Date: December 1, 2022 | Producer: Bailey Dougan |
Nothing adds pizzazz like powerful prints and a pretty backsplash. Here’s your guide to what’s new in wallpaper and tile—and how to execute it
“Coral-21” from Kravet Couture’s Portfolio Ii collection.
NEUTRAL MOVEMENT
Tone-on-tone palettes and eye-pleasing patterns work in any style, any setting
1 “Entanglement” high-performance wallpaper in Black from the Carol Benson-Cobb Signature collection by York Wallcoverings.
2 “Panache WP” in Noir from Kravet Couture’s Trad Nouveau collection by Corey Damen Jenkins.
3 “Tavaro Sisal” in Sandstone from the Modern Luxe Wallcovering collection by Kravet Couture.
4 “Game Birds” in Antique from Lee Jofa’s Icons Wallpapers collection.
5 “Burlwood Ogee” in Black/Taupe/Gray from the Candice Olson After Eight collection by York Wallcoverings.
6 “Vinyl Magnetism” in Compass Cream by Phillip Jeffries.
GO BOLD WITH WALLPAPER
Start Small
If you’re intrigued by wallcoverings but don’t know where to begin, start in a powder bath or mudroom. Patterned paper packs a big statement in a smaller space. If you love it, then consider wallpapering a larger space like your living or dining room.
Find Your Style
Wallpaper can work across the spectrum of styles. For a minimalist approach, choose a neutral pattern (like one shown above) and forego art on your walls. If you’re all about embracing maximalism, add a gallery wall for a layered, elevated effect.
Stay Balanced
Take note of the entire room’s design for a cohesive result. For example, in a bedroom, the print you choose might affect the scale of patterned fabric on your duvet. Create a moodboard to ensure these elements all work in harmony.
Go High
Most designers will tell you: Don’t forget the fifth wall, and draw the eye up with wallpaper on the ceiling. However, even if you feel comfortable DIY-ing your walls, covering the ceiling is a job worth hiring a professional.
TILE STYLE
From small-scale mosaics to porcelain slabs that mimic stone, today’s tile makes a statement
7 Ann Sacks “Swiss Cross Mosaic” glazed tile in Cottonwood from the Savoy collection.
8 Emser NEWTRO 1-by-6-inch ceramic tile in Ocean.
9 Crossville “Calacatta Oro Venato Bookmatch” porcelain tile panel from the I Naturali collection.
10 Crossville “Handwritten Leaf Mosaic” tile in Private Affair.
11 Emser “Spin” glazed porcelain mosaic tile in White/Black.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT BACKSPLASH
Find the Right Hue
When picking out a backsplash tile, look to your countertops and cabinetry color for guidance. Do these elements of the design lean warm or cool? Ask for a sample of any tiles you’re considering and compare them in person before buying in bulk.
Get Into Focus
If you fall in love with a style that’s outside your budget, don’t despair. Create a focal point above the range or sink with a special inset and cover the rest of the walls in a coordinating, more wallet-friendly option of a similar thickness to incorporate the look for less.
Go for the Grout
Grout can go a long way in adding to the overall look of your backsplash. Choose something close in color to your tile for a seamless look, or select a contrasting hue to highlight the pattern it’s laid in.
Be Practical
Keep in mind how you are going to keep the surface clean. If you cook on the stovetop a lot (and maybe sometimes make a mess), you might be better suited to a large tile and dark grout rather than a dainty mosaic with light-colored grout.
“Ashmont Standard Field Tile” from Ann Sacks in Bianco and Beige.
GET STARTED
Ready to begin? Here are a few steps to guarantee your project is a success from start to finish
Measure, Measure Again!
For both wallpaper and tile you’ll need not only the square footage of the walls you’re intending to cover, but also considerations for pattern repeats and overage–nothing is worse than running out of your material in the middle of a project and having to order more!
Find the Goods
The products listed on these pages (and many more!) are available at the local resources listed to the left. Designer tile and wallpapers are available to the trade, meaning any of your favorite interior designers or local showrooms should be able to order for you.
Maintain the Effect
To get the most out of your new addition, be sure to clean regularly to ensure longevity. Wallpapered surfaces should be dusted every couple of months, and backsplashes might need to be tended to on a weekly or daily basis, depending on the area’s usage.
Local Retailers
Crossville Tile
Arnold’s Flooring America, arnoldsflooringlittlerockar.com
BPI North Little Rock, bpiteam.com
C&F Flooring and Rug Gallery, candfcarpet.com
D&D Floor Covering, ddfloorcovering.com
Encore Building Products, encoregroupusa.com
Laws Flooring & Rugs, jonesboro.abbeycarpet.com
Peter’s Flooring, petersflooringandpaint.com
ProSource of Little Rock, prosourcewholesale.com
Southern Interiors, southerninteriors.net
Statements For the Home, statementsforthehome.com
Stone Studio, stonestudiobycci.com
Townzen Tile, townzentile.com
White River Flooring, whiteriverflooring.com
Emser Tile
C&F Flooring and Rug Gallery, candfcarpet.com
Emser Tile, emser.com
Kaufman By Design West, kaufmanlumber.com
Lumber One Home Center, lumber1.com
Peter’s Flooring, petersflooringandpaint.com
ProSource of Little Rock, prosourcewholesale.com
Southern Interiors, southerninteriors.net
Stone Studio, stonestudiobycci.com
Triton Stone Group, tritonstone.com
White River Flooring, whiteriverflooring.com
Ann Sacks, Kravet, Lee Jofa, Phillip Jefferies, and York Wallcoverings are available to the trade.
