Who would have thought that your grandma's tea cups on the walls in the kitchen, the metallic floral or the burlesque velvet wallpapers would be back "in"?

OK - maybe none of the above, but the wallpapers of today are very cool and are VERY much the new and hot "in" option to simply painting your walls.  Whether it is simply adding a new texture or raised pattern to your walls to then paint over with your favorite color or adding natural beauty and drama, here are three of my favorites.

My #1 all time favorites are the Phillip Jefferies Ltd. line of wall coverings.  Made from renewable resources such straw, bamboo, cork and banana leaves: these green products are NOT your grandma's wall paper.  Available in every color under the Tuscan sun, they will also make your pocket book feel like you just spent a week in Tuscany as they are no small investment...but worth every penny. (available only to the trade)

My 2nd Choice would have to be some the newer fabric and embroidered wallpaper applications that are now coming out.  Some are so beautiful and ornate, they are works of art in-and-unto themselves.  One wonderful source for these is Fromental where they actually come in many different color options and styles.  However, again these are not for the faint of pocket book as they are made to order to your specifications, measurements and are handmade in the UK.  (YES, this is ALL embroidered threads)

Now if you're looking for a great alternative that is much more budget conscious, easy to apply and you don't have to wait weeks for production, my 3rd Suggestion would be to try one of the embossed wallpaper options which can even be found at your local hardware store.  Steves Wallpaperon line has a huge selection of paintable embossed wallpapers ranging from the look of antiqued tin plates to grasscloth.  After applying a basecoat paint and lite glazing, you could get close to the same effect as a natural grasscloth wallpaper, but with a little more elbow grease from you and possibly a friend.  You're pocketbook won't hurt as much as if you went with "the real thing", but your arm might be a bit soar by the end of the day.  

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Platinum Home Staging, Inc. does Staging, and SO much more!  Even if you're not selling your house, why not make it look like a model home?  Call Platinum Home Staging, Inc. for an Interior Design Consultation at (805) 553-9952