Designer Wallpaper Guide
Wallcoverings represent one of the most transformative tools in an interior designer's repertoire. A room wrapped in hand-woven grasscloth has a warmth that paint cannot replicate. A powder room lined in hand-painted scenic wallpaper becomes a jewel box. A dining room with subtle textile wallcovering gains an intimacy that makes every dinner feel special.
Emerald & Oak Design sources wallcoverings from the world's finest manufacturers and artisan studios — de Gournay, Fromental, Phillip Jeffries, Schumacher, and more — bringing our Charlotte clients access to materials that redefine what walls can be.
Wallcovering Categories
The world of luxury wallcoverings extends far beyond printed paper. We specify across the full range of materials, techniques, and visual effects.
- Grasscloth — natural woven texture, warm organic feel
- Hand-painted scenic — one-of-a-kind mural-style panels
- Textile wallcovering — silk, linen, and wool-backed surfaces
- Metallic & embossed — reflective and dimensional effects
- Cork & natural fiber — sustainable luxury with texture
- Vinyl grasscloth — durable alternative for high-moisture rooms
Choosing Material by Room
Each wallcovering material suits different conditions. Grasscloth and other natural fibers bring rich texture but stain easily with water and show seams, so they are best in dining rooms, studies and bedrooms rather than splash zones. Vinyl and vinyl-coated papers resist moisture and can be wiped clean, which makes them practical for bathrooms, mudrooms and busy hallways. Non-woven papers are breathable, dimensionally stable and often removable in whole sheets, which simplifies future changes. Silk, mica and hand-painted papers are delicate and suit low-traffic, formal rooms where they will be seen and appreciated rather than touched.
- Natural fibers: low-moisture, low-traffic rooms.
- Vinyl: bathrooms, mudrooms and hallways.
- Non-woven: easier installation and removal.
Ordering, Pattern Repeat and Dye Lots
Wallpaper quantities depend on wall area, the width of each roll and the pattern repeat. A large repeat creates more waste because each strip must be matched to its neighbor, so the same wall may need noticeably more rolls in a bold pattern than in a plain texture. Order enough for the whole room in one batch, plus spare for repairs, because colors can vary between printing runs or dye lots. Keep the label from each roll. Your installer should measure the room and confirm quantities before you order, especially for stairwells and walls with many openings.
Preparing Walls and Hiring an Installer
A good installation starts with a smooth, primed wall. Wallpaper highlights dents, cracks and uneven patches, and some papers require a specific primer to grip properly and allow later removal. Grasscloth and specialty papers need installers experienced with those materials, because seams and color variation between strips are part of the character and must be managed. Ask whether the paper is paste-the-wall or paste-the-paper, how long it must relax before hanging, and how the installer handles outlets and trim. Schedule wallpaper near the end of construction, after dusty trades are finished.