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Wallpaper, say Colin and Justin, is once again having a moment. Here’s their master class in getting it right…

Having recently attended a U.K. virtual conference hosted by the wall-coverings industry, we were reminded of the importance of paper as a decorating medium.

Choosing paper is one thing — and determining where it looks best is another — but affixing it to your walls is a different kettle of fish. Sorry, kettle of glue. As such, our papering pointers should help…

• Ensure surfaces are as smooth as possible. If existing walls are already covered in flat paper, you can, technically, work over this but we prefer to start from scratch. If bare plaster is sound, then you’re on to a winner. If not, it’s sensible to apply thick gauge lining paper before applying your choice of wallpaper.

• There are many types of paper. Blown vinyls and embossed designs make perfect sense when you’d like to add texture, and are better equipped to conceal existing irregularities. TIP: Ensure rolls share the same batch number to avoid shading issues. Check with your supplier that you can return unopened product and grab a little more than the estimate so you don’t run out.

• Be mindful of the fact that bare plaster will greedily absorb glue. To counter this, we brush walls with watered down adhesive to seal ahead of application. Okay, so it’s a little extra time, but so worth the effort.

• Pre pasted papers are garnering appeal as people look for easy-hang alternatives. Instead of applying adhesive to the paper, you roll paper with water to activate grip and then hang as normal.

• Get tooled up. There’s little point trying to hang wallpaper unless you’re suitably equipped to do so, so invest in the right tools: your basic kit should consist of a papering table, a wallpapering brush, a rubber flanged paper smoother, a seam roller, a spirit level and a plumb line.

• Choose the most prominent eye line (generally the point where walls meet ceilings) and run pattern at the same point along this area so pattern doesn’t ‘drop’ as it travels round your room. While a spirit level will suggest true lines, it’s often better to use your eye and adjust accordingly.

• We like to cut paper where walls meet, rather than bend it into convex corners. Doing this (paying attention to pattern repeat) tempts sharper lines and avoids holes if your kids are likely to poke these areas.

• Establish symmetry when applying paper, especially when there are recesses, outstands or chimney breasts to consider. Running your design down the centre of a fireplace wall, for example, looks far better than unbalanced hanging.

• When measuring lengths, ensure that pattern repeat is perfect, then add a couple of extra inches at top and bottom to allow for trimming. Rather than use a blade (which can make paper buckle and tear) run closed scissors across areas where trimming is required (this will leave an indented line) then pull away, cut and reposition edges.

• When paper is positioned, brush over with a damp cloth or a rubber tipped “smoother” to remove bubbles and excess adhesive, then use a seam roller to flatten joins: spending time at this stage will pay visual dividends.

If using a leafy, crested design – or a bold banded option – ensure foreground colouration is lighter than background, so your choice doesn’t overpower the room.

Always think about major/minor shade combinations and, before investing, bring home samples, place in situ, and imagine how your selection will work with existing or proposed furniture.

Having become somewhat ubiquitous, the ‘feature wall’ or accent zone remains a good way to go if you crave the drama of paper without full scale investment. Paper a fireplace wall, or the area behind your bed, to help focus the eye, and use complimentary lighter tones to decorate the rest of the room.

Sure, wallpaper is an investment, but, as a medium, it’s once again having ‘a moment’. Bear in mind though, however you decide to proceed, fortune favours the decoratively brave.

So don’t rush in – it’s harder, after all, to change your mind than it is with paint. Instead, appraise everything carefully to make the best decision. And then prepare to ‘roll up, roll up’ (if you’ll excuse the pun) and enjoy the fruits of your decorative labour…

Watch for Colin and Justin on Cabin Pressure and Great Canadian Cottages (Cottage Life TV) and on Cityline(CityTV). Find the Colin and Justin Collection in stores across Canada. Visit www.colinandjustin.tv.

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