by Tempaper
NOVEMBER 28 2016
As appearing in newyorkspaces.com:
When twins Jennifer Matthews and Julia Biancella and their aunt Kate Szilagyi recognized the decorating world was missing a unique way for homeowners or renters to infuse their space with fun, high-impact décor, the business community was in the midst of 2008 recession woes and tepid about supporting start-up companies. Despite this, Jennifer, Julia and Kate forged ahead with their idea for a new product that filled the overlooked niche—and Tempaper was born.
Tempaper is self-adhesive, removable wallpaper that lets DIYers add bold and beautiful designs to walls, dressers, stair risers, cabinets, bookshelves, drawers and headboards. The inspiration came from Kate, who as a set decorator for television, was frustrated with the arduous process of applying and removing traditional wallpaper, and thought people might feel the same about using wallpaper in their spaces.
In 2009, after a year of researching, brainstorming, creating designs, and developing a production process, the team launched Tempaper as the first high-quality removable wallpaper that eliminates the need for paste or water. In addition to being simple to apply, Tempaper easily peels off when the time comes to remove it. Hence the beauty of the product—it’s a great DIY project for those who don’t want to make a long term wallpaper commitment, yet it lasts for many years for those who do.
Chinoiserie
From the start, the trio made it their mission to provide custom-designed patterns with rich colors.
They recall a frenzied first year of committing 1000% to their dream, including storing wallpaper from floor to ceiling in their New York City 6th floor walk-up apartments, working side jobs to finance the business, visiting storeowners and decorators to show the product, and emailing magazines to get the word out. Soon the word was out and Tempaper was featured on “The Today Show”, “The Nate Berkus Show”, and “Designing Spaces”, to start.
As the years sped by, product collections were expanded to include:
Textured designs
Chinoiserie by Tempaper
“Design Your Own” where users can create their own patterns, recolor Tempaper designs, or have wallpaper made with their own images, and “Tempaper by You” white paintable paper
Tempaper by Bobby Berk
And most recently, Genevieve Gorder for Tempaper
Hojas Cubanas
Over the years, the in-demand product lines have since been showcased in many mainstream media outlets, including recent mention of the new Chinoiserie collection in Oprah Magazine, on Vogue.com, and many others. Jennifer, Julia and Kate look forward to the Tempaper booth being a perennial favorite at design trade shows such as the renowned High Point Market, AmericasMart and the International Contemporary Furniture Fair.
And of course, social media, in particular Instagram and Pinterest, has enabled designers and customers alike to share beautiful images and discuss their DIY Tempaper projects!
Jennifer, Julia and Kate are fulfilling important close-to-the-heart goals for the growing business. These include Tempaper being 100% made in the U.S.A. With an eye on healthier living and being environmentally-responsible, patented Tempaper wallpaper is lead-free, phthalate-free, VOC-free, FDA approved and meets Certified Child Toy Safety guidelines.
Having pioneered technology and set the standard for this growing industry, Tempaper is now sold nationwide via tempaperdesigns.com, target.com, Lowes.com, homedepot.com, bedbathandbeyond.comand hsn.com, and locally in NYC at Janovic Paint and Decorating Centers and Lowe’s City Centers.
Story originally appeared in newyorkspaces.com.
