Wallpaper update

Every few years I re-visit wallpaper – ah yes, good ole wallpaper. And every few years I say “Don’t do it”. Even though I maintain that as a recommendation, I am starting to see a crack in acceptability IF, and I mean IF, it is a new style. If it is an older style, keep scraping it off. I strongly caution you that most people in our region still do not like any wallpaper in the house at all, that includes me. But there are some out there that have not scrubbed off old shards of paper or realize how difficult stripping paper can be, plus of course the designers are always selling something new.

It seems that wallpaper is becoming somewhat popular in certain areas around the country. That alone would not faze me, as I have seen this trend continuously try to re-gain favor without success for 25 years. However, I have had a local designer this month say she is certain it is making its way to STL. I also have a young buyer who likes the look of certain wallpaper styles, this is what really caught my attention. The designer cautioned to stay with a small portion, such as a bathroom or 1 accent wall if you experiment. The buyer, too, felt that a small area would suit her better. Just remember that paper styles become dated faster than most other features of a home, if it had any significant appeal to begin with, as there are unlimited variations. Additionally, I may be suggesting that you remove it if you enlist me to sell your home.

When I visit newly renovated homes, builder display homes, and see photos on Houzz, they still are overwhelmingly painted wall surfaces only. I cannot stress this enough, that paint is still the way to go. I am only grudgingly admitting that there is a crack in the armor of the “No wallpaper” mantra that I have repeated for 25 years. Please ask me for an update in the future if you are considering doing this beyond a small portion, and I will post again on this in 2-3 years.

Happy stripping!

Is Brass In….or Out?

How much brass is in your home today? And is it the newer – softer finish?….or the 80s – high polish style? I have not seen a groundswell for bringing brass back in St Louis, at least not yet. I’m sure some will say it is all the rage, and others not so much. Keep this in mind: Most of what you tend to see in photos and opinions is not produced locally. And every item, texture and color in the photo was likely coordinated by a professional. I have seen some new brass lighting that looks very good in a shade called winter or brushed gold, which is a muted yellow color, not loud or shiny. It tends to be installed in modern décor, and lightly colored rooms, although it can be mixed with various materials. This look is working its way into lighting, and faucets in the kitchen and baths. I have not seen it reach shower frames or door knobs/hinges yet.

Still king today in STL is antique/ oil rubbed bronze (dark) metals in most of the home’s hardware – doors, bath and kitchen accessories, and lighting. Brushed chrome (soft, not shiny)/ nickel is a solid second. Light fixtures are in flux, as they turned dark first, 15-18 years ago, and the kitchen, baths and door hardware followed. Funny thing about baths, though, is that polished chrome has remained a staple for all bathroom fixtures (except cabinet pulls) for many, many years, and brushed chrome/nickel in the kitchen for the last 20. The only metal that has really been out of style the last 10-15 years was.. .brass. Of course, the brass from way back when, if you have the mass produced fixtures and hardware from the 70s-80s, still is.

If you are considering a change in any of these items, I suggest going with whatever you like on an item that is less costly, like a small light fixture or two, a faucet or two. If you are re-doing everything, you should research it more, to see (1) what you like, (2) what is popular in your part of town (sometimes trends are spotty even around St Louis, like really hot in Chesterfield but not in the city or South County), (3) how it goes with the rest of the room, and (4) what has staying power if you are not selling in the next 3 years. These steps will make you feel more certain about spending thousands vs hundreds. Here is one of the ways I realize whether a style is just a trend or a true mainstay – when clients stop asking if they should use it, and start asking what variation of it to use.

There you have it, brass is in….and out, depending on the style!