Prepare to be shocked.
Wallcoverings are making a comeback, and the really shocking part involves something not seen since the 1970s: flocking.
Flocking is that velvety texture plastered on otherwise plain paper, usually in a pattern. In the 1960s and '70s, it was everywhere, especially in homes and restaurants.
If flocking is too terrifying to contemplate, lower your blood pressure with another new product: easy-up, easy-down decals. Offerings range from palm trees to poppies.
Or how about wallcoverings with bling, as in nailhead studs, beads and crystals?
For the past 20 years or more, homeowners have doused and spritzed walls with chemicals to help loosen paper that wouldn't budge, all the while unleashing torrents of venom on past owners and wallcoverings in general.
But the hot decorating movement of the 1960s, '70s and '80s just wouldn't go away.
“Some people are still more inclined to remove wallpaper and swear they never will do that again,” said Megan Vogt of Sherwin Williams in Omaha. “But people come in looking for borders. For kids' rooms and preteens, the decal type of wall treatment is popular. It's something they (kids) can participate in.”
Decals also are a good alternative in apartments where residents may not be allowed to alter the walls.
Wallpaper designs are ideal for contemporary decorating, with geometric patterns and metallic backgrounds.
The differences are in tune with the times. And the choices, even for the apartment dweller, are practically limitless.
“In the last two or three years, I'm seeing large-scale patterns and glamorous papers,” said Robin Lindley of the Interior Design Firm.
“The large-scale patterns fit today's contemporary lines and that Hollywood glam look. Large-scale patterns mix and match with solid velvet and leather. It's more of an Anthropologie look.”
WALLPAPER
New trends: Patterns that include damask, florals, paisley, circles and diamonds. Textures include tone-on-tone, flocked and metallic. The latest embellishments involve beads, nailheads and crystals.
Patterns with florals and foliage are big and bold. Colors are bold, too: Fuchsia, a hot pink, a shade of green that picks up the color of lime and ripe avocado, an intense ocean blue and reds.
In your home: Creating an accent wall using wallpaper is a way to add interest without making a huge commitment. An 8-by-10-foot wall would require about two double rolls, the equivalent of four single rolls, with paper left over for making repairs or patching later.
To get the most for your money, find a paper you really love. It should hold up for 10 to 15 years depending on its exposure to sun, children, pets and other potentially damaging situations.
Going up: Wallpaper can be removed easily when the wall is properly prepared. Paint the wall with a product called sizing before papering. Sizing is a thin paste that dries quickly and gives paper a surface to adhere to. Think of it as a primer or base coat. The wallpaper industry has changed the backing of paper, making it easier to put up and take down.
Wallpapering can be a do-it-yourself project but it helps to have some experience (like knowing how to get a plumb line) and the help of a partner. Professionals probably should handle patterns with horizontal and vertical lines that need to match up.
Some papers aren't paper. For durability in areas like the kitchen or bath, you may want to consider vinyl coverings.
PEEL-AND-STICK DECALS
New trends: Recently, a wider-than-ever range of choices in decal-type designs have made these easy-peel options popular for children's rooms, nurseries and sunrooms. They're showing up in living rooms and other areas of the house, too.
Designs run the gamut from children's themes, such as cartoons, bears and cars, to more adult compositions, like palm trees, poppies and bold graphics.
In your home: They add a splash of design and color or they can be used on an accent wall, as you might use wallpapper.
Going up: They're a peel-and-stick product. Because they are easy to reposition or peel off, they can be changed on a whim. Just be sure the surface is flat and smooth and clean of dust and dirt.
Some companies, like RoomMates' line of wall appliques, say the product is not recommended over wallpaper or other delicate surfaces, nor will it adhere to orange-peel kinds of surfaces. Manufacturer claims the product does not leave a sticky residue or mark and can be removed and reused if handled according to directions.
Sources: Ginny Pokorny, designer for Ehly's Interiors; Megan Vogt, a sales associate at Sherwin Williams; Robin Lindley of the Interior Design Firm; and Judy Nowak of Tretiak's.
Contact the writer:
444-1059, rhonda.stansberry@owh.com
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