Not your mother’s wallpaper

What once was a hideous enrapture is now a sought out trend

By Lynn Norusis

Jan. 20, 2010

The return of wallpaper is all over home and design magazines, blogs, twitter feeds, etc.  And if the thought of a swamp green base with red velvet detail still overtake your mind when you hear the nine letter word (or maybe that is just my own fond memory of a basement bathroom growing up) then you don’t have to worry.

The reams that designers are now unloading on the masses range from ornate to colorfully-obscene and serene to barely-there subtle. A quick scroll through some designer sites have us thinking potential weekend project.

If making a statement in a refined manor is your cue, then look no further than Graham and Brown’s Elizabeth Flock Effect wallpaper. A trendy and classic design of damask print, many color schemes are available but our favorite: the pink and silver ($60 @ burkerdecor.com).

Graham and Brown's Elizabeth Flock Effect @ burkedecor.com

A great option for a kids’ room, or a pool house (if you are lucky enough to have one) is Flavor Paper’s Onda. With four colors and two sizes to choose from this modern take on a psychedelic wave pattern is definitely a conversation starter, but paired with a room full of bright white furniture, trim and accessories, we think the room would have great balance ($150-$300 @ flavorleague.com).

Flavor Paper's Onda @ flavorleague.com

For a serene yet noticeable effect look no further than a paper that pulls from the environment. Case in point, ferm LIVING’s Forest Flower print (67 EUR @ ferm-living.com). On notice of this wallpaper, our minds immediately went to a scenario of a reading nook in a mountain home, curled up in a plush black velvet chair with a favorite book.

ferm LIVING's Forest Flower @ ferm-living.com

Subtly is your nature and a clean slate is your palate, don’t worry there are wallpaper options out there. Osborne and Little have a line that is perfect for those who want just a hint of design, and it is found in their Onyx line which debuted in spring 2009 (contact for prices @ osborneandlittle.com).

Osborne and Little's Onyx @ osborneandlittle.com