In the first part of the 20th century America became wildly obsessed with wallpaper. The ornate patterns and florals could be found covering walls everywhere. However, within the 2nd half of the century, this fixation was largely replaced with alternative treatments such as paint and paneling. Perhaps this was due, in part, to an aspiration for more simple and less adorned walls, but more likely, people were fed up with the difficulty and work it took to apply and remove this primitively designed wallpaper. Improved technology has given us the advantage to provide better functionality and aesthetics, skyrocketing the popularity of wallpaper once again!
There are New Patterns, Textures and Styles
Early century wallpapers were composed of a lot of florals or small elaborate patterns that would be considered far too busy today. Installing it was a long, laborious task that called for soaking the paper in water to activate the adhesive on the back and then applying it to the wall. Our latest wallpapers come in a wide variety of patterns and textures. You can find anything from more organic prints resembling woodgrains and brick or stone walls to more luxe effects with glassy beads and velvets. Improvements in printing have drastically improved the realistic feature in the images that can now be easily applied to your space.
Application is Easy!
Wallpaper has a negative connotation when talked about today. This is because of the laborious process that used to be involved with application and removal. Installing it was a long, laborious task that called for soaking the paper in water to activate the adhesive on the back and then applying it to the wall. The application and removal process has been made much easier. Now, there are two techniques used to apply wallpaper. The peel-and-stick method (usually used for vinyl wallpaper) is ideal for renters or those that like to redecorate often. It is as simple as removing the backing and sticking it to the desired location. This tactic can easily be repositioned, and when you are ready to change décor, each sheet comes off in one full piece leaving zero residue or damage behind. The second process is called the paste-the-wall method. It is commonly used with non-woven, higher quality wallpapers. When using paste-the-wall, the adhesive is applied directly to the wall and the paper is laid over and smoothed out before the paste dries. Just as with the peel-and-stick method, removing the paste-the-wall method only requires pulling off the full sheets by a corner. Although paste-the-wall may leave behind some adhesive residue, warm water will easily wash it away. Either of these approaches make today’s application methods much easier, cleaner and more affordable than before.
It Adds Color and Drama
By now we know that we can easily use wallpaper to cover walls in our homes and/or workspaces. However, if you add in a little creativity, wallpaper can be used in so many other fun ways to add interest and bring attention to unique features of your room. Add a little pizzazz by applying a cute wallpaper to the inside of your cabinets or furniture pieces (such as a hutch or bookshelf)! Bring some life to your breakfast nook by adding a cute peel-and-stick. Wallpaper an arched doorway or a ceiling to make those architectural elements an unexpected focal point. Even smaller décor items, such as lampshades or the inside of a picture frame, can draw interest with the addition of a lively wallpaper!
