WallpaperNews

North Walpole, NH – Len-Tex Corporation announced today that the entire line of its Surface iQ™ non-vinyl wallcovering has earned the Cradle to Cradle (C2C) Certification at the Silver tier for healthy and sustainable product design from McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC). Surface iQ is the only printed commercial grade wallcovering to have earned this certification.

In order for products to be certified under Cradle to Cradle guidelines, both the product and all components must pass rigid material requirements for environmental and human health. Additional criteria for certification include product and material reutilization, energy and water usage during production as well as social fairness and corporate ethical standards.

Cradle to Cradle Certification allows Surface iQ Wallcovering to contribute toward an Innovation in Design credit under the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED process for recognition of green building projects.

“We’re thrilled that Surface iQ has earned this important certification,” said Don Lennon, Len-Tex President, “The Cradle to Cradle Certification adds yet another important verification to the growing list of environmental and indoor air quality improvements that we have dedicated ourselves to incorporating into the Surface iQ product line.” [Read more →]

San Jose, California (PRWEB) February 26, 2008 — World Wallcoverings market is forecast to reach in excess of US$27.4 billion by 2010 at a steady CAGR of 2.85% over the 2001-2010 period. Europe, with an estimated share of 34% in 2007, forms the largest market for Wall Coverings, while Asia-Pacific, with a projected CAGR of 3.9% over the 2001-2010 period, is expected to constitute the fastest growing region. In the US, 2007 could prove to be a bad year for wall coverings as the housing decline experienced in 2006 continues to deepen. In terms of product segment, Interior Paint forms the largest segment, with a share estimated at 60% in 2007, while Wall Tile is forecast to emerge as the fastest growing segment, with a CAGR of 3.70% over 2001-2010.

Innovation occupies the driver’s seat in architectural coatings market. Even well known brands have to keep inventing to stay ahead of competition. New trends include low odor paints, low VOC products, Chalkboard paints, etc. Some players in the paint market are experimenting with customization by allowing customers to mix and choose their shades from large assortments. Others are trying to bring in niche marketing and direct marketing into their business practices to tighten their grip on customer segments. Positioning strategies are being changed as companies try to play on aesthetic perceptions and emotions of customers. Through these practices, paint manufacturers hope to hold to their positions and come out in ‘flying colors’.

Digital Printing is the latest buzzword in wallpaper printing technology. Digital printing technology enables the printing of non-repetitive, continuous designs such as entire sceneries on wall borders. [Read more →]

Liven up dull walls with slick helicopters, skulls, or line-art dinosaurs by Swedish firm Sandberg. Their hand-printed fabrics in fun fish or bird designs could be the perfect accent for your living room windows.
Sandberg’s patterns, whether whimsical or classic, are produced to the highest standards - the newest line of surface printed wallpapers requires skilled hands and plenty of time. The result is a glossy, painted-on finish and an old-world feel. At right, “Raphael,” one of nine patterns in the collection, forms an intricate, leafy mosaic on the wall.
Sandberg’s innovative designs, ranging from stately damasks to graphic children’s prints, are available stateside through Stark wallcovering. Currently, they’re sold to designers and architects only (but Domino magazine has some tips on circumventing to-the-trade-only sales restrictions). Papers are sold in single European rolls (21″ wide by 11 yards long); repeats vary.
Visit their site to request a samples before you place your order.

Below, “Simon” large-scale traditional damask.

Europe’s leading manufacturer of premium wallpaper and paint announces the opening in March 2008 of their first retail store in Manhattan. Located in a landmark building at 112 Mercer Street, it will showcase their entire collection of wallpapers and paint.

For the first time in NYC, retail customers will be able to view, sample and order from a collection that now includes 132 paint colours, eight different finishes and 18 wallpapers in 700 colourways. It will also allow them to discuss colour and finish with trained colour consultants before making any final decisions. Sample pots of all Farrow & Ball colours will be available to purchase from the new showroom.

To celebrate the opening of the store, Farrow & Ball will launch Mercer Street Red - a dramatic red paint that will be available exclusively at this location. Twenty percent of sales from this colour will be donated to the Cardiovascular Health Education Center (CHEC) at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/ Columbia University Medical Center - partner of The Heart Truth, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s campaign to raise awareness about women’s heart health.

Visit their website: www.farrow-ball.com

from Mike Zekich of Safe & Simple

1. On removals that require a lot of solution, tape the plastic about one or two inches above the baseboard and to the wallpaper. Cut a horizontal line on the wallpaper just above the tape. This will give you better floor protection.
2. Let the removal solution work for you. Timing is everything.
3. Do not use toxic materials to remove wallpaper. They are not good for you, your workers, or your clients. Use only those removal solutions that are biodegradable & nontoxic.
4. On multiple layer removals, dry shave off as many of the layers as possible at one time. Wet only the deepest most layer.
5. On painted over removals, try dry shaving first. Then if necessary use a liquid removal solution.
6. If necessary to create tiny “weep holes” for removal solutions to penetrate through try sanding with 60 grit sandpaper. The goal is to break the surface of the paper, not damage the wall.
When prepping a room, we place a cloth drop along the baseboard and tape it to the baseboard with 2″ masking tape. We then install 0.06 mil plastic on top of the cloth drop and tape it to the baseboard, but above the masking tape that is holding the cloth drop. The goal is to create a trash bag for our paper, paste, etc. to fall into. Cover electrical outlets & switches with masking tape. Spray apply the removal solution. After allowing time for the removal solution to work we either scrape off or pull off in sheets. After the wallcovering is removed we scrub and wash the walls using our own scrubbing tool. We clean up as we go, rolling the plastic & cloth drop up as we work along the wall. We have found that the more care we put into good protection and preparation, the easier the removal in the long run.
www.safeandsimple.com

Wayne Smith, formerly Technical and Membership Support Manager of the British Coatings Federation, has been promoted to the post of BCF’s Director of Regulatory Affairs with effect from 1 March.

The British Coatings Federation (BCF) is the sole trade association for the decorative coatings, industrial coatings, powder coatings, printing inks and wall coverings manufacturing industry in the UK. It represents over 85% of the total market in the UK, with a value of over 2.2 billion GBP. The BCF aims to promote and protect the interests of its members, encourage the prosperity of the industry and improve the business climate in which the industry operates. In addition the federation provides an interface between the industry and the Government, other industry and non-industry organizations and the public.

Hand-printed papers from Alpha Workshops in NYC, here: “Bargello” in Cream and “Oh So Faux” in Fossil:

Since its founding in 1995, the Alpha Workshops has been the only not-for-profit organization in the country that trains and employs people living with HIV/AIDS in the decorative arts.
Visit www.alphaworkshops.org to order papers or support the organization.

ROCKAWAY NJ, Jan. 3 - Gary T. Rizzo has been named vice president of the Wallcovering Division of Roysons Corporation, one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of commercial and residential wallcoverings, wallboard, high definition murals and wallcovering substrates.

Rizzo joins Roysons from Think Big Digital Printing & Design where he was responsible for development of its digital printing business for hospitality, retail store planning, graphic arts and outdoor advertising.

He is also former president and chief executive officer of Muraspec North America, a commercial furnishing distribution company and also served for more than 17 years in executive positions at Omnova Solutions where he played a key role in developing international business.

Rizzo holds a bachelors degree in business administration from the City College of New York’s Baruch College and a masters degree in business administration from Manhattan College. He is a member of the board of directors of Big Apple World Wide, a holding company focused on providing products and services to the hospitality and leisure markets.

Three graphic font-based patterns from the first collection, Lux, by new designer Given Campbell.
Shown above: “Serengeti,” “Zipper”, and “Bamboo.”
A generous selection of colorways is offered, and custom colors are available. www.givencampbell.com

Rust-Oleum Corporation announced today that its subsidiary, Tor Coatings Limited, has acquired certain fire protection assets of Bollom Limited.

The product range includes intumescent and fire retardant coatings and varnishes sold primarily in the United Kingdom under the Fireshield, Intusteel, Fireguard, Flamebar, and Intuclear brands. Rust-Oleum, based in Vernon Hills, IL, is a leading provider of specialty coatings used in both consumer and industrial applications. These products will be added to the product offering of Tor Coatings Limited, which was acquired by Rust-Oleum in March 2007.

“The Bollom fire protection brands are an excellent fit with our current business,” said Colin Carter, Chief Executive of Tor. “In addition to expanding our technology offering to existing customers, these added brands will take Tor to new markets and applications.” [Read more →]