Wallpaper's return

Wallpaper hanging has been a popular service at John Bell Painting throughout the three decades we have served homes and businesses in Toronto. However in the last couple years we have noticed an increased demand for wallpaper. MaryLynne Meschino is one of the many great interior designers in Toronto that we have had the pleasure of working with. We reached out to her recently for her thoughts on wallpaper in modern homes.

So is wallpaper in higher demand? 

I do think wallpaper is making a comeback, although not necessarily on every wall in most rooms of the house.

Wallpaper is wonderful for adding colour, texture and personality to a room; papers can range from the subtle warmth of grass cloth to the drama of a bold print or mural. And wallpapers these days are much easier to remove than years ago so if you get tired of a paper you can easily change it.

How do you use it with your clients?

I use wallpaper in several ways. A powder room is usually a boring little box but it can be transformed into a real show-stopper with bold pattern and colour. I love wallpaper in dining rooms as well, because all the hard surfaces can feel a bit cold; in this room I would do a subtle pattern or texture on all walls, or something bolder above wainscoting.   In bedrooms paper on the headboard wall can create a strong focal point. And a foyer gets a real punch with a well-chosen paper.

There are so many choices of papers available now there is something for everybody. I think the key is using it judiciously- selecting those areas of a home where it can have the most impact and not over-doing it.