Astrid Riecken - WASHINGTON POST
These days, wallpaper is easier to put up and take down, so a mistake can be corrected. Wallpaper can also cover a paint color that a homeowner has grown tired of. Designers say wall coverings add texture and can be accents.
You could say Amy Reich and her husband, John Pracher, entered the new world of wallpaper by accident.
Based on advice from a designer, the couple had agreed to paint the large hallway of their Leesburg, Va., home chocolate brown and immediately regretted their choice. Desperate to cover it up, they met with a succession of decorators. Finally, one firm, the Mill Co., suggested wallpaper.
"We looked at each other and said, 'Wallpaper!?' " Reich remembered. "We both grew up in the 1970s with flocked wallpaper, but they found us beautiful wallpaper, and we thought: 'They're right. It will cover our mistake and introduce beautiful color.' "
Welcome to Wallpaper 2.0. In case you haven't been paying attention, wall coverings have undergone a revolution. Those chintzy flower patterns or tiny polka dots from grandma's living room? Gone. In their place are textured papers and big, bold designs in strong colors that can add depth, warmth and personality to a room.
The patterns aren't the only change. These days, wallpaper is easier to put up and take down, and it's often used more sparingly than in the past. Think of it as akin to a piece of artwork or a new throw pillow: an accessory that can pull a room together and give it some zing.
No one's quite sure why the wallpaper trend caught fire. It could be the "Mad Men" phenomenon: the sudden rush for all things reminiscent of the 1950s and '60s. More likely, though, it's part of an overall increased interest in home decorating and the effort to distinguish one's home.
"There are hundreds of design blogs, shelter magazines - everywhere you look, you're seeing new ideas. I think people are more aware of their options," said Jennifer Sergent, marketing director for the Washington Design Center and writer of the popular DC by Design blog.
Many of the new patterns pack a graphic punch: Imagine tight geometric shapes in contrasting colors; blown-up damask prints in hot pink or orange; or stark black-and-white trellis designs. Equally popular are textured papers, which may be lined with grass or other natural fibers, beads or raised patterns, and may or may not be printed with a design.
"Even if you do a solid color, the texture gives more depth than just paint," said interior designer Sally Steponkus.
It can fit a budget
It doesn't have to break the bank, either. Sure, there are firms such as the United Kingdom-based Farrow & Ball that charge more than $200 a roll (covering about 50 square feet) or more than $3,000 to cover an average-size room. But most are much more affordable. Companies such as Schumacher, Thibaut and Graham & Brown, for example, sell cutting-edge designs for under $50 a roll. .
And for those on a budget, papering a room can get even more affordable, said decorator Sandra Meyers.
"I use a lot of commercial wall coverings, which are less expensive," she said, adding that because commercial papers are designed to be used places such as restaurants and hotels, they're made of vinyl and tend to wear better over time than traditional paper.
Easier to remove
No matter how much that roll of wallpaper costs, it can still feel like a major commitment. Although today's options are lighter and easier to put up than in the past, papering a room is still pretty tricky for the inexperienced. The majority of wallpapers require paste, and the patterns on each sheet must be lined up carefully.
"If you've done tiling or wood floors, it's pretty simple," said Michael DiGuiseppe, a professional paper hanger. "But if you're clueless and don't do home improvements, it could be a challenge." DiGuiseppe charges an average of $650 to paper a room, although odd spaces or fickle papers can up that price.
Still, some of the new developments help offset the challenge. First, most wallpapers are easier to remove than they used to be, which means a bad choice is far easier to reverse. That's particularly valuable to renters, who can usually just peel off the paper when they're ready to leave without fear of damaging the walls - though landlords should probably be consulted first.
Make it an accent
The other upside is that wallpaper doesn't have to cover all four walls of a room. It can be used as an accent: as backing for bookshelves, on a single wall in the bathroom or even on the dining room ceiling.
"It's a great way to customize a space, and the wallpaper won't bust the bank," said designer Edith Gregson.
Still, some people decide to go bold and paper an entire room. Louis Cardenas was looking to spice up his dining room and wound up papering the space with an outsize floral print by Neisha Crosland. He's fully satisfied with the result.
"It really adds texture and warmth to the house, much more so than paint could ever do," he said. "It's probably the first thing people notice when they come in, and they always comment on it."
That's nothing compared to Reich and Pracher, the Virginia family. After papering their hallway, they went on to add wallpaper to several other rooms: The kitchen walls are covered in a mid-century floral, one bathroom features whimsical birds and another is lined with a tropical-fish pattern.
"We put it in places that are strategic, and it really works for our family," Reich said. "It started with a colossal mistake. And now we're really pleased with how it's turned out."
