Wallpaper is one of the most dramatic ways to add a special twist to a home. While it fell out of favour in the 1980s, it is enjoying a renaissance as people seek to make their homes cosier and more opulent.
'Texture is key, this season,' says Sam Millar, Osborne & Little's spokeswoman. 'Lightly embossed wall coverings in soft colours, including subtle metallics and mica finishes, will reflect light and enhance the textural character of a room.
'Shiny, reflective surfaces are great for adding drama and glamour. These are popular in general decorating, and suit modern apartments and houses,' she says. Innovative printing techniques add a touch of glamour, such as the holographic papers and vinyl wall coverings.
For a classic look that won't date, Millar advises using a traditional design such as damask, but selecting one with a modern twist - whether that is a shiny metallic or a more stylised print.
China's middle-class homebuyers are leading the charge. In recent years, annual demand has increased by 25 per cent in China, says Adrian Yao, Graham & Brown's marketing manager. 'The most popular sellers are our solid vinyl wallpapers, which are durable, easy to clean and embossed with various textures.'
Husband-and-wife team David and Helen Lennie, of Signature Prints, are often credited with the revival of wallpaper, having rescued Florence Broadhurst's library of nearly 530 designs from the dustbin. Broadhurst - an Australian design celebrity until her death in 1977 - was known for bright, hand-drawn patterns.