Here are two papers that add color and texture to your wall surfaces without looking too wallpaper-y:
Asterisk Designs is a Brooklyn-based artisan studio that has created a Venetian plaster wallpaper. This flexible new take on an old technique lets you install your own plaster that comes on pre-made rolls in eight designs...
The patterns and colors are fresh and modern - a departure from your typical Venetian plaster finishes. The plaster finish is silkscreened and built-up on a backing that allows you to purchase the finish in rolls and install it just like the wallpaper it is! Asterisk also does custom Venetian plastering and has a line of printed linens.

De Gournay manufactures elaborate hand-painted Chinoiserie wallpapers on pieced paper and silk. But they also have solid colors of pieced-together papers with a “sanded” finish in brilliant colors.
Strip away the heavy painted patterns/ scenes and this textural piecing together of rich papers looks clean and vibrant. The price of the solid papers is relatively stripped down, too, at about $250 per 3’x10’ panel. Wouldn’t these papers be nice in a pared-down space that lets their color and texture take center stage?
- Regina Y.
(Re-Edited 07-09-18-JR)
Comments (4)
I just looked on De Gournay's website and I didn't see the solid cement colored wallpaper. Can someone tell me where to find it on their site?
Would it be that hard to achieve this just using a painting technique? I like the look but not the price.
Rich - I don't think the solids are on their website but they are available. If you go to the historic wallpapers and look at the abbotsford, you can see the print is on their pieced paper background. Click my name to see a photo of the colors available.
Mags - I've wondered about maybe piecing together paper myself to acheive the look for less. I don't know about painting.. It seems you would lose the texture that the paper achieves.
You wouldn't do it for a cement look but lately Ive been seeing expensive wallpaper panels that are framed so you can buy less and move with it for all you renters.