So many people are victims of the rising and falling of trends. Wallpaper, in particular, surged in popularity among what is now an “older” generation, only to fall out of favor with their children. This could be due to ever-fluctuating opinions on design, or perhaps the lingering “trauma” of renovating parents’ homes - stripping wallpaper and unintentionally taking drywall with it due to the paper’s composition. Either way, about five years ago, wallpaper began to resurrect in popularity, and Sarah Thomas, owner of Sarah’s Home, was quick to take advantage.
Sarah’s Home opened its doors in 2014 and has evolved over the past twelve years to include upholstery, custom drapery, and, of course, wallpaper. Due to the nature of her work, Sarah visited homes, scrolled social media, and flipped through magazines, all of which revealed the slow yet undeniable comeback of wallpaper. This revival, however, is less about resurrecting a former trend and more about elevating wallpaper’s craftsmanship.
“The papers today are art forms,” Sarah proclaims. “The base they’re made on, the subject matter, the colors, the way to use it - I mean, it’s spectacular.”
Her mention of “the way to use it” extends far beyond accent walls or entire dining rooms. It even goes beyond traditional wall application altogether. In reality, the sky is the limit. When it comes to wallpaper, “You can think outside the box,” Sarah explains. “Just because it says it’s used for one thing doesn’t mean you can’t use it for another.”
In other words, wallpaper is not only an art form through flattened patterns, such as grand-scale murals, or expansive textures like grass cloth, wood veneer, or crystal beads, traditionally applied to walls. It is also art in its versatility. Wallpaper can be applied to furniture, door fronts, and even the front of a refrigerator. Simply prime the surface as you would a wall, then apply. Advancements in wallpaper composition now allow it to be applied and removed without causing damage, eliminating the fear instilled by wallpaper rolls of the past.
Ultimately, wallpaper “transforms a space differently,” Sarah states. No matter how it’s used, “It evokes something. And that’s the most important thing - that you live in a house that brings you joy and evokes an emotion – I think wallpaper helps do that.”
As a result, Sarah has created a space in her store where patrons can grab a cup of coffee, flip through books of wallpaper samples, and dream. Whether you choose to invest in the moment or return later, one thing remains true: “Wallpaper is fun to look at.”
For more information, visit sarahshomedesign.com or stop by her storefront at 308A Willowbend Rd, Peachtree City, GA 30269 to see and feel the joy wallpaper can bring.
“The papers today are art forms. The base they’re made on, the subject matter, the colors, the way to use it - it’s spectacular.”