What's New in Wallcoverings?
When I need to know anything about wallcoverings, I call Joan Miller. She is the Baltimore-area Kravet sales rep and has held that position for more than 15 years.  Joan works exclusively with designers and is one of my most trusted resources.  Kravet Inc. is the largest wallcovering distributor worldwide and includes Kravet, Lee Jofa, Brunschwig & Fils, Donghia, Ralph Lauren Home, GP & H Baker, and Winfield Thybony.  In short, Joan knows her wallcoverings…and fabrics, and furniture, and accessories. (Kravet offers all of these things!)
 
Now, I want to share a few highlights from our discussion about the current state of residential wallcoverings. 
 
SPOILER ALERT: They are nothing like the ones your grandma had!
 
GETTING BACK TO NATURE
Natural fibers like grasscloth, raffia, cork, and linen have returned in a big way. They create texture, warmth and visual interest that can translate to many different styles. I recently returned from Nantucket where I stayed at a charming 19th century inn featuring eclectic interior design. The living room ceiling was covered in a natural grasscloth wallcovering and I just couldn’t take my eyes off of it! 
Design by Debra Geller Interior Design | Photo courtesy of homebunch.com | Wallcovering by Kravet
BOLD PATTERN & COLOR
From flowers and animals to abstract graphics, big patterns and bold colors are endlessly exciting. There are so many options to choose from these days. However, pattern doesn’t have to scream; it can whisper and still be very effective. One of my favorite things is to see how the a pattern can change completely when rendered in different colorways. If my clients love a pattern but want a more serene atmosphere in their space, I will often use a wallcovering with a more monochromatic palette.
 
Design by Lauren M. Levine Interiors | Photo by Tim Prendergast | Wallcovering by Cole & Son
VINYL? YES, REALLY.
From kids to pets, there is a class of wallcoverings that is made for real life. Vinyl used to be unheard of for the home, but today’s manufacturing technologies replicate delicate natural materials like grasscloth, leather, wood veneers, and even beautiful silks. Since it's water resistant, go ahead and put wallcovering in the bathroom. What’s not to love? You can wipe these off. They are anti-microbial and flame retardant. They can camouflage wall imperfections. And, very importantly, they look amazing!
 
Photo courtesy of Thibaut.com | Wallcovering by Thibaut
MURALS
Digital printing makes it possible to go big these days. A full-scale mural on a single accent wall can completely transform a whole room. Dining rooms, libraries, and nurseries are just a few of the spaces that are currently enjoying the transportive power of depth and scale that murals provide. It’s been especially exciting to see how original works by contemporary artists are being translated to home. Think about sleeping in the middle of a soft watercolor painting or dining in a tropical rainforest.
Photo courtesy of Kravet.com | Wallcovering by Cole & Son
APPLY WITHIN
Now that you know what is hot in wallcoverings, where should you use them? If you aren’t considering the ceiling, you’re missing out. This is one of the most wonderful places to use wallcoverings and is often considered “the fifth wall.” If you’re apprehensive about wallcoverings, then consider using them in a smaller space like the powder room or laundry room, or even as an accent inside a bookcase or home bar.
Left: Design by Ana Claudia Design Studio| Photo courtesy of mother.ly |Wallcovering by Flavor Paper| 
Right: Design by Ann Wolf | Photo courtesy of House Beautiful | Wallcovering by Twigs
Design by Lauren M. Levine Interiors | Photo by Tim Prendergast | Wallcovering by Wolf-Gordon
 
 
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