How did wallpaper move from ‘time-capsule’ to ‘hotbed of creativity’
Wallpaper was once the king of home decor options in the 1960s, but lost its way during the whitewashed austerity of the 1980s and 1990s. Whilst it was never completely abandoned, we all fell in love with broad flat areas of paint as a backdrop to our try-hard furniture and assorted jumble sale discoveries. Content with our monochrome walls, we waited for the new millennium to sweep in like a fresh breeze.
Wallpaper, meanwhile, was going through a secret revolution. Designers were beginning to produce highly stylised and beautifully conceived prints that directly challenged the uniformly tinted walls that had taken over their territory. Manufacturers too were changing the way that wallpaper was made, generating new materials that were easy-to-hang and allowed much greater design flexibility. Slowly old turf was being regained – and then something amazing happened. OPRAH announced that WALLPAPER WAS BACK. The year was 2006 and the worldwide reaction was phenomenal. Decorators were buoyed by the renewed interest and began exploring every possibility offered by modern designs and materials. Web sites picked up the trend, the world awoke from its slumber and wallcoverings simply exploded.
Suddenly, consumers could make their selections from an extraordinary range of bold new designs and products of great subtlety that catered for every ambience. Contemporary or classic, audacious or muted, matt or textured, the luxury of choice became a huge factor in decision making. The digital printing process opened up the way for photographic and artistic interpretations that had never been seen before and the interior design world embraced these new dimensions with vigour and enthusiasm.
Whilst the battle of paint versus wallpaper continues, it’s certainly becoming a very interesting contest. There’s no doubt that wallpaper has made a global comeback. Just check out these snippets from interior design web sites around the world. They all have a common theme – the drab painted wall is crumbling beneath the sheer weight of choice and beauty offered in modern wallcoverings. Hume Internationale understands wallcoverings. If you want to discuss the amazing possibilities for your residential or commercial space, give us a call today on (03) 9335 6711 or explore our website now.
Wallpaper is making a comeback – and it’s nothing like what you remember seeing on your grandmother’s walls. Many remember the wallpapers of the 1960s and 1970s, when bright geometric patterns, pop-art designs and vinyl were all the rage. But by the mid-‘80s through to the 90’s, wallpaper slowly began to fall out of favour. Now, wallcoverings have once again come into vogue. Leading trends include murals, coverings with an aged elegance or gentle worn look and special textures. Others are pushing the design envelope – adding all sorts of tactile dimensions to their wallpaper collections. www.houzz.com
If you haven’t given your walls much thought since last agonizing over paint chips, now is the time to consider today’s new wallpaper and wall decor products. It’s like switching from traditional to highdefinition TV—you won’t see walls the same way ever again. Wallpaper’s sharper image has everything to do with advanced technology incorporated into striking designs to suit the way we live today. iHaveNet.com
For years, wallpaper has gotten a bum rap. Now, it’s back. The newest wallpaper trends emphasize sophisticated patterns, contemporary designs, old world craftsmanship and fabrics that simulate upholstered walls. Many modern wallpapers are breathable, eco-friendly and easy to apply. When you’re done with it, you just peel it off without damaging the wall. And don’t let the name fool you – wallpaper isn’t just for walls anymore. You can put it on the ceiling – you can even simulate carpentry effects for a fraction of the price! http://www.oprah.com
Wallpaper nearly vanished from the interior design radar 20 years ago. Today – with new technology making printing, installing and removing it easier – the popularity of wallpaper is surging. We’re using wallpaper everywhere, from large spaces like master bedrooms and family rooms to small powder rooms, where wallpaper adds a sense of surprise and whimsy. The best papers today are handcrafted with silk backgrounds or made of natural fibres. They are exquisite and add dimension and texture to a room. They are modern and vibrant – yet sophisticated and stylish. There are so many more choices and textures available today – there is no need to design within the limitations of paint. www.washingtonexaminer.com
