Hester Painting & Decorating Sees Paper Installations on Rise

SKOKIE, Ill. (Dec. 21, 2007) Homeowners and designers are showing renewed interest in wall coverings according to the experts at Hester Painting & Decorating who’ve noted an uptick in installations in recent months.   

“We have twice as many hangers as a year ago,” said Jeff Hester, vice president of Hester Painting & Decorating.

The reason might just be the manufacturers’ offerings.  “There are so many great new patterns and color combinations,” said Jessica Lagrange of Jessica Lagrange Interiors.  “This is not your grandmother’s wall covering.  It’s refreshing and modern, with plenty of fresh color combinations like citrine and purple.”

            In addition to bold colors, manufacturers are producing large scale prints and papers with metallic and iridescent inks.   “Metallics have gotten very popular. They are a very pretty way to add interest.  Bronzes, golds, pewters.  They bring a bit of glamour into the home,” said Jennifer Greer Hartmann of Gary Lee Partners.

For those considering wall covering, a few items to note:

·        More than just vinyl.   In addition to traditional vinyls, there are a host of new materials available including glass beads and natural items like mother of pearl, bamboo, wood veneers and woven woods, made of fine layers of wood shaved down and applied to paper.  “Wall covering available today is like art.  There are so many beautiful papers and techniques,” said David Kaufman of Kaufman Segal Design.

·        The new rule on showing seams.  “Seamless” used to be the standard for quality installation.  “It’s a mind shift for some customers,” said Hester about the inevitability and beauty of seams with such materials as grass cloth and silk or other fabrics.   Likewise, Kaufman said, he tells his clients, “Here’s what to expect, here’s how they will patina.  For example, linen velvets will scratch.  Leather will scratch. That’s the beauty of it.”

·        Natural variations.  The beauty of some of the more interesting coverings is their lack of uniformity.  With grass cloth, for instance, each panel has its own shading and personality.   Before installing the first piece, Hester recommends laying out all the panels in the room, making sure that each wall is balanced and pleasing to the eye.  

·        Eco-friendly options.   A number of manufacturers are creating more earth-friendly wall coverings using water-based inks or out of such materials as bamboo, hemp and cork.  Homeowners with a green mindset might also like the new papers made in part of recycled previously installed vinyl wall covering.   Lagrange also suggests exploring available vintage papers that were produced but never used. 

·        Lining likely.  Many of today’s wall coverings work best installed over a liner paper, rather than the bare wall.  Without a liner, some coverings dry tightly and can pop a layer of paint off a wall, taking the primer off as well.  This can happen even if a coat of wallpaper primer has been applied.  Hester heartily advocates reading the manufacturer’s instructions no matter what.  “Call them, email them, do whatever you need to do to find out from the manufacturer specifically whether the paper requires a liner.  It’s essential to a quality installation,” said Hester. 

·        Right-the-first-time installation.  Paper can be expensive, making “do-overs” particularly costly.  Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to the letter.  Or consider hiring a professional. 

Finally, those new to wall covering may want to start small.  Hester suggests covering just one wall in room with a dramatic print. A technique Lagrange likes is to paper the insides of a few closets with large-scale colorful prints.  It provides a splash of drama upon opening the door.  Hartmann suggests wall covering in a smaller room “where you want a decorative visual impact.  An entryway or foyer, maybe a hallway.  A small powder room done in a metallic paper or natural material, such as mother of pearl, is like a jeweled box.”

Hester Painting & Decorating has been providing homes and high-profile commercial establishments with high-end decorating services since 1968.  Widely regarded as a leader in the fields of painting, faux finishing, and exterior and interior maintenance, Hester Painting & Decorating utilizes an enormous repertoire of finishes and wall covering techniques to create unique environments for its clients.  The company is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council.  More information about franchising opportunities and other services offered by Hester Painting & Decorating is available at (847) 677-5130 or www.hesterdecorating.com.

Contact:         

Cheryl McPhilimy        

McPhilimy Associates

cheryl@mcphilimy.com

(312) 988-1270