PATTERN PLAY

A wallpaper renaissance is flourishing and there's no better time to spruce up your space. Whether you're a playful maximalist or a contemporary connoisseur, get ready to roll

- Caroline Moratti

10 TOP TRENDS

• Large florals

• Trompe l'oeil

• Scenic landscape murals Archival designs Botanical greens Textured neutrals .'70s retro waves

Victorian maximalism Bohemian blushes

Art deco panels

The uninitiated, wallpaper can be intimidating. Where do you start? What are the options and how do you install it? Why choose it over paint? But for space-defining, forwardthinking interiors, there's nothing better than a patterned wall to distract, relax or intensify your senses.

Interior designer Bridget Foley from Bridget Foley Design says wallpaper is one of the easiest, quickest ways to transform a space. "A whole house of paint can get rather dull. Adding wallpapers to a few rooms adds an element of surprise and interest," she says. Florals help to soften, stripes widen a room and a whimsical mural can enliven our homes.

OFF THE WALL

Don't let the name mislead you. In the past, wallpaper was also used to line cupboards and other small spaces. Take a few pointers from history; if you've got a leftover roll from your wallpaper hanging project, consider adding some flair to your furnishings. Attack drawers inside and out - decorate panels, shelves or whatever else strikes your fancy. If you're unsure about a pattern or colour, there's no better way to test-run it in your space than through a good old-fashioned arts and crafts day.

BUSY LIFE.

BUSY WALLS

White painted walls will show smears, stains, cracks and chips whereas wallpaper might seem more forgiving and the perfect alternative for busy family life. But any style-savvy decorator should consider practicality alongside fashion before taking the plunge.