[title subtitle=”words & images: Lee Anne Henry, Whiteline Designs”][/title]
I have a few strong memories of wallpaper that go way back. One is seeing flowers everywhere in my grandmother’s house when I was young. Those bright pink hues and floral motifs were overwhelming to me then, just as they would be today.
The other memory is of buying a fanciful wallpaper border, (yes, I am guilty) that encircled the room near the ceiling in my first baby’s nursery. It was not hard to put up, but then, of course, it was hard to take down — ouch! And then there was the house I bought, and the indelible pain of spending hours scraping hideous wallpaper off the walls to make way for colorful paint.
For a while now, we have seen white walls, brightly colored accent walls, and faux painted walls in designers’ homes and in magazines. We have also seen murals of all styles come and go.
As a designer, it’s my job to watch for trends and stay ahead of the game. I’m so happy to report one of the raging trends coming back into home design is wallpaper. Let me assure you, it’s not your grandmother’s wallpaper.
The photos I chose reveal a sleek, beautiful, and new approach to wallpaper that can transform a room rather inexpensively and in such a dramatic way!
Every day I advise clients who are understandably nervous about this surging trend. My answer is much like everything else for your home: use it wisely and creatively.
For example, try installing a new take on a classic wallpaper design on unusual places, like on a ceiling.
I recommend that if yours is a more modern taste, you’ll be happiest with a geometric shape-inspired paper. I have used these in small areas like a powder room and the results are amazing.
If you’re worried about the cost of papering a full room, then find the perfect wallpaper and use it only as an accent wall. Whatever you choose, let the paper reflect your own style.
Trust me on this one; today’s new innovative wallpapers can be fun and elegant and they make a great statement in any room. Have fun!
