Yesterday I sat down to look for a few examples of wallpaper, and things got quickly out of control. Four hours later, I was still poring over websites and wasn't even close to a semblance of a post. With wallpaper's rise in popularity, there are SO MANY great designs and patterns out there (I should know. I just looked at every single one of them) and it was hard to limit myself once I started.

The benefits of wallpaper are many. It adds instant color, helps define your room's style, and introduces dimension beyond the comparative flatness of paint. You can cover an entire room, or limit yourself to one accent wall. You can be as subtle or as dramatic as you want to be.

Settle in, because here is a massive round up of modern wallpapers, organized around some vague trends. I limited myself to cool tones this time around. Because my self-discipline is just legendary.

FIRST ROW – These painterly washes are both light and bold:
1. Abstract wallpaper from Mr. Perswall's Expressions Collection
2. Howard Hodgkin Brush wallpaper from Designer's Guild.
3. Designer's Guild's Saraille wallpaper in aqua
4. Eskayel's Prima Wallpaper in slate
5. Clarissa Hulse's Demeter Stripe Wallpaper in indigo, ice and french navy

SECOND ROW – Geometrics are still going strong in the world of pattern, with an emphasis on the geological facets, trellises, and mosaics:
6. Minakani Lab's Foudre pattern
7. Anna Spiro's Round and Round the Garden wallpaper in Ginger Jar Blue
8. Indian Summer Collection from Jujupapers
9. Madison and Grow's Elizabeth in peacock on shimmer
10. Cavern's Trellis pattern in navy

THIRD ROW – These damasks, toiles and florals nod in the general direction of tradition, but remain relevant today through redrawn motifs and modern colors:
11. Katja Behre's http://www.ellipopp.com/Victorias_medley.html in mint green
12. Emma Malony's Beastly Chronicles
13. Kreme's Muse Collection. Via Studio Four NYC.
14. Abigail Edwards Brambleweb Pattern in olive green on dusk background
15. Graham & Brown's Flourish in Purple

FOURTH ROW – High end metallics, flocked patterns, and regal tones introduce luxury:
16. Erica Wakerly's Soda pattern in aqua and silver
17. Barneby Gates' Deer Damask in claret
18. Bartsch's Moon Crescents in Navy Ink. Via Wall-Library.
19. Cole & Son's Feather Fan in a rich emerald green
20. Jim Thompson's Byzance

FIFTH ROW – Quirky line drawings and simple block prints are playful and feel handmade:
21. Ana Montiel's Topo Azul wallpaper
22. Schumacher's Views of Paris
23. Madeline Weinrib Maroc wallpaper
24. Prudence wallpaper by Rachel Powell
25. Garden City Bustle wallpaper by Missprint

(Images: as credited above)