From the Floors Up

Wallpaper in the Kitchen

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Screen Shot 2013-05-21 at 2.24.59 PMThere is a current design trend for wallpaper throughout the home. Wallpaper was once thought to be old fashioned and outdated, but not anymore. The patterns and colors of today’s wallpapers are anything but the wallpaper your mother or grandmother had.  Beautiful colors, historic and vintage patterns, and new materials mean that wallpaper is one trend that will be with us for a while.

Because of the popularity of wallpaper, we are seeing it used throughout the home; from bathrooms to hallways and every room in between.  There is a wallpaper design that can work for any room.  Some wallpaper is subtler than others in their color and patterns.  We are even seeing wallpaper used in kitchens.

The kitchen pictured here has a subtle diamond patterned wallpaper design throughout.  If you choose to use wallpaper as a way to add color to a backsplash, consider covering the paper with glass for protection.  However, some wallpaper can be wiped with a moist cloth. These are probably a good choice for the kitchen with all of the splashes and spills.

When adding any color or pattern to a kitchen or any room always take into consideration your flooring. If you have a tile or patterned floor, also consider the color and scale of the floor pattern when choosing a pattern for the walls.  The same is true for stone or wood floors. Choose a wallpaper design that will coordinate with your floor, cabinets, and hardware for a cohesive looking kitchen.

Fall Decorating Trends

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8679206_SFor those of us who need to be “the” home trendsetter, here is a list of what’s hot for this fall:

Neutrals: These are also called colorless designs, this trend is using texture and shape instead of color and contrast. Think fur, chunky knit throw pillows, 3-D art and cloth wall coverings.

Museum trend: Display your collections like they would in a museum. Also called the “curated” look, this trend is displaying what you love to collect in a whimsical and quirky way. To nail this look hang portraits in groups on your wall like they do in art galleries.

Mix and match: Get rid of the idea that everything has to be matchy matchy. This fall, mix modern and old pieces of art and furniture together. Make a vignette by grouping unique pieces you have collected like globes, books, shells, and antique toys in groups of three to five. Display these items in a hall on a table or on a bookshelf.

Tell a story: Do you travel all of the time, do you love to cook, do you sew, what’s your favorite color? Make each room in your house tell a story about your passions. Bicycles in the dining room? If that’s what you love, it can totally work.

Color: Instead of muted tones, clear bright high contrast color is very popular this year. Paint a wall black or dark grey and see how that will make other colors in your décor “pop”.

Vintage:  This is also called “Americana” design and it’s making a big splash. Shop at flea markets for vintage inspired accessories that celebrate handcraftsmanship. Old toys, quilts, kitchen items, dressers and baskets are all good finds.

Finally, add some bold graphic patterns to your home. Whether you decide to wallpaper an entire room or just add some new throw pillows, patterns are back in fashion. If you are not ready to do an entire room in a pattern try using graphic wallpaper on the back of a bookshelf, or cover your dining room table with super bold tablecloth.

Creative Projects for Wallpaper Remnants

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Wallpapering walls and even ceilings is a hot trend that we’ve been seeing all over the design world. If you’ve recently done a wallpaper project in your home you might have a partial roll of paper leftover. There are many ways to use wallpaper beyond the walls and ceilings of your rooms. If you are too leery of putting up wallpaper and don’t have a spare roll lying around your home, you can buy a single roll for these projects.

Wallpaper is a great way to add color and pattern to a room and can also be used to spruce up furniture and cabinets.  You can use spare rolls or buy a roll or two of wallpaper for smaller projects. Adding wallpaper to cabinets and furniture can give new life to old or dated pieces.

Add wallpaper to the inside of a bookshelf or cabinet to create a colorful background. Painting the exterior and adding wallpaper can turn an old cabinet or flea market find into a custom piece that perfectly matches your décor.

Just like an area rug can add pattern and color to the floor, wallpaper can add it to any flat surface. A console table, dresser, or table top can be transformed with chic wallpaper. Be sure to seal the surface after you apply the paper to protect it from spills and wear.

For less permanent ways to use small sections of wallpaper, think about framing them. A collection of framed wallpaper patterns is an expensive way to decorate bare walls.

Putting Pattern on Your Walls

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Everywhere you look today there are patterned walls.  Blogs, shelter magazines, and design shows are all featuring pattern on the wall. These patterned walls can be done with paint, stencils, fabric and wallpaper.  Which material you choose is a matter of personal choice and how much time and effort you want to put into this trend.  If you’ve ever removed wallpaper from the wall, you know it can be more work removing it than installing it.

 

Wallpaper is the classic choice for adding pattern to walls. Wallpapering a room can be done by a DIYer but it isn’t a simple task.  Do your research before running out and buying the paper and paste.  There are many tutorials online about installing your own wallpaper. If you do it yourself, start with a single wall or a small space.

 

Paint can be used to make patterns on the wall that range from simple stripes down with painter’s tape to elaborate stencil patterns that resemble hand-painted wallpaper.  Painting a pattern on the wall can take longer than hanging wallpaper but is easier to cover up and less expensive for materials.

 

Fabric can also be applied to the walls for instant pattern.  Simple starch and water will hold the fabric on the wall. This is a great option for renters who can’t wallpaper or paint.

 

Complement your patterned walls with a patterned area rug for layers of pattern in the room. Or keep it simple with solid colored carpet or area rugs on wood floors.

Favorite Wallpapers for a Master Bedroom

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Carl Robinson, Design Director for Wallquest, Inc., one of the leading studios in the world, shares his wallpaper expertise, from the newest trends to his favorite picks, to create three distinct looks in the master bedroom.

“Bedrooms come in all shapes and sizes, so how do you create your own perfect sanctuary?  One idea is simply to combine a modest headboard with low profile night tables and a soothing color palette to create a peaceful master retreat.  Coordinating wallpapers can be mixed to create distinct, subtlety private spaces within the same room.  This design reflects a gentle beauty and style that is calming and serene, especially in a bedroom, and offers just the right hint of elegance.”

Photo 1

Rose Trail from Bainbridge FB90602, Fairwinds Studio, Wallquest

Suggested Retail: $49.99 per single roll

www.blonderwall.com or call 1-800-321-4070

Suggested Coordinates, Rose Trail from Bainbridge FB90902 & FB91702

“I love a bedroom to be romantic, traditional. This paper has a charming English appeal, formal but not stuffy.  Luxuriant blossoms create the illusion of a country garden, but with a touch of whimsy.  The rich colors and blooms are pure romance.”

photo 2

Cape Cod, Flower Bunch #73212, Pelican Prints, Wallquest

Suggested Retail: $45.90 per single roll

www.wallquest.com or call 1-888-425-WALL

“The romance and beauty of Provence radiates from this Toile wall covering.   The soul of this Country French style lies in its grace and simple elegance.  While charming and romantic, this black-and-white design is a classic, and appeals to both masculine and feminine sensibilities, making it an ideal selection for a master bedroom.”

photo 3

Cottage Prints from Wallquest, #VC50900, Blonder Home

Suggested Retail: $39.99 per single roll

www.blonderwall.com or call 1-800-321-4070

These papers all are designed as Eco Chic™ by Wallquest. The process begins with carefully selected paper from suppliers who use only pulp from well-managed, renewable resource forests and recycled sources. The production process relies solely on solvent-free, water based inks. Any water used during production is professionally filtered and cleaned before it is returned to the environment.  “When you select a design printed on Wallquest’s Eco Chic™ wallpapers you can be confident that each of these steps is taken with the utmost concern for the sustainability of our natural resources,” said Robinson.

About Carl Robinson:

Carl Robinson was born to a prominent designer in England, and his father’s father was a noted designer as well. He began his career working for his father then worked at Burlington Wallcoverings and also Graham & Brown in England. By 2000, he was serving as a consultant for Wallquest, Inc., whose brands include Pelican Prints, Fairwinds Studios, Sandpiper Studios and Printers Guild Productions. In 2003, Robinson joined the Wallquest team on a full-time basis and today is the company’s Design Director, the culmination of 25 years of experience designing and manufacturing wallpaper.

About Wallquest:

Family owned and operated, with three manufacturing plants in the United States, Wallquest is one of the largest and most innovative wall covering manufacturers in the world.  The heritage of Wallquest goes back to the 1820’s. Its staff of talented artists creates distinctive collections by staying current with trends as well as drawing on its rich heritage of style and cultural themes.  Today its products are sold in more than 40 countries.

To view these and other collections, visit www.wallquest.com, or call 1-888-425-WALL.

From the Floors Up

From the Floors Up blog was created with the goal of providing a destination for consumers, designers and those interested in the flooring, design, and kitchen and bath industries. Here you’ll find, current, accurate and informative information that is always just a click away!

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