Create a Feature Wall with Framed Wallpaper (and Wall Liner)

Got a big wall and aren't sure what to do with it? How about considering (don't hurt me)...wallpaper?

{I'm just gonna let that sink in for a moment. Yes, I just said "wallpaper."}

I know some of you just went into a panic...Grab a paper bag, and breath deeply while I explain. If you need a bathroom break, do it now.

If you've ever had to take down wallpaper, you know what an absolute nightmare that can be: paper that refuses to be un-stuck, sprays that don't work, the nails-on-a-chalkboard sound of "scoring" the wall, that moment of realizing the paper finally did come off but the glue still has your wall in a death grip...and that's all before you take a step back, six hours later, and realize you have three more walls to go. All the while, thinking "What did I get myself into??" and wishing you could sit your home's previous owner down, put a dunce cap on their head and interrogate them for their selfish choice of decor.

{Some of you just panicked again. Did I say stop breathing into your paper bag? Didn't think so.}

The good news is wallpaper has come a long way since the 1970s. It's easy to put up, and supposedly easy to take down (ask me about that again in 5-10 years).

When you walk into my home, one of the first "features" you'll notice is my framed wallpaper. I get quite a few questions about this in Blog Land, so I wanted to do a quick feature on how this all came to be.


It all started with me staring at the really BIG wall behind my dining table...and I stared at that wall for a LONG time. It took three months of me making my sales pitch to Brian before I finally launched the project. I headed over to my FAVORITE moulding store, Moulding Direct, in San Leandro (seriously, they are the best). Their slogan is "you can't get it cheaper unless you steal it!"...and it's so true! I was blown away by their prices and by how helpful Chris was every time I showed up at his store with a crazy idea.

Using painter's tape, I taped off the approximate scale I wanted for my wallpaper feature. Friends, I cannot begin to tell you the crazy looks I got from people when they saw my blue tape on the walls. Or when I tried to explain the idea. A lot of people tried to talk me out of it. A lot of people just smiled and nodded, and backed away slowly. 


I described the project to Chris, at Moulding Direct, and he helped me pick out a door case moulding that was perfect for the project. I measured and cut the moulding, and affixed it to the wall with a little construction adhesive and my finish nailer.


Next, it was on to wallpapering...

If your home has prominently textured walls, like mine (we have "orange peel" textured walls), you absolutely need to to use a product called "wall liner" underneath your wallpaper. Wall liner is like spanx for walls -- it smooths out the lumps and bumps. Wall liner is installed horizontally, so make sure you have a buddy helping you out. Gravity is not on your side when installing paper horizontally.


I used this product on my walls and would definitely recommend it! You can also purchase wall liner at Lowe's for about $15 per roll. 


Once the wall liner is up, wait 48 hours and then you can install your wallpaper. Voila!! 

















Are you thinking about using wallpaper in your home? I'd love to hear about it! 

Cheers!

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PS. I'm linking up here:

Manic Mother Making Lemonade  Home Stories A2Z


 Thrifty Decor Chick

Comments

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. Love the wallpapered accent wall in your dining room! I did a very similar project way back in 1984, with a wall at the top of the stairs in our split-entry home living room. I used picture frame trim and coordinating wallpaper with what was in the dining room (visible from the living room). I used the wall space as a family genealogy board with framed family pictures. The pictures depicted hubby and me on our wedding day, our parents, grandparents and great-great grandparents all on their wedding day. Some of the old ones were taken in Germany and Sweden before the families immigrated here to the US. I was lucky enough to have one of my paternal side that was my great-great-great grandparents! Boy, did that wall ever stand out as the topic of conversation whenever someone new came to visit. And it was a source of real pride for me and my husband and the entire family. Most people don't have access to all those precious family heirloom photos.
    The Wicker Woman-Cathryn Peters
    http://www.WickerWoman.com/blog

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  3. "spanx for walls" BAHAHAHA, thanks for that. :)

    - Melinda

    PS: I'm not sure how I discovered your blog but I think I was blindly clicking links while 'stalking' my dear childhood friend Kacee Squires.

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    1. Hehehe, glad you found that funny, because it's been making me chuckle too. :) Kacee is the BEST! I'm glad we share her as a friend. Thanks for stopping by!

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  4. WOW!!!!! This is beyond beautiful!! I love this!!

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  5. That looks incredible! Wow, thanks for the tutorial. I've been looking for an idea for our living room wall and that might be the one. Thanks for linking up to Refresh Your Nest Friday over at Making Lemonade, and hope to see you back tomorrow. (PS: I'm featuring this on the Making Lemonade Facebook page!!!)

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    1. Thank you Carrie!! I am honored to be featured on Making Lemonade's fb page. :)

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  6. Here's the link to the FB page, by the way. Seriously, I'm so impressed by you!

    https://www.facebook.com/#!/MakingLemonadeBlog

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  7. Alison! I love it! The possibilities are endless. It's definitely an approachable wallpaper project. Thanks for sharing!

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  8. I love this!! I've always wanted to do paneling maybe I will give it a shot! You've been featured at The Kurtz Corner's Tuesday Tutorials! You've also been pinned on The Kurtz Corner Tuesday Tutorials Pin Board on Pinterest!! Come check it out and link up to this weeks party! :)

    http://www.thekurtzcorner.com/2012/02/tuesday-tutorials-link-party-no-24.html

    http://pinterest.com/audrakurtz/the-kurtz-corner-link-party-features/

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    1. Oh my goodness, THANK YOU!! You just made my day, Audra! :)

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  9. that turned out great I hope you'll stop by and add this and any of your favorite projects to my Wednesday What We Wore and Made Link party

    marissa
    http://raegunwear.blogspot.com

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  10. I just found your blog and I love it! If you don't mind my asking what paint color did you use for your dining room walls? I really like it.

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    1. Why, thank you!! :) I'm not sure what the beige-y color is, as it was done by the builder. But the darker accent color is Valspar "Artichoke." :)

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  11. Ok this is stupid cute... i mean really, FANTASTIC idea!

    -Samm (your newest follower)
    littlehouseinthebigd.blogspot.com

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  12. I've had a sample of that wallpaper but didn't want to cover a whole wall. Great idea and use of a classic design. Thanks for linking up at Burlap & Denim.

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