Wallpaper – Paste it Up
Wallpaper is a material that we use to cover and decorate the interior walls of homes, offices and other buildings. Wallpaper is sold in rolls and is put onto walls with wallpaper paste. Wallpaper began as an inexpensive substitute for paneling and tapestries.
Paper was invented in ancient China. They use to glue rice paper to their walls. A court official of the Chinese invented paper from rags. By the 10th century Arabs used wood and bamboo to create thin sheets of paper. During the 12th century Europeans commissioned artists to paint paper for their walls. In 1675 a French engraver made block designs on the wallpaper and this was very much like the wallpaper of today.
Wallpaper finally came to America in 1739. Right after the revolutionary war it was all the fashion. Everyone wanted it in their homes. In 1839 a 4 color wallpaper printing machine was invented and by 1874 there was a 12 color wallpaper printing machine in use. In 1888 the first ready to use wallpaper paste was invented. Pasting machines were not developed until the 20th century.
If you lived in the ‘20s you were sure to have one room of your house that had wallpaper. Over 400 million rolls were sold during that time. Soon after, people started to frown on embellishments. Wallpaper fell to disfavor for a time for its lavish effects and cost.
Wallpaper has had its ups and downs but after World War Two it picked up in popularity. This happened because of wall coverings that were available were easy to maintain and affordable. This new wallpaper had structural integrity as opposed to the older flimsy kind.
There is a large variety to choose from. There is wallpaper that comes plain that you can paint your own design or others that have patterned graphics. Some printing techniques include surface, gravure, screen and rotary. You can also purchase pre-pasted paper that is easy to hang. Begin choosing your wallpaper by considering the space you are decorating and the type of surface you will be covering. Make certain you measure to ensure you will complete your project. When in doubt always order more then you will need.
I had my own experience with wallpaper. In the 1980’s I purchased wallpaper that had a twist. It was wallpaper that you could write on. I hung this in my bathroom and it had a special pen that was attached. Who ever visited me got to write a special message or saying. Don’t worry because it was also washable and believe me I had to wash it away quite a lot!
Here is a list of some of the different styles that are offered and a brief review of its character. The most popular is vinyl for its durability and easy upkeep. Another choice is fabric backed vinyl. This is usually unpasted but washable and moisture resistant. The next option is paper backed vinyl. It is prepasted and light weight. It creates a three dimensional effect and it works best on rough surfaces. Next there are textiles. These are made of cotton, linen and polyester. They are bonded to a paper backing. These come in many colors and textures and range from casual to elegant. Hand screened wallpaper is vividly colorful and expensive. It also needs a professional to hang and is high maintenance. Last but not least there are flocks and foils. They are also hard to hang and can wrinkle easily. They look like damask or cut velvet and must be hung on a perfectly smooth wall for its true effects.
So by now you must be searching through the many wallpaper catalogues, but do not get discouraged. I am certain you will find the one that brings out the best for your decor.
About the Author
Barbara Tobiasz resides with her husband (Joe Tobiasz, Owner/Webmaster: http://www.wall-decor-concepts.com) in the Chicago area, studied at the Art Institute and taught for the Chicago Public Schools. She has volunteered her services for many organizations with her creative expressions in the interior design field. Her hobbies include reading, taking long walks with her dog and working her magic turning ordinary rooms into creative works of art.
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OLIVE GREEN FLORAL WALLPAPER BORDER $9.95 |
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Retro WHITE DAISY ON RED Contemporary Wallpaper Mod KITCHEN Bedroom Floral DBL $19.99 |
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Wallpaper Border Poker Cards On Blue 28.5 feet $24.74 |
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SS-58218 RED POPPY DECOR MURAL ART WALL PAPER STICKER RUBYRUBYSHOP $0.99 |
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3 ROLLS (44ft) scenic stream & pines wallpaper border $28.99 |
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Wild Life STRIPES Wallpaper SP24471 $15.98 |
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Gold on White Brocade BREWSTER WALLPAPER BORDER 73380 $12.99 |
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Sale $9.95 Cute Baby African Animals 45 feet Wallpaper Border 75 $9.95 |
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WINNIE THE POOH Art MURAL decal Wall Paper Sticker KIDS $6.99 |
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KR-0015 BLACK CATS WALL PAPER ART DECOR DECALS STICKER RUBYRUBYSHOP $0.99 |
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DIY Decorative Wall Paper&Art Sticker flower tree 016 $0.99 |
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Geometric Gold Black Waverly Wallpaper Border 5502772 $14.99 |
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WALLPAPER BORDER ARCHITECTURAL SWIRL AND FLORAL $11.42 |
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PINK FLORAL WALLPAPER BORDER $9.95 |
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WALLPAPER BORDER ARCHITECTURAL SWIRL AND FLORAL $11.42 |
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Fleur de Lys Lis Yellow Tan Blue Wallpaper Border Distressed Look EH99721 Damask $9.99 |
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FAUX MARBLE Faith Popcorn Village WALLPAPER 5807122 Golden Brown Earthtones $24.99 |
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2 1/2 DOUBLE ROLLS (140sq ft) country pumpkin, cherry, corn cob & wine wallpaper $33.99 |
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Wallies Murals wallpaper decor wall art sports football soccer baseball cutout $16.99 |
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SPORT, DOGS PLAY GOLF Wallpaper Border PS2033B $6.99 |
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WALLPAPER BORDER FLORAL, GRAPES, AND BIRDS $12.69 |
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Wine Bottle & Cork Kitchen Wallpaper Border NV9652B $18.00 |
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Sale $9.95 Roosters on Rust Ivory Crackle 45 feet Wallpaper Border 954 $9.95 |
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HOME DECOR MURAL WALL PAPER STICKER BLACK DOG LWST-18 $14.71 |
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WALLPAPER BORDER BIRDS AND GRAPES $12.69 |
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DIY Decorative Wall Paper&Art Sticker Flower Tree 008, Size: 150cm×53cm $0.99 |
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Cats Dogs Kids Nursery Prepasted Wallpaper Border 18 FT $12.95 |
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VICTORIAN ROSE WALLPAPER BORDER $9.95 |
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FLORAL GARDEN TOOL SHED WALLPAPER BORDER $7.99 |
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Architectural Wallpaper Border / Scroll Wall Border/ Gold Trim $15.00 |
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Dollhouse Wallpaper / 3 Sheets of Tiffany Seafoam $4.29 |
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WALLPAPER BORDER $9.95 |
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HORSE HORSES FARM RANCH PONIES wallpaper border 6″ $9.99 |
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Charming Antique 19th C. French Scenic Toile Wallpaper (40) $39.99 |
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Charming Antique Early 20th C. French Floral Wallpaper (7287) $24.99 |
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Wonderful Antique Early 20th C. French Zuber Floral Wallpaper (7333) $39.99 |
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Charming Antique Early 20th C. French Floral Wallpaper (7287) $24.99 |
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4 ROLLS(60ft)purple rust white blue & green plum & grape floral wallpaper border $19.99 |
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BIRDS AND BIRD HOUSES WALLPAPER BORDER GREAT FOR A KITCHEN! $7.19 |
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Beautiful Antique Late 19th C. French Floral Wallpaper (7456) $32.99 |
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Beautiful Antique 19th C. French Jacobean Floral Wallpaper (7243) $42.99 |
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Beautiful Antique Early 20th C. French Zuber Floral Wallpaper (7338) $39.99 |
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Early 20th C. French Zuber Floral Wallpaper (6570) $29.99 |
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Beautiful Antique Late 19th C. French Floral Wallpaper (7442) $29.99 |
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40 Color Selectable “Lovers trees” DIY Decorative Wall Paper/Art Sticker110 $0.99 |
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ANIMALS KIDS WALLPAPER/ WALLPAER BORDER $19.95 |
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2 1/4 DOUBLE ROLLS (126sq ft) beige on beige faux looking wallpaper $28.99 |
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BUTTERFLIES WALLPAPER #TR207450 $19.95 |
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LASER CUT FRUIT WALLPAPER BORDER GREAT FOR KITCHEN OR DINNING ROOM! $7.99 |
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DIY Decorative Wall Paper&Art Sticker flower tree 013, Size: 90cm×45cm $0.99 |
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WALLPAPER STRIPES #65315760 $14.95 |
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Fern & Flower Iron Arbor Botanical Garden Wallpaper D/R $27.99 |
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Floral Decorative Wallpaper Border 6369 $16.74 |
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Decorative Wallpaper Border 2676 $16.74 |
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SATIN ROMANCE, LILY SIGN Wallpaper Border Des 24963 $7.99 |
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Red Grapes Wine and Leafs Die Cut Wallpaper Border $14.00 |
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Wallpaper Border Acanthus Scroll Leaf Silk n Satin Wall Border/ Pink Cream Trim $18.00 |
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Wall Decor Vinyl Wallpaper Sticker Bubble Gum Removable Clearance $0.01 |
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Wallpaper Home Glass Wall Vinyl Sticker Decal Cute CATS $15.65 |
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Wallpaper* City Guide Chicago 2012 Book | Wallpaper* NE $17.42 |
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ARCHITECTURAL STRIPE WALLPAPER / WALLPAPER BORDER $19.95 |
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HEAVY TEXTURED VIYNL FLORAL WALLPAPER BORDER! $7.99 |
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WALLPAPER BORDER LOT Indians TeePees BUFFALO Horses Wall Decor 90′ 6 pkgs $74.00 |
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Wallies Murals wallpaper mural Tuscan arch view winery wall art decal window $21.99 |
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Charming Early 20th C. French Floral Wallpaper (6917) $24.99 |
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DONNA DEWBERRY WALLPAPER FRUIT #233-33915 $14.95 |
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3 DOUBLE ROLLS (168sq ft) swirls & leaves on a taupe colored faux wallpaper $37.99 |
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TROPICAL WALLPAPER FERN # 33973 $19.95 |
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WALLPAPER FLORAL GARDEN DAHLIAS VINES COUNTRY VINTAGE RED GREEN YELLOW D/Rs $17.99 |
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2 rolls (30ft) purple, pink, yellow & aqua kitty & mice wallpaper border $14.99 |
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DIY Decorative Wall Paper&Art Sticker Butterfly Flower Tree 002, Size 100×80cm $0.99 |
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CATS COUNTRY KITCHEN WALLPAPER BORDER $12.69 |
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CATS COUNTRY KITCHEN WALLPAPER BORDER $12.69 |
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3 Rolls 15yd decour wallpaper border wk9019b OS3 bx 1 $7.99 |
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WALL PAPER DECAL NURSERY MURAL STICKERS MICKEY MOUSE 71 $13.18 |
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3 Rolls 15yd decour wallpaper border 138205 OS3 bx 1 $7.99 |
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FRESCO TEXTURES FLOWERS,STRIPES GREY Wallpaper FT23571 $15.98 |
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WALLPAPER BORDER LOT Jacobean Flowers Floral Wall Decor 3 rolls = 45ft $35.99 |
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3 Rolls 15yd Racing wallpaper border 40806950 OS3 bx3 $7.99 |
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Disney Park Mural Art Stickers Wall Paper Decal A47 $0.99 |
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Yellow Floral Wallpaper Border W1170 $10.99 |
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Thibaut Soft Green Graceful Sprigs Leaves Wallpaper 5264 $9.99 |
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FRESCO TEXTURES FLOWERS,LEAVES GREY Wallpaper FT23567 $15.98 |
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Apple Birds Butterfly Bugs Cracked Background Wallpaper Border $14.00 |
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CONTEMPORARY KITCHEN WALLPAPER HERBS # KC5066 $13.45 |
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3 sheets of Dolls House 1/12th scale Wallpaper roses cream 59b quality paper $4.92 |
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Big Sumptuous Peony Flower Tree Bedroom/Living Room Wall Deco/Sticker wall paper $0.99 |
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Modern Geometric Shapes Brown & Red Wallpaper Border $14.99 |
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NORWALL ZEN ANTIQUE,Taupe Wallpaper ZN28065 $15.98 |
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TEXTURED FLORAL STUCCO WALLPAPER #8133-12 $19.95 |
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FLOWER MONKEYS Handpainted wallpaper mural $40.00 |
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Kretzer Finny 69325 (82025) 10.0″/ 25cm – Office / Paper / Wallpaper Scissors $26.95 |
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2 rolls double roll pre-pasted vinyl wallpaper-green brown & rust on cream $15.00 |
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CHOCOLATE BROWN WALLPAPER #20030704 $19.95 |
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Rosle Kitchen Shears/Scissors $29.93 The award-winning Rosle brand stands for style and quality in the kitchen and dining areas. Since 1888, Rosle has been using German engineering to produce the finest quality professional cooking tools and kitchen utensils, designed for optimal performance, comfort and appearance for both the home cook and the professional chef. Ergonomically designed, Rosle products are investments in quality that… |
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Road Runner & Wile E Coyote: Looney Tunes, Chariots of Fur [VHS] $9.98 Since his 1949 cartoon debut, Wile E. Coyote has been successful at one thing: failure. The source of his constant frustration is that speed demon of the desert, the Road Runner. Legendary animation director Chuck Jones put two of his greatest creations back on the road in their first animated theatrical short in 30 years in CHARIOTS OF FUR, debuting on video. BEEP, BEEP takes a dizzy fur-vs…. |
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The Godfather Collection (Widescreen Edition) [VHS] $18.97 Throughout his long, wandering, often distinguished career Francis Ford Coppola has made many films that are good and fine, many more that are flawed but undeniably interesting, and a handful of duds that are worth viewing if only because his personality is so flagrantly absent. Yet he is and always shall be known as the man who directed the Godfather films, a series that has dominated and defined… |
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A Christmas Carol (Animated Version) [VHS] $9.99 … |
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The Twilight Saga: New Moon $14.99 … |
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Mickey Mouse New York Yankees Fathead $79.99 What Is A Fathead?: A�Fathead is Huge! Real.Big. Fathead wall graphics are life-size action images that you stick on any smooth surface. You can move them and reuse them and they are safe for walls. Fathead wall graphics are way better than a poster, much bigger than a sticker and tougher than a decal. Need to decorate a den, office, kid’s room? Fathead has you covered! A fathead can transfor… |
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MLB New York Mets Inside Citi Field Mural Wall Graphic $99.99 Fathead wall graphics are life-size action images that you stick on any smooth surface. You can move them and reuse them and they are safe for walls. Fathead wall graphics are way better than a poster, much bigger than a sticker and tougher than a decal. Measures 4×6…. |
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New York Giants Throwback Helmet Fathead $85.49 What Is A Fathead?: A�Fathead is Huge! Real.Big. Fathead wall graphics are life-size action images that you stick on any smooth surface. You can move them and reuse them and they are safe for walls. Fathead wall graphics are way better than a poster, much bigger than a sticker and tougher than a decal. Need to decorate a den, office, kid’s room? Fathead has you covered! A fathead can transfor… |
