Wallpaper – Jenna Burger Design LLC – Interior Design & Architectural Consulting

In-Trend Wallpaper Inspiration + Sources

Written by Jenna on February 2, 2016. Posted in Decorating, Interior Design, Wallpaper. 4 Comments on In-Trend Wallpaper Inspiration + Sources

Wallpaper from the 70’s… Some patterns are still bareable, but many have lived their life on the wall to the max.

Recognize any of these patterns from decades past?

As soon as you saw the title of this post on the topic of wallpaper, you might have cringed. But don’t stop reading… please!

For many, the thought of wallpaper might bring you back to your childhood home with the walls covered in bold, intense patterns in hues of pea green and orange. Those ~~ugly~~ retro patterns adorning not only the walls of each room, but also the curtains, sofas, and more, will forever be engrained in our heads.

After the many years of removing wallpaper from our fixer upper homes to rid the intense, dated look for a more soothing aesthetic, the thought of wallpapering again was far from thought.

I can gladly attest that wallpaper patterns have made a complete 180. And after living with paint for so many years, I new something more on the walls would pull the space together and that missing element was wallpaper. I now have 4 different wallpaper patterns throughout my home and it looks nothing like the overwhelming 70s style.

There is a vast selection of wallpapers available today and honing in on just the right pattern + style can be quite daunting. Once the right one is found, it can completely transform any space from blah to beautiful!

Whether a subtle geometric pattern in a bedroom or a vibrant, modern floral in the bathroom (like my powder room), wallpaper makes an impact!

Let’s dissect + be inspired…

INSPIRATION

This large scale baby blue wallpaper in a hallway is reminiscent of a damask pattern from the turn of the century. The subtle, but strong paper makes a statement and compliments the height of the space + the detailed architectural mouldings.

I’m not often drawn to coordinating patterns on multiple surfaces, but with this style space it truly works. The pattern of the paper is repeated on the traditional side chair which continues the classic style.

Even though a bit too traditional for my aesthetic, I adore this soothing, yet dramatic space.

VIA HGTV

Wallpaper shouldn’t overwhelm a room and with an intense pattern, it can easily happen. Drawn to a powerful paper? Use it on a focal wall and choose a complimentary color for the other surfaces in the space.

The gold-looking botanical print in this dining room is intense but is complimented by the other walls being painted a shade of chocolate. Not only does the deep warm hue evoke a warm feeling, it’s also contrasted by lots of white – the door, mouldings, chandelier, display shelf, and the chairs.

It’s all about contrast…

VIA BHG

Wallpaper in a hallway or transition space is a great ‘neutral’ between rooms to create a cohesive thread. You can never go wrong with a modern geometric pattern to tie spaces together. This modern wallpaper in a kelly green hue is detailed, yet simple in a bold way. It’s the perfect compliment to the oversized flower print in the bedroom beyond.

And I can not move on without commenting on those adorable framed toddler-sized swimsuits. What a playful + unexpected addition to a 2nd floor hallway.

VIA BHG

Smaller scale patterns are perfect in smaller spaces. Not only will the proportion of the design feel more suited for the scale of the space, the repeat of the paper will be more visible.

This entry is such a sunny space!

VIA BHG

The modern floral pattern makes such a statement in this entry and works so well with the colorful elements that are layered atop. The organic patterned paper is also offset by pieces that have interesting architectural lines seen in the mirror and console table.

VIA BHG

Similar to using a dark paint in a small room, many people are reluctant to use wallpaper, thinking that it will make the space feel smaller. Just a myth! If you have a small space, such as a powder room, foyer, or office, adding wallpaper will make it dramatic and unique, similar to this modern floral design I used in my powder room.

Instead of overwhelming the 4 walls of this small space, I wallpapered the main wall (sink wall) only and painted the other 3 walls using a complimentary paint that I matched to the background color of the wallpaper. All the other elements in the space – vanity, toilet, roman shade, light – are white, which give the perfect contrast to the dark + bold walls.

MY POWDER ROOM, PHOTOGRAPHED FOR KBMO MAGAZINE, PHOTO VIA BHG

This is another example of using a bold wallpaper in a small area to make a big impact look. This watercolor floral pattern creates a beautiful focal point for this office nook.

It would look nice with a contrasting paint color in the nook, but it truly makes a statement with the addition of the wallpaper.

Small commitment, but a big look!

VIA BHG

Wallpaper doesn’t always need to be bold + dramatic. Soft and subtle on one or all walls of a space can create an engaging, unique aesthetic. This modern, geometric pattern is a lovely addition to this bedroom filled with grays and shades of lavendar.

VIA BHG

Go big or Go Home! This vibrant orange wallpaper with a bird + cloud design makes a big statement on this focal wall. A paper like this isn’t for an entire room but instead ideal for an accent wall or a ceiling, with whites + neutral layers and accents.

This breakfast area works so well because the paper has ‘it’s moment’, which is complimented by the white layers + minimal, simple furniture.

VIA BHG

Decades ago when rooms were wallpapered, there often was no order or level of importance to the elements in the room. An intense wallpaper adorned the walls, but an equally dramatic sofa, chair, rug, bookcase made the space overwhelming, stuffy, and just too much! There was no statement. No heirarchy. No ONE ELEMENT to rest the eye on.

Wallpaper can be a lot and if a dramatic, bold paper is the right choose for you, it will only work when all other elements are minimal and quiet. This bathroom is a perfect example… The traditional patterned paper in a deep raspberry hue is bold, but it works well because all the other elements are minimal and plain jane.

Once again, it comes down to contrast. For this space, it’s contrasting the intense wallpaper with the minimal layers.

VIA BHG

WALLPAPER SOURCES

With all that inspiration, are you looking to wallpaper a spot or entire room in your home? Not sure where to start looking for the right wallpaper to fit your style?

Here are 15 favorite sources for wallpaper…

GRAHAM AND BROWN
THIBAUT
HYGGE & WEST
GROW HOUSE GROW
CAVERN HOME
ANTHROPOLOGIE
WALNUT WALLPAPER
FARROW & BALL
CAITLIN WILSON
FERM LIVING
COLE & SON
JUJU PAPERS
SPOONFLOWER
ESKAYEL
SERENA & LILY

Interested in seeing where I’ve incorporated wallpaper into my home?

Check out my pad…

Dining Room / Kitchen – Anthropologie wallpaper

2nd floor bathroom – Serena & Lily wallpaper

Powder Room – Amy Butler wallpaper

Boys Bedroom – Graham and Brown ‘Frames’ wallpaper

I’m on the hunt for the next wall or room to wallpaper.

Are you ready to start wallpapering?

Bathroom Makeover: Installing Wallpaper {Day 17}

Written by Jenna on November 20, 2014. Posted in Bathroom Makeover, DIY, Wallpaper. 2 Comments on Bathroom Makeover: Installing Wallpaper {Day 17}

If you follow along with me on Instagram, then you may have seen a few sneak peeks of the next phase of the Bathroom Remodel… the WALLPAPER! Tile is done (well mostly) and after 17 days of cutting, grouting, tiling, I never want to touch another tile again in my life. Now we know that’s not true. But in all honesty, it was a big job. Totally doable for any skill level, but just time consuming!

As I move forward with this Bathroom Makeover in 30 Days Challenge, the walls are now adorned with pure beautiful.

Take a look…

Can we say dynamic?! What do you think??

The evolution of this bathroom has been quite interesting. Every moment I think I am leaning one direction, I end up going the opposite way. Such as life, I guess. Originally my plan was to go basic and neutral for the base elements, and then add pops of color and interest with layers. Before tiling, I painted over the previous yellow paint color with a neutral greige. Once the white tile went up, it felt boring. It wasn’t a reflection of my design style or the home we’ve created. It needed something… Then I found the wallpaper.

This wallpaper by Serena and Lily gave the perfect amount of eye-catching intrigue without overwhelming the space. There is still a lot of whites + neutrals, and with the other elements I have planned, it’s going to be my next favorite space.

So on to the install…

I’ve wallpapered areas in my home before including the powder room and my son’s bedroom. Both were one wall projects and didn’t involve a lot of cutting. When working with a tight space that has lots of nooks, crannies, and crevices, it can get a bit tricky.

Differently from the other walls I’ve used wallpaper on, I never before used a wallpaper paste. A discussion started a few weeks back on a picture I shared on Instagram about using wallpaper primer. An expert chimed in strongly suggesting using wallpaper primer before wallpapering, ” You can install wallpaper without primer if you have smooth walls, however, it’s going to be a pain later when when you want to remove it. If you prime your walls, the wallpaper will roll down in long flowing strips. If you don’t prime, the drywall comes off with the wallpaper in 6+ years.” My thought upon this input… USE WALLPAPER PRIMER.

I chose this clear wallpaper primer at Lowe’s and the gallon was about $16. I used the smallest amount so a little goes a long way. I wish they sold it in smaller amounts, but o well.

I poured the primer into a paint tray and using a roller, I applied it to the walls. You really only need a thin coat because it is watery. I found after a few minutes some of the primer dripping down the wall, so I took a cloth and dabbed it so it wouldn’t harden.

In about 3 hours, it was dry and ready to wallpaper. I waited till the next morning to start though…

Supplies for Wallpapering

Wallpaper
Wallpaper Paste
Smoothing Tool
Sharp Razor or blade
Other handy tools for wallpapering are: a tape measure, a laser level, a pencil

How-To Wallpaper

I started off at one edge of the wall and worked my way around the room from that point. Because I am planning on adding moulding at the top of the wall, and a tile trim piece at the bottom, measuring exactly wasn’t needed – phew! I measured about the length of the wall and cut my wallpaper with a scissor. Then I layed it on the floor so I could apply the paste.

Unlike with my previous wallpaper experiences, this time I applied the wallpaper paste to the back of the wallpaper as indicated on the instructions that came with the wallpaper. In the past, I put the paste directly on the wall, then adhered the paper. I wanted to see if this other method worked better (and in the end, it did!). Why? I felt that by adding the paste to the back of the wallpaper instead of applying the paste to the wall there resulted in less air bubbles and air pockets. The paper was easier to smooth out which avoided the paper from getting creased or damaged.

I applied a nice coating of wallpaper paste using an inexpensive paint brush.

Then I let the paper sit about 3 minutes (as the instructions stated) and aligned it on the wall.

Once I positioned it where I thought it look best, I used a long level (sorry no picture) and made sure it was vertically plumb. Once I had the paper in the right place, I used the smoothing tool to smooth out the paper from air bubbles and air pockets. It’s best to start in the center of the paper and work your way out to the edges.

Once the paper was smooth, it was time to move on to the next piece. I cut another piece of wallpaper length and then aligned it edge to edge with the previous piece. Never overlap the wallpaper.

Once it was smoothed out, I took a lint-free rag and cleaned off the paste from the seams. One reason that I love this paper is that is easily cleanable.

This damask looking wallpaper was really nice to work with and the quality was very good, but I was slightly unhappy with the design repeat when I went to align the edges. The design didn’t match exactly like it should and I was bummed about it. I tried my best to line up the design to make it look right. Thankfully the pattern is so busy that you don’t really notice.

Once I had the 2 sheets up, I was feeling really confident in my work. I continued around the room and then I came to my first obstacle… the corner and the door.

For this area, I used the old method of applying the paste to the wall because I was afraid if I didn’t, the paste would get on everything – door, tile, etc. To start, I measured and trimmed the paper leaving lots of extra on the edges. Then I put it in place and trimmed again until the size of the paper fit the exact space.

I had a few other obstacles to overcome like the outlets, the switches, and the light. I typically use a scissor or a sharp blade to cut the paper.

Before I knew it, a few hours later, all the walls were covered and the wallpapering process was complete.

A recap of the before & in-progress now.

Whats up next?

The moulding at the top + the tile trim around the shower & walls…

As you can see, this new bathroom space is surely NOT going to be boring. I can’t wait to finish it up and finally use it. Even though there are lots of little things still to do, I am thrilled with the direction that it is taking.

The installation of this dynamic wallpaper took about 5 hours on one day

Follow along on this bathroom remodel with these other posts
Plan of Action {Day 1}
Demo: Removal + Installation of the Tub & Walls {Day 2-4}
How-To Tile + Grout the Bathroom Walls {Day 5-16}
Installing Wallpaper {Day 17}
Adding a Tile Accent Border {Day 18}
Creating a Tiled Niche {Day 19 + 20}

Coming up (still to do)
Details: Moulding, Lighting, Accessories
Finishing Touches
Bathroom Remodel Reveal

{Day 17} Wallpaper â€“ Complete! 13 more days to goâ€¦

This post is sponsored by Loweâ€™s, but all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. I am thrilled (and a bit nervous) about tackling this project, but very excited to be partnering with Loweâ€™s on creating an entirely new bathroom space. Iâ€™d love for you to follow along on this new project!

Check out more of my posts on wallpapering

[Frames Wallpaper in my son’s bedroom]

[Amy Butler Wallpaper in my Powder Room]

Bathroom Makeover: Plan of Action {Day 1}

Written by Jenna on October 29, 2014. Posted in Bathroom, DIY, Paint, Renovations, Tile, Wallpaper. 4 Comments on Bathroom Makeover: Plan of Action {Day 1}

I’m at it again… another project! And this is a biggie. I know, I know…. I haven’t even waited 0.05 seconds before starting something new, but this project has been in the works for over a year and I’m thrilled that my thoughts + ideas are actually coming to fruition! So the next big remodel… the hall/kids bathroom.

This bathroom got a mini DIY revamp about 3 years ago, but it’s been used & abused by two kiddos, so it was time to put my design expertise to work and create a space that would handle the everyday splashes & wear of two busy bees.

Of course, I can’t start the remodel without a plan of action. So here it is. My creative vision board for the new bathroom space…

I’m thrilled to be partnering with Lowe’s on this bathroom renovation and they’ve put me to the test to create a dynamic, on-trend space using their in-stock products (items that can be found in store versus online). My vision for this revamp is to mix my design style of classic eclectic – classic for the background with bold elements layered in! Since the tile is the dominate feature (shower + 3′ up all the walls) in this bathroom, that’s where I started…

My design philosophy when creating any space is to go classic for the elements that are expensive and/or difficult to change. Similar to buying a sofa (which I typically go neutral in color and pattern), I wanted a tile that could “live” a long time… I DO NOT plan on changing the tile in a year or two (or even 5), so it had to be something that I would like now & in the future. There is nothing more classic and beautiful than 3 x 6 subway tile. The bonus, it’s only .22 cents a tile – one of the least expensive Lowe’s has. But (there’s always a but), I wanted something more. I needed to create a wow-factor. So along with the classic subway tile, I am also going to incorporate a gorgeous herringbone carrara marble. Crossing my fingers that it looks as good on the wall as I envision it in my head {squeal}.

But you all know me, I need color somehow, someway. That’s where the layers in the space come in. I’ve selected a dynamic wallpaper that is really give an incredible contract against the classic white subway. It’s bold. It’s unexpected. It’s me.

The classic and the bold are covered! The other elements in this new proposed bathroom are all going to enhance the beautiful classic and bold selections. The old builder-grade vanity will be headed curbside and a new, more modern vanity in an espresso finish will be installed in it’s place. For the lighting, I wanted to introduce another unexpected element and chose an oversized single exterior industrial-style light fixture.

Here’s the catch… I’m doing 95% of this bathroom renovation on my own. I’m crazy, right?! Nutso, but I’m determined. The part that I will not be tackling is the install of the new tub and shower components. The mister nor I have ever installed a tub or shower fittings and are too nervous to tackle it on our own and want to avoid any possible leaks. We know when to call in the pros and the tub install is not within our skill-set. I am sure we could do it, but who wants to take the chance? Not Us! Beyond that though, it’s all on me. Tile, toilet, vanity, lighting… All DIY baby!

Since this bathroom makeover is almost an entirely DIY job, it’s going to take longer than typical, so our goal is to tackle it in 30 days. 30 days start to finish, complete! Can we do it? Let’s see. I hope you’ll follow along on another crazy DIY adventure…

{Day 1} Plan on Action – Complete! 29 more days to go…

From start to finish, these are all the posts pertaining to this bathroom remodel
Plan of Action
Demo: Removal + Installation of the Tub & Walls
How-To Tile + Grout the Bathroom Walls
Installing Wallpaper
Adding a Tile Accent Border
Creating a Tiled Niche
Bathroom Makeover Reveal
Resources

This post is sponsored by Lowe’s, but all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. I am thrilled (and a bit nervous) about tackling this project, but very excited to be partnering with Lowe’s on creating an entirely new bathroom space. Iâ€™d love for you to follow along on this new project!

How-To Hang Wallpaper Like a Pro!

Written by Jenna on March 11, 2014. Posted in DIY, Wallpaper. 7 Comments on How-To Hang Wallpaper Like a Pro!

If you follow me on Instagram – my favorite place on the web to share snippets throughout my day – then you know I had a busy weekend wallpapering. The kids room took a design turn after we found out a few weeks ago that baby #3 is going to be a girl. In the end, as a family, we decided the kids will stay in the rooms they are currently in and the girls will eventually share a room once the baby is ready to move in. So what does that mean?? Design changes! The room that was going to be a shared boy / girl room was no longer needed. Since we had already started on the transformation for my little guy, it meant we had to continue chugging along. And let me tell ya, he’s a happy camper!

After choosing a new paint color (Benjamin Moore Hazy Skies) that I was very unsure of, because it was way lighter of a color than I’m used to, I am now thrilled with the decision. Why? Because I’ve been adding in colors in other ways. Layers, my friends! Layers are huge and in a kids room, books and toys add an amazing pop! BUT, I was in need of more. Yes more! And that more resulted in a fun + unique wallpaper for the focal window wall that instantly turned the entire 12′ width into a photo gallery wall…

How fun is that?! And before we go any further, I want to give you a peak at the before and after…

I want to show you more of the room because it’s turning out pretty fantastic, but I can’t. That’s to come – pinky swear!

This incredible wallpaper is made by Taylor & Wood through Graham & Brown and it truly brings a wall to life. I knew I wanted to do something fun on this focal wall. Originally I was thinking a stencil, but this is way better. So let’s jump right into how I installed it…

How-To Hang Wallpaper… LIKE A PRO!

Similar to the last time I hung wallpaper in the powder room, this paper was also NOT pre-pasted (wallpaper that has paste and is activated with only water). After wallpapering a few areas in my home, I have found that higher-quality wallpapers typically are not pre-pasted, so instead a paste has to be added. I actually think the paste is easier to use than putting the paper through water. I wrote a tutorial a long time ago on How-To Hang Prepasted Wallpaper, if you want to check that out.

Supplies:

Wallpaper
Wallpaper Paste
Smoothing Took
Sharp Razor or blade
Other handy tools for wallpapering are: a tape measure, a laser level, a pencil

The Steps:

1. To start off, I found it best to measure the wall and cut a piece of wallpaper the length of the wall + an additional 6-8″ for extra at the top (ceiling) and bottom (floor).

a little helper is always fun + keeps you entertained!

2. I wasn’t worried about centering the paper on the wall for this project (in the powder room I did) and started at the left most edge of the wall. When hanging wallpaper, I find it best to add the best directly to the wall, THEN add the paper. I used a cheap $1 brush to add enough paste to cover the width of the wallpaper (not the entire wall).

3. Once the paste is in place, then I started at the ceiling (adding about 2-3″ extra paper to trim), I hung the paper making sure to match the seam of the adjacent paper. NEVER overlap the paper.

4. When the paper initially adheres to the wall, there are always bumps and wrinkles. No worries. Simply smooth them out with the plastic smoothing tool. Itâ€™s best to start at the top and move down the wall, as well as from the center of the paper and smooth out towards the edges. You want to press firmly, but not too hard so all the glue seeps out. Alittle glue seepage is okay and expected.

5. Cutting around windows, doors, and outlets. Thought to be tricky, but really not. For the large window, I added the paste to the wall. Then I hung the paper temporarily (very lightly) and trimmed the paper around the window using a scissor, leaving about 2 extra inches for trimming. Once I cut the paper, THEN I went back and adhered the wallpaper to the wall properly.

Here is a picture of me trimming the wallpaper around an outlet. I used a sharp razor, cutting a small hole at the outlet and trimmed so the entire outlet was exposed. The paper was wrinkled, but I smoothed it out after the hole was cut.

CONFESSION: totally my opinion... Wallpaper is kind of like giving birth (that’s all I thought about throughout the process). Going into it, your excited and ready to do “the work”. You’re in the midst of it cheering yourself on. Then there are some snags along the way and you start to get frustrated and defeated. The end is almost near. You’re exhausted and your patience is done. AND it’s over. All is beautiful and you can sit back and relax. After a few days, the memories start to fade and within no time, you think back that it wasn’t so bad after all. Until the next time…

Anyway, let’s move on. Obviously you know where this prego girls head is.

Here are some pictures mid-project (the moments when exhaustion started to set in).

And the result once finished. The part of enjoyment…

I started to jazz up the wall by hanging a few real picture frames over the “frames”. It started to bring in some color and dimension! I used a few pieces of command strips to keep the frames in place instead of nailing them to the wall.

We (meaning my son + I) have a lot more ideas for making this wall even better. In the meantime though (after hours of joyous wallpaper hanging) a few pictures and frames did the trick for fun.

I even added some hooks for hanging a few hats and metals.

So there you have it. A 2 in 1. A tutorial on how-to hang wallpaper + a fun & unique way to create an instant photo gallery wall. A LOT more is happening in this room to make it suit the style of my little guy. More to come soon…

Powder Room Remodel: Repairing Wall and Hanging Wallpaper

Written by Jenna on May 14, 2013. Posted in DIY, Wallpaper. 5 Comments on Powder Room Remodel: Repairing Wall and Hanging Wallpaper

Between baseball, a birthday party, and celebrating Mother’s Day (shout out to all the moms out there – hope you had a great day), there was very little time to actually get anything major accomplished on the DIY homefront this weekend. BUT, somehow with 5 minutes here and 10 minutes there, I was able to squeeze in a few trips to Lowe’s (for supplies) and a few moments to hang wallpaper. And thankfully with those spare moments, I actually got alot done and I feel like I’m making progress – even though it’s slow.

Since announcing the plans for the powder room and sharing details on the removal of the toilet and pedestal sink, the room has really taken a drastic turn – for the good. When I left you last, there was a huge hole in the wall from where the tile backsplash was removed and the wall colors were still orange and beige. Well not anymore.

Before I could even think about wallpapering, the hole had to be repaired. I’ll admit, I haven’t had the best of luck patching holes and achieving a flawless finish. It’s definitely an art. I’m good, but not great. (need a great tutorial on patching holes in the wall? check out Sawdust Girl). THANKFULLY, most of the hole will be covered with the new vanity, so I wasn’t super obsessed with making it perfect and smooth. To start, I grabbed a 2′ x 2′ piece of sheetrock from Lowe’s, cut it to fit tightly in the hole (a tight fit is key), and spackled the edges. This isn’t the best way of patching a hole, but it’s the lazy way I took – again because I know it’ll be covered with the vanity.

It took a few days for multiple thin layers of spackle and drying time before I could give the wall a good sanding. The hand sander gave a really nice smooth finished surface.

Once the walls were smooth and clean, I was able to paint and wallpaper the room.

I started out with painting the corners and edges at the window and door of the 3 non-wallpapered walls.

The color is Blue Mystery by Valspar and it’s almost an exact match to the background color of the wallpaper. Even though it’s blue, it has a deep purple / violet hue. It’s actually a very different blue than my office, but with the foyer in between the two spaces, you can’t notice the differing tones.

Once the walls were done, it was time to get down and dirty with wallpapering!

How-To Wallpaper using Paste

I had thought the wallpaper I chose was a pre-pasted wallpaper (wallpaper that has paste and is activated with water) but when I added water to the back of my sample piece, I quickly learned it wasn’t. So this was my first time wallpapering using paste. I was apprehensive at first, but it actually wasn’t at all as difficult as I thought it would be. I wrote a tutorial a long time ago on How-To Hang Prepasted Wallpaper, if you want to check that out.

Supplies:

Wallpaper of your choice. I chose Amy Butler Lacework in Midnight.
Wallpaper Paste
Smoothing Took
Sharp Razor or blade
Other handy tools for wallpapering are: a tape measure, a laser level, a pencil

1. To start, I found the center of the wall and made a mark. Then knowing the width of the roll (20.2″), I determined how far over the edge would need to start (1/2 of the overall which is 10.1″). I made another mark and used my laser level to make marks all the way up the wall (which will be the location for the edge of the wallpaper).

2. After determining where the wallpaper edge would be placed, I added the wallpaper paste to the center section of the wall using a brush.

* There are several techniques to hanging wallpaper, but I thought it would be best to follow the steps that came with my wallpaper roll. Another method that is readily used is to apply the paste to the wallpaper back, fold over both ends of the strip (being careful not to crease the paper) so that they meet in the middle. This gives the paste a chance to activate. Again, the instructions with my wallpaper said to apply the paste directly to the wall, which is what I did. If you want to see more on the other application, I found this helpful step by step method.

3. After the paste was applied, I took the end of the wallpaper roll (leaving about 3″ extra at the top) and adhered it to the wall aligning the edge with the mark I made on the wall. Then continued to roll it out down the wall.

4. As I was adhering the paper to the wall, I used the smoothing tool to eliminate the bumps, wrinkles, and air bubbles. It’s best to start at the top and move down the wall, as well as from the center of the paper and smooth out towards the edges. You want to press firmly, but not too hard so all the glue seeps out. Alittle glue seepage is okay and expected.

5. Once the first panel was hung, it was time to hang the second adjacent sheet. The same steps should be taken, but this time it’ll be key to align the seams so the design / pattern matches (especially with the paper I was using).

photo credit: my 7 year old!

6. Once the paper is up and in place, it’s time to trim – the ceiling, edges, and base. Using a sharp blade / razor, follow the crease / edge and gently cut the paper. It might be damp from the paste, so try not to pull the paper because it’ll rip. Scissors also help.

I also had to trim around the light fixture… that’s to come.

And the result is…

…a beautiful, bold focal wall!

The quality of this paper is amazing. Comparing it to the previous time when I wallpapered, this paper is alot heavier which hides many of the imperfections on the wall – score!

Not to shabby going from this… to this…

Plan of Action for #powderroomremodel:

~~Choose and buy sink~~
~~Choose and buy toilet~~
~~Choose and buy faucet~~
~~Remove sink~~
~~Remove toilet~~
~~Repair hole with new sheetrock~~
~~Repair floor @ sink and toilet~~
~~Hang wallpaper~~
~~Paint~~
Add crown moulding (yes, my 1st moulding ever)
~~Assemble sink~~
Install sink and faucet
Install toilet
Accessorize â€“ mirror, pictures, etc.

7 items crossed off the list since last time. Now that’s progress!

But there’s still more to come. Stay Tuned.

Have you ever hung wallpaper? What method did you use? Was it pre-paste or the kind where you had to add the paste?

Tutorial: How to Hang Wallpaper

Written by Jenna on February 11, 2011. Posted in Decorating, DIY, Mom Cave, Tutorial, Wallpaper.

For the past few weeks, I’ve been sharing my many recent basement updates with you and today I’ve got another one….

{How to Hang Wallpaper}

The basement had been the one space in my home that was in major need of sprucing up, hence my many recent DIY project posts. Last week, I debuted my new Mom Cave / Craft Area that I recently created on a slim budget, and received some amazing and encouraging comments. BUT, before the new desk went into place and the new shelving was hung, I wanted to give wallpapering a try (this was my first wallpapering experience ~ I know, crazy…who hasn’t hung wallpaper before?!). I didn’t wallpaper the entire room, just certain walls that were in need of drama and some added interest. Let’s take a look ~

Supplies

Spackle (for repairing any holes & imperfections in the wall)
Sandpaper
Wallcovering Smoothing Brush and/or Wallcovering SmoothingTool (I recommend the smoothing tool over the brush ~ which you will see in the picture below)
Wallcovering Water Bucket
Level
Tape Measure
Sharp blade
Scissors (to cut wallpaper)
And, lastly but certainly not least ~ Your Wallpaper of choice!

{Step by Step Tutorial}

Most everyone has used regular white spackle to fill a hole or repair a damaged wall. And in those moments, have you asked yourself, Is the surface dry yet? Am I ready to sand? This spackle product by Dap gives you the answer ~ the spackle in the container is pink (it was a bit weird to look at) and when it’s dry and ready for sanding, it’ll magically turn completely white (like typical spackle). No wondering or questions needed!

The most important part of wallpapering (I’m sharing this with you because I found out the hard way) is to make sure your wall is a perfect palette (meaning no holes, no bumps, no nails, etc). One of the reasons, I intended to use wallpaper was to hide imperfections in the wall. That didn’t happen. Every bump will show through.
So let’s get started:

Step 1: Once your wall is completely prepped, you are ready to start hanging the wallpaper. I used a prepasted wallpaper, which means all I had to do was apply water to the back. PLEASE, read the instructions carefully for the specific wallpaper you choice for your space ~ the direction for installation may be different!

I first measured and cut my wallpaper piece to fit the size of the wall, leaving a little extra on the top and bottom. Then I was ready to go. With the prepasted wallpaper, I dragged it through the Wallcovering Water Bucket until the entire wallpaper backing was covered and wet.

Step 2: Once the wallpaper is entirely wet, fold over the glue sides on each other (as shown above) and let it sit for 5-8 minutes. This will activate the glue.

Step 3: You’re ready to apply the wallpaper to the wall. I started the installation from the center of the wall and worked my way out to the edge. Depending on the space and pattern of your wallpaper, you may want to start in the center of the wall or at the wall edge. Make sure the wallpaper is plumb by using a level.

Step 4: Once your wallpaper is up, start to smooth it out with your Wallcovering Smoothing Tools. This will truly adhere the wallpaper to the wall and give you a smooth surface/finish. The ooey-gooey glue will start to come out the sides (as seen in the picture above)

You are ready for your next piece of wallpaper. Note: Do not overlap edges! This is SO important… I did it at first, and had to remove the wallpaper (which was easy to do ~ at least you have some flexibility with the application).

Step 5: Once your wallpaper is completely hung and dry (if the paper is not dry, it could tear ~ happened to me ), trim the overlapping edges with a sharp razor.

This is the edge where the wallpaper meets the painted wall. Use a sharp blade to trim the extra wallpaper for a crisp, clean cut.

These are the specific instructions that came with my wallpaper. My tutorial above gives a general idea of how to install wallpaper, but it is important to follow the exact directions for your wallpaper of choice.

It went from this…

To this….

{Complete}

This is how the completed wallpapered wall looks. This is the wall (that had major imperfections before) that is at the landing of the basement. Believe me, it’s still not perfect, but it is SOOO much better than how it was. I really disliked opening the basement door before, but now I often open it to sneak-a-peak at this pretty ensemble!

I had been looking for a wallpaper with a simple, yet elegant design. Even though my new wallcovering is in the basement, I wanted to bring the space up-a-notch and to make it feel as special as the rest of the house! I looked… and looked… and looked… I searched high and low to find something that would be affordable and stylish, and then it happened…

{it was love at first sight}

I truly love the quatrefoil design and never made a purchase so fast. If this wallpaper appeals to you as well, {here} is the info.

If you haven’t had a chance to check out my NEW Mom Cave / Craft Area, here are a few pictures of that space with the new wallpaper.

To see the entire look of the new Craft Area and detailed pictures of how I created this space, check it out {here}.

Wallpaper can be a guaranteed show stopper! The vast selection of wallpapers that are available today, can completely transform any space from blah to beautiful! I am very happy with the result of 1st wallpapering attempt…I can now say that I am no longer a {Wallpaper Virgin}! The thought of putting up wallpaper can be a bit daunting, but take your time and have patience…the end result is worth it. One of my first posts was on my love for wallpaper ~ take a look {here}.

Are you planning on putting up wallpaper in one of your spaces?

Have you hung wallpaper before? If so, what was your experience and how was the outcome?

Tutorial: How to Hang Wallpaper

Written by Jenna on February 11, 2011. Posted in Decorating, DIY, Mom Cave, Tutorial, Wallpaper. 13 Comments on Tutorial: How to Hang Wallpaper

For the past few weeks, I’ve been sharing my many recent basement updates with you and today I’ve got another one….

{How to Hang Wallpaper}

Supplies

Spackle (for repairing any holes & imperfections in the wall)
Sandpaper
Wallcovering Smoothing Brush and/or Wallcovering SmoothingTool (I recommend the smoothing tool over the brush ~ which you will see in the picture below)
Wallcovering Water Bucket
Level
Tape Measure
Sharp blade
Scissors (to cut wallpaper)
And, lastly but certainly not least ~ Your Wallpaper of choice!

{Step by Step Tutorial}

Step 2: Once the wallpaper is entirely wet, fold over the glue sides on each other (as shown above) and let it sit for 5-8 minutes. This will activate the glue.

Step 5: Once your wallpaper is completely hung and dry (if the paper is not dry, it could tear ~ happened to me ), trim the overlapping edges with a sharp razor.

This is the edge where the wallpaper meets the painted wall. Use a sharp blade to trim the extra wallpaper for a crisp, clean cut.

It went from this…

To this….

{Complete}

{it was love at first sight}

I truly love the quatrefoil design and never made a purchase so fast. If this wallpaper appeals to you as well, {here} is the info.

If you haven’t had a chance to check out my NEW Mom Cave / Craft Area, here are a few pictures of that space with the new wallpaper.

To see the entire look of the new Craft Area and detailed pictures of how I created this space, check it out {here}.

Are you planning on putting up wallpaper in one of your spaces?

Have you hung wallpaper before? If so, what was your experience and how was the outcome?