8 Sources for Modern Ecofriendly Wallpaper
Give up nasty chemicals but not an ounce of good taste when you pick a wallpaper from a maker with an earth-friendly approach
There has been a great resurgence in the popularity of wallpaper in recent years, but since many of the products out there are coated with PVC (which carries known health risks) or use toxic glues, wallpapering can be problematic for those of us trying to go green. Luckily things are changing, with more and more designers and companies choosing an earth-friendly approach. With offerings that include clay coatings that increase durability to recycled and sustainably harvested materials and water-based inks, these eight industry innovators are stepping up to the plate with solutions to the eco wallpaper conundrum.
All of Us Together Wallpaper
1. Pottok. For an eye-popping accent wall in a modern space, look no further than Pottok — these artist-designed wallpapers are made with recyclable paper and water-based inks, and use no chemical waterproofing.
The Indigo Collection of Wallpaper
2. Eskayel. Based in Brooklyn, New York, Eskayel designs a large range of imaginative hand-painted wallpaper patterns. Papers are made from natural and recycled materials, clay coated for durability and vinyl free.
Modern Wallpaper
3. Makelike. This Portland, Oregon, design team creates screen-printed wallpapers by hand, inspired by nature and vintage prints and illustrations. Wallpapers are made with water-based inks on recyclable paper.
Aimee Wilder Baby Wallpaper
4. Aimee Wilder. Wilder's prints are fresh, colorful and modern, with a graphic design–inspired sensibility. Wallpapers are silk-screened by hand on clay-coated paper made from responsibly sourced fibers. By salvaging leftover ink, the studio is able to keep waste to a minimum.
Maxwell Wallpaper
5. Twenty2. From subtle and natural to bright, saturated color, this design team offers a little bit of everything. The wallpapers are screen-printed by hand with water-based inks in the U.S.
Night Owl Wallpaper
6. Spoonflower. This addictive site prints designs on demand, all on vinyl-free, self-adhesive, removable paper — great for rental apartments or a nursery, where you want the ability to swap out the wallpaper for a different look as baby grows. Lots of small, independent designers are using the site to expand their product offerings (the design shown is by Leanne Hatch), though you can also design your own print and Spoonflower will bring it to life for you.
MissPrint Saplings Wallpaper
7. MissPrint. This U.K. design team creates colorful prints inspired by Scandinavian and midcentury illustrations. MissPrint wallpapers are made with paper from sustainably managed forests (certified by PEFC) and printed with organic inks. The line is also available in the U.S. through Lucy Rose Design.
Madison and Grow Wallpaper, Eleanor
8. Madison and Grow. This design group has a small but beautiful collection of wallpapers; they're silk-screened in California with water-based inks.
Ecofriendly Wallpaper Paste
Shopping and installation notes. If you're shopping online, ask to view a photo of the paper applied in a room to get a better idea of scale. Order samples before making a purchase and hire a pro to install the paper. Going green shouldn't stop with the wallpaper itself, so be sure to choose an ecofriendly wallpaper paste (like the one shown here).
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