Wallpaper Wisdom - Not for Walls
Written by Ray Munn LtdContrary with its name, some people think wallpaper is not for walls anymore. There are myriads of ways to utilize wallpaper other than putting it up on your walls.
Its intricate design, vibrant colours, and detail are some of the things that are quite difficult to duplicate using paint. These characteristics make the humble wallpaper an excellent choice if you wish to add more whimsy to a room or just a piece of furniture. Here are a couple of ideas for some wallpaper projects you can enjoy with your family.
Refurbish your furniture. You can use wallpaper to re-design your old cabinets, dressers, or table tops. This is possible by using some basic techniques similar to the process used in making a decoupage. For this article, let us say that you wish to apply the wallpaper on a bedside table. First, get the measurements of the top of a bedside table and plot it on the wallpaper, or simply turn the table upside down onto the wallpaper, trace it on the wallpaper using a pencil, and cut it out. Second, clean the surface using a damp cloth, wipe off the table top and let it dry. Third, spread some glue on the surface using a paint brush to achieve a relatively even coat. Next, carefully place the piece of wallpaper that you already cut out. When you have placed it properly (meaning, it should have minimal overhang on the sides of the table top), use a brayer (which looks like a tiny rolling pin or paint roller) or a dry cloth to smooth out the wallpaper. Do this in a radial fashion, starting in the middle and dragging the brayer or cloth towards you. Let the glue dry completely before applying at least two coats of a sealant, like a polyurethane gloss for a shiny finish. You can also do this technique on the front panel of dresser drawers, or on the frames of pictures and mirrors.
Instant artwork. As mentioned earlier, most wallpaper designs are very intricate, aside from its amazing detail and vibrant colours. You can use scraps of old wallpaper for this project, too. This will also make great use of chipped plates, weakened food trays, or old photo frames. Choose a piece of wallpaper with an interesting pattern. Choosing a pattern could go both ways, whether it completely contrasts your wall colour, or it should blend in really well with the room’s colour palette or shades. Simply the shape of the object you have chosen on the wallpaper and cut it out. You can also use craft scissors to cut out the shapes from the wallpaper to add extra charm on the piece. Before mounting the wallpaper on the plate or tray or frames, wipe them first with a damp cloth. For the frame, simply slide in the piece of wallpaper where the photo usually goes and it is ready to be displayed on your wall. For other objects, brush some glue on the surface and lay the cut out wallpaper on top. Use a dry cloth to smooth out the wallpaper onto the plate or tray. Let the glue dry completely and then apply a coat of sealant. For light objects, two strips of double sided tape would be enough to hang it on the wall. For heavier objects, you might want to use a string to hang it like a painting. A cluster of small artworks like this can add extra charm to any room.
Related Articles
Leave a comment
Make sure you enter the (*) required information where indicated.
Basic HTML code is allowed.




