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.

Throughout history various religious cultures have been representing themselves through imagery. These images can be used for instruction or inspiration, treated as sacred objects of worship, or simply applied as ornament. Is it possible to appreciate religious icons as beautiful works of art outside their spiritual context? Or is being born from inspiration, devotion and an expression of faith why there’s something so appealing about them? Whatever the reasons, religious iconography is becoming more sought after for its decorative quality.

Among some of the more popular items to collect are Catholic mid century paintings and statues. With soft pastel colours, halos and flowing robes these icons appeal both to those who’ve grown up seeing their images on Church pedestals as well as the less spiritually inclined.

The Mattei Bros are perhaps most famous for the beautiful statues that typically filled the Catholic church, and after the Second Vatican Council declared the use of statuary be kept to a minimum, many have found their way out into the world. Arriving in Australia from Lucca, Italy in the 1920′s, they were in business in Melbourne until the 1950′s producing statues of Jesus, Mary Immaculate, Saint Teresa Little Flower and other religous figures. Made from plaster in various sizes and handpainted with upmost detail, these icons can now be enjoyed in any context be it on the bedside table or standing arms outstretched near the front door.

You’ve probably seen that movie Sweet Home Alabama, so you probably already know that when lightening strikes sand it makes crude glass. Well nature has been producing that miracle long before Hollywood began producing bad films.

Glass was one of man’s earliest discoveries and once we figured out how to copy Mother Nature we discovered a new obsession. Venice in the 13th Century is where things really got interesting, in true Italian style with plenty of drama. Having done deals with the Islamic and North Africans the Venetians refined the recipe for glass making with brilliant results. To protect their secret recipes and techniques the artisans were held captive on the Murano islands in the Adriatic Sea. The Venetian government made them filthy rich, but their elevated social status and luxurious lifestyle weren’t enough to keep them. The glass trade monopoly Venice held for almost a century was finally shattered as escapees took their trade beyond the border. By the 1600′s Venetian glass secrets had been spread around the world and all was made transparent.

But the power play shifted and soon Venice got a taste of its own medicine, being held under the rule of Austria who favoured Bohemian glass. The Austrian government put restrictions on the import of raw materials to the islands and without the essenitial ingredients the production of the famous Murano glass could not go on…

Yet all was not lost! 200 years later, in the mid 1800′s Murano had found its saviours – Antonia Salviati and the Fratelli Toso family. Their companies sought to bring back the glory days of glass by once again employing the skills and inventions that began it and combining them with ancient methods practiced by the Phoenician Romans.

Venice simultaneously freed itself from Austria, becoming a part of the Kingdom of Italy and re-egnited their kilns and passion for beautiful glass. The long lost treasure was reclaimed and shared with the world. It became particularly popular with the wealthy Americans who routinely holidayed in Europe and returned home with the prized glass as souvenirs.

Things went to whole new level in the 50′s with an erruption of creativity causing another world-wide craze for Italian glass. Now producing along-side Toso and Salviati were Vistosi, Venini , Barbini, and Seguso who joined forces and set the Italian glass industry in stone. Soon no modern-day home was complete without a generous splash of light reflecting colour.

Like any good treasure, art glass is worth a few pretty pennies and there are plenty of determined hunters out there. Get amongst it, we’ve got some great must haves here in the Indigo ocean!

Kitsch, tacky, silly but so popular!

Lets not get into why majority has ruled with this kitsch collectible. It comes in funny shapes with cute faces, painted in rainbows and glossed up to the max. Its Lustreware!

Lustreware was invented by the Egyptians (and they did come up with some of the best stuff) in the 18th Century, by applying a metallic glaze to pottery that gave the effect of iridescence. The Europeans loved it, the English loved it and now a few centuries later the world loves it. Taking off in the industrial age and playing a big role in the Kitsch movement, the illustrious serving dishes, ash trays and vases acted as that ’special occassions’ piece to add wow and pizazz to an otherwise dull dinner party.

Now (and I choose my words carefully), they demand attention for their confident beauty.. Lets face it they pretty much grab you by the eye balls, pull you in and give you a big sloppy metallic kiss. Its all love! 

1960's Crying Boy print

No brush strokes, no high price tags, just pure pop accessible to all!

Post war America is where it all began. New technologies in mass-production together with a new found affluence for the middle classes made it all too possible to fill the house with new everything. Well designed furniture and high art were now being produced on mass, heavily advertised in lifestyle mags and on the tellie for all housewives to see. And they all wanted a slice of the pretty new pie.

Art was one commodity affected by this. Previously only available to the rich and elite, people loved being able to have a decorative print hanging in their wallpapered homes. Think furry kittens, big-eyed crying children, grazing horses, bull-fighters and ships at sail. Anything was possible and it was all considered beautiful.

Now highly collectible, the once dime a dozen kitsch prints are increasingly becoming hard to find art-pieces. What goes around comes around. We’re all about that at Indigo Junction, and we even have a few beauties in store, for the housewives or otherwise!

1960's Ballerina print