Wallpaper Through the Ages with Katherine Porter

Join us on this week’s PreserveCast as we talk with Katherine Porter, a design director at Waterhouse Wallhangings. Waterhouse’s collections contain new and old wallpaper designs, including some authentic reproductions, first used in the early days of the US. Join us as we explore how wallpaper has changed since it was first brought to the US, peeking into Waterhouse’s archives, and the differences between historic and modern wallpaper.

 Originally from Amityville, New York, Katherine Porter attended Syracuse University and graduated with a BFA in surface pattern design. Fresh out of college she landed a job in New York City working for a lively and very productive textile design studio. Surrounded by talented and interesting people, young and old, from all over the world, she really learned the ropes. Now located in rural northeast Ohio she continues to work in the fabric and wallpaper field from her home studio. Katherine’s fabric designs appear in the following collections: Isaac Mizrahi for S. Harris, Jaclyn Smith Home, Charlotte Moss for S. Harris, Mount Vernon Home for Fabricut, Vervain, Valdese Weavers, and Longaberger Company.

Since 2017 Katherine has been partnered with Lance Houpt in the Thomas Strahan Collection of wallpapers. Thomas Strahan, a sister company to Waterhouse Wallhangings, is one of the oldest wallpaper companies in the United States. Currently located in New York, the designs are drawn from an extensive archive (over 12,000 patterns) and printed on the premises. Waterhouse and Thomas Strahan offer a high-end showroom line of wallpapers and fabric as well as specializing in reproductions for historic house museums.

Both Katherine and Lance share a love for the beauty and history of these timeless designs. We are proud to carry on this unique legacy of pattern design.

Learn more: https://www.waterhousewallhangings.com/