aRTICLE
Wallpaper 101
the history of wallpaper
Dating back to the 16th century, wallpaper was first used to cover the interior of cupboards and small rooms in merchant/trader homes. By the 20th century, its use was widely used throughout the houses of the wealthy and the poor.
The designs were often floral motifs and images of scenery often coped from textiles. They were first printed in black and white on sheets of paper approximately 40 cm high by 50 cm wide. Later the use of colour and larger scale sheets were made using block-printing techniques. Each colour required a different block and it could take up to four weeks to produce a single roll of wallpaper.
Today wallpaper is produced using UV gel technology that results in a higher quality image, vibrancy of colour and durability of paper that can be used in different spaces in the home, including wet areas like bathrooms and laundries.
current wallpaper trends
- Flora and Fauna prints
- Earth tones
- Maximalist designs
- Ferns and birds
- Textures
- Peach Fuzz (The Pantone Colour of the Year)
benefits of wallpaper
Wallpaper is a quick way to transform a space and can hide an uneven or lumpy wall, as often found in older homes. This prevents having to replaster or reline walls.
Wallpaper is durable and hides marks and scuffs much better than painting does. You can even get wet area wallpapers for toilets, bathrooms and laundries.
Installation of wallpaper is much quicker than painting. In a few hours or a day, you can transform a space and move furniture straight back in as opposed to paint which can take days to prepare and use again.
Wallpaper's longevity is often three times longer than paint and can last up to 15 years and beyond. The use of wallpaper in high-traffic areas means it will withstand wear and tear better than a painted space and hides knocks and marks.
Most wallpapers are designed with easy clean features which allows the user to wipe marks off without damaging the wallpaper, this is especially useful in wet areas where moisture occurs.
Wallpaper as art
Wallpaper can achieve many different effects including creating feature walls, texture, creating depth or adding width to smaller spaces and of course, murals or wall art. There are so many ways to install wallpaper including ceilings, wall panels, splashbacks, and inbuilt shelves. This helps achieve a dramatic effect or create a luxury look.
Feature walls in bedrooms can be created within a frame to achieve a picture or built-in look and help create a high-end design or hotel look.
If you are renting you can create art pieces or panels by building art frames, then wallpapering them to create one-off art installations. This is a simple cost-effective way to personalise a space when you are not able to change the walls. The benefit of this is when you move the art moves with you. For renters, this means you can change the look of a space very easily while still staying on trend and adding your personality to your space so that it feels more homely.
Unpasted vs pre-pasted wallpaper
Older style wallpapers often came unpasted. First, you would size the wall with a paint roller then apply glue to the wallpaper and allow it to absorb into the paper as this would slightly grow in length. This way takes longer and is more difficult to manoeuvre for a novice installer.
The benefit of pre-pasted wallpapers is that it’s often faster to apply and less messy. Again, you must size the wall first then apply the wallpaper paste to the walls. This enables the user to hang a roll of paper and press it to the wall following either a laser level or use a plumb line to create a straight edge with which to line the paper up.
Aspiring Walls NZ
First established in 1960. Over time the company had several different owners and name changes originally Laura Asley, Vision Wallcoverings, Pacific Wallcoverings then became Aspiring Walls in 2012 and in 2020 was taken over by Neil and Tania McDonald and to this day is run as a family business in Porirua, Wellington.
They offer a vast selection of wallpaper designs and ranges and price points that suit all levels of the market including custom-made murals.
To learn more about their history visit
https://www.aspiringwalls.co.nz/
Aspiring wallpaper is available through Testament Interiors' partner stockists.
I love improving people's well-being, by creating beautiful, sustainable and harmonious interiors spaces that reflect a person's life journey.
Sarah Parry
Testament Interiors By Sarah Parry
In Summary
If you are considering a new build or a renovation this year and would like to work with a designer who can incorporate the latest design trends and weave wallpaper design into your project. I will help you develop your own personal style based on what’s important to you and your family. To book a discovery call or book an appointment https://testamentinteriors.co.nz/book/
Let me help you make your dreams come true with a house that is just right for you.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Blessings Sarah
