De Gournay is privately owned by the Moncière family. Founded in 1986, the company began as a wallpaper and furniture restoration business specializing in recreating 18th century Chinoiserie wallcoverings.
Word spread and the business developed organically and soon began to design and manufacture de Gournay wallpapers and fabrics specifically. The Moncière family still works together to guide and grow the business, assisted by a team of experts across all fields.
How do you clean de Gournay wallpaper?
Cleaning Gournay wallpaper is a simple process. To begin with, use a dust cloth or a soft-bristle vacuum head to remove any loose dirt from the surface. Then, dampen a soft cloth with a light soapy solution, such as a mild detergent, and gently rub the wallpaper to clean it.
Be sure to use a circular motion so as to not create any large creases or visible damage. When done, take a clean cloth dampened with clean water and wipe away the soapy solution. If deeper cleaning is required, harder cleaning agents, such as white vinegar and a few drops of ammonia, may be used, but always test in an inconspicuous place first.
Take care when wiping the wallpaper to prevent streaking and avoid saturating with either water or soap. Once the walls are cleaned, you may choose to restore the original finish with a finishing coat, such as wax or acrylic sealant.
This will help to protect the wallpaper from dirt and discoloration.
How much does Gracie Studios wallpaper cost?
The cost of Gracie Studios wallpaper varies depending on the product chosen. For example, a roll of Gracie Studios’ Historic Damask Wallpaper has a retail price of around $150, while a roll of Gracie Studios’ Elemental Stripe Wallpaper retails for around $80.
The price can also be dependent on the size of the roll chosen – for instance, a double roll of the Historic Damask Wallpaper is around $378. Prices can further be dependent on whether the product is sold through an authorized dealer or direct from the manufacturer.
Typically, prices are lower when purchased from the manufacturer. It is also important to factor in wall prep before applying wallpaper, which could add additional costs.
How old is hand-painted wallpaper?
Hand-painted wallpaper has been around for centuries and can be found in almost every culture. The earliest known examples of hand-painted paper are from the 12th century, but some historians believe it may be even older.
Hand-painted wallpaper has been popular since the 16th century, when Chinese and European styles dominated the market. By the 18th century hand-painted wallpaper had become popular in other parts of the world, including India, Mexico, and Russia.
Hand-painted wallpaper continued to be produced into the 19th century, when it became a statement of wealth and status. Today, hand-painted wallpaper is still popular in some parts of the world, such as Europe, China, and some parts of Latin America.
As such, it is difficult to accurately determine just how old hand-painted wallpaper is, but it is widely accepted that it has been around for centuries.
What is the most expensive wallpaper?
The most expensive wallpaper is one that is hand-painted by a professional artist, as this is a much more labor-intensive and time-consuming process than printing or painting pre-made wallpaper. These custom designs can cost anywhere from several hundred dollars to thousands of dollars, depending on how intricate the design is and how large the area is that needs to be covered.
For example, an eight-foot by ten-foot mural might cost thousands of dollars, whereas a border might cost hundreds of dollars. Additionally, some wallpaper is made from designer fabric instead of paper, which can also greatly increase the cost.
Why did wallpaper go out of style?
Wallpaper began to go out of style in the 1960s and 70s for a few reasons. First, with the proliferation of television and appliances, electricity and wiring needed to be installed in the home or apartment.
This often meant removing or covering the existing wallpaper. Wallpaper also became seen as outdated and a reflection of an old-fashioned aesthetic. New technologies and products such as vinyl and ceramic tile, drywall, and paint made it easier, faster, and more affordable to update the look of a room without the expense and time associated with hanging new wallpaper walls and covering any problematic surfaces.
Style also became more modern, and wallpaper did not fit with the streamlined, clean look people wanted in their homes, such as sleek mid-century designs. Therefore, wallpaper went out of style in favor of simpler, maintainable options.
What are Gracie panels?
Gracie panels are an architectural style that originated in Shanghai, China, during the 1930s and 1940s. This style is characterized by a combination of Western and Eastern elements, including intricate geometries, bright colors, and Romantic elements such as curves and arches.
These architectural influences are seen in the diagonally sloping triangular roofs, a four-sided facade with arched windows and balconies, the Chinese-style trellises, and intricate masonry work. These elements come together in an overall pleasing and romantic style, making Gracie panels popular in Chinese neo-traditional architecture.
They can be found on buildings in Shanghai and other Chinese cities, as well as in other cities around the world. Gracie panels are a reminder of a simpler time, and they offer beautiful designs that make any building look inviting.
How do you paint a wall to make it look like wallpaper?
Painting a wall to make it look like wallpaper is a great way to get a unique and interesting look in your home without the hassle of hanging real wallpaper on the wall. There are a few steps you’ll need to follow in order to accomplish this.
1. Begin by prepping the wall. Remove anything that is on the wall and lightly sand the surface to take off any bumps or irregularities. Wipe away any dust with a damp cloth and allow the wall to dry.
2. Prime the wall. Use a high-quality primer to give the wall a consistent surface before adding the paint. This will help your paint cover evenly, and also prevent it from absorbing into the wall.
3. Start by painting the background color. Paint the wall with a solid color first and allow it to dry completely before adding the design of the wallpaper.
4. You can choose to freehand the design, or use a stencil to make sure the design is precise and even. If you want the wallpaper to look more realistic, use two or three different shades of the same color for the design.
5. Once the paint is dry, seal the wall with a good quality sealer. This will ensure that your paint stays on the wall for as long as possible.
With these few simple steps, you will be able to paint a wall to make it look like it has been covered in wallpaper. Be sure to take your time and be as precise as you can for a professional looking finish.
What was chinoiserie style?
Chinoiserie style is an 18th century European style of art, furniture, and architecture that is heavily influenced by Chinese design. This particular European style takes elements from Chinese culture and art and blends them with Western influences.
Chinoiserie typically includes highly decorative, hand-painted wallpapers, fabrics, and furniture that feature motifs of stylized botanicals, birds, landscapes, and figures in traditional Oriental clothing.
This design style also includes intricate fretwork, with motifs such as dragons, phoenix, lions, and even bamboo. In architecture, chinoiserie generally includes East Asian-inspired elements such as curved eaves and intricate gables.
Chinoiserie has been popular throughout many eras, from the Rococo period and the 18th century all the way to the 20th century. To this day, chinoiserie remains an iconic style, appearing in homes and art collections around the world.
Is chinoiserie Japanese or Chinese?
Chinoiserie is a style of design that began in Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries, and was inspired by Chinese art and culture. The term “Chinoiserie” is derived from the French word for Chinese. This style of design was used for architecture, furniture, wallpaper, pottery, fashion, and other decorative arts.
While Chinoiserie was strongly influenced by Chinese art and culture, it should not be confused with traditional Chinese art or design. Chinoiserie is a European interpretation and adaptation of Chinese elements, and does not truly reflect traditional Chinese art and design.
Some Chinese elements commonly featured in Chinoiserie designs include intricate floral and foliage motifs, pagoda-style roofs, dragons, delicate curvilinear figures, bamboo, and animals like cranes and lions.
While the cultural influence behind Chinoiserie is Chinese, it is neither strictly Chinese nor Japanese in origin.
How is chinoiserie pronounced?
Chinoiserie is pronounced “sheen-wah-ZEHR-ee. ” The word is derived from French and is composed of the combination of “Chinois,” which means Chinese, and the suffix “-erie,” meaning something related to or resembling.
It is also sometimes (though less commonly) pronounced “sheen-wah-ZAY-ree” or “sheen-wah-ZAY. ” Chinoiserie is a French term used to describe a European form of art and design characterized by the imaginative and fanciful depiction of Chinese elements, motifs, and objects.
Examples of chinoiserie in art and design include Chinese pagodas and other Far Eastern motifs, dragons, gardens, landscapes, floral designs, and figures in Oriental dress.
When did chinoiserie originate?
Chinoiserie is an 18th century European art movement that was inspired by Chinese culture and non-Western art. The word itself is derived from the French term “chinois” meaning “Chinese”. It began as imagery in porcelain, furniture and textiles, but later artwork began to appear in oil paintings and frescoes, wallpapers and prints.
The popularity of Chinoiserie in Europe first began in the late 17th century, with a growing fascination in the Far East and its exotic and luxuriously ornate culture. In the early 18th century, porcelain and other imports from the Far East started to become widely available and popular in Europe.
This interest in non-western art heightened with the accounts of Chinese life by Jesuit missionaries and increased trade with China in the mid 18th century.
As the popularity of Chinoiserie grew, so did its complexity and the variety of its sources. European artists combined and reconfigured elements from Chinese art into compositions that celebrated the European ideal of beauty.
Thus, although the starting point was Chinese culture and imagery, the artistic style eventually developed into something deeply rooted within European art.
By the 19th century, Chinese-inspired imagery had become so popular across Europe that many artists incorporated it into their works, regardless of the subject matter. Chinoiserie is still an influential art style today, and its influence can still be seen in modern-day art and design.
