Wallpaper is always in style

Whether you want to cover a wall, a piece of furniture, your cabinets or even stair risers, wallpaper is always in style. From Renaissance time where decorative wood stamping was popular, through the reign of Queen Anne where wallpaper was so popular it was taxed, to the modern colors and surfaces of today, wall coverings are an easy and dramatic method of adding color, pattern and texture to interior walls. 

I often scour the paint shops and design showrooms for cast off wallpapers since there are so many great ways to use them. In a client's 100 year old home in NY, covering the stair risers was the perfect way to update and repair them without putting in a new staircase.














An old bookcase or shelves can get a fabulous facelift in hours by adding wallpaper to the back.  My first apartment in NYC had ugly painted plywood shelves, likely done by another tenant. A few hours of labor and I had a work of art. 


If you want to accent cabinets or a door, consider highlighting the panel with a pretty pattern.   You can even transform a flat no-panel door using architectural wallpaper.




Using wallpaper as wainscoting makes a great statement in an entry or stairway. You can add a rail molding if you like, and even add another pattern above it.











If you're using it on the walls, consider the following types and patterns:

Entryway: If cleaning is a challenge for kids and pets,  non-wovens (made of synthetic and paper fibers)  and vinyls (plastic laminated to fabric or paper backing) are good choices.  If not, grasscloth (Real grass woven onto paper or fabric) is elegant and beautiful.  Here a bold pattern and lots of architectural detail can be striking.  This space sets the tone for the rest of the house so you can be creative too.

Dining: Almost any type of paper (the original which can also come coated with this vinyl or acrylic film for durability) works unless you dine often with children and your chairs are close to the walls! I love using it above a chair rail since it creates a fabulous design element.  Traditional wallpapers work well in classic homes, and smaller scales work well so they don't overwhelm. Embossed papers add texture and pattern and are great for uneven wall surfaces.

Kitchen: Vinyl is more durable than paper and stands up to moisture and cleaning. Solids and neutrals are excellent choices so they add detail but don't detract from cabinetry and tile choices.

Bathrooms: Again, a vinyl or non-woven is a good choice for moist areas. Using a fan is still a great option. Bolder patterns are OK even in a small space since it won't seem overwhelming and can even make the space seem larger.

Bedroom: Subtle and neutral are best choices for a restful space. Grasscloth has nice options and flocked and embossed wallpaper is serene and soft.

Do you know about paint sheen?

Using the proper sheen of paint is as important as selecting the right color. Gone are the days when all kitchens and baths need to be in semi-gloss sheen for protection from moisture.  Here are the common sheens available and where to use them.

FLAT: This is the best choice for walls with many imperfections. The lack of sheen 'hides' wall imperfections whereas a sheen often calls attention to them. Ideal for use on ceilings and bedroom, dining-room, and living-room walls.  Flat finishes are easy to touch up but they are a bit hard to clean since you'll see the rub marks. 




MATTE: A wonderful sheen for kitchens and hallways where frequent touch-up may be required It's my most often recommended sheen. Benjamin Moore Regal Matte Finish or California Paints Super-Scrub Matte Finish, has good washability.

The ceiling of older homes are best
painted in flat sheen to hide cracks and
nail heads.

EGGSHELL:  This low-sheen finish is an ideal choice for living-room or bedroom walls. Do not use in high-traffic areas, like hallways, because the delicate finish mars easily. Eggshell has a washable finish but in areas where you touch up, the sheen will be slightly bolder than the rest of the walls. If you use this paint, then touch up in a large area so you can hide the 'seams'. When doing a faux finish, I often use Eggshell as the one of the color coats. With a flat base, you then see differences in gloss level.

Semi-gloss paint makes this bench
durable and easy to clean.

SATIN: With a silky, pearl-like sheen, it's a good choice for woodwork as well as walls in the family room, children's rooms, laundry room, kitchen, and bathrooms. Satin has a warm finish that's scrubbable. Like Eggshell, it's more difficult to touch up because any difference in sheen will be apparent. A favorite sheen for durability.

SEMIGLOSS: Semigloss is a popular choice for trim and moldings, and is also ideal for kitchen and bathroom walls because it is more resistant to humidity and withstands stains, chipping, and scuffing.  Durable and easy to clean, it's the most scrubbable sheen for walls. However, semigloss is difficult to touch up because the difference in sheen from the original coat to a touch up coat will show.

GLOSS: This sheen is rarely used on walls because it shows imperfections like a mirror does. It is typically used on woodwork, trim, moldings, and works well only for surfaces that are truly smooth. It's the most durable finish and the easiest to clean, yet is the most difficult to touch up because the difference in sheen tend to be obvious.