Yes! there is a method to looking for wallpaper, read on.......
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......Looking for wallpaper can be daunting. Most wallpaper stores will have thousands of books with hundreds of choices in each book.
Before going shopping I think it is a good idea to think of the room and the feeling you want it to have, and what colors you like. It is also good to keep in mind what patterns you tend to gravitate towards.
Imperial Trellis seems to be a favorite pattern for so many people.
Save those images, so when you look back you will have a frame of reference. It is amazing how unconsciously you will gravitate towards certain patterns.
The best way to look at a wallpaper book is to pull the book out slightly on the edge of the shelf so it can open just enough to fan through the pages. If you see a color or a pattern you like in the fanning process then pull the book off the shelf and take a closer look, if not put it back on the shelf.
There is no reason to spend time turning page by page in a book of flocked papers when you are looking for grass cloth or looking at a floral when you want stripes.
The fanning process will make your looking go more quickly.
Also in my experience after about two hours of looking your brain can no longer digest anymore color or pattern so take a break and come back another day to do more looking if you do not find what you are looking for.
Wallpaper stores have their books in order of style or types of wallpaper. They will also have a wallpaper resource guide that is like a wallpaper dictionary. The wallpaper books will be put into categories for you.
Let’s say you are looking for sail boats, they will list all the books that have sail boats in them or stripes or a geometric pattern. Ask to see the resource guide book and then the clerk can direct you to the books that are listed that they actually carry in the store.
Most stores will also allow you to check the books out and take them home for a day or so just like the library does.
Once you have the books home I suggest that you open the books up to the patterns you are considering and place them in the room where you will see them first thing in the morning.
I prefer to look at whatever I am trying to decide on for my home first thing in the morning.
Your perspective is fresh and uncluttered with the thoughts of the day. You will automatically gravitate towards the paper that you truly love. As we look throughout the day we will talk ourselves in or out of something several times.
Being fresh in the morning has always worked for me in my decision making process. What I talked myself into loving at night, I will usually not like in the morning when I am being true to myself!!
Once you find a few patterns that you like ask to order samples of each. Wallpaper companies offers samples for a price, but the size of the sample will vary from company to company. Get the longest sample you can a good 6-8 foot drop is the best way to go.
Some companies have pre-cut samples measuring only a little under two feet. Ask to order 3 of those samples, then you can get a better idea of how the pattern will possibly lay out.
This is exactly what Sherry from Design Indulgence blog has done with her own wallpaper choice.(Be sure and visit Sherry's blog she is a delight and her blog is inspirational and a fun read!!)
I never, ever order wallpaper without sampling it first. Once you have the samples inside your home the decision will become more obvious.
These are just a few of the pointers I have learned from personal experience when looking at wallpaper.
Since I plan on looking for new paper for my entry I am reminded of just how to look for wallpaper and I thought I would pass along my thoughts on the process.
I have a few more pointers, so come back, and hopefully I will be able to show you some of the papers I am contemplating!!
“Enjoy the Process” of:
Looking for wallpaper more strategically!
Kathysue