By Calie Joy Herbst Special to OnMilwaukee.com Published Jan 07, 2014 at 11:26 AM

If you're anything like me, you are occasionally overtaken with an overwhelming need to redecorate something in your home. You're not asking for much. You simply want every room of your house or apartment to look like a Pottery Barn or Anthropologie advertisement.

Milwaukee native Elizabeth Rees can relate, and she recently launched a business that can help people like us to change the entire look of a space within a reasonable budget.

Chasing Paper offers peel and stick removable wallpaper in fresh, modern patterns. These easy-to-apply wallpaper panels can transform a room or spice up any home project in a matter of minutes.

Her business has already been featured on major home decor websites and Bethenny Frankel's new talk show.

Since I'm expecting a baby in February and have a 2 1/2 year old, I'm especially excited about the possibilities for a modern, sweet nursery and a whimsical child's room.

But of all, the fresh, trendy patterns you'll find on Chasing Paper's website includes my absolute favorite: the peel and stick chalkboard panel. A household chore checklist in the kitchen, a weekly family schedule in the mudroom, a creative space in the living room - the possibilities are endless!

I sat down with Elizabeth to find out more about her first year in business, what we can expect in the future and how her Milwaukee roots have influenced Chasing Paper.

Callie Joy Herbst: What inspired you to start a removable wallpaper company?

Elizabeth Rees: I am a Midwestern gal that has found her home all over the world in the last 10 years. Working, studying and finding my way through tiny towns and big cities, I have been cultivating my entrepreneurial spirit along the way. Since I grew up in the printing industry, it was important for me carve out my own place and conquer my own territory, and so Chasing Paper was born – stylish removable wallpaper for the urban home.

CH: Removable wallpaper is not just for walls, we hear. What are some cool projects you've seen done with your product?

ER: Some of my personal favorite projects are using it on stairs, table tops or behind shelves to brighten up a built-in. It is our hope that using panels instead of rolls makes small, impactful projects affordable and accessible. Just a little paper truly transforms a space.

CH: Have your Milwaukee roots influenced your company?

ER: Absolutely! Milwaukee has served as an inspiration for many designs. Our first featured designer, Allison Beilke, is a local Milwaukee designer. It was important for me to carry my Midwestern sensibilities into my New York world.

CH: We were so excited to see you featured on Bethenny's new talk show. What was the experience like?

ER: It was a complete dream come true. I had been a fan of hers and I felt so honored to be part of this new chapter in her career! Her audience has such a special energy and excitement and she gave real, honest advice which is so important to an entrepreneur.

CH: What's your favorite thing about Milwaukee?

ER: The people. And a close second Kopp's. The local Milwaukee press has been so wonderful in covering our launch and the support of my hometown has made the tough days so worth it. I often miss people calling me "hon" in NYC and am flattered when people say "your accent is so cute!"

We also manufacture all our paper through Kubin-Nicholson in Milwaukee so each panel is rolled and shipped with Midwestern love.

Calie Joy Herbst Special to OnMilwaukee.com
Calie Herbst is a teacher in Milwaukee Public Schools and editor of MiltownMoms.com. She received a Bachelors in Spanish and Sociology from UW-Madison and a Masters of Teaching Spanish from Marquette.

She has travelled extensively through the Spanish-speaking world, but her favorite place in the world is Milwaukee. She lives in Bay View with her husband, two year old son, Hudson and her two dogs. She and her family love to check out the latest events in Milwaukee and spend time at their cabin in Winter, Wis.

In her free time, her ideal self enjoys doing yoga, reading one book a week, and cooking with organic, local foods. Her real self just ends up watching terrible reality television.