If you’re a design aficionado and drool over the fabulous homes seen on Instagram or featured in magazines, then you know that what makes those spaces swoon worthy is often the architecture itself. The large expanses of windows, an abundance of natural light, soaring ceilings and detailed mouldings. Features that are hard to recreate in a typical family home without doing a full on renovation.
Fear not and don’t be discouraged. Of all the ways to refresh and add character to a room, nothing will amp up the charm and personality of a space like wallpaper. Unlike paint, wallpaper can add a bold statement, subtle texture or a touch of whimsy.
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My clients wanted a lively multi-purpose space that served as both library and dining room. Schumacher’s Chiang Mai Dragon wallpaper adds a colourful statement. |
A subtle patterned paper adds interest and depth to this formal dining room. Choosing a repetitive design in calm colours allowed for layering with art and window coverings. |
When selecting wallpaper for a client’s nursery, I recommended this Jessica Zoob paper by Romo. It creates a magical backdrop that will grow with her little one.
Wallpaper has a long and fascinating history
The Chinese were the inventors of paper and the first to use painted rice paper for wall decoration. One can trace wallpaper’s origins all the way back to the Qin Dynasty in the first Century. The Silk Road allowed for the trade of many treasures, wallpaper being one of them. Since it was such a luxury and accessible only to the European elite, wallpaper was a way to show off wealth and social standing.
During the Renaissance, with the advancement of printmaking techniques in Europe, adding colour and brightness with wallpaper became accessible to more households. As technology progressed, improvement in wallpaper manufacturing continued and today digital printing allows for the most unique designs.
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The earliest fragment of a European wallpaper dates from 1509. It was made by Hugo Goes of York and was found in Christ’s College Cambridge.This reconstruction shows the damask style of pomegranates. (credit V&A) |
This paper was created in the 1780’s by Jean- Baptiste Réveillon. He had a royal warrant and produced extremely intricate patterns for the French aristocracy. The first riots of the French Revolution occurred at his factory. (credit V&A) |
Wallpaper is enjoying a renewed popularity as a way to express personality and create unique, personal spaces. Wallpaper has never really gone out of style, but for a brief time in the modern period, there was a preference for bare walls. These days however, I’m specifying wallpaper for almost every homeowner I work with. It creates a huge impact in a room, isn’t super invasive to have installed and is a cost effective way to add character to a space.
Cole & Sons Leopard Walk wallpaper added just the right amount of drama in this downtown condo powder room. The marching leopards form a pattern that creates rhythm.
I like to use bold prints for a small powder room as it creates drama. Using two papers in one space is a fun touch, and yes you can paper the ceiling, either with the same paper or choosing something completely different. To create a focal point in an open concept space, I often use an interesting paper on a wall, framed with a moulding.
Trends can come and go very quickly, but I am happy to say that there are many designs that stand the test of time and have been beloved for years. It’s important to select a design that truly touches the soul and is authentic to the mood being created. With careful consideration, there’s no reason why a wallpaper shouldn’t last ten to fifteen years or more. For classic wallpaper designs that have a rich history, I find it best to look at the selections by the iconic fabric houses like Schumacher, Romo, Scalamandre, Fortuny, and Clarence House. While being cutting edge and embracing new technologies, these luxury textile houses have generations of history and heritage to draw upon, making their designs interesting, soulful and long-lasting.
Schumacher’s Queen of Spain wallpaper was introduced in 1963. It was made famous when featured in this black and white photo of a young Mick Jagger. 60 years later, the pattern is just as striking and edgy. I recently installed it in a client’s powder room with dramatic results.
1862 was the year William Morris design his iconic Fruit wallpaper. It was one of his earliest designs and is still in production today. Just recently we had it installed in this cozy snug, adding just the right mix of heritage and sophistication.
Based on an archival 1947 Josef Frank print, this Schumacher pattern is full of colour, whimsy and wit. It is a labour of love, as the Citrus Garden paper is made by hand, one hue at a time. You can watch a video of the hand blocking process here
I believe that every home deserves a little wallpaper. Thousands of years of history prove that putting pattern on our walls brings joy. Yes it can be scary sometimes, especially if removing 1970’s paper is a recent memory. Don’t let this deter you. There is nothing like wallpaper to add that something special to a room, especially when it’s layered with textiles and art. When a pattern is thoughtfully selected, it will bring happiness for many years.
