Wallpaper in the 18th century was all about color and pattern. During this era artists translated pictorial depictions from tapestry design onto papers. Wallpaper became so common in England during this time that a tax was applied in 1712 on any paper that was painted, printed or stained to serve as hangings.The French were the most adventurous in their designs, mainly because they had the help of a new machine, invented in 1785, that was used to print the paper. During this time 34 feet became the standard size for a roll of wallpaper, as decreed by King Louis XVI. Scenic, large-scale papers were very popular in France. Hand printed using several wood blocks, these papers are extremely expensive.