A World of Walls, Part V

“Green” wallpaper has begun to thrive in the commercial marketplace, but homeowners are still waiting

Chilewich Chain Weave Pewter

This is a good time to revisit the reader statement that started this series: “I have been to more than 25 websites that say ‘green’ wallpaper and adhesive solutions are plentiful. But when you get to down to it, you’re often looking at placing a special, non-returnable order several states away for indoor-air certified wall coverings, and some of them are too heavy to be installed with the glues that have the least emissions.”  

Yes, the residential marketplace is still waiting for quick and easy access to planet- and/or indoor-air-friendly wallpaper, and part of the reason is lack of demand.

“We haven’t received many requests from residential clients for green wall-covering options,” says Heather Curless, Our LEED AP and owner of Greener Stock in Cincinnati. And, some of the most visible products billed as “green,” actually include styles made of vinyl.

“Chilewich has been the most popular, probably because consumers are already familiar with the company’s home accessories, and they like that look,” Curless says.

A popular and distinctive look is the first key in launching a successful “green” product. Chilewich/Sultan, LLC, based in New York City, also has begun to focuse on being indoor-air friendly. Its flooring products have CRI Green Label Plus indoor-air quality certification, and its upholstery fabrics are GREENGUARD certified, but its wall coverings are not certified. Chilewich products also are treated with Microban to inhibit mold growth, though the antimicrobial debate continues.

Chilewich Kono Midnight

The company recommends installing its products with a low-VOC adhesive, but doesn’t state a brand. Two that we have run across in this series are Sinan 389 Natural Wallpaper Adhesive, which is sold in powder form to be mixed with water and can hold up to medium-weight paper-based wall coverings. Loba-Wakol also makes zero-VOC adhesive that can hold products as heavy as cork on the wall.

Like Sandy Chilewich, a number of fashion-forward textile designers are getting regular press for unique looks, and some, including Maya Romanoff, are using sustainable materials like hemp.

And some wall covering companies — like Innovations, based in New York City, have had a green focus for over a decade. Whether the product contains recycled materials, natural materials or in some cases cork, “You have to look at each product separately,” says Michael Freedman, Innovations director. “There are many different levels of green.”

Some other environmental or indoor-air friendly wallpapers with either GREENGUARD or Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) certification that are focused on commercial interiors but are beginning to trickle over into residential include: Knoll Textiles, OMNOVA, Lanark, Maharam and Len-Tex.

All of these suppliers have retail dealers or sales representatives across the United States. ©

Coming next week: Recycled leather wall tiles

– Nancy Kibbee is editor at www.naturalinteriors.com