Do you dread wallpaper? I bet it’s not because you think it’s “old fashioned” or out of style or ugly; I bet it’s because you think it’s a giant pain in the butt to remove once you decide to refresh the look of your room.
Am I right?
Don't have time to read it now? Pin it for later!
In the interior design world, wallpaper has always been IN. Today, we have more choices than ever, and I see winning wallpaper everywhere! All the big wallpaper design houses have gorgeous selections in a myriad of colors, styles, and textures (as do lesser-known brands). You can view a comprehensive list of brands here.
How To Properly Prepare Walls for Wallpaper installation
Sizing
Your walls should be painted and sized. Sizing is the process of diluting wallpaper paste with water, applying a coat to your wall, and allowing it to dry before hanging your paper. Rustoleum sells a similar product they swear by called Shieldz.
Lining
There is also a pre-pasted wall liner that works with specific wallpapers. If your paper hanger recommends it, then I’d go the extra step to have your paper lined.
Peel & Stick
Your walls should be wiped down with a damp cloth 24 hours before installation. Many swear by this product – it’s supposed to help.
Following one of the above installation processes will make your wallpaper easy to remove when the wind of change hits you.
Don’t believe me? Here’s ID Richelle Plett working some magic!
Pretty easy, right?
Wallpaper Design Styles
What’s your style? Check out these wallpapers to see if any resonate with you. I’ve only chosen 1 design per style – I like all of these designs and would recommend them to a client.
Abstract
Classic
Damask
Faux Finish
Floral
Geometric
Motif
Stripes
Watercolor
Whimsical
Marvelous Murals
Murals have become popular in recent years and for good reason – they are a stunning way to decorate a room.
Gorgeous Grassclothes, etc.
Grasscloth, paperweaves, hemps, and other natural materials are gorgeous ways to add texture to your space.
Vinyl
A practical solution in damp or wet areas – think bathrooms.
Peel & Stick
A great option for the DIY-er.
Specialty Papers
Specialty papers are pricey, but oh so spectacular!
When you want to make a true statement …
Gold Metallic on Shetland Horsehair
Silk 3D
Upholstered Walls
Velvet, leather, brocade, felt, pinstripe – it IS possible to line your walls with fabric. The fabric is backed with paper and sometimes the front is laminated to keep the fabric clean in a high-traffic room. The walls can be padded which makes the room feel extra luxurious with the added bonus of dampening sound.
The Pièce de Résistance
Hand painted wallpaper is considered the gold standard by many; it’s artisan, custom, and luxurious.
I recently collaborated on a few jobs with my BFF, who is also an ID. Here are some gorgeous wallpaper choices we’ve newly specified for a few of these projects:
A formal powder room – this fuchsia grasscloth will sit above white ribbed wainscoting.
A whimsical powder room – these large rabbits are the perfect juxtaposition to a console sink with lucite legs & lucite lighting.
A home office – contemporary & feminine with large dot cafe curtains.
A laundry room – fun touches of blue with deep green cabinetry are a winning combo.
A formal dining room – classic furniture, Waterford chandeliers and stunning walls.
A kitchen – lining the back of the glass cabinets is a beautiful way to add interest to a white kitchen.
A powder room – the large-scale palm fronds add pizzazz to an oceanfront beach rental.
Anaglypta & Lincrusta
Anaglypta is beautiful, embossed wallpaper similar in weight to standard wallpaper. The designs and textures are varied and can fit into many home styles. This paper comes white, and is meant to be painted.
Lincrusta is a gelled linseed and wood flour paste pressed onto a heavy backing paper. It’s solid and heavy – a gorgeous wall treatment. The company Lincrusta makes the “wallpaper,” friezes & borders, and dado panels which are beautiful beneath a chair rail.
While these wall treatments have traditionally been used in historic homes – think Victorian, Edwardian, etc. – modern-day homes have used this beautiful wall covering for myriad design reasons.
A perfect example is a former home of mine built in 2000. I wanted a formal, traditional dining room with built-in corner cabinets and a tin ceiling. Unfortunately, the price for the ceiling was higher than I was willing to pay. Enter Anaglypta; I had it installed and painted. Once the furniture, fabrics & accessories were added, the result was perfect for that home.
This dining room screams traditional, but easily could be updated today with new chairs, curtains, lighting, and accessories.
Tin ceilings were invented in the late 1800s as a more affordable and easy-to-install alternative to intricately adorned plaster ceilings, bringing an upscale look to a wider audience.
Traditional Looks
There are many ways to achieve a traditional look with Anaglypta & Lincrusta, including:
Wainscoting
Feature wall
Entire room
All installations are a beautiful way to add a vintage element to your home.
Contemporary Looks
Is your style more contemporary? No worries, there are more modern styles of Anaglypta & Lincrusta and many trad styles work with contemporary furniture. Mixing modern and vintage gives your room a more collected feel and can be timeless.
For the DIY-er at heart
I recently discovered a unique way to revamp old furniture – using Anaglypta. The result is truly stunning and offers a beautiful blend of vintage and modern styles, adding character to your piece. It’s worth considering if you’re looking for a creative way to breathe new life into your furniture.
A few final notes: I highly recommend hiring a professional to hang your wallpaper. Sure, many lay people have done it and have done a good job, but it’s easy to make mistakes…especially in calculating how many rolls to order. It’s confusing as many manufacturers price for 1 roll but sell in double rolls and some sell by the yard. Depending on the manufacturer the rolls come in different widths and lengths. Then there’s the whole design repeat computation. A repeat can be a quarter drop, half drop, or other. Trust me when I say hiring a professional will save you both money and aggravation in the long run.
Below are some helpful installation secrets for Anaglypta and Lincrusta. As always, I recommend you use a professional for installation, but I want to ensure you’re informed on the steps your installer should take (or you if you’re a DIY-er at heart).
I hope you can use this handy guide to help you in choosing a wallpaper and other wall coverings for your project.
If you’re unsure of finding the perfect winning wallpaper or alternative for your home, book a Discovery Call with me…I’d love to help you make your home beautiful.
Related Posts
