Wallpaper Revolution!

It used to be that if I needed to avoid wasting my day away perusing products for hours on end, I would just avoid the mall... or the bookstore... or Staples... But now that shopping is part of my professional job description it's become more of a challenge to walk the straight and narrow.

Today I veered off course at the Laguna Design Center... I was supposed to be looking for outdoor fabrics - but I got distracted by GORGEOUS wallpaper - EVERYWHERE! So I grabbed a few samples, I'm hoping to start a wallpaper revolution - no more plain flat walls (or ceilings!) The problem will be widdling down the selections to ultimately choose just the perfect one...


Love this one by Neisha Crossland - it's flocked! Stark Wallcoverings, Flamante - Moreska


Or this one... comes as linen panels - growing up the wall. Stark Wallcoverings, Loui Loui.


Love the geometric pattern of this one by Romo Wallpapers.


Unfortunately wallpaper has lost it's appeal over the years for several different reasons, one - it's RIDICULOUSLY hard to get off, two - it reminds people of their grandmother's house (not in the fresh-baked cookie way), and three - it yellows and curls at the edges as it ages.

Have no fear - that WAS your grandmother's wallpaper, and the paper available today is the latest and greatest, next-generation wallpaper. Most of the products available now are peelable, and the yellowing and curling was due to mold and mildew that grew behind the wallpaper. Most paper (or vinyl) products today are either breathable or micro-perforated so moisture can not get trapped in the wall, causing mildew.



Wallpaper (both paper-based and vinyl-based) are more durable than paint. They are scrubbable, easy to maintain and offer a ton of possibilities in texture, pattern, color and even acoustics. I used a fabric wallcovering backed with paper in my powder bath (which is next to the dining room) to ...ah... how you say - transmit less noise ...ah-hem.

There are many options to choose from when it comes to wallcoverings...

Wood Veneer Wallcoverings:


Sharkskin (Shagren:)


Uh - Safari:


Grasscloth with Embroidery (one of my all-time favorites, and new contender for my own kitchen ceiling:)


(Resposibly GATHERED - they promise...) peacock feathers:


Metal:


3-D linoleum mimicking plaster panels (absolutely gorgeous, especially painted):


OK - I could go on for days... but hopefully you can see that the possibilities are endless! So - Just a few notes to wrap up, some wallpapers show wall imperfections - so consult a professional wallpaper hanger, go to: http://www.ngpp.org/ to find one in your area.

If you're a little weary still - try wallpapering an accent wall (usually works best on the wall directly in front of you when you enter a room, or the wall behind the main focal point, like a fireplace.) The easiest rule to follow is to paint the other walls in the room the background color of the wallpaper.

If you STILL need more convincing that wallpaper is FAB-U-Lous - check out this one of a kind, 3D installation in NYC at the Kipps Bay Showhouse by Amy Lau of her namesake firm, and acclaimed paper artist, Jo Lynn Alcorn:


For more images go to: http://www.mayaromanoff.com/pages/kipsbay.html