There is something quietly magical about being surrounded by wallpaper from an era that now exists only in history books. It does not announce itself loudly. It does not demand attention. It simply exists; holding time, memory, and story within its fragile surface.
Let me tell you about the wallpaper in our Regal Dining Room.
Set discreetly against the walls lies a very light teal backdrop, adorned with birds of another time, pale pink flowers, and the occasional butterfly. At first glance, it feels gentle, almost understated. But this wallpaper carries with it a legacy that spans centuries; a small, living memory from the great Qing Dynasty, giving the dining room its quiet life and depth.
Originally commissioned by a Scotsman and entirely hand-painted over 350 years ago during the Qing Dynasty, this wallpaper began its journey far from Phuket. It travelled from China to England, where it eventually found a long-term home in the London estate of our owner, Mr Murjani. For decades, it remained there; loved, preserved, and respected.
When Mr Murjani later left the UK and moved to Phuket, he made the remarkable decision to bring the wallpaper with him. Carefully taken down from his London home, it travelled once more across continents, arriving in Thailand in perfect condition.
When the time came to install it at The Vanderbilt Sanctuary, there was hesitation. No professional was willing to take on the responsibility, and the risk, of mounting a 350-year-old, hand-painted wallpaper. The fear of damaging it was simply too great.
So Mr Murjani took on the task himself.
Together with a few people very near and dear to him, he carefully placed the wallpaper into its new and permanent home: the Regal Dining Room at The Vanderbilt Sanctuary, within The Vanderbilt Estate.
Over time, Phuket’s climate began to leave its mark. The humidity, combined with the dryness of air-conditioned interiors, slowly caused the wallpaper to deteriorate. A decision was made to protect it, acrylic sheets were installed over the surface, preserving what remains while allowing it to continue being seen and appreciated.
Today, the wallpaper still sits exactly where it was placed. Quietly. Discreetly. Timeless.
It does not seek attention, yet it rewards those who notice it. It is not merely décor, it is history, carried across centuries, continents, and homes, now resting within these walls.
And it will remain here, silently witnessing moments, conversations, and celebrations, for as long as it can.