design edit issue 31

Wallpaper has staged a major comeback. And for good reason - nothing matches it’s transformative power! It’s the easiest way to add a huge dash of personality to a room - whether it be with the subtle texture of an elegant grasscloth or a bold statement feature. And best of all it’s a relatively easy and economical way to breathe life into a space.If anything, the revival of wallpaper allows us to be fearless and have a little fun in our homes - adding the style and edge we all deserve.

AFFORDABLE ARTWORK

Artworks can be a serious investment. A designer wallpaper can make the same kind of impact at a fraction of the price. And yes, you can most definitely hang art on a papered wall for a pulled-together, layered look.

BONTANICALS

Statement botanical prints and pretty palms are one of the biggest trends in interiors and wallpapers right now. We love to bring the outside into our homes and tropical palm leaves and beautiful botanical prints add a colour sense of luxury to our spaces.

ACCENT WALL

Wallpaper loves a feature wall - and so will your budget. With bold, statement wallpapers, often one wall is all you need to make an impact. Pick a wall that’s already a visual focus – it might be the wall that faces you as you enter the room or a wall that frames an amazing view. For best effect, choose a wall that has no windows or doors, and then choose a hue from the wallpaper to paint the rest of the room for a cohesive look. 

WHERE TO WALLPAPER

Be brave! Think about using wallpaper in unexpected places - behind shelves, on a ceiling, in your walk-in wardrobe, as a headboard. 

Whether you choose to paper a full wall or just a small area, remember that for this feature to really be the hero of the room, you need to keep the other decorative elements as simple as possible.

And never be afraid to use wallpaper in small spaces . . . 

TEXTURED AND METALLICS

If a bright and bold print is not your thing, you can still add impact and personality with an amazing textured wallpaper. Metallics, leathers and grasscloths are all on trend. All will add depth and texture to a room, making it feel incredibly luxe. There are loads of wallpapers with amazing textures. Forget old-fashioned embossed wallpapers and check out the new textures like concrete, animal skins, quilted leather, timbers, stone and (my personal fave) grasscloth. Metallic wallpapers are another great option - they are like a neutral, so you don’t need to worry so much about matching up other colours.  

POWER POWDER ROOM

Bathrooms, powder rooms and laundries are the perfect places to wallpaper. They tend to be smaller rooms where you don’t linger too long, without a lot of other furnishings and finishes to compete with bold and dramatic walls. The powder room is my absolute favourite place to wallpaper - giving guests a stylish and unexpected surprise when they visit!

Wallpaper is the perfect opportunity to let you personality shine and give your spaces a serious dose of style. And it’s sure to give you more satisfaction that a simple paint colour ever could.

To find out more about these wallpapers or one perfect for your home, drop me an email or give me a call - I’d love to help.

Contact Auckland Interior Designer Kirsten Ford for more information.

To read more of our recent blogs, click here.