Photos: Tina Wherry Interiors
Designer Tina Wherry shares how to approach wall coverings like a pro.
Wallpaper has comfortably reclaimed its place in modern interiors, but according to Maple Grove designer Tina Wherry, truly exceptional wallpaper design is about far more than pattern or trend. As owner and designer at Tina Wherry Interiors, Wherry approaches wallpaper as an emotional and transformative design element—one capable of completely redefining how a room feels.
Choosing the right design, however, requires more than flipping through sample books. Wherry carefully curates a handful of wallpaper options for clients—selections designed to stretch creativity while still evoking a personal resonance. “One option is usually what I consider the strongest design choice for the room,” she says. “It may push the client slightly outside their comfort zone but still feels aligned with their personality.” Other options feel more familiar or exploratory, creating a collaborative process that often uncovers unexpected favorites.
“I hear this a lot, ‘I really want to go that fun route, because I love it, but I’m afraid I’ll get bored of it,’” Wherry says. “Or, ‘I’m afraid I’ll regret it because it’s more bold than I actually am.’” The designer’s recommended litmus test is living with the samples on the wall and moving them around the room—and against cabinetry and baseboards—to get the full effect. “When you’re looking at, say, Option A, does it give you a little pinch?” she says. “Does it make you less excited and more anxious? Or the alternative, does that make you actually excited?” Wherry advises listening to the gut instinct and steering clear of the pinch.
Lighting also plays a crucial role in wallpaper selection. A wallpaper that feels soft and balanced in morning light may appear dramatically different by evening. “Natural light, overhead lighting and even softer ambient lighting all influence how colors and patterns are perceived,” Wherry says. That’s another reason she encourages homeowners to bring samples into the room itself and live with them for a few days before making a decision. Texture, in particular, can dramatically change how wallpaper interacts with light—absorbing it to create warmth and depth or reflecting it to brighten a space.
Designer Tina Wherry says dining spaces can often get lost in open concept homes. “To transform this once-transitional zone into a final destination, I introduced a bold, immersive wallpaper to establish a clear visual boundary,” she says. The dramatic print anchors the room and adds what Wherry describes as a sense of cohesive luxury to the space. “The result is a warm, intentional space that doesn’t just look beautiful, but actively invites you to slow down, sit a little longer and connect,” she says.
Ultimately, Wherry encourages homeowners to trust their emotional reaction as much as the technical details. “When they look at a sample, does it feel right? Does it feel like them?” she says. “That instinctive reaction is incredibly valuable.” And before making a final commitment, Wherry advises homeowners to simply slow down. “Bring a sample into your home, place it on the wall, and observe it throughout the day,” she says. “This intentional, thoughtful approach helps ensure that what you choose will feel right not just initially, but long term.”
Tina Wherry Interiors
Instagram: @tinawherryinteriors
