It’s hard to deny the vital role that wallpaper has played in the fields of architecture and interior design. Whether printed as a pattern or panoramic mural, few printed mediums can so effectively mark a space by era, theme or mood.
It is for this reason that many wallpapers reflect the aesthetic of their times, forming a historic bond of record that continues to this day.
Throughout this time, all three industries thrived and evolved. Architects got AutoCAD, interior designers got a plethora of mobile and desktop apps, and wallpaper printing went digital.
The latter was a big deal - eliminating much of the time/cost associated with its traditional form. What was once a painstaking craft of carving woodblocks or engraving plates, was now a simple matter of printing a file.
Printer technology wasn’t the only novelty, the wall covering materials were also upgraded over time.
A New Generation of Wallpaper
We are certified providers of Dreamscape Walls, the industry leader in Type II Commercial Wallcoverings. We chose Dreamscape due to their commitment to quality, durability and the rich palette of textures they offer in vinyl wallcovering media.
Why Vinyl?
Rather than deal with the delicacies of paper, the industry has opted for a creative use of vinyl. Beyond its increased durability vinyl, can be embossed with a variety of textures to imitate more organic materials.
This innovation has afforded a unique advantage, especially for interior designers on a budget.
Leather Wallpaper
Why opt for leather, when you can print any design on matte vinyl with a leather finish? This is one of the reasons why our Cabretta Wallpaper is so popular with designers and architects alike.
Fabric Wallpaper
Why pay extra for fabric, when you can simulate its texture with a more durable and moisture resistent substitute?
We currently offer simulations of Silk Wallpaper for a silk-screened effect, while Canvas, Artist Canvas and Ravello provide a tightly woven finish. There’s even an option to reproduce Suede for its lush appeal or Pique for a more knitted appearance. The above image shows Criss Cross which features a distinctive texture of crass hatched fibers for artistic appeal.
Paper Wallpaper (Traditional)
These are useful for recreating a vintage look. Pictured above is Mystical - one of our most popular products for its authentic looking texture and finish. Classic offers a smooth, semi gloss finish, which sacrifices some paper texture for saturated colors and a more uniform look.
Sandpaper Wallpaper
For graphics that would benefit from som additional grit, Bondi Sands is another popular choice. For more of a matte finish Caviar is another viable choice that fine to medium grit sandpaper. We also offer Sand Blast as a more coarse option.
Plaster Wallpaper
For occasions where you want the wallpaper itself to disappear or blend with the wall, one can also opt for Plaster. It’s rough, organic finish makes a convincing visual effect of a wall that was hand plastered, then painted on directly.
Shiny Wallpaper
Sometimes a wall should reflect as much light as possible. We offer everything from the subtlety of Satar Pearl with its luxurious, slightly irridescent sheen, to the full on shine of Gold Flash, Satara Pearl or Silver Flash (pictured above). For even more opulence Bling is another popular choice, with its texture of fine glass beads.
Experimental Wallpaper
Some materials and finishes defy categorization. Silver Odyssey combines a cross hatch texture with a silver finish to unique effect. Deja Vu (pictured above) allows you to print any design over a pattern of reflective fractal lenses. Brilliant takes the stipply surface of Caviar and embelishes it with metallic accents. Rave features a colorful and reflective pattern which responds to both lighting and viewing angle.
Floors and Ceilings
Don’t let the term “wall”paper fool you. These vinyls can be installed anywhere, and have been thoroughly tested for moisture and slip resistance. Theoretically you could print the inner a custom design throughout the surface of an entire room.
Safety Concerns and Building Codes
Meeting codes and standards are the daily bread and butter of architects. Thankfully their greatest concerns, from fire safety, to air quality/emissions and durability have been addressed and thoroughly tested by third party agencies. You can read all about how our materials measure up to international standards on our Wallpaper Certifications Page
Summary
Wallpaper printing and wall coverings have both come a long way since their origins on paper. As we imagine the buildings and interiors of tomorrowm we find inspiration knowing that designers and architects can treat wallpaper with the same fluidity, power and wealth of options they’ve grown accustomed to.
About the Author
Joseph Gornail is a multimedia artist and fourth-generation print craftsman whose family has lived on the same block in SoHo for over 90 years. With an extensive background in photography, writing and creative direction, Joseph has a love of the arts and a proud New Yorker. When he’s not documenting city life or curating historic images for History101.nyc, he can likely be found sailing the New York harbor to enjoy his native city from a different perspective.