It’s Wallpaper Wednesday!
Wallpaper can bring new life to drab walls & spaces, simply by the characteristics of the paper. The practice of covering walls with decorative papers has been around for a few thousand years in China before Europeans caught on in the 1600’s. The Chinese developed methods of printing images and patterns on rice-paper, which were hung on walls to adorn spaces. This process was much better than the textiles used in European middle ages, which were heavy, very timely to make (stitched by hand) and often became a fire hazard… Since then (a few centuries later) the process of making wallpaper has developed into a respectable trade, and form of art.
Today, in 2018, there are many methods for creating wallpaper, from traditional block printing to digital screen printing. Some of the same techniques that were used centuries ago are still used today, and if you’re lucky, the original pattern block might still be in use!
This week we’ll explore Flocked Wallpaper.
“Flocked wallpaper was developed in the 17th century. This involved printing a background color onto paper, then applying adhesive in a pattern, and sprinkling the paper with the dyed trimmings of sheep wool, resulting in a sumptuously textured imitation of cut velvet.” (apartmenttherapy.com)
Known for its traditional patterns Flocked Wallpaper will add a rich detailed texture to your space,
“The status of flock wallpaper has undergone a dramatic transformation over the space of three centuries. Once a luxury product used by the wealthy in the grandest apartments, it has declined into cliché, most familiar (at least in Britain) as nothing more than a commonplace decoration in Indian restaurants where it is intended to evoke an atmosphere of Colonial grandeur, but was originally invented to imitate cut-velvet hangings” (vam.ac.uk)
Since the 1800’s faux flock or “mock flock” was introduced as a less expensive option and opened up an immense repertoire of color combinations and flock lengths, making it even more desirable to the mass public.
“Today’s designers love flocked wall-coverings for making a dramatic statement on a feature wall in the master bedroom, for example. Unique flock patterns popular today include tuxedo stripes, flowers and vines and the extremely popular chandelier patterns. The hottest flock trend today is bold polka dots in black, white or fuchsia on a metallic background.” (wallpaperwarehouse.com)
Here at The Hub, we carry a few collections of modern flocked patterns as well as sophisticated, vintage patterns, including a variety of colours, textures and backgrounds, so you and our in-house designers can choose the perfect design to complement your project.
Check out this vintage video from 1963, on how block printed and Flock Wallpaper is made.
