Q: Is it wrong to use wallcoverings throughout a house?
A:
Yes and No. It is almost always wrong to use patterned wallcoverings in every room.
Instead a home that is tastefully decorated will combine paint, paint techniques (faux finish)
and wallcoverings. However, not all wallcoverings are patterned. Instead there are wallcoverings
that mimic paint and others that mimic faux finishes. These are especially good to use when your
walls are not in good enough shape to be simply painted or you do not want a faux finish which is
usually difficult to remove or repair. It is then more desirable to use these types of wallcoverings
along with an occasional dramatically patterned wallcovering.
Q: Can I faux finish every room in my house:
A: Yes, you can but I think that is less desirable then having faux finish as part of the
mix of wall décor - the mix of paint, faux finish and wallcoverings.
Q: What is the best way to acheive a faux finish?
A: There are 3 ways to achieve a faux finish.
The first is to hire a professional faux finisher. This is probably the way to achieve the most desirable faux finish. The faux finisher will be able to provide you with a sample of the techniques and colors so that you can visualize the results. However, this is usually much more expensive than the other two methods.
The second option, which is usually the least expensive, is to do-it-yourself. Faux finishing is usually a series of colors and techniques to be applied in sequence. Often these multiple colors and paints add up to be more than anticipated. It is far more difficult to maintain consistency of technique and far more time consuming then usually expected. Therefore the results are unpredictable.
The third method is to use wallcovering that mimics faux finishing. The range of colors and techniques available in these papers is extraordinary. It is less expensive than the first method and the results are more predictable than the second method.
Q: Is it wrong to use a large pattern in a small room, such as a bathroom?
A: Actually, good design often includes an element of surprise – something unexpected.
A large pattern in a small room is a welcome surprise and highly effective. Just be certain
that your wall can accommodate one full repeat of the design.
Q: Will a dark color make my room appear smaller?
A: Most often yes. However, it is not always desirable to visually expand the space within a room.
Sometimes larger rooms need a darker color to make them appear more comfortable and cozy. Sometimes
when a room is furnished with dark woods and fabrics, darker colors on the wall will actually make
these furnishing appear to recede into the walls and visually expand the space.
Q: Can I use more than one pattern in one room?
A: Yes. Often coordinating wallcoverings are featured together in wallcovering collections. T
hese are intended to be used together. Look to the photos within the book for ideas as to how
to combine these patterns.
Q: Can I use a border at chair rail height using one pattern above and one below?
A: Yes, you can use a border at chair rail height (never higher than 36” from floor) to combine
wallcovering designs. Borders can also be used at the ceiling, on the ceiling, or at what is called
plate rail height (5 ft. from the floor). It is almost always desirable that the paper below the border
be darker in appearance than the paper used above the border.
Q: Can I use a traditional pattern in one room and a more contemporary pattern in another?
A: Yes, people are more eclectic than ever before.
They may want to create one feeling in one room and another ambiance in another area.
You can do this by using color as a unifier to create a blending of styles.
Q: Do I have to use the same colors throughout my home?
A: No. However, if your rooms open up to one another it is important to have a palette of colors
which complement each other. For example if your living room opens into your dining room and your
living room walls are green, some shade of that same green should appear in your dining room on some
surface. It may be on the floor, in furnishings, or on the wall.
Q: If I have vaulted ceilings in a room can I use wallcovering?
A: Yes, but you should not have to wallpaper the ceilings. Instead, you should install the wallcoverings
up to a natural stopping point such as the top of your window frame. Use either a molding or a border as
trim above this point.
