Wallpaper Murals vs Standard Wallpaper
What is the difference between standard wallpaper and wallpaper murals? To answer this question, we sat down with wallpaper superstar Katie Hunt for a little Q&A session. Not only is Katie a total rockstar wallpaper installer, but she has just launched her own wallpaper collection - Remix Walls.
If you’ve ever thought about transforming your home with a bold wallpaper and/or wallpaper mural, Katie Hunt is the perfect person to speak with. Seriously, you’re going to want to dive right into our conversation…
Douglas Robb - Interior Design Toronto : A number of interior design publications have named wallpaper murals as a major interior design trend for 2021. Why do you think wallpaper murals are trending?
Katie Hunt - Remix Walls : Murals are a game-changer in the world of wallpaper, as they provide a canvas to do a Large-scale design, with few, or even no repeats within the design. This is thanks to the latest advancements in Digital Printing Technologies.
Essentially, as a wallpaper designer, we are no longer limited to basic ‘Straight’ or ‘Drop Match’ designs, based on a narrow 20.5” or 27” widths.
This allows for unlimited possibilities, and with Remix Walls, I designed the collection with no limits to my imagination. We have larger-scale ‘Patterned’ designs, such as Storybook Forest, and Castaway, to designs which do not repeat within the 12’ x 9’ Mural Size, such as Modern Lines or Jet Set.
Murals provide much more freedom, whereby we are not constrained by a set repeat widths, or even having to do a repeat.
Douglas Robb - Interior Design Toronto: Are all wallpaper murals created equal? What are the differences between a great wallpaper mural & an average or poor wallpaper mural?
Katie Hunt - Remix Walls : The secret is the substrate, I recommend a “non-woven” or “paste the wall”, this substrate is easy to hang and installs virtually seamless.
As well, the quality of print can also vary between brands. With REMIX Walls, we used the highest quality digital printed technologies, that provide vibrant colors, and rich blacks.
The wallpapers are also wipeable, and durable.
Douglas Robb - Interior Design Toronto: Are all wallpapers (not murals) created equal? What are the differences between a great wallpaper & an average or poor wallpaper?
Katie Hunt - Remix Walls: The strength of the wallpaper is important, especially when installing. Many wallpapers tear easily, and this requires a very experienced installer, to ensure all the trims are crisp and sharp. Wallpapers that tear easily, which are primarily ‘Woven’ substrates, are also substantially more difficult to remove, and come down in small pieces.
‘Non-Woven’ wallpapers are stronger and are more likely to peel off the wall in full sheets, when removing.
Douglas Robb - Interior Design Toronto :What about the digital substrates that the mural images are printed on? I know that there are substrates a high-gloss, shiny appearance; some with a matte finish and even others with an extremely textured surface. Do you have any thoughts on the digital substrate of a wallpaper mural & the appropriate application?
Katie Hunt - Remix Walls : The finish of the substrate depends on the type of mural selected.
For “photo” murals I like the higher gloss finish, a “texture” with a Matte finish would be recommended if you do not have smooth walls, as it will help hide imperfections.
If selecting “art” style wallpaper, you can’t go wrong with a matte finish, and that would be my favourite, as it will also hide imperfections in the wall.
Douglas Robb - Interior Design Toronto : What about the quality / format of the image used to create the mural. I don't want to get too technical, but maybe you can advise on what tech/format is used by high-quality producers vs low-quality producers?
Katie Hunt - Remix Walls: Definitely you want to select a “high DPI” image so that when you scale it for your wall or a room, the image needs to be crisp.
We are now seeing more panoramic images available, so you can wrap a room with a non- repeating mural.
An advantage that certain custom mural companies have, is that you can type in the size of your wall, and you get a preview right away, this will let you know if this image works with your space.
Douglas Robb - Interior Design Toronto : What do you think of DIY style wallpaper murals (people send their own images to a company who prints the paper for them) vs fully professional wallpaper murals? Is there a difference in quality?
Katie Hunt - Remix Walls : Yes, submitting your own image is fun, but you need to make sure you have a high-resolution image.
Douglas Robb - Interior Design Toronto: What different types of wallpaper murals (graphic prints, abstracts, photos, colour gradients, landscapes, etc are available now, will be trending in the future...and what do you think of them?
Katie Hunt - Remix Walls: Landscapes and photo Murals are very transformative and can take you to a sunny, relaxing location. With so many choices out there, it’s a great way to show off your personal style.
However, ‘Designer Style’ Murals, like the designs with REMIX Walls, are the primary choice, as they provide a professionally designed look, which is intended to complement current design trends/styles and colors.
Photos are fun, and they have their application, however, they do not consider several factors, such as furniture placement (blocking details), and most photos incorporate every color.
With any design, constraints are very important, and a Mural (like any wallpaper) is intended to be layered with other design elements.
Douglas Robb - Interior Design Toronto: Which is harder to install...standard wallpaper or wallpaper murals?
Katie Hunt - Remix Walls : With Murals, because they have set panel sequences, you have 1 shot of installing the Mural. Read instructions carefully and select a substrate that you are comfortable with. Traditional wallpaper comes in rolls, and if you have an “oops” moment you can cut to the next repeat.
Douglas Robb - Interior Design Toronto: Which is easier to remove?
Katie Hunt - Remix Walls? : Removal all comes down to the prep work and the substrate.
By applying a wallpaper primer or sizer, (I recommend the Roman PRO-977) it seals the wall and makes removal much faster, as the drywall front (paper) is less likely to come off.
I ‘change-up’ a lot of wallpaper in my home, and “Non-woven” or “paste the wall” is the fastest to remove. The wallcovering is strong and removes in strips/panels.
The other wallpaper substrates (Woven or ‘Paste the Paper’) generally come off in small pieces and can take hours to remove. Get out that glass of wine lol.
Douglas Robb - Interior Design Toronto: What about wall prep? How perfect do my walls need to be for both standard wallpaper & wallpaper murals?
Katie Hunt - Remix Walls: A good installation is all about the prep. For all types of wallcoverings, I recommend that the wall is sanded, to remove any bumps, and then fill in large imperfections.
Apply a wallpaper primer or sizer in advance. Give the wall a quick sand again, we want a smooth wall, remove cover plates, and you are ready to get wallpapering.
Douglas Robb - Interior Design Toronto: What about drying time & humidity?
Katie Hunt - Remix Walls: Generally, it’s 1-2 days for dry time.
Douglas Robb - Interior Design Toronto: What about maintenance/cleaning? How do murals compare to standard wallpaper?
Katie Hunt - Remix Walls: Wallpaper and murals have the same maintenance- which is essentially nothing. If you would like to dust the wall or wipe it, I recommend a soft microfiber cloth with lukewarm water. This you should not apply to naturals, like grasscloth, they are vacuum only.
About Katie Hunt & Remix Walls
Katie Hunt is a leading professional wallpaper installer and expert, appearing on several HGTV television series, including The Property Brothers, Holmes and Holmes, Reno Set Go, and Home to Win. She is a regular guest on several television talk shows, including The Marilyn Denis Show.
Her wallpaper installations have been featured in national publications across Canada and the United States. Working with leading interior designers, Katie specializes in luxury wallpaper installations, from hand-painted silk wallcoverings to crystal-beaded wallpaper.
Remix Walls, Katie’s collaboration with Brewster Home Fashions / A-Street Prints is the next big step in her business evolution.
Katie is obviously a big fan of Brewster’s A-Street Prints. In Katie’s own words…
I’ve installed every type of wallpaper imaginable, on every surface imaginable: standard 20.5” and 27” wallpapers, grasscloths, silks, wood veneers, cork, hand-painted gilded chinoiserie wallpapers – everything. I love all types of wallpaper, but when I see that I have an A-Street Prints installation – or any wallpaper produced by Brewster Home Fashions – I know it will be a good day. The wallpapers are priced well, install like butter, wipe beautifully, and are virtually seamless.
A-Street’s fun and colourful designs instantly catch the eye. Beyond its quality, I’ve appreciated that A-Street’s style naturally compliments the timeless, fun and slightly edgy style I love.