As today's interior design trends come and go, they also reflect the past and the present. One of the most loved and hated trends is wallpaper. There was a time, in the past, when most wallpapers consisted of florals, stripes or toile sceneries. But, today's wallpapers have change the game! Not only can you still get a traditional print, you can also get anything from faux bricks to shimmering metallics. In the United States, styles are unique to each territory and/or state, however, transitional and contemporary styles have reached every boarder. There was a time when you would walk into someone’s house and one or more rooms would have wall-to-wall wallpaper. Not only was it a busy print but also sometimes just way too much of it. Nowadays, the prints have become more tame and beautiful while they can be used wall-to-wall or simply to accent or highlight a particular wall.
Applying wallpaper can be no easy task! The ideal surface will be a freshly painted wall, however, that’s rarely the case. First, you must start with a smooth clean surface. This sometimes requires you to sand (with sandpaper) any imperfections in the walls or patch up any holes that maybe there. If you’re in an older home sometimes washing the wall surfaces with a gentle soap and water is required. Once you allow the walls to dry, you can now begin the process. Applying a primer is always ideal. This gives you the clean surface that you require. You can find wallpapers that are self adhesive (this simply means that the glue is already attached to the wall paper), but normally they do not come with this feature. As an interior designer, I always suggest that you hire a professional to install your wallpaper. Not only is it time-consuming, but it requires a very steady hand and a very keen eye. With so many diffent wallpapers to choose from, it’s exciting to know that you can change the texture, color & feel of a space or singular wall with glue, paper (or vinyl) & a professional installer...lol. We’ve come a long way in the world of wallpaper… And the future has yet to unroll itself!
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As interior styles come and go, one style has stuck around for a while… natural fibers. Cotton has always been a very popular and durable textile however nowadays you are seeing more rustic fabrics and trends such as jute and burlap. What is the obsession with such a rough textile? Not only is it a messy fiber to deal with but is also kind of rough to the touch!
Those who choose to use it are going for the look more than the comfort factor. The look that jute or burlap gives fits right in with the rustic, natural, refurbished look that is hot in today's trends. So a new trend, that is not so new, centers around pieces that look old and antique. This new trend is being called rustic or country. If you've ever seen the show Fixer-Upper, than you know the style that I am speaking of. The host likes to use a mix of old antique furnishings and art with rustic flare that creates a space that is inviting and warm without being overly traditional. |