READY TO POP UP SOME PAPER? – TRY JAMES GREENWOOD’S TIPS

Preparation

“To ensure a professional finish, prep your walls, so they’re smooth and clean for wallpaper,” James advises. “To achieve this, fill in any holes, then sand smooth. Once dry, clean the wall with sugar soap.”

Starting out

“The first drop of wallpaper is the most important, as everything will align to this point,” says James. “Make sure the wall is perfectly vertical using a plumb bob or spirit level to create a plumb line.

“Start 50cm from the first corner, or if you have a focal point – such as a fireplace – start here to ensure the design is centered.”

Paste the wall

“Paste the area for your first drop ensuring you cover every inch so you can apply the paper with ease,” says James. “Use a roller for large areas, and a brush to get around the trickier areas. Spread your paste a few centimetres extra for each drop, to ensure the edges have something to adhere to.”

Hanging

“Apply wallpaper from the top of the

wall, leaving a couple of centimetres spare to ensure there is no gap between the wall and ceiling. Slowly ease it down the wall, brushing lightly as you go along, to make sure the paper lies smoothly.

“When you reach the bottom, trim the excess paper and move to the right to start your next drop. Check where your design matches up to the first drop and align accordingly, then follow the original steps until you complete the wall.”

CORNERS AND TRICKY AREAS

“Some areas can be challenging, such as corners and plug sockets,” James explains. “For corners,

paste the wallpaper onto the wall as normal, and brush around the corner by a few centimetres.

“Move onto the other side of the corner and repeat the process causing the papers to overlap. Leave to dry and trim with a sharp blade to remove excess paper.

“For plug sockets, switch off the power at the mains and unscrew the socket to loosen it from the wall. Then paste the paper as usual, letting it drop over the socket.

“Mark the corners and cut the paper with an X shape. It can then be slid around the socket for a flush finish.”