Design vocabulary

Contract wallcoverings demand precision, but precision is only meaningful if it is rooted in clarity. Below are terms that define the boundaries of this discipline, each sharpened to the edge of utility and form.

Substrate

• Definition: The foundational material upon which a wallcovering is constructed. It dictates durability, flexibility, and compatibility with installation methods.
• In product: A vinyl-backed paper substrate ensures rigidity without compromising the ability to conform to curved surfaces during application.

Repeat

• Definition: The measured interval at which a design’s motif reappears, influencing the perception of scale and continuity.
• In product: A 12-inch repeat in a linen-based material creates a rhythmic interplay between the weave and the visual weight of the printed element.

Scale

• Definition: The proportional relationship between the size of a design’s elements and the surface they occupy, affecting visual balance.
• In product: A 36-inch scale in a metallic-inked textile stretches the eye’s engagement with the material, avoiding the claustrophobia of smaller intervals.

Woven

• Definition: A construction method where fibers are interlaced at right angles, creating a grid that resists deformation under pressure.
• In product: A cotton-woven backing in a double-faced paper wallcovering reinforces its ability to withstand the abrasion of high-traffic corridors.

Laminate

• Definition: A surface