Category Archives: For the home

Wallpaper history

By Rita

Like many words in the English language, technology and popular usage have given alternate meanings to common words. For example, wallpaper used to be used simply as a noun–paper to cover a wall. In the most modern usage it can refer to the digital background of a computer screen. Wallpaper can also be a verb, as in to spread over a large surface or area.

Nature wallpaper is popular both as a wall covering and for computer desktops. People have for many years decorated their private environments to personalize their space, and to create a “homey” feel, whether that is the walls of your room, or the screen you look at hours a day. I thought it might be of interest to get a little history of wallpaper, in the old use of the term.

Wallpaper actually began in ancient China. The Chinese first invented paper and they are the first to glue rice paper onto their walls in about 200 B.C.

As the evolution of paper occurred, so did the evolution of wallpaper. The materials use to make paper changed and the use of wallpaper spread throughout the Middle East and into Europe. Early wallpapers had to be painted by artists and were more expensive than the common household could afford. With the advent of the printing press, multi-color printing machines, and ready-to-use wallpaper paste, wallpaper became less expensive and available to more households.

Plunket Fleeson began printing wallpaper in Philadelphia in 1739. Most of the early designs were a copy of the European fashions but by 1800, by using hand carved blocks, scenic prints were introduced.

It was in the roaring ‘20s that wallpaper really took the spotlight. This time became known as the Golden Age of Wallpaper—400 million rolls were sold. Wallpaper fell into disfavor during the “Modernism” era. The blandness of homes and the sterile work environment have led to the rediscovery of patterned walls and nature wallpaper.

Now instead of wallpaper we should think in terms of wall coverings. Technology has given us a host of products that are washable, long lasting, pre-pasted, works of art that are beautiful, interesting and very affordable.

Nature wallpaper for fun

Here at boneblogger we examine all things related to nature, including how you might celebrate nature in your own home. You can check out our recommendations for computer wallpaper. Here we explore nature wallpaper patterns that work well in your own private “den.”

Patterned papers

You can get a wide variety of papers with a nature theme. Patterned wallpaper has a regular, repeating theme, and care must be taken to match the pattern up on the wall during installation, so there is a bit of challenge with it. An example of a dinosaur-themed patterned paper is shown here:

A patterned dinosaur wall paper.


Perhaps you would like a more geology-based theme by having a “rock look” like this:

Or a travertine tile pattern like this (learn more about travertine):

Murals

Another popular choice for nature wallpaper is actually a giant wall mural. Such images can give a room an expansive feel by blowing out one wall of a room into a wider world. Such scenes include prehistoric themes like this:

Or space and astronomy themes such as this:

Or nature scenes like:

Borders

A slightly less overwhelming way to express your love of nature with a wall covering might be a simple border paper. Just the right nature image or the perfect accent colors on a border may be just the thing to personalize your space.

You could pick from rustic looks like these:

While it may be easy to find many choices of nature wallpaper for your home, choosing between them might prove to be a “dinosaur-sized” task. Have fun and express yourself.