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Modern wallpaper

A few short years ago, interior decorators had fallen out of love with wallpaper but recently it has had something of a resurgence. To get into the new fashion, you need to forget all about the swirling beige horror stories and anaglypta nightmares that would have graced your grandmother's walls. Instead, think about the racy, retro patterns, innovative designs and custom papers that are available not only to top interior designers but to you as well.

Cool and Contemporary

Wallpaper as a design feature and practical wall covering has been around for hundreds of years and looking at some of the designs that used to be available, you could be forgiven for thinking that the designers had been as well! Modern paper is now used when people want to make an impression in a room a real statement.

Paper can go above and beyond the look that paint can give you, unless of course you are something of an artist and help you to firmly place your personality and style on the walls which you live within. It does not matter which room you are decorating because there will be a paper that is right. With the amazing selections of paper available from stylish designers such as Graham and Brown you can really start to unlock the potential in your home.

Monochrome colours and designs are popular right now, as well as understated and neutral colours which fit into virtually any theme or style in a home. These tones and colours appear to have calming properties while remaining cutting-edge and contemporary. They are often seen in the sleek designer homes of fashionable A-list stars who want to go for a twist on a classic look while retaining the option of standout furniture or a feature wall.

If you need that splash of vibrancy, then neutral or monochrome colours and patterns make the perfect foil for you to add your favourite colour to one or two walls. Try papering alcoves and recesses or a large chimney wall for that added dimension to a room.

Period Features

Another style de jour is shabby chic or retro papers which blend perfectly within a period home or act as a great backdrop for antique furniture and cool retro items. This old-fashioned appeal is often seen in magazines promoting country and coastal living, where inspirational homes are regularly seen splashed across the glossy centre pages. With beautiful patterns, some inspired by centuries-old design, this style is easy on the eye and simple to put together. You can also go for modern takes on floral.

If you can't bring yourself to go all-out floral or shabby chic, then try accenting features such as decorative columns. Or you could use leftover paper to cover moveable wall or room panels, which can be further treated with a coat of clear gloss or varnish to harden and protect them.