Elegantly Pasted

Wallpaper is by no means a new concept to home design, in fact the tradition of wall decoration dates back to Egyptian and Roman wall paintings.

Decorating with wallpaper actually began as far back as 200BC when the ancient Chinese invented rice paper and glued it to their walls. This tradition was passed on to the Arabs, who substituted the fibres with wood and bamboo. Some centuries later our relatives were using fabrics to cover walls and windows to keep out the drafts. For the wealthier, these were lavishly embellished tapestries, or for those with less money to spend on home décor, the walls were painted to replicate fabric designs or wood panelling.

By the 12th Century paper making had been perfected in Europe and by 1418 the papers were being decorated by adding colour with blocks, a bit like potato painting! In France, in 1841, King Louis XI had commissioned fifty rolls of paper with angels on a blue background. These rolls of paper made it possible for him transport it between his castles! But wallpaper as we know it comes some time later. The earliest fragment of wallpaper ever found was in England and dates from 1509: it was printed with a pomegranate design, on the back of a proclamation from Henry VIII.

By the 1600’s designs, usually in black, were being hand blocked on to paper with colour being added with a stencil - ‘Flock’ paper had also arrived, which was where waste wool was sprinkled over glue and formed part of the design. Although wool is not used today, flock is making a come-back. Although all these papers are known as wallpapers, none were actually stuck to the wall;instead they were attached to fabric and fastened to the wall using wooden batons and copper tacks.

Over the next hundred years or so these papers evolved so that several sheets of paper were joined together to form rolls, needing more skill to hang - know the feeling! However, the first paperhangers’ guild was formed in France back in 1599. Still in France, Louis XVI insisted by a decree, that a roll of paper be 34 feet long!

Wallpaper was becoming so popular across Britain, that by 1712, a tax was introduced on paper that was ‘painted, printed or stained to serve as hangings’ so, as a tax dodge, papers were being coloured by hand on the wall! By 1806, you could even be punished with death if you were found to have falsified wallpaper stamps. Fortunately, this particularly harsh punishment doesn’t apply today - it was thankfully abolished by the Victorians.

By 1785 another Frenchman had invented the first machine for printing wallpaper, and a fellow countryman invented an endless way to make a roll of paper. In 1839, the British came up with a four-colour surface printing machine that could produce in excess of four hundred rolls a day. This process simplified the production of printed designs and catered for the demand of the mass market - whilst in France they slogged away, with intricate designs using up to 5,000 blocks to make a scene!

Further advances in technology led to better ways of printing and manufacturing the papers so that by the late 1800’s William Morris could create his works of art that are still reproduced today.

In 1888 ready-to-use wallpaper paste was available and there was no excuse not to decorate. By the 1920’s silk screening had been introduced and wallpaper was in its element: the 1920’s saw over 400 million rolls sold.

After the Second World War new materials became available from the 50’s to stick on our walls, such as Vinyl which gave a durable finish and pre-pasted papers. The following years have seen the rise and fall of the humble wall covering, as our paper scrapers come in and out of the cupboard! However, with the latest modern technologies such as digital printing, there has never been a better time to get pasted - the wall covering sits happily in our modern homes and can add warmth, glamour and individuality to any room; as a feature wall it can make a real statement with a splash of colour and design. So come on, revive those tired walls by adding a piece of history. You’ll be glad you did!

Wendy can be contacted at:
Design Inspiration
7 Cowbridge Road
Pontyclun CF72 9EA

For a limited time they are offering a free interior design consultation.
Call 01443 449955 for an appointment or visit:
www.designinspirationltd.co.uk