A Quick Design History: Wallpaper

As a designer and decorative arts nerd, I love to look at au currant fashions with a view to the past. Today it's a quick design history of wallpaper - which I adore! Wallpaper was first used in China, as early as 200 BC, where rice paper was hung to give add a decorative element to walls. But the wallpaper we know today, did not come into fashion until the late 1700's when it became all the rage for the working classes in England and France. Wallpaper was advertised as a cheap and chic alternative to traditional wall decorations, like rich tapestries and ornately carved wood paneling. Until 1785, it was made using a labor intensive process of wood block printing, but when a Frenchman created a wall paper printing press, the product became widely available. Wallpaper became fashionable in America shortly after, with Philadelphia as the trend-setting and production capital, coping the most en vogue patterns from France. 

Two traditional 18th century French patterns: an Indiennes floral inspired by European trade with India and a hunt scene {via 1 / 2}

Today, wallpaper is still an affordable design solution. It's such a dramatic and versatile way to layer your space with style. I especially love to see the pop of wallpaper in unexpected places like a closet interior or ceiling! Here are some of my very favorite wallpapered spaces, which ones do you love?

Hope you enjoyed this bite of design history!

{images via 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7}