A History Adorned with Wallpaper, Part 3
The 21st century has proved exceptionally favourable for the wallpaper industry, bringing a wealth of innovations in both new materials and printing technologies. Although wallpaper in its most traditional paper form still attracts interest, the beginning of the new century has been marked by diversity—a dynamic blend of classic and modern.
Today, when deciding to use wallpaper in a residential, office or commercial space, we have an endless number of designs and a considerable range of materials to choose from. Paper is, of course, still the most classic material, and many of us, when thinking about finishing an interior with wallpaper, will first consider this option. It is worth knowing, however, that—especially in recent decades—the materials used as the basis for creating coverings (not only wall coverings) have become highly diversified. One could even say that they have matured, giving us—the users—entirely new possibilities. Therefore, to make full use of the advantages of modern wallpaper, it is worth familiarising ourselves with what the contemporary market has to offer before making a choice.
Let us start with the basic option: paper wallpaper. Although the golden age of this material has passed, this option undoubtedly has several advantages that account for its relatively enduring popularity. Paper wallpaper remains the cheapest of all available options and is also—usually—the easiest to obtain, as mass-produced products are sold by large retail chains. These two factors—low price and easy availability—often determine the choice. A third factor may also be added: insufficient knowledge of the alternatives, against which the shortcomings of paper wallpaper become particularly apparent. Above all, paper wallpaper is highly fragile and extremely susceptible to all kinds of mechanical damage, dirt and moisture. It is also not a good material if we want to conceal uneven walls, as these will remain quite visible beneath it. Although the situation may be somewhat better in this respect when paper wallpaper consists of more than one layer—not necessarily paper—it still cannot be expected to offer good resistance or the lowest price. Therefore, if quality and durability are important to us, wallpaper made primarily of paper should probably be consigned to the past.
Non-woven wallpaper, made from non-woven fabric, is currently one of the most popular types of wallpaper. This material is highly durable and is readily combined with other materials—now increasingly rarely with paper, and most often with vinyl. Smooth non-woven fabric is an ecological, non-toxic and non-flammable material, considerably more resistant to mechanical damage and suitable for cleaning with a damp cloth or sponge. It is installed using special adhesives applied not to the wallpaper strips but to the covered surface, which makes the task much easier. Combined with vinyl as the top layer, allowing a variety of textures to be added to the wallpaper (concrete, sand, brush, linen: gold, silver, copper), it is an excellent and versatile material that, when properly used, will serve us for many years.
The most versatile and exceptionally durable material currently used to create wallpaper is self-adhesive vinyl, with the laminated version being the most exclusive and versatile option. Laminated self-adhesive vinyl combines all the advantages of modern wallpaper: it is extremely resistant to mechanical damage, including cleaning with household chemicals and even scrubbing; it is waterproof, making it suitable even for areas extremely exposed to water, such as shower enclosures or surfaces beside bathtubs; and it can be applied to a wide range of smooth surfaces—not only walls and ceilings—but also used as a covering for furniture, doors and glass surfaces. The wide range of applications for this wallpaper/covering enhances the potential of all kinds of interior design projects, allowing their cohesion to achieve unprecedented synergy. Considering its numerous advantages and high durability, which allows this wallpaper/covering to be used without deterioration for even more than a decade, it is also the most economical solution.
When we add to these versatile materials a personalised service offering made-to-order, bespoke wallpaper, precisely tailored to our needs and requirements, we rediscover the pleasure of creating our private and professional spaces without limitations.
Wallpaper has come a long way—from being hand-painted on rice paper to being mass-produced on a variety of materials and in countless designs. A major breakthrough came with made-to-measure wallpaper produced to order on a wide range of practical, durable and ecological materials, using ecological printing (latex printing). It was precisely this idea of creating wallpaper without unnecessary limitations that made it possible to move away from standardised dimensions and tailor designs individually to specific rooms and unusual spaces, which in turn brought an entirely new quality to interior design. At the same time, wallpaper has come full circle, once again becoming a medium for art. An excellent example is Wall Art wallpaper, which—like tapestries in the past—also serves as a medium for the great works of classical painters, bringing fine art into our everyday spaces.
Never before in the history of this industry has wallpaper been as diverse, practical and versatile as it is today, so it is certainly worth considering this exceptionally rich option when arranging residential, office or commercial spaces. It is an investment not only in the highest quality, but also in distinctive style.