The next big thing...
Upcycling, papering and easy tiling, we walk you through the projects that fill DIY newbies with dread
LESSON 1
Expert advice
The principles of papering
Feeling flustered at the thought of pasting paper to the walls? Don’t sweat it – Gill Burn of Lady Decorators shares her not-to-be-missed tips.
1 I can’t stress it enough: preparation is key. Collect your tools, clean your walls and cover your surfaces – skip this step and you risk doing a shoddy job.
2 The label on the paper will tell you everything you need to know – the pattern repeat, the pattern match, the batch number and which kind of paste it requires. Read it carefully, purchase the correct paste (not to mention enough rolls for the job) and whatever you do, make sure every roll you buy has the same batch number.
3 If they don’t, the colours might vary. If you’re new to papering, practise first. Start in a small area with a heavy wallpaper – if your home has a cupboard under the stairs, that’s a great inconspicuous place to experiment.