When our Founder Misty Gray entered into the professional world of interior design, just the mention of "wallpaper" made her cringe. She was still haunted by memories of stripping 60's style floral wallpaper off of the dining room walls in her childhood home.
As her design education continued, she realized that the industry seemed to share her exact sentiments. No one was really talking about wallpaper in design school, or featuring it in projects. Even HGTV and the big name home decor magazines seemed to really focus on showcasing the transformative powers of a fresh, clean paint job.
Then, around the mid 2000's, it became very clear that the world of our grandmother's wallpaper had evolved. Traditional patterns began to be pushed into much more contemporary realms, and progressive designs that were once only available in commercial spaces began to trickle down into residential. The years passed, and incredible new colors, patterns and materials started emerging in the burgeoning world of "wall covering."
This was of course around the same time that Misty turned a corner on wallpaper and found herself suddenly using it everywhere she could. Companies were emerging left and right with show-stopping new designs and materials. They began experimenting with the tension of the old and new by using subtle color and pattern plays. Others were throwing subtle out of the window + putting out insanely bold, eye catching designs. Some were even merging the two, creating unexpected (and sometimes even naughty) imagery though more subtle, traditional patterns. The options truly became endless.
Now, in 2017, the industry has become an art form in it's own right - and as it continues to expand and and mature, we would be lying if we said we haven't picked up a few favorites along the way. Each of these companies offer a different, but edgy + avant-garde approach to the world of wallpaper, and we highly suggest keeping an eye on all of them:
AREA ENVIRONMENTS: A fairly young "creative studio" that produces + curates exclusive wallpapers and large-scale murals from original work by contemporary artists.
ASTEK INC: Astek Inc. is a leader in both the wallcovering and custom digital printing industries. Have a particular image or design that doesn't exist but you have always dreamed of seeing as wall paper? Astek has you covered.
MERENDA WALLPAPER: A contemporary wallpaper design, manufacturing and installation studio inspired by near and far away lands, graffiti, tattoo art, abandoned buildings, underground history and the impermanence of all things.
FLAVOR PAPER: This self proclaimed "not your mother's wallpaper" company based out of Brooklyn offers a range of bold, edgy designs from curious plays on toille to Andy Warhol inspired pop art.
We hope you love them as much as we do!