CasaSugar

Casa Quickie: Removing Wheat Paste

CasaSugar — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:00:03 -0700

Once you've hung wallpaper like a pro, there may come a time when you think it's time to say sayonara to the paper you'd chosen. If your wallpaper pulls off in full sheets, like Graham & Brown Paste the Wall, it'll make the removal process a lot easier. But, either way, you'll still have to deal with washing off the wheat paste you used to hang it. It's fairly simple though, so there's no need for intimidation! All you have to do is give your wall a good soaking of water with a spray bottle, and let it soak in for a few minutes. Then, scrap off the paste with a tool with about a 4-inch blade, like a trowel or a putty knife. Sponge off what's left with soapy water.
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Have You Ever Removed Wallpaper?

CasaSugar — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 08:00:51 -0700

Wallpaper has grown in popularity over the past few years. Putting it up is a big enough job in itself, but have you ever had to remove wallpaper as well?

Source: Flickr User Clav

Before and After: A Bathroom Makeover For Under $80

CasaSugar — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:00:33 -0700

Craftster member Nichola accomplished the admirable feat of making over her bathroom for under $80. Cheap, chic makeovers are always inspiring, and Nichola's bathroom definitely fits the bill. Before Nichola's bathroom got to this "before" status you see here, she spent three nights removing ugly, decrepit wallpaper that may have been original to the house. With this somewhat blank palette, Nichola went to work.

She notes, "Now, I really admire people who can use color, people who can grab a can of bright red paint and slap it on the wall, but I am not one of those people. I shamefully admit that I am one of those who grab a can of white, or off white and go to town."

Even if Nichola is shy of bright colors, she still pulled off an amazing makeover in more neutral colors. To see how it looks, read more.

Nichola hung a new mirror, added some furniture and accents (including that cool basket of dowel rods), painted, sewed and hung curtains, and crafted a silhouette portrait. She says, "In addition to being frightful of color I'm also cheap as can be and on a budget. Here's a rundown of my costs: $15, white eco friendly paint for the walls; $17, white floor paint; $35.99 mirror; $3.94, 2 metres fabric for curtains; $2, supplies for silhouette picture. Everything else was stuff from my stash (frames, vase, cotton to line curtains)."

The black and white palette looks very sophisticated, and all of the little touches are perfectly pulled off. Nichola notes that she's not quite done with all of the changes (how many of us home reno-ers ever are?), but that she's quite pleased with the results. As she should be! This bathroom looks fabulous!

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Casa Beta: Graham & Brown Paste the Wall Wallpaper

CasaSugar — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 09:15:12 -0700

Even if you know how to hang wallpaper like a pro, it's still a bit of an intimidating task. And removing it — be it by the soak-and-scrape method or with a steamer — is always a big ole, time-intensive pain in the butt. Or, it was, until the Graham & Brown Paste the Wall wallpaper came around.I came across this novel wallpaper technology, which claimed to make "wallpapering simple, clean, and quick for even the novice decorator," because it peels off in full sheets, requiring no steaming or scraping, and because you paste the wall itself rather than the paper when hanging. Could this be love? I was a little skeptical, so I asked Graham & Brown to send me a roll, so I could try it out myself. To hear my analysis, read more.

Hanging. Like any wallpaper, you still need to do your measurements, and line up the patterns correctly. I was working with a small area that had a built-in niche, so it was a little hard to manage, but that simply came with the territory. Pasting the wall rather than the paper made the process a lot less messy and time-consuming. No paste all over my fingers, no wallpaper sticking to itself. No muss, no fuss. After mixing the paste, I globbed it onto the wall and then lined up the top of the roll. It stayed on the wall while I lined up the rest of the sheet, and I had a few minutes to get it into place and smooth out bubbles before it dried. When there were areas that needed a little touching up at the base, I was able to peel the sheet up, realign, and then apply some more paste. I'd say it was the least intimidating and streamlined wallpapering experience I've ever had — and I wouldn't call myself a pro.
Removing. I did actually want to keep my wallpaper in place, so I tested the removal process in another area of my home. Just as described, the wallpaper peeled off in full sheets. I found that removal worked best when I peeled slowly but steadily. But honestly, the directions were quite to the point: "To remove, lift a bottom corner and peel steadily up." Then, I washed off the wheat paste with a good sponge-down of soapy water. This facile removal process makes wallpapering a great option for renters, who up until now, wouldn't be able to get away with making that sort of semipermanent change to their homes.
Selection. I'm pretty darn impressed with the Paste the Wall selection. There are 195 wallpapers in a variety of beautiful patterns for both modern and traditional homes. Pattern isn't your thing? There are even grasscloths and frescos available in a handful of subdued tones. I chose the Tempting-Turquoise paper ($60/double roll) by Linda Barker. It has a large-scale chrysanthemum design with a feminine palette of soft, apple green, turquoise, and shimmery gold on a grayish-brown background; it goes perfectly with the green paint in the next room.
Price. At $60 a double roll, I think Graham & Brown offers a great price for a designer roll. To give you an idea, papers by Ferm Living, which do not even use this technology, go for around $94, and even Pottery Barn's only paper, which does pull off in full sheets, will cost you $84. Some of Graham & Brown's other wallpapers cost only $10 less.

I'm impressed on many levels with Paste the Wall, and would certainly consider (and actually am considering) using it again in my home. I highly recommend it. If you think wallpapering a whole room would be a little overwhelming, consider wallpapering a nook or the ceiling.

Ask Casa: Kitchen Renovation Suggestions

CasaSugar — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 10:00:06 -0800

Su Casa member Hihowareya is looking for suggestions on updating her kitchen. She is taking down the wallpaper and trying to decide on paint colors. The cabinets, she says, will have to stay, but she is considering new hardware. New flooring is also an option, but she needs something pet-friendly; she's considering cork. And, she's putting in a new island with a stainless steel bar sink and a butcher block countertop. I have a few suggestions for Hihowareya, and I'm sure she'd love to hear yours, so read more.

Hi hihowareya,
It looks you have a big project on your hands! First of all, I'm glad we're on the same page about the wallpaper. It has to go.

Since you can't replace the cabinets, I recommend painting them. Remove all the doors and the hardware. Then paint the frame and the doors in a semi-gloss white; you can't go wrong with something like Benjamin Moore's Decorator's White. This will brighten and update the room at the same time. And, kitchen messes wipe clean quite easily on semi-gloss.

I do suggest that you replace the hardware; the brass is pretty dated. Something like the Rock Candy handles used by Su Casa member Citygal would look fantastic. But I understand that the cost of new hardware can add up quickly, especially with so many cabinets. So, hunt for hardware in bulk, on eBay, and at architectural salvage shops first. You might even ask a local contractor if he can salvage any hardware for you. Also head to your local hardware store and check out the prices on basic handles in a more contemporary finish like stainless steel. If all else fails, spray paint or have your handles powdercoated.

Your blue countertops are definitely dated as well. I'd recommend replacing them with granite or quartz. It's an investment, but it's a change (unlike paint) that will increase the value of your house. So, it's worth it. Butcher block or concrete countertops are also great options that are more affordable but also contemporary.

Installing cork flooring is a wonderful idea because it's a sustainable material. You might also try bamboo flooring. You can save big bucks by doing all the installation work yourself. You can also install hardwood floors and take extra steps to protect them with additional layers of varnish and/or an area rug.

With all of this said and done, you'll have a lot of flexibility with your paint colors. White cabinets in particular go with anything. I recommend choosing your paint color to complement the colors in the adjoining rooms, or if you're stuck, you can't go wrong with an all-white kitchen! Or, you might try some contemporary wallpaper in the kitchen. Just don't worry about trying to match the colors to your appliances, because once they're on their last legs (which they may be) you'll have to replace them anyway.

Hope that helps!
Cheers,
Casa

From the Archives: How to Hang Wallpaper, Part One

CasaSugar — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 11:00:45 -0700

For Dress Your Walls month, I thought I'd repost some bright ideas I had earlier in the year that relate to this month's theme. It's sometimes hard to dig these up from the archives on your own, so I'm finding the best ones for you to save you the trouble. When I find any archived posts that are particularly helpful for this month's theme, I'll run them in addition to the regular posts I'm putting up each day. And since we're running the amazing ferm LIVING wallpaper giveaway this month, reviewing wallpaper-hanging techniques is a must!

Wallpaper is back in a big way, but the idea of hanging it is still pretty intimidating to most people. So, after reading some great tips in Blueprint and online at This Old House and Lowe's how-to section, I've decided to put together a Primer on how to hang wallpaper like a pro. Here's Part I on pre-hanging preparation, and tune in tomorrow for Part II: installation.

The Preparation

First, you'll need to determine how much wallpaper to buy. Just enter your room's dimensions into this handy wallpaper calculator, and get an extra roll just to be safe.
Start the prep work a day in advance. Turn off the electrical source and remove the outlet covers and switchplates for the wall you want to paper.

For more great tips, read more

Get rid of any old wallpaper, then spackle or sandpaper cracks and other flaws in the wall.
Clean the wall with a 1-to-4 mixture of ammonia and water, then coat the surface wallpaper primer. Allow 24 hours for drying.
Lay down a plastic painter's tarp to protect your floors.
Check to make sure that the lot numbers on all of the wallpaper rolls match, and save the packaging in case you need to buy more paper.

Now you're ready to hang! Tune in later today for the installation process, and if you have some to share, please tell me in the comments.

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Primer: Hang Wallpaper Like a Pro, Part I

CasaSugar — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 06:00:25 -0700

The Preparation

First, you'll need to determine how much wallpaper to buy. Just enter your room's dimensions into this handy wallpaper calculator, and get an extra roll just to be safe.
Start the prep work a day in advance. Turn off the electrical source and remove the outlet covers and switchplates for the wall you want to paper.

For more great tips, read more

Get rid of any old wallpaper, then spackle or sandpaper cracks and other flaws in the wall.
Clean the wall with a 1-to-4 mixture of ammonia and water, then coat the surface wallpaper primer. Allow 24 hours for drying.
Lay down a plastic painter's tarp to protect your floors.
Check to make sure that the lot numbers on all of the wallpaper rolls match, and save the packaging in case you need to buy more paper.

Now you're ready to hang! Tune in later today for the installation process, and if you have some to share, please tell me in the comments.

Source

In the News: Juxtaposing Days in the Life

CasaSugar — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 07:45:30 -0700

David Elliot Cohen, the photographer who dreamt up the coffee table book series A Day in the Life has turned his eye to new topics. In an article in the San Francisco Chronicle, he says that "Photography is now wallpaper . . . Great pictures of ordinary events are everywhere you look. You can't avoid them."

So, to remove himself from this endless roll of wallpaper unfurling on Flickr streams across the world, Cohen turned to documenting an area that people didn't want to touch: that of pain, injustice, and environmental devastation.

While this may sound stark, Cohen's new book of photo essays, What Matters ($27.95), is required reading for anyone that cares about the future of this planet.

To hear about the photo essays, read more.
According to the article,

Cohen searched out long projects by photographers who had been shooting a single subject, like AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa, for two to 10 years. He then found an expert author in that field, and sent the pictures. "I specifically asked the writers for essays that passionately advocate," he says. "I wanted them to get pissed off in print, and most were happy to do that." His budget was about one-tenth of the $1.8 million of a "Day in the Life" book.

Check your local bookstore for copies of the book. For more about the book, check this article.

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Before and After: A Better Bathroom

CasaSugar — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 07:30:04 -0800

While I'm a fan of the retro look of these bright blue tiles, they don't mesh with the rest of the bathroom (pink floral wallpaper doesn't exactly complement them). The owners of this home, a 1905 Colonial Revival house recently featured on This Old House, also noted that the light switch was actually an electrical liability, since it wasn't grounded and sat above the bathtub.

To see its updated appearance, read more.

The homeowners removed everything from the bathroom save the tub, and installed radiant heating under the new ceramic tile floors. Wainscoting adds a nice detail, and even cooler and greener, the wainscoting was made from beadboard they had stored in the basement! I love the understated, functional look of this bathroom. Do you?

For more details, check out This Old House.
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Casa Interview: Kim Myles of Myles of Style

CasaSugar — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 10:00:38 -0700

Recently, I got to chat with the lovely and talented Kim Myles of the new HGTV show Myles of Style about home decorating needs and wants. I kept my questions focused on elements of design that all of you Casa readers have been asking me about, figuring you'd appreciate a fresh take. Kim came up with some super smart and creative answers to all of my queries. Take a look!

CasaSugar You work with clients on a variety of budgets. What do you think is one of the most dramatic, cheap reno projects that home design buffs can do in their home?
Kim Myles It’s been said so many times, but paint is THE most inexpensive /big impact "reno" for any home design buff. It’s a minimal investment of time and money (and if you hate painting, buy a couple of bottles of wine and invite some friends over for a painting party), and you can’t beat the instant wow of fresh, beautifully hued paint.

CasaSugar Is there any skill that you recommend all home design buffs learn?
Kim Myles Sewing is a skill that I’ve found to be invaluable. My grandmother taught me as a child, but a Sewing 101 class will prove to be so freeing to anyone who likes to take control of a space. It opens up the world of "high-end/custom," and makes it affordable.

To see the rest of the Q&A, just read more.
CasaSugar What’s an easy DIY that most home design buffs can try?
Kim Myles Customizing a coffee or end table. I lean towards modern and eclectic design styles, so I’d start with a table, three different widths of painters tape, and two paint colors. Paint the entire top (and base if you like) of the table in color #1. Once dry, lay down strips of the tape across the top allowing for an inch or two of space (alternating the tape widths is key). Next, paint on color #2, then remove the tape. Bright, modern, fresh, and super easy.

CasaSugar What design trends are you excited about?
Kim Myles Wallpaper!!!! It’s come such a long way since I was a kid, and I can’t get enough of it. I’ve used it on the show, and I plan to keep working it in whenever I can. So many designers and companies are cranking out fantastic graphics and finishes; they’re real works of art in a space.

CasaSugar What advice do you have for people that want to make some changes to their décor, but don’t have a budget to work with? Where should they start?
Kim Myles Start by editing; it’s free! Clear your room of ALL furniture, décor, etc. Start with a fresh blank space, and then ask yourself about each item you’ve just removed, "Do I love it? Do I use it?" Unless the answer is "Yes" to both questions, the item doesn’t go back into the space. Once you’ve made your edit, plug the items left back in in a fresh configuration. Sometimes creating space is the simplest plan for a big pay off.

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