Wallpaper Trends That Have Lasted 400+ Years

History Behind the Pattern

There’s a reason interior design finds itself returning again and again to these historic patterns.

Diaper

Originally derived from a costly white Byzantine cloth made with a diamond weave in the Middle Ages, the pattern appeared in architecture, heraldry & manuscripts. The name diaper came from the medieval Greek word 'diaspros meaning 'pure white'.

Damask

Originally, damask was a weaving technique from ancient China which came to Europe in the Middle Ages via the Silk Road. European wallpaper was invented to imitate these luxury textiles; the earliest known wallpaper is a damask pattern which dates to 1509 and was found at Christ's College, Cambridge.

Domino

Predating the invention of the continuous roll, domino papers were first made on small individual sheets. The makers of these papers were called dominotiers and were found in 16th-century France. Often featuring small geometric designs, they were used to line chests, drawers, cupboards and boxes.

Botanicals

Botanical wallpapers first appeared in ancient China as early as 200 BCE. William Morris revived botanical wallpaper during the industrial revolution as design protest bringing the outside in these patterns create a grounding and calm interior.