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The Martinique Obsession: 7 Shocking Facts About The Beverly Hills Hotel's Iconic Banana Leaf Wallpaper

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The Beverly Hills Hotel's iconic banana leaf wallpaper, officially known as the Martinique® print, remains one of the most recognizable and enduring design motifs in the world today. Originally installed in the hotel’s lobby and corridors in the mid-20th century, this vibrant green and white pattern has transcended its roots to become a global symbol of Hollywood glamour, tropical chic, and mid-century modern luxury. As of December 2025, the design is enjoying a resurgence through modern collaborations, proving its timeless appeal.

This deep dive explores the fascinating history, the controversial designer, the pop culture legacy, and the most recent updates on the Martinique wallpaper, revealing why this lush, oversized print continues to dominate interior design trends, from luxury hotel lobbies to modern residential kitchens.

The Quintuple Threat: Profile of Designer Don Loper

While the Martinique wallpaper was created by the heritage company CW Stockwell, its legendary status is inextricably linked to the Hollywood figure who chose it for the Beverly Hills Hotel: Don Loper. Loper was a true multi-hyphenate whose career was as vibrant and dramatic as the banana leaf print itself.

  • Full Name: Don Loper
  • Born: April 29, 1906, in Toledo, Ohio
  • Died: November 21, 1972, in Santa Monica, California
  • Primary Professions: Costume Designer, Fashion Designer (Couturier), Interior Decorator, Choreographer, Screenwriter, and Associate Producer.
  • Nickname: "Quintuple Threat," a term he used to describe his varied talents in the entertainment and design industries.
  • Hollywood Career: Loper began his career in New York as a dancer in the 1930s before moving to Hollywood. He worked on films as a choreographer and costume designer, dressing stars like Loretta Young and Lucille Ball.
  • Design Salon: In 1946, he opened a highly successful couture salon on Sunset Boulevard, Beverly Hills, solidifying his status as a premier designer for the Hollywood elite.
  • The Martinique Connection: Loper selected the Martinique print for the 1949 redesign of the Beverly Hills Hotel, particularly for the Fountain Coffee Room and the main corridors, cementing the pattern's place in design history.

The Secret History of The Martinique Banana Leaf Print

The story of the Martinique wallpaper is a fascinating tale of timing, collaboration, and a little bit of design controversy. It is not merely a tropical pattern; it is a meticulously crafted piece of art that captured the spirit of post-war California.

Fact 1: The Design Predates The Hotel's Use By Seven Years

The Martinique banana leaf print was not created for the Beverly Hills Hotel. It was designed in 1942 by CW Stockwell, a Los Angeles-based wallcovering company. The pattern was part of their initial collection, but it did not achieve global fame until Don Loper installed it in the hotel during a major renovation in 1949.

Fact 2: It Was Originally Designed For A Different Purpose

The original inspiration for the Martinique print was to create a lush, oversized tropical pattern that would thrive in the bright, sunny climate of Southern California. The large scale of the banana leaves was specifically intended to be dramatic and transportive, bringing the outdoors in—a perfect fit for the hotel's "Pink Palace" aesthetic and the burgeoning Hollywood glamour scene of the 1940s and 1950s.

Fact 3: The Design Is Hand-Printed in Los Angeles

Unlike many modern wallpapers, the original Martinique print is still hand-printed in Los Angeles by CW Stockwell. This meticulous process uses traditional screens and techniques, ensuring the quality and texture of the original 1942 design are preserved. This commitment to heritage craftsmanship is a key reason for its continued luxury appeal.

From Hollywood Glamour to Modern Grandmillennial Chic

The Martinique wallpaper's influence extends far beyond the walls of the Beverly Hills Hotel, permeating pop culture and inspiring new generations of designers. Its journey from a mid-century staple to a contemporary icon highlights its incredible topical authority.

Fact 4: The Golden Girls Made It A Pop Culture Icon

One of the most famous appearances of the Martinique print outside of the hotel is in the beloved 1980s sitcom, The Golden Girls. The bedroom of the character Blanche Devereaux (played by Rue McClanahan) featured the unmistakable Martinique banana leaf wallpaper, often paired with a matching comforter. This exposure introduced the tropical print to a massive, global audience, further cementing its status as a symbol of bold, unapologetic style.

Fact 5: It Launched The Entire "Palm Print" Trend

The Martinique wallpaper is widely credited with launching the entire "palm print" and "tropical print" trend in interior design. Before its widespread use, such bold, nature-inspired patterns were less common. Today, countless imitations and inspired designs exist across fashion, home goods, and other wallcoverings, all tracing their lineage back to the original Martinique pattern.

Fact 6: The Latest Update is The "Martinique Obsession" Collection

To keep the design fresh and relevant, CW Stockwell has recently collaborated with modern design houses. The most notable collaboration is with the design studio VOUTSA, resulting in the "Martinique Obsession" and "Celebration!" collections. These new interpretations offer the classic banana leaf print in modern, unexpected colorways and finishes, like shimmering metallics and darker, moodier palettes, appealing to the contemporary "Grandmillennial" aesthetic.

Fact 7: The Wallpaper Has Its Own Official Pantone Color

The specific green hue of the original Martinique wallpaper is so iconic that it is often referenced as its own entity within the design world. The vibrant, lush green is key to the pattern’s success, providing the perfect contrast to the stark white background. This signature color palette maintains the lively, energetic feel that Hollywood decorator Don Loper originally intended for the hotel's Fountain Coffee Room and its famous clientele.

Topical Authority Entities & LSI Keywords:

The enduring popularity of the Martinique print is supported by a rich web of related entities and LSI keywords, including:

  • CW Stockwell
  • Don Loper
  • Martinique Wallpaper
  • Banana Leaf Print
  • Beverly Hills Hotel
  • Fountain Coffee Room
  • Hollywood Glamour
  • Mid-Century Modern (MCM)
  • Tropical Chic
  • Palm Print Trend
  • The Golden Girls
  • Blanche Devereaux
  • Dorchester Collection (Hotel Owner)
  • VOUTSA Collaboration
  • Martinique Obsession
  • Celebration! Collection
  • Sunset Boulevard
  • Hollywood Regency
  • Interior Decoration
  • Wallcovering Art
  • 1942 Design Date
  • 1949 Installation Date
  • Grandmillennial Style
  • Palm Springs Design
  • Iconic Wallpaper
  • Screen Printing Process
The Martinique Obsession: 7 Shocking Facts About The Beverly Hills Hotel's Iconic Banana Leaf Wallpaper
beverly hills hotel wallpaper
beverly hills hotel wallpaper

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