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Decorate your home by making hand crocheted items... Hundreds of Inexpensive Crochet Patterns
Wallpapering The Right Way - Part 4
Author: Johan Nickson
In the last two articles, we made all the preparations needed to start applying the paper to your walls. By now, you should be ready to start, but an often-asked question is `Where to start?'
The general rule especially with a light or plain paper is to paper away from the light so that any overlaps between strips will not show up. Next to a window is ideal. However, if you have a dominant feature in the room such as a chimney breast, start there – particularly when using a paper with a bold pattern. In the case of the chimney breast, hang one strip centrally and work outwards from either side of it.
Wherever you start, make sure that you hang the paper vertically by using a plumb line to draw a guide. It is not safe to assume that any wall is either square or vertical, so you must repeat this before papering each wall.
If you are hanging from the window or from the center of the chimney breast the position of the first strip and hence the guideline will be fixed. Otherwise, plumb your guideline 15mm less than the width of your paper away from the corner of the wall. Your first strip will then fit neatly round the corner.
These days there are all manner of digital laser lines on the market, that `make it easier' to find a vertical or horizontal line. However, I believe that using a plumb line is the simplest way of finding a true vertical. All it consists of is a weight attached to a length of string. When the weight is allowed to hang free the string finds a true vertical. To make your own plumb line tie a small heavy object such as a bolt to a suitable length of find string. To make a line on the wall, you can draw along the string with a pencil. However, it is easier to make a chalk line. Rub a piece of chalk along the string. When the vertical has been established anchor the bottom so the string is taut and `twang' it against the wall. The chalk will leave a perpendicular mark, which, can be used as a guideline.
Cut your first length of paper about 100mm longer than the height of your wall, to allow for trimming at either end later.
If the paper is patterned, it must be matched as the lengths are cut, not forgetting to allow the 100mm for trimming. Bold patterned paper looks best if you hang it so that a complete motif appears at the top of the wall. You may need extra length to achieve this. With drop patterns, it is usually possible to match a point in the first length with a similar point in the third, the second with the fourth and so on, alternating as you go along.
With that said, I shall leave you there until next time where we will look at how to paste and carry your paper. We will also look at how to apply paper around trick bits such as plug sockets and light switches.
Remember measure twice, cut once.
About The Author: Johan Nickson is a DIY expert at http://www.powertooldirect.co.uk
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