Wallpaper is not just something used in Victorian style houses.  Today, it is more popular than ever before.  It comes in a variety of textures and can have a unique design, created and printed for your specific taste and style.

Origin of wallpaper

It is claimed that wallpaper originates as far back as 200 B.C. The Chinese created paper and glued rice paper to their walls with flowers and bird patterns. Much later in the 16^th century, in Europe, it was used inside cupboards and in smaller houses – not in the grand houses of the rich. But Marie Antoinette covered the walls of Versailles with fabric and wallpaper during her stay there during the 1780’s.

Maximum effect

There is a never-ending variety available of colours, patterns, bold, bright, or subtle.  No one understands the power of wallpaper until you experience it first-hand.   It has a magical effect much stronger than even large wall art.  It changes a dull room in something straight from an art magazine.

Wallpaper instantly gives a room depth and adds interest

Different ways to use wallpaper

• The most obvious place where to use wallpaper, is as an accent wall in a living room, dining room or bedroom. Use it on a wall that will naturally draw the eye, towards a fireplace for instance.
• The most classic, is to cover all the walls in a room.
• Half of the wall on the bottom or top section can be covered in wallpaper and ideally then separated by a chair rail from the other half. A classic look is to cover the top half in wallpaper and the bottom half in painted wooden paneling.
• If you are brave enough, you can cover two different wallpapers on the bottom and top half of a wall. Be careful and choose patterns that compliments each other instead of fighting for attention.
• Ceilings are usually painted white, but what about covering it in wallpaper? The ceiling is also called the 5^th wall by some and wallpaper here should be bright and bold.
• Wallpaper the inside or back of a cupboard or bookshelf.

Application of wallpaper

If you are a natural DIY’er, then go ahead and install your own wallpaper, but if you have 10 thumbs, rather get a professional to do it for you. Wallpaper is expensive and you don’t want to apply it to your wall in a sloppy way.

Tips on how to install wallpaper:

The secret is a smooth and clean wall….

• Freshly plastered walls need to be sealed with a universal undercoat at least.
• Buy glue for wallpaper from your local hardware store, a paint brush to apply the glue and a squeegee to gently push the glue out.
• Check the layout of wallpaper design before you begin.
• Apply glue evenly with the paint brush to the reverse side of the wallpaper or wall
• Hang the first piece of wallpaper close to the corner and work your way around.
• Apply wallpaper to the wall and make sure you smoothen out all bubbles/bumps with your squeegee.
• Please double check that the wallpaper is applied to the wall in a straight and smooth line(level) when you start with the first panel.
• Work carefully, don’t chase the bus!

Have fun with wallpaper!

Frame it

Wallpaper your staircase

Zoosh up your drawers

 

 Add wallpaper to your stairs or even in a cupboard.

So where are you going to apply wallpaper first?  Your bedroom, entrance, hallway, living room, kitchen, powder room, nursery….

Come on, be brave!