The Detroit Wallpaper Co.
Founded in 2012 by two passionate visionaries with a deep appreciation for all things artistic, DWC has blossomed from its Detroit roots into a formidable force in surface design and production. Our brand embodies unapologetic honesty, tireless work ethic, and unwavering confidence.
Within our community, diversity thrives, and support is paramount. Our team members are innovators who continually push the boundaries of the industry, enriching the design conversation with their unique talents. We make what you dream about a reality, and we do it better together.
At our core, we are dedicated to enhancing your surroundings by making them feel more comfortable. We understand that comfort breeds confidence, which is why we meticulously craft and deliver thoughtful, upscale wall coverings.
Product With Purpose
At The Detroit Wallpaper Company, we are dedicated to art and design, but not at the expense of our environment. We strive to produce our custom wallpaper in the most socially responsible ways possible.
As you might expect, the largest component of our wallpaper is the paper itself. The paper base on which we print most of our residential products is a PVC-free paper sourced right here in the United States. The wood pulp used in the paper consists of 10% post-consumer waste, with the remaining pulp coming from FSC-certified forestry practices. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an organization that promotes sustainable forestry practices worldwide. They set standards for forest products, independently certify that these standards have been met, and grant their labels to qualifying products.
FSC certification provides customers with the option to choose forest products like paper and wood that have been sourced in an environmentally friendly, socially responsible, and economically viable manner.
Ink is the next major component of our production process. We choose to print with Latex inks for several reasons: Latex is water-based, produces a durable finish, contains no harmful chemicals, and is odorless. This means that pets and children are safe in homes with The Detroit Wallpaper Company's line of custom wallpapers.
The Detroit Wallpaper Company takes additional steps to reduce our corporate carbon footprint. We are even thoughtful about our design repeats. Our patterns are primarily straight match, and we produce custom roll lengths, allowing our clients to order only the yardage they need, which helps reduce waste. We are committed to ensuring that as little of our wallpaper as possible ends up in a landfill.
Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond our property lines, and we are dedicated to doing everything we can to help heal the planet.
Detroit Design
Detroit has long been a hub of design and artistic expression. The city is perhaps best known for its contributions to the auto industry, where automakers have provided a haven for designers to spread their creative wings and influence how Americans move. Today, however, an exciting renaissance of Detroit design is not about how we move, but rather how we rest and enjoy the sanctuary of our homes.
A growing number of Detroit-area designers and makers are creating home goods, allowing discerning consumers to style every aspect of their homes with products from the Motor City.
This design renaissance is set against the backdrop of a city recently emerging from bankruptcy and, before that, decades of economic decline rooted in racial inequities. This downturn drove down prices and opened the door to a group of creative outcasts who defy convention—a cohort dedicated to creating in a city often known to outsiders for its decay.
The work coming from Detroit's newest startups is certainly supported by local designers who have weathered the storms of economic hardship. Artists like
Richard Bennett, who has been creating sculptures and home goods for decades, and
Pewabic, a pottery studio that has been operating in Detroit since 1903, have inspired generations with their classes and community outreach.
Building on this foundation, there is now a wide array of products from makers, ranging from home goods to high-end furniture.
Alex Drew and No One has received high praise for their Golden Blaze table and a new line of mirrors.
Ali Sandifer creates stunning modern furniture, offering customization to suit clients' home sizes and needs.
Hunt & Noyer produces unique furnishings featuring classic dovetail joinery that is truly awe-inspiring.
Another maker committed to classic craftsmanship is
Smith Shop, a blacksmith studio known for their enviable signature serving ware set, along with jewelry and custom pieces.
The media's portrayal of Detroit's blight and "ruin porn" has shaped many people's perceptions of the city. While some see these abandoned structures as mere eyesores, creative companies see opportunity. Indeed, what is old is new again, as makers use reclaimed materials from Detroit's abundant stock of abandoned housing.
Leadhead Glass deconstructs old windows and flooring to create terrariums, while
Mutual Adoration uses reclaimed wood to craft a range of home goods, from serving trays to picture frames and furniture.
Workshop, located in the iconic
Fisher Building, creates modern furniture from reclaimed wood—their Grand Blvd. collection, for instance, transforms 2x4s to stunning effect.
It is impossible to discuss Detroit’s design community without mentioning
Design Core Detroit. This non-profit organization helps to promote and grow Detroit's creative economy through various initiatives. Most notably, they spearheaded Detroit's designation as a
UNESCO City of Design. Design Core Detroit has long illuminated the local design scene, but with this designation, Detroit's creative culture is now in the global spotlight.
The makers listed above only scratch the surface of Detroit design. We encourage you to explore and discover the broader landscape of work emerging from Detroit. Whether you are shopping for your home or considering Detroit as a manufacturing hub for a new business, there is a wealth of goods and solutions to meet your needs.
Design Candy
The ability to customize your surroundings has been a fundamental part of human living since we first built dwellings, and it remains as important today as ever. While the desire to create personalized spaces hasn’t changed, the way we achieve this has evolved significantly. What once required commissioning an artist and waiting months, or even years, for custom furnishings or wallpaper is now accessible to everyone, thanks to modern advancements. In the past, true artistry in home decor was a luxury reserved for those with substantial budgets, and craftsmanship in mass-produced goods often fell short in quality. However, technology continues to advance, bridging the gap between artistry and affordability.
Today, we are in an era where art and technology collaborate seamlessly, allowing for the immediate creation of unique, one-of-a-kind pieces. This revolution in production means that consumers can now enjoy high-quality, personalized home decor without the long wait times or exorbitant costs. The possibilities for customization in everything from walls to floors and furniture are nearly limitless.
At The Detroit Wallpaper Company, we empower you to personalize your space like never before. You can customize the color, scale, and even pattern elements of our entire design library, tailoring each piece to your unique vision. Our design team is ready to assist you throughout this collaborative process, ensuring that your ideas are expertly brought to life. We maintain all creative and raw materials in-house, using them only when your final order is received and approved. Thanks to advancements in production, you can now receive custom wallpaper in a matter of days, rather than months.
These innovations in design and production are essential to the ever-evolving way we envision our living spaces. Individuality is now a driving force in interior design, and this trend shows no signs of slowing down. Join this exciting movement and take an active role in customizing your life.
Color Story
A color wheel should not be used like a dart bored when picking colors for your room. At first glance, you may think that it’s easy to choose a color for a living room because you choose what you love and what you think you would like on the walls. Choosing in this way can work because as humans we instinctively understand ourselves and color better than we think. However, if you don’t know much about color or its’ uses, you might get an unexpected result.
Most interior designers have a solid background in color, and know which colors compliment one another best, as well as their psychological effects. I’ve always liked the idea that by adding a particular color or combination of colors to a room, you can change the mood, create a sense of purpose, or even deceive someone onto thinking the room is more spacious or cozy.
Let’s start with some basics. We have three primary colors: yellow, red, and blue. When we combine these primary colors together, we get the secondary colors: yellow and blue make green, yellow and red make orange, and blue and red make purple. By mixing primary colors with secondary colors, we get the next level of color shades called tertiary colors. Complementary colors are opposite each other on the color wheel, like red and green for instance. Each pair of complementary colors produces a neutral when mixed together. Each person perceives color differently, but generally as cool, or warm tones. If you look at the color wheel, those colors in the blue/green range are considered cool and those in the yellow/orange range are warm. Color can predispose us to a certain state of mind. It can energize us and elevate our mood, or make us feel tired and depressed. Certain colors can make us feel safe, calm, and relaxed or even increase our ability to concentrate. Generally, everyone responds to colors in the same way, but the effects may vary from person to person. For example, the color black may be associated with mourning or death for some, while others may feel like it is formal and classy. Taking the time to choose the right color is a large step in right direction to creating your own happy and healthy living space.
Color Tips:
1. Take each room: Think about how long you’ll spend in it, at what times of day, what activities will take place in that room, and the mood you want to convey.
2. Take into account if the sun is a factor and at what times of day: morning, afternoon, throughout the day, or not at all, depending on room position.
3. How large is the space? A light color will make a room feel larger than it is, while a darker tone can make a space feel a bit heavier and comfortable.
Using color psychology in interior design doesn’t guarantee that every guest in your home will see and feel exactly what you do, but at least they won’t be bored!
