Wallpaper...is coming back, but SO DIFFERENT!
Wallpaper is making a big comeback. Even HGTV's Home Town star, Erin Napier, is coming out with her own line of wallpaper in March. So...love it or hate it...wallpaper is hitting the stage. Now, before we dive into today's wallpaper and amazing uses, the history of wallpaper has some interesting twists. Many wallpapers in the Victorian era got there start from English designer William Morris, one of the first wallpaper designers in the mid 1800's. It was discovered that adding arsenic to wallpaper gave the colors deep brilliant shades and a very vibrant hue. During the Victorian era arsenic was used in many things from baby carriages to food coloring. Yes, wallpaper was sometimes deadly. The ink applied to the wallpaper would often flake off due to moisture, abrasion, or heat causing the toxic arsenic vapors to be released in the air and inhaled by those nearby. By 1877 medical professionals began cautioning the public that products containing arsenic could cause illness and death. William Morris one of the main wallpaper designers, refused to believe there was a link. However, he finally gave into pressure from the public and stopped using arsenic in his products. In fact, in 1879, Morris introduced a line of washable, hygienic wallpapers he advertised as 'arsenic free'...a marketing slogan you will never see today! Thank goodness.
The wallpaper of 2023 is versatile, with a large selection of colors, styles, and even textures, offering many uses beyond just walls. You can purchase prepasted, pasted, or peel and stick. When using prepasted or pasted, it's recommended to size the wall allowing for easier removal later, however, when removing these types of wallpaper it's often still difficult and can cause damage to the wall. There is no time consuming prep for peel and stick, but it's recommended that before applying the peel and stick paper a microfiber cloth dipped in isopropyl alcohol is used to remove dust and dirt from the the area where the paper will be placed. Peel and stick wallpaper does not usually damage walls when it's removed. Depending on where the paper is placed in your home (sunlight, heat vent, or other environmental factors) all three types of wallpaper should last 5 to 7 years.
One of the newest wallpaper products to hit the market recently is paintable wallpaper with designs and textures. This allows for amazing personalized walls to your space and taste.
The wallpaper of 2023 is versatile, with a large selection of colors, styles, and even textures, offering many uses beyond just walls. You can purchase prepasted, pasted, or peel and stick. When using prepasted or pasted, it's recommended to size the wall allowing for easier removal later, however, when removing these types of wallpaper it's often still difficult and can cause damage to the wall. There is no time consuming prep for peel and stick, but it's recommended that before applying the peel and stick paper a microfiber cloth dipped in isopropyl alcohol is used to remove dust and dirt from the the area where the paper will be placed. Peel and stick wallpaper does not usually damage walls when it's removed. Depending on where the paper is placed in your home (sunlight, heat vent, or other environmental factors) all three types of wallpaper should last 5 to 7 years.
One of the newest wallpaper products to hit the market recently is paintable wallpaper with designs and textures. This allows for amazing personalized walls to your space and taste.
Paintable and textured wallpaper with a design adds a unique element to this space.
Textured nonpainted wallpaper looks amazing as a backdrop for this MCM setting.
Before you wallpaper consider these things:
*Select the type of wallpaper you want to use pasted, prepasted, or peel and stick (there is a brief video tutorial for peel and stick at the end of this article).
*The size of the space you will be wallpapering. If it's a small space, you may want to wallpaper just one accent wall to avoid making the area too busy. (Hint: an accent wall is perfect for small spaces and entryways!)
*Review the space for lighting, color, and furniture.
*Wallpaper should not clash with furniture or other things in the space.
*It's important to consider the mood you want to set for the space you're applying wallpaper. To create a more relaxing space, select a wallpaper with light or neutral colors, a soft print, or muted floral. Soft browns, yellows, and greens are perfect for relaxing areas. To create a more bold or elegant feel, use wallpaper in darker colors, contrasting patterns or textures, or geometric shapes.
Wallpaper is NOT just for walls!
Today's wallpaper is not just for walls! It is a multifunctional design element on walls, but has so many other uses! See below for just a few ideas of how to apply wallpaper for quick and easy changes and updates:
*Select the type of wallpaper you want to use pasted, prepasted, or peel and stick (there is a brief video tutorial for peel and stick at the end of this article).
*The size of the space you will be wallpapering. If it's a small space, you may want to wallpaper just one accent wall to avoid making the area too busy. (Hint: an accent wall is perfect for small spaces and entryways!)
*Review the space for lighting, color, and furniture.
*Wallpaper should not clash with furniture or other things in the space.
*It's important to consider the mood you want to set for the space you're applying wallpaper. To create a more relaxing space, select a wallpaper with light or neutral colors, a soft print, or muted floral. Soft browns, yellows, and greens are perfect for relaxing areas. To create a more bold or elegant feel, use wallpaper in darker colors, contrasting patterns or textures, or geometric shapes.
Wallpaper is NOT just for walls!
Today's wallpaper is not just for walls! It is a multifunctional design element on walls, but has so many other uses! See below for just a few ideas of how to apply wallpaper for quick and easy changes and updates:
The perfect way to touch up a tray!
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Add an extra touch to stairs
Create fun DIY Art Wall
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Give furniture a new look
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Transform a table top
It's true wallpaper is making a comeback in 2023 and it's beautiful! The development of peel and stick wallpaper makes it easy to apply and change wallpaper...and NO ARESNIC!
A look back...
In the Victorian era wallpaper was in almost every room. The detail and designs were stunning. Below is a photo from 1910 taken at the Beschoff-David Fashion House. Many may look at the seamstresses pinning and fitting the Opera coat, but the wallpaper catches the design eye. It's amazing in detail, and most likely full of arsenic. The design on the corner would have been hand painted. So different from today's style of wallpaper. In 2023, wallpaper returns as nontoxic, paintable, easy to apply, and with multiple uses,
A look back...
In the Victorian era wallpaper was in almost every room. The detail and designs were stunning. Below is a photo from 1910 taken at the Beschoff-David Fashion House. Many may look at the seamstresses pinning and fitting the Opera coat, but the wallpaper catches the design eye. It's amazing in detail, and most likely full of arsenic. The design on the corner would have been hand painted. So different from today's style of wallpaper. In 2023, wallpaper returns as nontoxic, paintable, easy to apply, and with multiple uses,
Thinking of using the peel and stick wallpaper? Click here for a brief tutorial before you get started!
Happy Wallpapering! We would love to see your project photos to share! You can click here to email your photos to us for our Facebook page or an issue of For your Heart and Home.
Happy Wallpapering! We would love to see your project photos to share! You can click here to email your photos to us for our Facebook page or an issue of For your Heart and Home.