Wednesday, June 19, 2013

not your grandmother's wallpaper

There are so many wallpaper choices out there that the excuse “I don’t want my home to look like a grandmothers” is no longer valid when choosing not to explore wallpaper.  Design Studio 2010 has thrown together a little cheat sheet for anyone looking to venture into the world of wallpaper.

Non-traditional floral:  I love floral wallpaper, but the not type you’re probably thinking of.  While traditional wallpaper is often floral with an abundance of color, I prefer a more modern take on it.  Look for abstracted patterns with 3-5 main colors, preferably all similar color tones (black and white do not apply) to keep a clean and modern look.  This master bedroom has an abstracted carnation in gold over an orange background, keeping the bedroom updated and modern with a nod to traditional patterns.  

The Lookout Project - Master Bedroom Bed and Wallpaper

Geometric:  These are always a great choice, but keep a few simple rules in mind.  If the pattern is more angular then it can be larger, busier, and more complex, because the hard edges inherently make the pattern more modern.  But if softer scrolls and sweeps are more your style, stick to simpler pattern to keep the wallpaper it modern.

Spicewood Springs Project - Master Bedroom

Stripes:  Always a timeless classic, though I suggest not papering the entire room in stripes.  Do an accent wall or add a wainscot at the bottom to break it up!  We love all stripes, tone on tone, single color on white, or multicolor. 

Grass cloths:   Definitely the new hit wallpaper, a few gentle reminders.  Grass cloths can get really expensive really quickly, but a lot of the time, there is a more economical option.  Grass cloths may need to be shopped a bit more than other wallpaper to meet your price point.  Also no matter how expensive your grass cloth is, you will be able to see the seams; it’s just the nature of the product.  However, if you choose a grass cloth with a tighter weave, it will be less prominent but still noticeable.   Finally, because grass cloths are comprised of natural materials, they will fade faster than other wallpapers with sun exposure; consider putting them in an interior bathroom, or a north facing room if this is a major concern. 



Scenes:  We have all seen twall wallpapers and you either love them or hate them.  If you are someone who loves them, go for it.  We suggest using a single color twall to keep the design fresh and timeless.  Try using a bright fun color; with a more traditional design the color can be more daring. 

Tiles:  Another new hot trend in wallpaper.  Often tiles are out of capiz shell or wood veneers adhered to thin foam padding and have about a sixteenth of an inch in depth.  These are a great alternative to a faux finish and help give warmth and texture to a space.  Don’t necessarily shy away from tiles because of budget restrictions, a single accent wall (like a vanity wall) makes a huge impact on the space. 


Beaded and Velvet:  These have been out for a few years, but are still relatively new.  Beaded and velvet papers give richness to the space by added additional layer of depth and texture to walls.  We love textured papers for dining rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms, and even nurseries! 

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