Dear Melissa:
Do you have any tips on selecting wallpaper? S.D., OH
Dear S.:
Of course. I have advice on every subject; I just try to limit myself to decorating.
Patterned wallpaper has been out of style for some time now, unless you live in an antique home. Personally, I adore all types of wallpapers, so I have been waiting patiently for its return. Textured and novelty wall coverings are much more popular right now. So if you’d like an updated look, check out the new 3D trends, metallics and lasercuts. How about leather tiles or rice paper?
When choosing wallpaper, scale is critical. Just as you wouldn’t want an enormous pattern overpowering a wall and possibly forcing you to trim off the tops of flowers or birds’ heads, you wouldn’t want a tiny pattern that has no impact either.
Typically, wallpaper fills up a room by adding pattern or texture to its largest expanse (namely, the walls); so it’s a great way to make a large room appear cozy. Surprisingly, small prints can actually make small rooms seem larger, if the same tiny print is repeated everywhere, even in the upholstery fabric.
Always bring a sample of the wallpaper home to view in your light. The color will change under different lighting conditions – make sure you like the paper both during the day and at night. Try to get a really large sample or at least two smaller ones to pin up side by side, since you want to see all the colors and parts of the pattern, with no surprises later on. M.A.K.
