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Over a decade ago, the re-emergence of wallpaper in interior design felt like a surprise to many. But what seemed like a novelty then has become a dominant force today, and trends like Maximalism and New Retro—as well as more reserved trends like Restorative Retreat—have embraced wallpaper’s ability rule the room.
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This power comes from the simple fact that wallpaper can easily cover more square feet of visual design space than any other design element. And because wallpaper can bring much more than a simple painted color can—wallpaper offers pattern, texture, and endless design possibilities—savvy designers use it to forcefully establish a definitive point of view.
Some of the most exciting rooms being designed today use some form of wallpaper. That’s because wallpaper can do so many jobs. The most traditional way to use wallpaper is to set a colorway or a repeating pattern. But if you increase the scale and prominence of that pattern, the wallpaper takes on an almost mural-like quality. It’s a huge range of expression, from decorative to figurative to actual storytelling. You’ll find wallpaper on one wall, covering an entire room, in small rooms, large rooms, and even on the ceiling. Wallpaper is incredibly versatile—and it’s here to stay.
Charleston, South Carolina, designer Megan Molten has mastered the art of designing with wallpaper. In her own home, Molten has made powerful design statements by combining custom wallpaper with Graber drapery that contrasts or complements the wallpaper’s pattern. She lets the energy of the combination dominate the room design, with other elements, like furniture and pillows, resonating with smaller elements within the fabric and wallpaper to create mood and a sense of continuity.
Upon entering the Molten home, the visitor is greeted by a mural-like sweep of white birds flying upwards through a dark forest—you can almost hear the soft, even wingbeats in the wallpaper’s harmonious pattern. In a small bedroom, vertical blush-toned drapery provides a gentle contrast to the dramatically curving, green palm fronds of the wallpaper. Continuing with her embrace of botanical patterns, the primary suite’s oak tree-patterned wallpaper—a fascinating abstract painting in gray and white—is accentuated by slightly whiter drapery.
What makes these very different combinations feel right to the viewer? Balance. In each room, a bold pattern meets the simplicity of a solid color to create an easy resonance. It’s really the combination—the perfect combination—that gives each room its own subtle mood.
Molten understands that the perfect pattern can make or break a room design—and she’s gone so far as to collaborate with designer Mitchell Black to create her own beautiful custom wallpaper designs that perfectly achieve her goals. These custom wallpapers are what adorn the walls of her exquisitely decorated home.
Wallpaper is taking center stage in many homes. Decorating with wallpaper involves more than just finding the right pattern—it also involves finding other room elements, such as drapery and shades, that pair perfectly with that pattern.
If you’re designing a room with wallpaper, you need to think about your window treatments from the very beginning. Find a Graber Design Expert now and put their interior design expertise, outstanding products, and intelligence to work for you.
