A gallon of paint can liven up even the most run-of-the-mill New York City apartment, but wallpaper can completely transform a space and add an instant wow factor. Whether using bold patterns and palettes or more subtle prints and color schemes, this designer's tools will create a put-together look that's sure to be Instagrammable.
And thanks to a proliferation of removable options, everyone can jump on the wallpaper bandwagon, whether you're a renter or a regular redecorator.
Love vs. Design, a customer-facing company that pioneered “recolorable” paper, goes one step further by allowing you to customize the palette of each design for the ultimate DIY decoration. is.
“Most wallpapers stick to three patterns and two color schemes, but each home has a different feel. With over 200 shades to choose from and the ability to change the color of every element, wallpaper can match your space. It's the perfect match,” says Eric Mortensen, who co-founded Love vs. Design with Brock Bacik in 2021, an offshoot of the long-running stationery business Basicinvite.com.
“With the pandemic shutting down events, we didn't want to lose any of our talented staff, so we launched this business using the same design team and technology,” Mortensen said.
In addition to its familiar peel-and-stick products, Love vs. Design also offers a “spray-and-up” version that looks like traditional wallpaper without the messy paste. “It’s a little easier to install than stick-and-peel paper,” he says. “Instead of dealing with an 8-foot tall sticker, you just add water and stick it to your wall.” Both types of products are semi-permanent and won't damage your walls.
Not ready to cover an entire room or an accent wall just yet? These papers instantly refresh worn-out furniture, for example by lining dresser drawers, cabinet interiors, and the backs of bookshelves and features. can do.
Read this article to learn more about how to use removable wallpaper in your home like a pro.
What kind of wallpaper materials are there?
Like traditional wallpaper, semi-permanent paper comes in a variety of materials and, like paint, comes in a variety of finishes and glosses.
The three options in Love vs. Design are Smooth (semi-matte), Woven (subtle linen-like matte), and Glissard (ultra-matte). All of these are highly opaque so the dark colors on the wall won't bleed into the light colored paper.
Each material is environmentally friendly, flame retardant, and safe to use around infants and children.
- Vinyl-based smooth paper is easy to clean with a wet cloth and is water resistant, making it recommended for children's rooms, children's rooms, bathrooms and kitchens.
- Use fabric-based textiles for cozy spaces such as bedrooms, walk-in closets, and reading nooks. It is stain and scratch resistant, but cannot be washed like others.
- The company's signature material, Glissade, is made from traditional (recycled) paper. It's washable and perfect for high-traffic spaces such as entryways/foyers, hallways, living/dining areas, or any area that needs some extra love.
How is wallpaper applied and removed?
The above option by Love vs. Design has two application methods: peel and stick (smooth and woven) and water-based (glissade).
Peel-and-stick paper simply peels off the protective layer and presses it onto the surface. You can peel it off and reapply it as many times as you like when moving. “These products can also be installed over existing wallpaper,” says Mortensen.
Glissade spray-n-up wallpaper activates the adhesive when the back is wet, allowing you to slide it over the wall until it fits snugly. “When you're ready to remove it, wet the front to reactivate the adhesive, then remove and scrub the wall with a sponge,” he says.
What about vertical repeats?
If you order patterned paper (as opposed to plain), you will usually need to match the design.
“Vertical repeat” is the (vertical) distance between each pattern repeat and varies by design. Abstract, random designs with no vertical repeats are easiest to install. (Mortensen says he plans to release a series of murals that can change colors, but again, they won't be repeating patterns.)
When choosing a design, it is worth considering repetition. For example, Love vs. Design's oversized patterns have numbered panels so you can install them in the correct order. By the way, Mortensen says large flowers are easy to install and trendy because they last a long time.
How much paper will I need?
Taking accurate measurements is an important first step so you don't end up paying for too little or too much paper.
Ensuring seamless repetition is also important. Be sure to measure the total height and width of the area you will be papering and enter those dimensions when ordering. Please do not split your order into different panel heights. The pattern may not line up properly.
Follow this handy guide to measure each wall to account for windows, doors, and sloped ceilings.
How long will it take?
Love vs. Design wallpaper comes in panels rather than the usual rolls. Each panel has a finished width of 24 inches and a height of 3 to 12 feet (depending on measurements).
The price of each panel is based on square footage and format. Smooth wallpaper is $3.75 per square foot, glissade is $4.25 per square foot, and woven wallpaper is $4.75 per square foot.
9 x 25 inch wallpaper samples are priced at $6 each, as are color swatch samples. More than 60% of customers buy samples before placing a full order, Mortensen said.
how to prepare walls
Proper preparation can prevent bubbles and peeling.
Before you roll up your sleeves and get to work, check out the installation guide for the company's peel-and-stick paper. The video how-to is short and easy to follow, but it does demonstrate the smoothing process using a handy squeegee (included with your order).
The company also provides a card with links to tutorials and printed step-by-step installation instructions with each shipment.
If this is your first time at bat, don't worry. We back every purchase with our Love It Guarantee. “If it doesn't work for you or you don't like it for any reason, we'll give you your money back, no questions asked,” Mortensen says.
Ready to design the removable wallpaper of your dreams? Visit lovevsdesign.com to create an account, try over 200 custom colors, and save your favorites. Colors vary from screen to screen, so we highly recommend ordering a sample. If you have any questions or need design assistance, please call us at (800) 395-5705.