Paint is SO over. Get with the times and wallpaper it!
We like to keep up with the past at Indigo Junction, and to spread the word when exciting vintage things happen! Recently we’ve been lucky to uncover a treasure trove of original 1970′s French & Italian wallpaper. We thought it shouldn’t stay hidden out the back of an old textiles store so we’ve brought it home to Indigo with majority of prints on the website with some more in store. Prices start from $10 a roll. Keep reading for a little information on where it all began and check out what we have in store to explore some totally trendy wallpaper possibilities!
Wallpaper knowledge here:
Wallpaper has been hanging around since the 1400′s and has gone through considerable evolution both technically and visually. The vintage revival in interior decorating has brought this old idea back and its become a significant trend in contemporary design.
The history of Wallpaper dates back to the England during the 1400′s where it was used as a cheaper substitute for the rich tapestries prevalent in homes of the well to do. These were made using wood blocks and usually formed simple tiled patterns of floral designs. The popularity of these papers grew considerably in Elizabethan England and soon attracted the attention of the French. Similarly to its beginnings in England, the poorer classed french would use wallpaper to cover the interiors of their huts and shops. These printmakers, known as Dominotiers, became experts at emulating the look of fabric on paper. Techniques improved and new styles such as flocking came into vogue, with printed designs embossed with wool to give a velveteen quality. By the 1700′s black and white was out and colour was in. Also popular were Chinese papers hand painted with birds, figures and landscapes known as Chinoiserie. These were imported to America, England and France, particularly popular for the manor houses and palaces of the royal such as Louis XVI. In 1785 new printing technology was invented allowing for increased detail and complicated patterns. Wallpaper design began to attract artists and not just woodblock painters. Many European painters emulated the styles of the Chinese, but it was still the French who were the most popular wallpaper designers.
Styles continued to evolve with expensive room length murals featuring more frequently, designs were complicated and very time consuming. In 1839 a new printing process was invented in Britain, lowering the cost of production and making wallpaper available to a wider demographic. Througout the late 1800′s new technologies continued to attract new designers, many of which rebelled against the excesses of the mid-century in favour of a simpler aesthetic. By the 1920′s cubist and futurist styles had arrived on the market. Wallpaper designs were now available in modern and traditional patterns. In the late 40′s vinyl papers were in production and by the 50s pre-pasted paper was available. Wallpaper had become increasingly varied in styles, cheaper and far easier to apply.
The modern home of the mid to late 19th century more often than not featured bold colourful wallpapers. The design leaders were still French, closely followed by the Italians, British and Chinese. Papers were being exported around the world, America a particularly strong market where young couples were busy building the dream.
Over the last decade the wallpaper trend has made a serious comeback. Commonly the look is applied in the home as a feature wall, or in the kitchen and bathroom. Wallpaper is now particularly popular in trend conscious spaces such as the retail, business and entertainment industries.
