Innovative Wallpaper Trends
Once upon a time, wallpaper was an extremely popular home decorating trend but one that after its heyday fell out of favor for decades. Over the past five years, thanks in good part to the popularity of HGTV, wallpaper is making a slow and steady comeback as a home décor option.
Says Harrell Design + Build designer, Debra Winston, “Wallpaper is on the leading edge of home design trends. It is very forward thinking and currently is embraced most often by early adopters who aren’t afraid of color, patterns, and making a bold design statement.”
Debra recently worked with a repeat Harrell Design + Build client who found some unusual wallpapers she wanted to incorporate into her San Jose ranch home. These fun small-run “stealth prints” by Spoonflower included an English floral pattern that upon closer inspection includes dragons interwoven amongst the vines, and another white floral skull print on a deep teal background.
“This client isn’t afraid of color or taking a design risks,” explains Debra. “Though these adventurous patterns aren’t for everyone, wallpaper can have a place in most anyone’s home décor.“
Having worked as a scarf designer for Ralph Lauren before her career shift to designing home interiors, Debra innately understands color and pattern in printed designs. With her finger on the pulse of up-and-coming trends, she is seeing a multitude of wallpaper motifs making waves in the home décor space.
Under the Sea
Underwater themed wallcoverings featuring colorful fish, octopus, and other sea creatures are fun, lively designs that make a vibrant, visually entertaining design declaration. A small amount goes a long way with these animated patterns.
Flora and Fauna
From monochromatic to wildly colorful, these wallpapers include both plants and animals. Inspired by classic motifs, ferns, leaves, and flowers coupled with monkeys, birds, barn owls and butterflies offer a fun and adventurous way to add some whimsy to any room.
“These daring designs pack a punch,” states Debra. “Using this design on an accent wall is ideal to make a visual impact without overdoing a good thing.”
Florals
Always popular, today’s floral patterns are tonal, subtle and soft. Romantic and elegant, these Asian-inspired abstract watercolor and ink wash floral designs are silver, whites, and grays, creating a reflective, textural quality that adds depth and interest. Also making a resurgence are organic, nature-themed floor-to-ceiling murals, such as bare tree branches in silvery whites and grays.
Animal prints
Modern, refined, and opulent, animal prints invite a unique, textural quality to any interior space. Inspired by the diversity of the animal kingdom, these designs include alligator, zebra, cheetah, leopard, and snake prints updated in both muted and bold hues. The cheetah print in navy and white, zebra in a pale, silvery gray, and alligator in navy, silver, or a rich burgundy conjure a contemporary twist.
Geometrics
Timelessly classic, geometric patterns invite a sense of visual order. Many of these wallpaper designs blend a matte shade with a metallic such as navy and gold, or charcoal with copper or rose gold. Many current geometric designs include a French influence by incorporating medallions, traditional brocades, and romantic, curvy designs. Be they linear, angular, curvy, or organic, geometric wall coverings are always sophisticated.
Natural materials
Harkening back to the 1970s are today’s wallpapers that are realistic in appearance. Stacked stone, shiplap, brick, grass cloth, linen, or barnwood, these designs give the illusion of natural materials. Offering visual texture, they often include hints of metallic for depth, deceiving the eye and invoking warmth. It is a way to bring the natural world into our high-tech environments.
“Whether you love daring design or prefer something more subtle, there is a wallpaper that will work for you,” explains Debra.
Debra has been with Harrell Design + Build Design + Build since 2014 and has received numerous awards for her designs. Her fine arts background and her 13 years as a fashion designer for Ralph Lauren in New York City give Debra a unique design sense that benefits Harrell Design + Build clients. Debra specializes in Kitchen and Bath redesign, and is a Universal Design Certified Professional (UDCP). She also works on whole-house remodels and room additions.
Harrell Design + Build has been designing and remodeling distinctive homes in the Bay Area and Silicon Valley since 1985. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our incredible designers in Palo Alto or Los Gatos and discover how we can transform your home, kitchen, or bath.
