Home Glow Up with John Gore of B Graham Interiors

Probably one of the most frequently asked questions in my 40-year career is “Do you like wallpaper?”  My response early on and even now has always been the same.  Wallpaper has a place in every home; it’s just where to put it and how much.  Wallpaper has always been a favorite design tool but was limited to the foyer  (usually), the powder room and kitchen (always), and the dining room (sometimes).  In an almost complete reversal of roles during the great wallcovering resurgence of the last few years, wallpaper has somewhat changed locations and makes a different kind of statement  In the foyer, today as in the past, wallcovering can quickly set the tone and mood of the home and make a first and lasting impression If the paper is on the busy side, consider using only on the main wall and painting the rest of the room.  Murals, once a very expensive endeavor, are now more affordable and can quickly make a grand statement.  Keep in mind that you should purchase the best quality that you can afford and limit it’s use to one focal point wall rather than going inexpensive for all four walls.  Put the quality on one wall and paint the rest!  Wallpaper can instantly create a chic or formal theme that is difficult to achieve with paint.  The more pattern on the walls, the less art required to create the room’s ambiance.  Think, swapping dollars for dollars.  I rarely paper living rooms unless I am seeking a texture that is hard to accomplish with paint.  Textured wallcoverings such as grasscloth can add instant warmth and ambiance to a room.  The powder room is one of my favorite areas for paper.  This is the one place that can be bold and make a WOW statement.  It is an area that no one spends a lot of time in and is the perfect space to show that WOW factor.  Whether dark and dramatic or bold and busy, the powder room is an area where the WOW is essential.  Grasscloth or textured finishes are good textured choices for the study, den, or office.  They can quickly create a mood or sophisticated air, especially when combined with rich wood shelving and flooring.  In the main bedroom, wallpaper on the headboard wall can make an instant statement, and perimeter walls can be painted or papered in a complementary texture.   The main bathroom can be another area where wallpaper can prevail.  Keep in mind, you spend a lot of waking hours in this room and “busier is not always better”.  Think soothing and restful, quiet and serene.  Guest rooms and children’s rooms can make reflective statements.  Whimsical in the child’s room and warm, cozy, and inviting in the guest room.  In years past, the kitchen was most often papered in a busy, busy pattern and was usually small with an attached breakfast room or nook.   Today’s kitchen is usually much larger and serves as a gathering spot to chat as well as eat. I usually skip the paper in the kitchen and sometimes introduce a striking paper in the breakfast room.  To tie in the two, I may fabricate a Roman shade with coordinating fabric for the kitchen window or windows The laundry room is one of my favorite locations for wallcovering.  A lot of time is spent washing, drying, and folding clothes, and this room should reflect a happy and uplifting mood.  Whoever does the laundry makes the selection for this room! Just think fun.  In all rooms, the ceiling is professionally considered the “5th wall” and is in the past is no longer “Builder White”. It must blend with or enhance the rest of the room.  A tightly woven textured wallcovering that complements paper on the walls is a great choice.  Or to be safe, paint a variation of the trim or wall color.  In conclusion, wallpaper can be a fantastic addition to any home, whether traditional, transitional, or sleek and contemporary; however, making the right choice is essential because wallpaper, unlike paint, is an investment and is expensive to change.  Take your time when selecting and before ordering; request a tear sheet sample, hang it on the wall, and live with it a while before making the final selection.  If unsure of your own choices, invest in a few hours with a professional designer.  Just always remember, wallpaper is a design tool, not a trend, and it should be purchased as such.   When selecting, think beyond today and into tomorrow because some of the most beautiful rooms of tomorrow begin with a simple tear sheet sample of wallpaper today.