Your Own History with Wallpaper

Did you realize that there are museums throughout The United States and Europe that are dedicated to the history and preservation of wallpaper? From Washington, D.C. to Rixheim, France to Manchester, England wallpaper is celebrated for its history, artistic importance and function. Wallpaper has been around nearly as long as paper itself, so it's not a surprise that cultures around the globe have used and modified it to suit their  culture. At For The Love of Wallpaper we encourage you to use wallpaper to suit yours!

For just about any interest, design preference or color palette there is wallpaper that is the perfect fit. 

Use this European themed border to add authenticity and playfulness to any room.

This border has a historic feel. Customize a bedroom, office or study, then hang photos  of your travels to complete the look.

For more wallpaper patterns, borders and supplies Click Here.

More History...Of Wallpaper Of Course

This trade card dates from about 1690, and illustrates the range of wallpapers available and the styles of interior decoration which were fashionable at the time. We found it online at the Wallpaper History Society web site. It is interesting that the majority of these wallpaper styles were imitations of other materials such as embroidery, wood, marble and fine fabrics.

Even 300 years ago Damask patterns were available....not surprising. They are such classics.  We love this vintage eggplant purple damask...

 Or for something a bit less bold, this cream-colored floral damask...

Whichever you prefer, we're sure that these damask patterns will be popular for the next 300 years!

Patterns! Thank Goodness.

A quick search for the history of wallpaper returns some interesting results! We learned about something called a wallpaper tax, which was introduced in Great Britain in 1712, during the reign of Queen Anne. It was considered a property tax, and citizens were required to pay by the square yard!

Even earlier, wallcoverings featured scenes similar to those found on tapestries and were hung loosely as sheets for decoration. As wallpaper evolved and became more popular, repeating patterns became popular through techniques like engraving and etching.

This got us thinking...where would wallpaper be without repeating patterns? Everything would be a landscape scene or a panorama. Thank goodness that repeating patterns are still popular today for wallcovering.

Here are a few we love.

 Striped papers are an excellent way to add interest and comfort to your dining room or office.

A southwest craft pattern warms up any space!

Wallpaper Through the Ages

Wallpaper Shines

Wallpaper's been around for many a year

As a room enhancer it has no peer

So much better than a wall with paint  

Wallcovering has no fumes to make you faint

Whether toile, plaid or stripe

There is a style to suit every type

It adds warmth and elegance to a space

And brings a smile to every visitor's face

For it creates a special mood

One that fosters joy and prevents a downer brood    

 

 Whether in the grandest chateau or the lowliest peasant cottage, the walls are the focal point and prior to the introduction of mass produced wall coverings in the 19th century, a family's financial wealth was often measured by the complexity and skill of wall decor. Handpainting and hand printing were the norm and the middle class bourgeoise had to resort to clever ways to decorate a wall without becoming bankrupt in the process. When mass produced wallpaper was introduced in the mid 1800's it became all the rage and a broad range of subject matter was selected for the patterns. 

The photographs below are of a series of wall panels that were used to decorate a room in the Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris. The room is exquisite and its beauty is enhanced by these classical wall scenes which tell a story in sequential order.The color is a type of Greige (Beige-Gray) and although it appears fairly monochromatic it actually consists of 23 different colors. Quite impressive.

Parisian Wallpaper at Museum of Decorative Arts

Damask, particularly large scale damasks, are very popular now in the 21st century but they were also popular hundreds of years ago as evidenced by the patterns below.

And, once wallpaper was mass produced it was not long before wallpaper books were created to help customers select their favorite patterns.

An interesting use of wallpaper several centuries ago was as a teacher. Murals and panels were created to help children learn geography, history and botany. What might look like an idyllic 'painting' was actually a serious lesson plan.

There are so many examples over the centuries that speak to the progression of wallpaper but my space and your time are limited so I will conclude with one final image taken from modern-day Paris--a hotel hallway finished with a wallcovering that is so well designed and printed that you are forced to run your fingers over the surface to see if it is flat (it is).

You too can participate in the wallpaper progression by finding your own special signature look. And, no better time than now to consider all the wallcovering options. Designers are once again creating unique patterns for your walls or consider taking a favorite photo and having it digitally reproduced to fashion your own custom space.

Vegas At Home (with Wallpaper)

Need to add a little fun to your home or apartment? With a bit of inspiration, you can have your own casino! Any sized room will work, and if you don't have a dedicated space, you can transform a corner nook with a table and accessories to get that LasVegas feeling.

A casino themed space can be as elaborate as you'd like and it doesn't have to break the bank.

We were inspired by this wallpaper border for our casino. It's a great way to decorate the walls, as well as furniture and cabinets.

Include other details that you might find in a real casino, like a poker table with a pendant light, a velvet couch or chair and a poker and casino signs for the walls.

Hanging a light over your game table will encourage guests to stay and play! 

We'd love to hear about your casino or poker themed room ideas.

We also have some great ideas for your Man Cave.

Unique Sporty Style

Are you in search of some inspiration for a sports-theme bedroom or playroom for a boy or girl? Look no further than this week's post! Keeping with our April sports theme, we searched for some creative ideas to create an athletic oasis for kids of all ages!

An easy way to create interest and keep things organized! Existing built-ins are refreshed by simply adding wallpaper and a sports themed border.

This newspaper style antique baseball border would be perfect as an accent in a baseball themed room.

Remember, sports wallpaper can cover a wall or enhance a sports themed room. Stick with a single sport, or use different patterns that encompass many sports. A combination of papers and borders can create a unique style.

Wallpaper...In My Man Cave?

Does the man in your life have a man cave? If so, he probably spends plenty of time there, watching sports, playing music or games, hiding from the kids, or just relaxing! Whether he's into baseball or golf, sprucing up his cave with an inspiring sports theme will  have everyone in your house cheering!

We came across this picture from the DIY Network. For the New York Mets fan, this oasis is a perfect alternative to the ballpark. Still, adding some baseball themed wallpaper to the front of the bar would really give this some punch! Or an MLB chair rail border on the blue wall would really make that wall more interesting!

In this clubhouse, any golfer will feel at home...still there are great ways to incorporate some golf themed wallcovering. Use a border to customize the coffee table or the TV stand, frame small pieces of golf pattern wallpaper or use decals throughout the space.

These are just a few ideas for using wallpaper in your man cave. We'd love to hear your ideas as well! The possibilities with wallcovering are truly endless...just let your creativity loose!