This year, one of our long-time wallpaper vendors is celebrating its 125th anniversary! York Wallcoverings released a new collection of wallpaper that hints at the century-old design styles that arrived on the scene when the company began in 1895. From trellises to tropical birds, florals to fine stripes, Modern Heritage encompasses the designs of ages past in new and exciting ways.
The Beginning
The Victorian Era was waning as York Wallcoverings started out. But Modern Heritage takes us all the way back with the 1870’s Victorian-inspired Garden Plume and the bold Lady Slipper patterns. The both come in several beautiful color ways, so you’re bound to love these for your home.
Art Nouveau
William Morris was THE wall covering guru of the Art Nouveau movement. From the 1880’s into the early 20th Century, prints derived from nature covered the walls of many American homes. Acanthus Toss is the next generation of Morris’s original Acanthus print. The iconic Blackthorn pattern is also a clear influence in Modern Heritage Yarrow Nouveau. What sets these patterns apart (besides 100 years 😉) is color. Art Nouveau played off of bold and moody hues as well as daring prints. Today, we see much simpler color palettes. Still, you can’t help but swoon over these classically enchanting wall coverings.
Art Deco
Move forward another 20 years’ time and you’ll find the Art Deco period, where the free-form curvature of Art Nouveau meets clean-lined Modern design. Here we begin to see the juxtaposition of sharper corners and softer curves, especially in wallpaper patterns. Looking at Zelda and Scalloped Pearl, York designed a pleasing balance of straight lines and curly motifs. Patterns became more structured, which lead to geometric prints, like Vertical Plumb. If these don’t make you think “Great Gatsby,” I don’t know what will!
Hollywood Regency
As a segue from Art Deco to Mid-Century Modern, we have the glamorous Hollywood Regency. Think: high-gloss chrome, mirrors, and bright color. Everywhere. Punchy hues contrast in furniture and wall coverings As we see in the Beverly Hills print featured in Modern Heritage. Who else thinks of Blanche’s bedroom in Golden Girls with this one?
Timeless Wallpaper
Few patterns stand the test of time, and nothing does quite like natural textures. Linens and grass cloths are treasured by all generations of design. Even here, as we reminisce of the pre-war floral bursts and post-war glitz and glamour, a textured wall covering simultaneously exudes high-style and homey comfort.
Garden Plume 
Lady Slipper 
Acanthus Toss 
Yarrow Nouveau 
Zelda 
Scalloped Pearl 
Vertical Plumb 
Beverly Hills 
Linen Strie 
Marbled Endpaper
