Not Your Grandmother's Wallpaper ...
Photography: Bob Wortham
TREND ALERT! Wallpaper’s back. After years of minimalist-chic rejection of any wall treatment but paint, wallpaper has taken off again. The décor pendulum has swung from the monochromatic look of the ’90s to a more glamorous and adventurous look today. No longer are people scared off by memories of the tacky, plastic-looking florals or primary-colored vinyl stripes they grew up with. Instead, today’s wall coverings (the term designers now favor) impart an elegant sense of design, providing depth and texture to a room. The latest wallpapers hot off the press are exciting, boasting large patterns, bold colors, foils and flocked papers with raised designs, along with calmer textures featuring yarn-dyed linens and grass cloths offering a natural look. While today’s designers often look to the past for inspiration, they often re-style and re-scale patterns for contemporary sensibilities.
Wallpaper was created in 16th century Europe and 17th century China as a cheaper alternative to tapestry and paneling — a protection against dampness and fireplace smoke. Wallpaper’s popularity actually inspired a tax in England in 1712 on paper that was “painted, printed or stained to serve as hangings.” In early America, colonials not only copied European fashions from neoclassical designs and rambling roses, but also introduced patriotic “commemorative” papers in workshops they set up after the Revolutionary War. The late 1800s saw the beginnings of modern wall coverings when the Art Nouveau movement simplified and refined the elaborate motifs popular in the Victorian era. By the 1920s, futurist and cubist patterns reflected the new modernism while the appearance of vinyl and pre-pasted papers defined a new emphasis on practicality during the post-World War II era.
The advent of pre-pasted wallpaper encouraged homeowners to try their hand at wallpapering on their own, with varied results. Tassie Vawdrey, who is known for her skillful custom wallpaper installations in Park City, says that even with the easier methods for removing old wallpaper and hanging pre-pasted paper, the job can be a minefield. “Some of the most interesting paper is not pre-pasted and can be a challenge, even for a professional,” explains Vawdrey. “Throughout my career, I’ve heard the story at least 40 times, where the husband is trying to wrap the corner which is really tough and he and the wife get in a huge fight. I call it ‘Divorce Corner,’” she says with a laugh. “It’s so funny because I’ve heard the same story so many times. Some clients have credited me with saving their marriages.”
Vawdrey knows what she is speaking about, since she has been working with custom wallpaper for nearly 20 years. “I saw wallpapering as good potential to make money and have career flexibility, which was helpful as a single mom,” she explains. She thinks of wallpaper as an art that requires a very mathematical and precise approach to application. Her projects have included such varied venues as a movie set, an upscale ski shop, restaurants and recently the Rikka Studio and numerous luxury homes.
Vawdrey’s customers often find wall coverings at a store in Salt Lake City, Walls, that prides itself in being up-to-date on the latest trends as well as more classic designs. Its proprietor, Brittney Wallman, started Walls to expand the options available to the general public in Salt Lake City. “Now people don’t have to go through the trade to find a wide selection,” she says. “We carry contemporary patterns ranging from $40 a roll to $400 a roll.”
Susan Monahan of Interiors in Park City, while applauding the availability of more choices, notes that it is a good idea to check with a professional before incurring the expense of high-end wall coverings. She, too, has noticed that many of her clients want to update their homes with new wall finishes. “Sometimes,” she adds, “you can make a huge change without going through construction by simply adding exciting wallpaper.”
Another reason to favor wallpaper is its ability to hide less-than-perfect walls. In these cases, textured wallpaper can act as the great concealer. Those who desire a painted look but who have “challenging” walls will be pleased with the number of papers that look as if they were sponge-painted or striéd (striped or streaked).
What about removing wallpaper when you want to change the look of a room? When walls are properly prepared beforehand with a sealer, the old paper can be easily removed with special wallpaper remover. By using pre-pasted papers that don’t have hard-to-match-up patterns such as plaids or stripes, a novice can be successful; but most designers advise hiring a professional. If you are wallpapering a bathroom, kitchen or child’s room, consider the many “washable” or “scrubbable” coated vinyls that are stain resistant and can be wiped with a wet cloth (most manufacturers include instructions on how to clean a particular paper). Before deciding on a pattern, take a large sample home with you and tape it on the wall. The look of a particular paper can change in different lights. It is also important to see how it fits in with the rest of your décor, especially how it looks next to neighboring rooms. Many people like to combine paint and wallpaper in one room, highlighting an entrance hall, emphasizing the wall behind a headboard in a bedroom, or even papering door panels and cabinets. Bolder patterns can be used successfully on these “feature” walls to add life and excitement to an ordinary space. Adventurous designers have been known to frame especially unusual wallpapers and hang them as inexpensive art works, paper room dividers or even use wallpaper to dress up inexpensive dining room tables (under glass, of course). Whatever you decide, the key is to relax and have fun with it. After all, it can always be changed next year.
Park City resident Wendy Lavitt is the author of six books on art and antiques and many articles in various magazines. She lectures widely and has been a guest curator for museums and art centers throughout the country.
SOURCES
Tassie Vawdrey: CUSTOM WALLS:
Professional Wallpaper Installation 435.940.1023.
WALLS: 1465 South 700 East, Salt Lake City: 801.484.5858
wallsthecolourstore.com.
Susan Monahan: Interiors in Park City LLC: 435.649.0510.
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