I moved into a new place just before Christmas. It’s a new build and one of the most exciting parts about moving in was the prospect of having a blank canvas on which to put my imagination onto decor wise.
I have to be honest and say that in the past I’ve always been a bit wary of using wallpaper at home. When I was 18 I helped a friend decorate a house and there was a noticeable gap running all the way between each sheet of wallpaper when we’d finished, which didn’t go down to well with the customer when we went to go and get paid.
I have to say there has been a lot of advancements since then in the world of decorations and the different textures and designs you can get now have made me really consider giving it another go to give my new build home a bit of character.
Before I started I thought it might be a good idea to enlist an expert for some advice and tips. Who could I ask? The most sensible choice was to go to the source and I found none other than Nicki Baldwin, Senior Product Manager at Graham & Brown
What’s the easiest and fastest way to remove wallpaper in an old house?
Every house and wall are different. Removing wallpaper takes time and effort. Depending on how long the wallpaper has been up and with what adhesive, some may take longer than others to remove. We would advise using water and leaving to soak for up to 10 minutes and remove with a wall stripper.
How do you hang wallpaper?
Again every wall is different and preparation of the wall is key. Before attempting any wallpapering the wall surface should be cleaned and smoothed out as much as possible. It would be advised to use a liner paper first as this hide any wall cracks or deformities of the wall and also help to hang the wallpaper over.
Why is my paint bubbling on my walls?
If painting over wallpaper it is advised that the wallpaper is left to dry for a number of days. This will prevent any moisture coming through the paper when painting. It is advised that a matt emulsion paint is used. We have a large selection of paintable super fresco products available.
How can I decorate my room inexpensively?
All our Graham and Brown branded wallpapers are printed on a paste the wall substrate meaning you can put it up yourself meaning no extra installation costs. Quick and easy to apply to the wall, so easy you can change your space as often as your wardrobe.
How to Paint – how many coats of each?
We would recommend 2 coats of paint to be used unless the colour underneath is a darker colour then you may need an extra coat. For a recommended finish use our primer and undercoat before starting your project.
Which paint should I use on wood?
You can use both our Durable Matt Emulsion and the Resistance finish. Primer and undercoat also provides a perfect base to the project.
Will wearing clothes that match the wallpaper make it easier to leave the house without my wife noticing?
Absolutely and if the wallpaper is from Graham and Brown you’re sure to be bang on trend too, double bonus!!
For more info on hanging wallpaper and to check out their awesome wallpaper murals visit www.grahambrown.com
This feature was written in conjunction with Graham & Brown, but all thoughts are my own.