Everyday Home Magazine Spring 2017 | Page 98

WALLPAPER

It ’ s hit or miss with this stuff , right ? Well , these days , wallpaper has never been easier to install or more feasible for the homeowner . With so many styles , textures , and methods , wallpaper can easily add life and color to and entire space , framing the theme for the rest of the décor .
Staying in tune with the season ’ s trends , choose a wall to enhance , and keep the surrounding walls in a neutral , but matching hue . For larger spaces , the entire room should correlate with the wallpapered wall , and that wall should be visible upon immediate entry .
More reserved patterns may be used on all of the walls in the room , but a bold pattern is usually meant to be a focal piece . For smaller rooms , though , the effect is opposite . Covering all of the walls with wallpaper in a smaller room can actually make it more visually appealing , thus taking the eye away from the overall size of the space .
The patterns will provide , in a way , an optical illusion that makes guests think the room is purposely small for the achievement of the overall design . However , the rule of thumb still stands when it comes to darker , bolder patterns . These are best left to highlight a certain area of the room .
You can purchase wallpaper that is pre-pasted , which allows for the easiest installation process . In contrast to the many terrifying reviews of installing wallpaper , it really isn ’ t that bad . The top priority is to make sure that the surface is completely smooth and cleaned before you soak the paper and apply it to the wall .
Any dents or grooves in the wall should be filled , or these will create bumps in the wallpaper as you apply it . Use a smoothing tool to get out any bubbles and cut off the excess paper right at the creases with a razor blade ( use caution ).

Staying in tune with the season ’ s trends

Textured Walls
Bamboo , stone , wooden weavings , mixed metals , and fabric textured walls are all great choices . Bamboo and wooden texture in general is the most popular this season , sticking with organic-inspired designs . To install a textured wall , you simply need to hang individual pieces on it , from floor to ceiling . If , for example , you were creating a room with and oceanic theme , you might want to use large pieces of wood that resemble reeds or driftwood , and hang them up according to your personal style .
Textured walls are usually done in natural tones , often void of any bold color overall , because the entire focal point is for guests to enter the room and be drawn to the texture . They can walk up and touch the wall , notice its 3-dimensional properties , and appreciate it as an art piece within the room .
Mixed metals are becoming more and more popular as well , but the incorporation of an industrial material into an organic setting is hard to do without adding a little rust for effect . In order to mesh these two contrasting styles together , the texture must tell a story of dominance . For the sake of the organic design , nature must dominate the metal , so a look of natural wear ( rust ) is a great way to fuse the two .
Darker metals , like iron , can be mixed in with brass and copper hues , to create a more informal , yet strikingly regal look . When installing mixed metal textures , opt for lots of greenery to overshadow the coldness that the metal will bring . A room with plenty of natural light , even a skylight , is perfect for showcasing a texture wall of this nature , because the sun will bounce from the metals , creating a warmer tone .
To install a mixed metal wall , simply find pieces that you enjoy , such as metal art , large frames , and punched-out aluminum and mesh wire . For an eccentric , artsy feel , you can incorporate a living wall within the mesh cut-outs , and inside of the frames . This technique adds a subtle industrial undertone , that shows the overgrowth and potential victory of nature within the plants .
96 l Spring 2017