a designer.

“So many people have fabulous taste,” she explains, “but bringing in a professional creates laser focus.” 

“When you work with a designer it’s about so much more than picking out pretty things. We create lasting value and help clients prioritize their tastes, needs and budget, creating something that is far greater than the sum of parts.”

With designers like Janie Wilburn, wallpaper becomes more than a backdrop - it becomes a transformative element, capable of elevating a space from ordinary to unforgettable. And when paired with the artistry of Daisy Bennett Designs, the result is nothing short of joyful elegance.