Archive for the ‘Wallpaper’ Category

It is the eternal dilemma when moving into a new home, or whenever one decides to redecorate the house. Should one wallpaper the walls, or paint them?

The arguments in both directions are compelling. The living room is a long time lived in. If it is unattractive to look at then one either has to spend the next so many years looking at it, or else it all has to be done again. Better to get it right the first time.

Wallpaper does, of course, create an impression of luxury and comfort. Most walls, whether they be in an office or even an industrial setting, are painted. It is only in rooms that are lived in, as opposed strictly to living rooms, that walls are usually papered. The appearance of flowers or patterns rather than just plain paint does serve to emphasise the difference between the room that is relaxed in and that that is worked in. In that much at least papering does seem to have the edge.

Go beyond the edge

But it is the edge that can also be the problem. For those to whom matching up patterns to perfection from one strip to the next this can be by far the greatest challenge. Wallpapering to some is an art, but to many more is an awkward and sometimes frustrating experience. There are few who would not consider painting to be an easier, if less ornate option.

What if there was an alternative that combined the ease of painting with the decorative effect of wallpapering? Well actually there is. They are called wall stickers and for many they are becoming the logical and convenient answer to the eternal dilemma of paper or paint. Basically one paints the wall with emulsion and then applies the pattern in stand-alone form once the paint has dried. The net result is a wallpaper effect from a painter’s effort.

The wall sticker doesn’t only come in the flowers and the pretty patterns that one might associate with conventional living room wallpaper. Take a look at the Ferm Living range from Denmark and the many different options that are available.

The wall sticker solution gives the best of both worlds, and allows one some control over how where exactly in the room the decorations are placed and how densely they are applied. They present a most appealing alternative, whether to wallpaper or paint.

History doesn’t tell us as much about wallpaper as perhaps it ought to.

Then again as it is by definition temporary, it is perhaps unsurprising that less hard evidence of it remains than of murals and paintings. The pyramids and caves of our distant forebears were not, as far as we know, wallpapered. But then we have come a very long way since then.

It was the Chinese, as well as the scenic decorators of early 19^th century France, who made popular the concept of wallpaper as a foreground display. Today however it has assumed far greater priority as a form of decoration. It would even be true to say that these days we sometimes embark upon our interior design programme with our choice of wallpaper, and then select our furniture and adornments to match.

Indeed, as the artist and writer William Morris once commented: “Whatever you have in your rooms think first of the walls for they are that which makes your house and home, and if you do not make some sacrifices in their favour you will find your chambers have a kind of makeshift, lodging-house look about them.”

If you have found the wallpaper you like, hang in there

It would be no exaggeration to say that our choice of wallpaper in many ways defines our home. It gives the visitor a clue as to the age and gender – not to mention the personality – of the occupier, provides an insight into their soul and captures the mood and spirit of the household.

If the choice is to opt for wallpaper then one of the biggest names in the business is unquestionably the interior designer and television celebrity Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen. Take a look at his range of products and get a feel for the ambience that you might create by hanging Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen wallpaper in your own living room.

On the other hand if conspicuously floral isn’t your thing then British Design Talent Wallpaper might better suit your taste.

Alternatively there is an appealing range from Linda Barker Wallpaper, including her current “Tempting” line of trailing florals and feminine silhouette prints which like her other papers is “paste on wall” for ease of application. Take a look here for some more details of this appealing option.

Your wallpaper says a lot about who you are. It may be artistic, serene, classical, abstract, modern, or just plain and unpretentious, but what is most important of all is that it is you.

Stairway, staircase, stairwell, or just plain old stairs. Whatever term you refer to it by, it’s a permanent fixture in any home with more than one storey. As a fixed feature, it’s not part of the home that can be easily altered without careful planning and a lot of adjustment to the structure of the building. A brand new staircase requires the right materials, design and construction to make a style statement, but an existing one can be given a makeover that will have an impact all of its own.

Stop and stair

Step outside of your home for a moment, then walk back in. The first thing you’ll probably be faced with is your staircase. While this fixture in your home exists to serve a functional purpose, it is also in a prominent aesthetic position so wouldn’t you want to make a statement of it?

With some imaginative design and décor, your staircase could become one of the most attractive features of your home. Most people won’t have the finances, or inclination, to construct a brand new stairway, so let’s concentrate on the old and the various ways you can spruce it up to look great.

Steps to success

Unless you live in a ultra-modern home, chances are your staircase is built from wood. The wooden steps are more than likely hidden under carpet with underlay in-between. This is common in UK homes for purposes of warmth and to also deaden the footsteps of people moving between floors.

You have a choice to remove the carpet and return the wood to its former glory with some sanding and wood stain or paint, or you can install a new carpet or even a runner. A runner is carpet that doesn’t span the full width of the staircase and is held in place on each step with a stair rod. Before choosing a flooring option, consider who will be moving up and down in the home. If it will be young children or the elderly, this could have an impact on your choice.

Most Victorian terrace homes will probably still have the original balustrades in place. If these have become split, or just in need of attention, you could alter the entire look of your staircase by replacing them with something more contemporary. However, if the balustrades are still in good health, a lick of paint or sanding back to the original wood will do wonders.

Try to make the space under your stairs work for you. Install some shelving, storage or hooks and things to help keep the house tidy. Under the staircase is the perfect place to keep the household’s shoes, coats and keys so check out the J-me range for ideas.

The highest ceiling in a house is often above the incline of the staircase so it’s the ideal location to place a stylish lighting fixture. Long pendant lights or, if you have the space, a chandeliers, will give your stairway a striking look. Take a glance at the Alma light range for inspiration.

Finally, pay attention to your stairway walls. Of course paint or wallpaper is a must, but the stairs are also a great location to display family photos due to the large wall space available. Try hanging a selection of large photo frames cascading up the stairway or displayed in a random pattern.