A Brief History of Wallpaper
Wallpaper is not just pretty patterns for your grandma’s living room. This humble wall covering has a wild past full of innovation, consumer trends, and, believe it or not, taxation drama. Who knew?
Back in the 16th century, wallpaper wasn't gracing the palaces of aristocrats – it was stashed away in cupboards in merchant homes. But by the 20th century, it had infiltrated every room of the house, from bedrooms to bathrooms. And yet, its sheer popularity earned it a bit of a bad rap, relegating it to the “poor cousin” of the decorative arts.
Early wallpaper was printed in monochrome, with floral designs painstakingly block-printed. The 18th century saw wallpaper taxes (because why not?), making the stuff even pricier. But demand surged, with bold floral and architectural designs adorning everything from humble homes to high-end halls. Think de Gournay (their take on Chinoiserie).
Flock wallpaper imitated textiles and was all the rage. It made your walls look like they were covered in velvet while repelling moths—a win-win. Meanwhile, painted with exotic scenes, Chinese wallpapers took luxury to new levels in 18th-century Britain.
By the 19th century, technology took the lead. Machines churned out wallpaper faster and cheaper, making it accessible to just about everyone. Victorian homes became a riot of patterns, with frieze, dado, and ceiling papers all competing for attention. Morris’s nature-inspired designs brought a little Zen to the wallpaper chaos.
In the 20th century, wallpaper became the darling of modern art movements like Jazz, Cubism, and even Pop Art. DIYers embraced it, with pre-pasted and vinyl papers making home décor a breeze. Despite competition from paint in the ‘80s, the revival of digital and screen printing has made wallpaper cool again, with designers turning walls into art installations.
Today, wallpaper is back, bolder than ever, from feature walls to bespoke creations by fashion designers like Vivienne Westwood to DIYers, artists, and large-scale manufacturers.
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