New Zealand’s Wallpaper Experts Since 1960
Our TUESDAY TIPS 💡series dives into all things wallpaper! Learn some handy tricks we’ve picked up over the years of working in wallpaper. We've tried to keep this series casual, giving straight forward wallpaper advice and debunking any mystery. Tips & tricks videos are posted on our Instagram and Tik Tok account every Tuesday. Click the link below the videos to watch on Instagram! The below series is posted with the newest tips at the top - scroll for the entire series. If there are any topics of interest that we haven't covered yet just put the request forward to our team and we can work our magic. ✨
Switching out your plumb bob for a self levelling laser will level up (😉) your installation game! 💪 One of the critical parts of installing wallpaper is ensuring your first drop is straight. By setting up your first drop of wallpaper well the rest of your wall will fall in line beautifully! If your first drop isn’t straight you will struggle with alignment as you work your way down the wall. Our self levelling lasers are super compact and easy to take on the move (plus multi purpose beyond wallpapering).
Watch Full VideoPaste the wall wallpaper has innovative properties which makes installation and removal so much easier! Removing wallpaper is never the most fun part of a project, but it paves the way for amazing transformations! The best way to ensure the front layer comes off in one piece is to hold the corners of the drop and walk directly backwards. From here you should be left with the backing paper. Using a weed sprayer or damp cloth dampen the paper activating the paste. Once the paste is activated the backing paper should lift off the wall easily!
Watch Full VideoReverse hang is a type of pattern match that can be found as an alternating arrows symbol. For reverse hang it is crucial to ensure that every second drop is alternating directions. The reason for this is due to plain wallpaper having a slightly lighter and darker edge - sometimes so slight you can’t see it with the naked eye. By reversing every second drop the light edge is matched against the light and the dark edge against the dark. With different wallpapers the degree in light/ dark shading can vary, however if the label has this symbol ALWAYS alternate lengths!
Watch Full VideoWall preparation is crucial to ensure a solid foundation for wallpaper and the best longevity. Adhesion issues can arise when proper wall preparation is not followed. Three key prep steps… 🔑 Seal the wall 🔑 Sand the wall (80-grit sandpaper) 🔑 Size the wall. Sealing ensures a uniform finish, especially when working with lighter coloured wallpapers. Sanding with an 80- grit sandpaper creates grooves in the wall giving your wallpaper something to grip to. Sizing is crucial in stopping over absorption of paste into the wall, acting as a membrane.
Watch Full VideoToday’s tip is all about the direction of wallpaper on a roll! You may not know but not all wallpaper comes off the roll as you would expect. Depending on the manufacturing process you may need to unwind and rewind the roll so it comes off the top in the intended direction. If your roll does come off ”upside down” this is a super easy fix and is not a fault of the wallpaper. Remember, when you check the rolls prior to installation it can save future disappointment if an issue were to arise!
Watch Full VideoHere we walk you through how to cut around a light switch using scissors rather than a standard craft knife or blade. Opting to use scissors can give more precision and control to cutting wallpaper. Either technique works effectively, however using scissors could be an easier way for trimming around tricky objects if you aren’t as comfortable with a blade.
Watch Full VideoSplicing is wallpaper magic! 🪄 It makes tricky spots easier to navigate and helps you save on wastage. Perfect for meeting in the middle of a wall. Splicing is also known as a "double cut". To splice overlap two pieces of wallpaper, then with a sharp blade cut through both layers. Once cut, remove the back layer and work the seam flush. By splicing you are creating a brand new join!
Watch Full VideoNow you can make some magic with our visualiser! We LOVE this tool, it works wonders for giving an idea of what wallpaper looks like on the wall. Our visualiser can be found on the home page of our website and on every product. 😍
Watch Full VideoFor cutting wallpaper in general it is important to have a sharp knife to make cutting easier and seamless! A handy tip for working around a doorframe is leaving a space approximately 2cm from the top of the frame. This holds the wallpaper in place making your cut easier and more precise!
Watch Full VideoHere we demonstrate how to trim the wallpaper along the scotia and skirting. Below are a few key takeaway points to help with your next project. 💡Create an indent in the paper where you will make the cut 💡Use a sharp craft knife - this is important! 💡Straight edge needs to be steady, use your fingers behind the handle to position properly. 💡Don’t cut directly into the wall but up/down into the skirting or scotia. 💡Keep your knife in the wall the entire cut, only moving your straight edge.
Watch Full VideoEvery Tuesday we will be sharing Tips & Tricks and all things wallpaper! If you have any topic requests contact our team. 🤎
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