And just like that, wallpaper has become kind of cool once more. As Sarah Jessica Parker unveiled her ‘Mysa’ wallpaper range over the summer, interior design aficionados and fashionistas alike wanted a piece of the Scandi-influenced décor action thanks to the actor’s partnership with Wallshoppe.
The collection draws from the concept of “mysa”- a Swedish word evoking cosiness, comfort, and contentment – the designs blend craft with warmth, color and painterly elegance. As Wallshoppe co-creative director Eric Hughes says: “Mysa is where style meets serenity.”
The wallpaper even featured in the recent season of SATC sequel series And Just Like That….
It’s a far cry from beatific botanicals (or maybe not), but at one stage, wallpaper-making in Ireland was regarded similarly to whiskey distilling?
The result unleashed many an 18th-century cut-and-paste forerunner to Al Capone, thanks to a 1797 Act of Parliament that meant that a wallpaper printer was required to take out a license.
The product was subject to a duty of one and a half pence per square yard, and the regulations were stringent. Revenue officers would visit the premises of wallpaper makers daily to examine their stock.Unprinted paper was stamped as it arrived from the paper mill, and further stamps were added to the finished product to show the duty had been charged. As with whiskey, the regulations were widely evaded, and much “bootleg” wallpaper was produced secretly in unlicensed premises.
Raids by inspectors sometimes led to altercations – Roger Coleman, an exciseman, described at a trial in 1820 how he had been “violently assaulted” and flung through a trapdoor by wallpaper printer Thomas Tully and his supporters.
Nevertheless, a flourishing contraband wallpaper trade developed with the West of England – one of the main reasons for the abolition of the tax in 1836 was the difficulty of enforcing it in Ireland.
I’m up to speed on all the above thanks to contemporary Cork artist Jaki Coffey, who created a piece entitled Tacks on Wallpaper, using thumb tacks on a roll of wallpaper “as a play on words of how the tax and tacks impact the product”, she says.
It was shown at Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens as one of a number of thought-provoking canvases that mad
Fota House Unveils Historic Wallpaper Archive & Contemporary Art collaboration
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Fota House in County Cork is offering a unique glimpse behind the scenes of its remarkable wallpaper archive, alongside a captivating exhibition by the Mór Artists Collective. The archive, boasting over 250 wallpaper examples spanning the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries, includes pieces sourced from significant Irish locations like Dublin castle and Ballinterry House. It’s a unique and exciting opportunity to engage with Fota house behind the scenes.
A Treasure Trove of Past Design
The Fota House wallpaper collection represents a significant resource for understanding interior design and social history in Ireland. The archive isn’t just a collection of decorative surfaces; it’s a window into the tastes, technologies, and trade networks of past eras. Examples include designs from the Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian periods, showcasing evolving styles and printing techniques.
Beyond the extensive collection of hung and documented wallpapers, the archive holds a especially special find: a collection of never-used rolls of 19th-century hand-printed wallpaper. These were discovered amongst builders’ waste in Dublin and generously presented to John O’Connell by Desmond Guinness,the renowned co-founder of the Irish georgian Society. https://www.irishgeorgiansociety.com/ This donation highlights the importance of preservation and the dedication of individuals to safeguarding Ireland’s architectural heritage.
contemporary Art Meets Historical Context
currently, Fota House is hosting an exhibition featuring work from the Mór Artists Collective. The collective’s artwork is displayed in situ, creating a dialog between contemporary artistic expression and the historic surroundings of the house. The exhibition allows visitors to experience the house in a new light, considering how artists respond to and interpret its rich history and architectural features.
https://morartistscollective.com/
Why Wallpaper Matters: A Brief History
Wallpaper’s journey from a luxury item to a commonplace feature of domestic interiors is a fascinating one. Initially,wallpaper was an expensive choice to tapestries,enjoyed primarily by the wealthy. As printing techniques improved and production costs decreased throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, wallpaper became increasingly accessible to a wider range of social classes.
The patterns themselves often reflected prevailing cultural trends – from the floral motifs of the Rococo period to the more geometric designs of the Victorian era. Studying wallpaper provides valuable insights into the aesthetic preferences and social values of different periods.
Planning Yoru Visit
Fota House offers guided tours and self-guided explorations. Visitors can learn more about the house’s history, architecture, and the stories behind its collections, including the remarkable wallpaper archive.
See https://fotahouse.com/ and https://morartistscollective.com/ for details on opening hours, tour schedules, and exhibition facts.
Key Takeaways:
Fota House boasts a significant archive of over 250 wallpaper examples from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries.
The archive includes rare, unused rolls of 19th-century hand-printed wallpaper donated by Desmond Guinness.
A current exhibition showcases artwork by the Mór Artists Collective, creating a dialogue between contemporary art and the historic house.
* The wallpaper archive provides valuable insights into Irish design history and social trends.
Fota House continues to be a vibrant center for cultural heritage and artistic expression. The ongoing preservation of its wallpaper archive, combined with innovative exhibitions like the one featuring the Mór Artists Collective, ensures that this historic estate will continue to inspire and educate visitors for generations to come.