Photography by Francois Halard
Whether it’s big, bold patterns or delicate standards that make a statement, it’s exciting to see firsthand how wallpaper transforms a room,” says Willie Ross of W. Ross Wallcovering Installation in St. Charles.
Hand-painted papers, he says, like those offered by venerable wallpaper company Gracie, yield some of the most dramatic transformations, but they also pose the biggest challenge for paperhanging pros.
“No room for error with these works of art,” says Ross.
In fact, some manufacturers, such as Zuber, require installation professionals to work with an artist when hanging one of the company’s scenic murals, says Bill Stack, president of Koch Brothers Decorating. As part of the painstaking process, paperhangers also install a canvas liner paper behind the costly mural in case the owner wants to move it at some point in the future.
“Our favorite [Zuber] scenic mural is called El Dorado, which we have had the pleasure to install on more than one occasion,” says Stack. “The complete El Dorado scene uses 1,554 wood blocks and 210 colors to hand-paint.”
After installation, it is almost always necessary to touch up the scenes at the seams, because the hand-painted panels do not always match up perfectly. “An artist is also required on staff to paint electrical plates, HVAC vents, and other items as desired, as they can’t be covered with wallpaper, since there are no repeats in the pattern,” he says.
For something subtler, Karen Pepper of Edwin Pepper Interiors recommends the classic, organic look of many Phillip Jeffries wallcoverings, including the Enchanted Woods pattern in Legendary Chocolate.
Pepper has used this paper to add character to an executive office suite and anticipates introducing it in residential spaces in need of “a little design Botox,” she says.
“Wallpaper is undergoing a renaissance,” Pepper notes. “People are rediscovering it because the patterns are easy to live with and will pass the test of time.”
Donnelly Interiors’ Debbie Donnelly is also partial to Phillip Jeffries’ Enchanted Woods in Navy Fantasy and the Granite Stone pattern in Nieve. Because they mirror many finishes found in bathrooms, she finds them a natural fit in spaces where the goal is to create a serene spa-like setting.
“They provide an earthy texture,” says Donnelly. “I’m not a big fan of busy patterns. I believe that if you hang a busy pattern on the wall, you’ll tire of it quickly. These textures add a soothing, sophisticated backdrop.”
