have you ever wallpapered?

wallpapering for the first time in 30+ years

For years I have been trying to convince my husband that we should wallpaper one of our walls. We have a wall right in the middle of our living room that would be just perfect. I had visions of chinoiserie patterns dancing like sugar plums inside my head, but I'm about to embark on a stained glass project for my stairs (you can just see them off to the side in some of the pictures) and I thought it might be a bit much. 


I resigned myself to never trying the wallpaper trend - but then we went to our local giant hardware store and they had a little section of wallpaper samples. Lots of pretty patterns that looked a bit "much" for what I wanted, but there were some subtle ones too - including a soft cream with little glitter sparkles in it. Did someone say GLITTER?! I coaxed my husband over for a look and nearly fainted when he said he quite liked it and wouldn't mind having a go at putting some up (be still my beating heart). Seeing he'd be hanging it while I supervised, it was good that he was so keen.

wallpapering for the first time in 30+ years

So we purchased a couple of rolls of 'Disco Pearl' by Graham and Brown, and a paste kit (paste, roller, brush, tray, smoother) and moved a little bit of furniture - mixed up some paste (under supervision from our sticky beaked (literally) cat who had to check it all out. Fortunately she decided not to taste test after poking her nose in.

wallpapering for the first time in 30+ years

Today's wallpaper is a far cry from the wallpapering of 30+ years ago, when we last had a try at the process. No rolling out sheets of paper on a table and painting glue on the back and then trying to put the slightly soggy mess up against the wall.....today you actually just roll some of the paste onto the wall, then starting at the top, roll the paper down the wall and cut it off at the bottom. Smooth over the surface and it's onto the next piece.


One hour later we (hard working husband + supervising wife and cat) had a two metre wall finished (including around the power point) and it was dry and smooth and not a drop of mess in sight. It was completely pain free - the furniture was moved back, picture re-hung and time for a cuppa to admire the result.


It is hard to tell the difference in dull light - it's a very similar colour to our other painted walls, but turn on a light (or bring on some sunshine) and all the little sparkles come out - like a winter wonderland! You can see the sparkles a little bit in the picture above. The whole process was so easy that we're looking at where we can use the left over length - I'm trying to control myself from papering the whole house!

24 comments

  1. Leanne! You just solved my half-of-a-blood-red-room problem! Okay, let me back up. First of all, your wallpaper is gorgeous! I can actually see the sparkle in the photograph. Now, you know that I'm doing an office makeover. Well, my office is a clean, white, blank slate...on the top half. The previous owner painted the half of the room below the chair rail a horrible bloody red (and not evenly either). I've never changed it (almost 8 years now) because I hate to paint and I helped my mother wallpaper 30 years ago and promised I'd never do that in life again. You just totally turned that around with this fortuitous post! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

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    1. I now expect to see photographic evidence Regina! I can just see your walls in my mind's eye and getting rid of the blood red without having to sand or mask or undercoat does sound like the answer - especially when you only have to do half a wall - no ladders needed :)

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  2. That is beautiful wallpaper, very subtle indeed. It's great when you master a DIY, it makes one feel a little bit like an expert, lol. You clearly have great supervisory skills;-) x #abitofeverything

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    1. thanks Kerry-Ann - I'm not the most creative person in the world so when we get something right it's a real bonus!

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  3. I didn't know you could just paste the wall! I usually cut a longer length, paste both the paper and the wall as it helps it slip easily and trim once in place. I suppose if there is a pattern you would still have to cut a length first. #abitofeverything

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    1. I think if there's a pattern you just make sure you start in the right place at the top and then roll it down and wiggle it a little to make sure it matches. I just loved that there was no soggy paper or tears (that could be the crying ones or the torn paper ones - or both!)

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  4. Very pretty, and even better that you did it yourselves!

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    1. thanks Sharon - it was so much easier than we remembered from the "good old days!"

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  5. We could all use a little bling on our walls this time of year! Way to do it yourself. I was in tears years ago stripping an ENTIRE house of wallpaper in our new house, so personally, I'll never deal with that stuff again as long as I live.

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    1. We stripped several walls many years ago too Julie - and used the scrapper and the sandpaper block etc to try to get all the bits off. These new ones just peel off - you free up a corner and pull gently and off it comes - YAY!

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  6. Oooh I have always wanted to wallpaper but been too scared. This has given me some confidence to maybe try it. Watch this space! #bloggersclubuk

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    1. what I liked is that it now peels off again - so if we change our mind down the road we don't have to dig out the scraper and the soaker and the sandpaper - Yay!

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  7. Wow - that does look simple! I have never done any wallpapering as I always remember my parents with the wallpaper out and the sloppy glue that got everywhere - it always looked a nightmare! I LOVE the bit of sparkle in it - right up my street :) #BloggerClubUK

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    1. thanks Sara - nothing beats a touch of shimmer and sparkle - and I could never go back to the soggy wallpaper and sloppy paste days ever again. I think it turned off a whole generation!

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  8. Everything is better with a little sparkle! Bring that leftover paper on over here!

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    1. I know Patty! Sparkle just brings it to a whole new level doesn't it :) My only disappointment was that it didn't come in purple (my husband was hugely relieved!)

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  9. I love the sparkles, it looks so pretty! I think it's lovely to have a feature wall but I prefer this where it's a subtle change rather than a bold color or print. Thanks so much for linking up with #bloggerclubuk xx

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    1. I couldn't resist those little sparkles - when the sunlight hits them they're just gorgeous!

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  10. Very pretty. I have never used wallpaper. Maybe I ought to think about it.

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    1. We swore off it after stripping some back years ago and trying another type that shrunk and left little gaps. This was really simple and apparently just peels off one entire sheet at a time - bonus!

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  11. I have never wallpapers, if I'm honest - the thought of wallpapering makes me nervous! You did a great job though! Thanks so much for linking up with #MMWBH

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    1. It was a bit scary but we figured the wall was small enough to take a risk and have a go at it - turned out to be a lot simpler than we imagined!

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  12. I wouldn't touch foil or stripes or a pattern - too tricky and to combine all three you must have be the eternal optimist! No wonder you're steering clear of it now.

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  13. It looks and sounds wonderful Leanne. I too was like you. I went into our local Homebase to get some samples and was amazed at the range of wallpapers on offer. I got so many glittery samples. I'm like you a complete magpie when it comes to glitter. I can't wait until we move into our new house and I can decorate. Sparkly paper at the ready!

    Sally @ Life Loving
    #LifeLovingLinkie

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