Thursday, May 22, 2008

Click here to watch "Designing with Jessica-Wonders of Wallpaper."

    Hanging wallpaper is a painstaking task.  Lining up patterns on the paper may be the least difficult part of the job.  The walls must be properly primed so the edges do not curl.  An array of tools is necessary to get the paper pressed into corners, the bubbles smoothed out from underneath the paper, as well as handle the many other quirks that can occur when hanging wallpaper.  With so much to consider, is wallpaper worth the hassle?  Experts say, "Yes!" 

    At 24e in Downtown Savannah, designer Amy Dickson talked with a couple of patrons curious about the latest styles of wallpaper.  "Is wallpaper still in style," asked Amanda Malany who is visiting Savannah from Dallas, Texas.  "Wallpaper is definitely back," said Dickson.  "There is nothing like the finished look of wallpaper. It's richer than paint. Paint is a flat, one-dimensional color," added Dickson.  "Wallpaper has texture," continued the designer.  

   Dickson and her husband, also in the business of home design and renovation, returned from New York City early this week.  At the International Contemporary Furniture Fair, the couple was able to browse the latest, most advanced technology, furniture, and decorations for the home.  Amy Dickson paid particular attention to the new styles of wallpaper.  She is back in Savannah sharing what she learned with clients and The Coastal Source.  "This is one of the newest options for wallpaper. It's paper, backed with stones, crushed bits of mica and other stones found in nature," said Dickson as she flashed the sample under light to reveal the sparkle of the crushed stones.  There are benefits of using wallpaper to cover walls, said Dickson.  "It's all about personalization," continued Dickson.  "You want your space to reflect who you are."  There are thousands of selections for those who like the traditional look.  And still many more varieties for those who appreciate a busier, more eclectic look.  For homeowner who really want to stand out and make a statement, there are new types for them, too.  "I saw patent leather wallpaper, metallic wallpaper," said Dickson of her visit to the International Contemporary Furniture Fair. 

  Third generation wallpaper hanger and Savannah resident, Mike Holcombe admitted he has seen the styles drastically change over the years, but he contends the durability and versatility of wallpaper has never waned.  "Bathrooms and kitchens make the biggest difference because that's where you're gonna have water splashing," said Holcombe while on a job site on Drayton Street downtown.  "Bathrooms around the showers where paint will usually stain, if you get a good grade paper and have it installed correctly, it works really well."  Holcombe said the textured wallpaper that's being manufactured today is able to conceal imperfections on wall surfaces.  "If you have paneling, they make wallpaper now that covers the paneling," said Holcombe.

   The versatility and durability of wallpaper makes it a popular choice among professional designers.  For Amy Dickson, the only stipulation she has about selecting wallpaper for a client, is that it is installed by a professional wallpaper hanger.  "I've actually seen wallpaper installed upside down."

Copyright 2008 by WJCL 22 / ABC and WTGS / FOX28, The Coastal Source