Seven’s current obsession?...stickers! And she has found ‘stickers’ in bandaids, in tape, various shipping labels. You name it, if she can ‘stick’ it, it is now a ‘sticker’! I suppose the apple didn’t fall from the tree as my current obsession, and honestly, a most surprising one is the adult version… wallpaper. Unlike my two year old I am able to use a much larger canvas and stick all the beautiful prints I can find throughout my home as well as clients. Although some may argue wallpaper seemed to retreat over recent decades we can all agree that it is back with a vengeance and design houses all over the world are clamoring to present their ‘honey I blew up the kids’ version and our adult stickers.

Like many design trends I gravitate towards, wallpaper has been around since the beginning of time. Ok, in all honesty though the act of applying paper to walls began in China around 400 B.C. in the 18th century our modern conception. In 1785, Christophe-Philippe Oberkampf from France invented the first machine for printing wallpaper. Oberkampf presented a lower cost replacement for the expensive wall tapestries that were so common. In the 1800s steam power was applied to the printing process allowing for a much faster and cheaper printing process and would inevitably open the doors for the vast array of patterns and design we still enjoy today.

Companies such as CW Stockwell established in 1905, have been creating patterns that resonate with current trends for well over a 100 years. Brands such as these have a perspective that presents itself as modern that remains relevant in a historical home. Our LT Home Store wallpaper line ‘If Walls Could Talk” done in collaboration with Kayla Phillips is precisely the delicate dance between young and old. With Kayla’s distinct creative identity we reimagined the timeless patterns of florals, pinstripes, and plaid. I expressed the need that modern home owners were having in their hundred year old homes. With a gentle nod to history we’ve been able to catapult into the next hundred years in a bold and dynamic way.

Strides in technology have exploded the wallpaper world and have made the possibilities endless. The market is vast, which provides broader accessibility which you know I am all about, the fact is there are sooooo many options now I am sure anyone could find themselves overwhelmed. From ‘peel and stick’ ‘pre pasted’ ‘wall mural’ ‘grasscloth’ ‘vinyl of fabric’ ‘vinyl of paper’ ‘foil wallpaper’ ‘printed wallpaper’, the options available are about as endless as the options of ‘stickers’ made available to my two year old at the doctors office in other words, you could be here all day. Budget, application (where it is going… ceilings aren't off limits and are ALWAYS encouraged, plaster vs. drywall, texture vs smooth, commercial vs residential) and desired effect are all bullet points to consider. I don’t usually use this platform as an opportunity to ‘sell’ design services however, depending on the scale of project I certainly would suggest seeking a professional consultation as you navigate through them all. This wall covering option is not quite as budget friendly as paint however, if executed correctly, and outlast any paint job and voila! More bang for your buck! I’ve compiled the following ‘terms to know’ to help guide your journey as you uncover the beautiful world of wallpaper.

Terms to know 

Wallpaper

in the traditional sense a ‘wallpaper’ is a paper that will have a repeat this is often found in the description of the wallpaper. For example, our wallpaper ‘repeats’ every 50”. So in other words, when you are measuring your wall, you’ll want to measure in 50” increments. If you have 12’ ceilings = 144” of wall, you’ll wallpaper will ‘repeat’ 3 times.

Wall mural

Murals are a bit more straightforward. Murals are literally like one big ‘sticker’ you apply to your wall. Comprised of various panels that all complete one image that is not repeating. These are perfect for an accent wall. Check out my Message from Me! Where I show how I took 2 murals to make one!

Peel and Stick

The stuff dreams are made of. Peel and stick has changed the game for renters, or anyone that has a little trouble in the commitment department. Take care to check with manufacturers care and application instructions. I personally would only use this option if you had to, typically they can only be positioned one or two times and the walls should be pretty close to perfect - plaster rarely is. Often you’ll find that the pricing and ‘ease of install’ I use ‘ease’ cautiously because if done incorrectly in can also be a nightmare.

Pre pasted and Unpasted

Like the names suggest pre-pasted wallpaper has paste applied to the back of it. You can wet the back and begin to apply the wallpaper to the wall once the paste is sticky. Unpasted wallpaper requires you to add the paste to the back in order to paper to the wall. Similar to the peel and stick depending on the surface to which you are applying the pre-pasted ‘paste’ may or may not be sufficient.

My general rule of thumb is…hire it out!

As you know, I am usually all for cheering on the DiYer, however, from my experience this particular home improvement project can certainly send you into a frustrated heap on your foyer floor… speaking for someone else of course. There is no shame it making a few calls to the pros to make sure your result is showroom worthy!

• Seek professional advice when selecting

As I mentioned, wallpaper can outlast a paint job easily. However, if you misstep and end up with a pattern that doesn’t support your vision you’ll be itching to change it with the season. Like any art you select for your home. Who makes it, how it was made, and how it resonates with you are so very important to get right.

• Hire a professional to hang your wallpaper

if you're unsure. Professional painting companies often work with. I advise clients to hire it out based on a couple factors; pattern (more complex and intricate the pattern, the more care and detailed execution that is needed), surface (plaster walls are notorious for being uneven, wavy, and corners that aren’t square), and cost of material (like anything, the more $ you invest the higher the demand of getting it right). 

Trust me, you’ll thank me later