The History of Wallpaper

Print, pattern and the translation of that into wallpaper is so special to us. The way it can transform a space never fails to amaze, so we delve into the rich history of this versatile element in interior design. From its early beginnings to its contemporary resurgence, wallpaper has continually evolved, adapting to tastes and technologies.

Early Origins

Wallpaper is much older than you may think. It can be traced back to ancient China during the Qin Dynasty where rice paper was used to adorn walls. Perhaps fairly far removed from what we now associate with modern day wallpaper, but beautiful, nonetheless. The Chinese were pioneers in papermaking and by the 8^th century the technique had reached the Islamic world, then onto Europe.

Europe in the Middle Ages

Throughout medieval Europe, the walls of the wealthy were hung with ornate tapestries and delicately painted fabrics. This was time-consuming and expensive to produce, so as papermaking techniques advanced, so did the idea of using paper as wallcoverings. Early examples of wallpaper in Europe would have been hand-painted or stencilled to imitate the former use of fabrics and tapestries such as brocades and damasks.

Renaissance & the Birth of Printed Wallpaper

The Renaissance period saw a burst of innovation in the arts throughout Europe, and by the 16^th century, block printing had advanced significantly. This new method allowed for more intricate designs and offered a way to achieve consistency when printing onto paper. This innovation heralded the beginning of mass-produced wallpaper. Popular early designs featured floral patterns, mythology and landscape scenes, all topics we still love today!

The Industrial Revolution

The invention of the continuous roll of paper in the late 18^th century was a complete revolution. It made wallpaper more accessible to the middle classes and not solely reserved for the elite. Stepping forward into the 19^th century, machine-printed wallpapers could be produced quickly and relatively cheaply in a variety of patterns and colours, providing greater options to personalise your home. The Arts and Crafts movement was in full swing with iconic designers such as William Morris paving the way. His influential nature-inspired designs, focussed on the quality craftsmanship and beauty of natural forms in a way that no other had before. Wallpaper reached new heights, showing that the choices your make can be more than just decoration, and rather a form of artistic expression.

 

Throughout the 20^th century our relationship with wallpaper had been turbulent. We fell out of love during the post-war era as we opted for minimalism and modernism which favoured plain painted walls. However, the 60s and 70s saw a resurgence as we fell back in love with the bold, psychedelic patterns reflecting the cultural movements of the time. Currently we have more choice than we’ve ever had before and the idea of self-expression within a home is the norm. We choose to decorate our homes taking ideas from a melting pot of inspiration and eras past. The advances in digital printing technology have expanded the design possibilities for wallpaper, but we have also seen a shift in sustainable and removable wallpaper options to cater to renters and the environmentally conscious.

At Living Quarters we celebrate the best elements from the past and present to offer you something truly original and beautiful for your home. Gone are the days of rice paper walls, however we retain the charm by illustrating all our patterns, drawing inspiration from many of the same sources as our ancestors. Combining these with modern print technology and sustainable values with all off our wallpaper printed to order to ensure minimal waste.