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It's official–wallpaper is BACK (if it ever really went away) and it and wallcoverings in general are huge for modern style luxury homes. Whether it's a bold print, a colorful solid, or a textured neutral, wallcoverings can be the lovely answer to what a room is calling for.
I think what’s especially fun about wallcoverings is that you love it now but you can change it out in 10 years or so to completely transform the look and feel of the space without having to dismantle everything–no major construction required!
I tell my clients to think of wallcoverings in the same way we think of artwork. It’s subjective. Not everyone is going to like the same things and that’s OK. But like artwork, a wallcovering also adds something to a space that nothing else can. When it’s right for a space, saying ‘no’ due to fear of commitment is really cheating yourself and your space out of something truly special.
Although William Morris-style Art Nouveau floral and fruit patterns are coming back in certain regions of the country (and I love them!), what we’re seeing a lot of for our more modern style homes in California are solids with plenty of texture and tonal variations, as well as patterns from subtle to bold.
There’s more to consider when using wallpaper in a modern, elevated way than just grabbing the first thing you like and putting it up on all four walls of your space. I use wallpaper very intentionally when a space calls for it, selecting the option that lets us achieve exactly what we’re going for in look, feel, and even acoustics and using it in an application that makes sense for the space.
While every project, every client, and every space calls for different considerations, here’s some insight into the kinds of things I think about when it comes to wallpaper.
Materials matter
A wallcovering’s ground (the material it’s printed on) can be grasscloth, silk, linen, paper, metallic leaf, vinyl, etc. As you might guess, this has a major effect on how a wallpaper looks and feels. The same color or pattern can look completely different depending on what it’s printed on.
As is my preference for rugs, tile, and many other elements in my designs, I love to use wallcoverings made from organic materials. I also like lots of tactile texture. Woven options like grasscloth and ‘paper weave’ (which is made from renewable wood pulp fibers that are dyed, cut into strips, then loom-woven) are some of my favorite go-to’s. I’m also loving the new options printed on wood and suede–so rich and beautiful!
I love the fact that these wallcoverings add an organic element that works beautifully in otherwise clean, spare interiors to make them feel cozy, soft, and more inviting. They even dampen the sound, taking away that cold, echo-y effect sometimes present in modern interiors.
We’re also seeing a rise in the use of less orthodox organic materials such as cork and sand. These create truly intriguing textures and I’ve got my eye on some of them for future projects!
My love for grasscloth really knows no bounds! It has long been associated with classic luxury and right now it’s having a major moment. It looks so sophisticated, which makes it perfect for higher end, modern style homes–but it should be noted that it’s not for everyone. The seams do show on all grasscloths and some people can’t get past that. But if you can appreciate it for the beauty of the material–seams and all–grasscloth is a beautifully timeless option.
Using bold color & pattern
Using wallcoverings with big, bold patterns and/or colors sets a space apart and adds character and personality. I love this for powder rooms! Those are the perfect spaces for playing with something special, different, and unexpected without overwhelming a large, public space in the home where people spend most of their time.
The foyer can also be a great spot for a bold wallpaper, especially when paired with wainscoting or wall paneling to balance the effect of the paper.
Get creative with placement
Although covering all four walls of a space is sometimes what’s needed, there are so many other ways to bring wallpaper into a space, as well.
I love using it as an accent wall, inside trim panels, or backing built-ins.
I also love the look of a great wallpaper applied on the top portion of the wall with paneling below. So lovely in a dining room!
In certain cases, it can even look amazing to cover the ceiling with an impactful wallpaper design or a light-reflecting metallic option.
The choice of where to place wallpaper is really all about what a room is calling for. What does the space need to bring it into balance? Where does it need more color? Where does it need texture? Where does it need visual interest? What’s going to make the space look and feel ‘right’?
There are so many beautiful, sophisticated options on the market now that couldn’t be further from our grandmothers’ cutesy wallpapers (no country geese romping around in blue and yellow flower patterns here, thank goodness!). These are chic, elevated, and perfectly suited for luxury homes with a modern aesthetic. By bringing them into your home in intentional ways, you can add softness, character, and of course, balance to your spaces.
Are you looking to uplevel your home to something truly unique and personal and love what we do here at RHD? Reach out and let’s talk about your project!
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