Wallpaper: On A Roll

Nothing Dresses Up a Space Quite Like Wallpaper, and Using It Is Easier Than Ever.

- Deborah Cooke

WALLPAPER MAY HAVE been around for centuries but it’s never had a heyday quite like now. Innovations in both printing and wall-bonding technology have created a new-generation product that’s not only simple to hang but its permutations are endless – LED-studded circuit board wallpaper, anyone? If you want your walls to have any look from a subtle hint of texture to pure drama, there’s good news – you can. Here’s how to get it right.

in with the new

Today’s wallpaper bears little visual or structural resemblance to the kind our parents laboured over. The biggest technological breakthrough is non-woven wallpaper, where the glue is pasted to the wall, not the back of the paper. Made from a combination of cellulose, polyester and textile fibres, these papers are stable, breathable and durable. Digital printing has had a huge impact, too. “Designers can now bring their designs into the world of wall coverings without having to produce them overseas,” says designer Sara Hingle of boutique label These Walls.

spoilt for choice

With such a huge range of wallpapers available, how do you choose which one is right for your space? For Australian designer Kerrie Brown, another of the new generation of small-scale creators, it’s all about what you’re trying to achieve. “Large-scale designs and darker, warmer colours generally make a room feel more intimate [above & opposite],” she says, “while smaller, lighter-coloured designs create a more spacious feel [right]. As well, vertical patterns will emphasise height, while horizontal patterns accentuate width.”

in perfect shape