Patterned Wallpaper

A quick search for the history of wallpaper returns some interesting results! We learned about something called a wallpaper tax, which was introduced in Great Britain in 1712, during the reign of Queen Anne. It was considered a property tax, and citizens were required to pay by the square yard!

Even earlier, wallcoverings featured scenes similar to those found on tapestries and were hung loosely as sheets for decoration. As wallpaper evolved and became more popular, repeating patterns became popular through techniques like engraving and etching.

This got us thinking…where would wallpaper be without repeating patterns? Everything would be a landscape scene or a panorama. Thank goodness that repeating patterns are still popular today for wallcovering.

Here are a few we love.