Wall flowers (and more)

While a plain white wall may be ideal for a gallery to showcase a magnificent piece of art, it's not the best way to turn a house into a home.

Americans are becoming more aware of interior design techniques and how color and pattern on a wall can transform a space, says Ronald Redding, vice president of design and archivist at York Wallcoverings, which is based in York, Penn. As such, they are saying goodbye to the white paint so commonly used by homebuilders.

Not only are consumers shunning plain walls, they are gravitating away from plain paint and faux techniques and selecting patterns and textures through the use of wallpaper, he said.

"I think people are tired of plain walls and plain paint," Redding said. "What they have observed on television and seen in magazines has promoted design -- design on the walls. For the price of the product, a wallpaper will change the personality and value of a room more than any other product."

Redding suggests first-time wallpaper users start with a small bathroom or hallway. "Once they see the transformation it makes in a small room, it becomes very clear to them the difference wallpaper makes."

He also says it isn't necessary to stick to a small pattern. A large dramatic design will make a huge impact. "Because you're not in those spaces long, it doesn't overpower you."

Redding said the floral wallpapers commonly associated with the 1970s and '80s aren't what you'll find today. Instead, wallpapers have become much more sophisticated, using sand and glass beads to create pattern and texture, as well as featuring classical elements such as scrolls and damasks. "These are designs that are not too busy and the color contrast is very soft as well so it becomes more of a texture."

Wallpaper manufacturer Graham & Brown also has seen the trend lean in favor of large-scale damask patterns, damask motifs that have an ethnic feel and paintable textured papers.

To fit the large, open space design of today's modern homes, many wallpaper patterns are being presented on a grand scale. According to Graham & Brown, dramatically large damasks match the mood of modern homes while maintaining a classic feel.

"Wallpaper design has come a long way in the last 250 years in America. Today, with technology, wallpaper manufacturers have created so many different textures and concepts of design you can pretty much find anything you want in wallpaper design or color and texture," Redding said

All of which coordinate with other elements of home décor. Redding said the colors of today's wallpapers are influenced by European and fashion designs. Turquoise is a big color and pinks offer a feminine note.

"Neutrals have been very important through the years, but now neutrals are becoming colorful. Purple is influencing the grayer neutrals," Redding said. "Purple, being a warm color, is being infused in gray so that gray has more personality."

Reds also are influencing traditional neutral shades. By adding red to beige you get a blushy peach color that instantly adds a sense of warmth to a room.

Yellows remain popular for the warm feeling they project, but they are becoming more golden, Redding said. When added with a metallic, the neutral shade has even more power.

"What I do with my papers is layer flat designs over metallics. It gives it beautiful dimension, but it's a soft dimension."

Redding said he is seeing lots of golds and silvers, along with a champagne color, which "is not as warm and deep as gold or cool and sharp as silver."

When wallpapering, he said it's important not to forget the ceiling. Many of York's papers feature glass beads and sand, which work really well on a ceiling to add more dimension to a room. "We call the ceiling the fifth wall. It's just as important to interior designers as any wall in the room."

Not only does wallpaper transform the look of a room, it makes the wall less prone to damage from ordinary wear and tear, Redding said.

"Stairways and hallways need to be painted fairly often, but if you put wallpaper up, you don't have to worry about scuffs from bags or people. It lasts much longer and still looks new. Plus, its easier to clean."

Without the dirt and scuff marks, a wallpaper will typically last seven to 10 years longer than the average paint job, Redding said. "It's really worth it to pay the upfront costs, especially in high-traffic areas."

As a bonus, it has insulating properties, he said. Vinyl papers in particular are heavier and help insulate a room from both heat and cold as well as noise.

For those who aren't ready to wallpaper an entire room or even one accent wall, there are alternatives such as murals and wall decals.

Once called appliques, today's wall decals offer an incredible range of options and styles. And, they are easy to install or remove.

"It presses all the right buttons for today's consumers. They want things that are fast, easy, affordable and noncommittal -- especially when it comes to room décor," said PJ Delaye, chief operating officer of RoomMates Peel and Stick Décor. "Flash backward to 10 or 15 years ago. If you bought wallpaper, you had to live with it for 15 years. Today, as fashion cycles get shorter and change more frequently, people don't want to commit to something for a long time. They want something they can remove quickly. No muss, no fuss."

Decals offers decorators that flexibility, including the ability to change wall décor seasonally.

The ease of use is one reason why decals are so popular among parents of young children, Delaye said. "Moms know that their kids are going to grow up and their tastes will change. It starts with the nursery. When the kid turns 4, he no longer wants cute animals. He wants Spiderman. Six months later he's into Transformers. Moms want to be able to change the rooms as their kids grow up. This (decals) is the perfect product for instant decorating."

Not only are the decals easy to use, Delaye said they are affordable and cost effective.

He said a traditional pack of decals retails from $12.99 to about $25 and usually includes between 20 and 24 elements. Deco packs, which offer more sophisticated designs including damasks, flowers and retro graphics, contain between 15 and 25 elements. "It's enough to do a whole room."

Licensed character and giant decals sell for between $21.99 and $29.99.

"I think that's why the category is growing. It's easy, fast affordable and noncommittal," Delaye said.

Additionally, RoomMates offers custom and border decals.