Hi there!
Kristi very generously invited me to write for this blog, and this is my first post. I hope I learn lots of new things, and share them with you!
I thought I’d start with something we’ve all had a love/hate relationship with: Wallpaper – hot or not?
One look at what’s available these days and you’ll know this is no wallflower! Used as early as the 16th century, wallpaper was the cover-up (no pun intended!) solution for drab walls. Flocked wallpaper, popular once again, was created way back around 1620! However, the Chinese were using rice paper on their walls as far back as 200 B.C.
Wallpaper as we know it today, was invented by Jean-Michel Papillon in 1675. Papillon, an engraver, figured out how to make continuous patterns with block prints. However, wallpaper didn’t make an appearance in America until 1739, and it was a century later that Charles Harold Potter of England invented a four color surface printing machine, and started churning out hundreds of rolls daily.
A whole book can be written about the evolution of wallpaper, more popularly called wallcoverings now for the diverse materials used to manufacture them, but for now take a look at the choice available today. These stunning creations from wallpaperdirect will bring high-interest drama to any space.
No longer reminiscent of your grandma’s boudoir, wallcoverings now feature zany materials like beads, sequins, metals, velvet and more. Walls are no more a backdrop for art, they are art!
Do you have a wallpaper story to share?
Until next time!
Azra
[all photos from www.wallpaperdirect.co.uk]
I'm a self-employed interior decorator-turned-blogger, and a DIY fanatic. I hope you enjoy your visit here at A2D! If you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to 
Those are fantastic wallpapers!!! I especially love the stripes, and the last one with flowers. I seem to be a bit addicted to flowers lately–especially big, graphic flowers.
I absolutely love wallpaper, and I’m soooo glad that there are so many contemporary options available today.
Thanks for sharing, Azra!
Azra, hi! I am loving that teal wallpaper and that first pale grey one. So pretty! I am wallpapering a wall of my little shop with a teal feather wallpaper. I even brought wallpaper paste from the US all the way to Marrakech!
I adore teal and turquoise walls – how exotic! Feathers would look perfect in your shop – hope we get to see pics!
What was your inspiration for the flower wallpaper? It’s cool a mix of botanticals, leaves look like wood block prints and peonies have a chinz look. Carlisle CarlisleFlowers.net
Carlisle: Yes, it’s cool, isn’t it? A nod to cottage industry/nature/William Morris, and a sign of how mix’n'match can be pulled off with success!
What was your inspiration for the flower wallpaper? It's cool a mix of botanticals, leaves look like wood block prints and peonies have a chinz look. Carlisle CarlisleFlowers.net