These Brick twins have been temporary wallpaper pioneers since 2006. How it happened

BRICK - Growing up in Brick, Jennifer Matthews was artistically inclined while her identical twin sister, Julia Au, gravitated towards numbers and business. But the 39-year-old duo proved to be a perfect complement when it came to launching Tempaper, their peel-and-stick wallpaper company, in 2008.

"I always enjoyed creative endeavors like photography and writing,” said Matthews, a Wall resident who serves as chief creative officer of the company. “Our Aunt Kate decorated sets for TV shows, commercials, ads and films in New York City and she mentored us a lot growing up.”

“I loved the dynamics of businesses and always wanted to be the CEO of a company,” said Au, who lives in Ocean Township and serves as chief executive officer. “I excelled in math and science and Jenn excelled in the creative aspect, but together we made the perfect pair as far as our strengths.”

After both graduated from Rutgers University with a major in communications and a minor in French, they moved to France and taught English at different universities through a program sponsored by the French Embassy.

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And then they received a call that would change their professional paths.

“Kate was on set taking down wallpaper and was so frustrated because it took hours and required the wall to be re-spackled, and she was already over budget,” Matthews recalled. “She suggested that we start a business making wallpaper that peels off the wall because the industry needed it, and we thought it was a fabulous idea. We knew that wallpaper was a terrible experience for people and we became motivated to solve that problem.”

The pair took the lead on developing their business plan, creating a website, and building relationships with suppliers while Au secured a patent on the product.

“We launched Tempaper — a combination of the words “temporary” and “wallpaper” suggested by our aunt — in 2006 out of the sixth-floor walkup apartment in New York City where we were living at the time and were officially incorporated in 2008,” Matthews said. “Within a few years, however, warehouse space began running short, so we relocated back to Brick with a small team in 2012 and took over facility space available in a building owned by our parents and brother for their company, Bob Plaza Movers in Brick.”

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Revolutionizing wallpaper

Today, Tempaper operates from the company’s 15,000 square feet of office and warehouse space in Brick, with a Midwest-based manufacturing partner and an 80,000 square-foot warehouse in Tampa where the product is printed, packaged and stored.

“Tempaper eliminates the process of applying paste or glue to wallpaper or the wall — our proprietary adhesive-backed paper is ready to roll and can be smoothed onto your wall and easily repositioned,” Au explained. “It can stay up indefinitely or be peeled off from any corner at any time. Tempaper keeps the integrity of wallpaper, but we modernized it with state-of-the-art materials to make it DIY-friendly such that you don’t need glue, drop cloths or a contractor,” she said.

Offered in single rolls measuring 20.5 inches by 5.5 yards that are priced at $42.99 and double rolls measuring 20.5 inches by 11 yards that range from $106 to $125, “Tempaper is available in hundreds of different patterns, from modern and abstract styles to florals as well as classic and textural designs that incorporate metallic and specialty inks,” Matthews said. “We also offer wall murals, decals and custom printing options to help bring our customers’ creative visions to life. Tempaper also allows pattern and color to be used beyond the wall on stair risers, bookcases, backsplashes or any other smooth surface.”

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According to Au, another benefit Tempaper offers is that of instant gratification.

“Previously, you’d have to look at books in stores when choosing wallpaper and then order the product, which could take weeks to come in,” she explained. “But people want immediate access to the product, so we worked hard to be well-stocked and sold at a broad range of popular stores,” she said of Tempaper, which can now be found at such well-known retailers as Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, Home Depot, Amazon, Anthropologie, Pottery Barn, Wayfair, Lowe’s, Crate & Barrel, QVC and a variety of design outlets; the product will additionally enjoy expanded shelf space in Walmart stores nationwide.

“Tempaper is additionally available through our website, along with all of the tools that can help make installation as easy as possible, including a squeegee, X-Acto blades and cutting mats,” said Au, who noted that many designers and celebrities also collaborate with the company, which offers wallpaper lines with Gwyneth Paltrow/Goop, Alice & Olivia, Bobby Berk, The Novogratz and Genevieve Gorder.

“Ultimately, Tempaper revolutionized the way wallpaper was both sold and used and allows people to be creative and do it themselves,” Matthews said.

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'We love to solve problems'

Among trends in wallpaper, “’moody’ interiors featuring the colors black, green and blue are currently popular, as are wallpapers with texture (like grasscloth), farmhouse-style designs that mimic the look of shiplap and tile-inspired designs, and hand-painted, oversized and highly colorful designs,” said Matthews, who noted that bold, graphic and eye-catching styles are also popular. “We offer all of these options so that customers can create warm and inviting spaces as they define them.”

While pandemic-era sales were strong for home décor companies like Tempaper — “our sales doubled in less than 18 months and we had no issues with supply because our product is fully made in America,” Au said — price increases have been challenging and hiring isn’t as easy for the company as it used to be.

“It involves sorting through resumés and hearing people out more than ever to ensure that they’re comfortable,” Au said. “On the plus side, however, we can hire from a larger pool now because we can engage talent remotely.”

Supported by nearly two dozen employees, “Jennifer focuses on all of the creative, product development, branding and marketing functions while I oversee production, supplier relationships and operations, and we both focus on sales,” Au said.

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Looking ahead, “we always release two to four new pattern collections each year, and we’ll soon be expanding beyond just peel-and-stick wallpaper with the launch of textile area rugs (tufted wool, indoor/outdoor performance, reversible, and flat-weave styles) to designers at the High Point Market this fall and to consumers in February 2023,” Matthews said.

“Ultimately, we love to solve problems,” said Matthews, who hopes to see Tempaper become a household name. “We’re motivated by our customers’ needs and a desire to grow the category while having fun doing it.”

For Au, “I love the pride that comes from watching our business grow and the opportunity to work with my sister every day,” she said of her favorite parts of running Tempaper. “We’re so close, trust each other completely, and always have each other’s best interests at heart. Our personal and professional relationship is something we treasure.”

Matthews wholeheartedly agreed. “Our products empower people and offer a fun and addictive home décor solution that’s easy to use,” she said. “We hope that people will feel confident to play with pattern and color and show off what they can do.”

Tempaper

Location: 381 Mantoloking Road, Brick

Phone: 732-920-2654

Owners: Julia Au and Jennifer Matthews

Founded: 2008

Website: www.tempaper.com

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: NJ peel-and-stick wallpaper brand Tempaper began with a personal need