Wallpapering a Dollhouse

We always put the wallpaper in  after the structure is together. We do not prime our wood, as it is rather nice to begin with. We paint around the edges of ceilings with white paint bringing it down onto the walls a bit. Then we install ceiling paper, wallpaper, and then do the flooring.

WALLPAPERING TIPS

TOOLS:   
Ceiling Paper
Wallpaper
YES Paste (we do not recommend the use of  household paste,  DO NOT water-down the YES paste, water causes the paper to stretch, possibly creating wrinkles and shrinkage when dry)
Straight edge ruler and sharp blade (xacto)
Plastic spatula (optional)

NOTE:  Make sure you have enough paper to cover an entire room before you start!
   
If you are planning on electrifying your house, make sure that all wiring is complete prior to papering.

INSTALLING CEILING PAPER

1.   Paint (white) the area where the ceiling and walls come together. Using a plastic spatula (or old credit card), spread a thin coat of Yes Paste (like the thickness of the glue on a postage stamp) on the back side of paper and install by starting the paper at the back edge of the room (nearest you) and working toward the front.  A second clean spatula is great for smoothing the paper.

INSTALLING WALLPAPER

1.   Check the pattern on the top of your wallpaper to make sure it is even on all sheets.  If not, trim off what is necessary so that all sheets look the same before you start.  If you are using a plain stripe this does not apply.  Once all sheets are uniform, measure the height of your room and using your ruler and xacto, cut all  your sheets the desired length.  Measure paper from the top and cut excess from the bottom.

2.    On a smooth, clean surface, apply paste to back of sheet using plastic spatula (only a light coating of paste is required).  Starting at the left far corner, apply the paper onto the front wall, around the right corner and onto the right wall as far as it will go.  A second clean spatula is great for smoothing out wrinkles. The wallpaper will cover the window openings.

3.    Holding a second piece of paper in place on the left wall, check the pattern match in the corner and cut off any excess so that the match and paper will fit right up into the front wall.  Add an additional 1/4" to the back side of the paper to wrap around the outside edge (this is the back edge of the wall that will later be covered by trim) This makes for a nice clean look and no raw edges once you’ve put up the outside trim.  Paste paper and install, butting the front edge up to the front wall and wrapping excess around the back/outside wall.  It is OK to use a little tape to hold this paper in place on the back/outer edge until the paste dries. Paper will cover door openings.

4.    Hold the paper on the right wall, to make sure the pattern matches.  Trim the paper as necessary to make the patterns match.  Cut the paper to length, again leaving 1/4" to wrap around the back edge of the wall.  Install by overlapping the paper (the first sheet) by just a hair's-width.

5.    Once the paper is fairly dry, using a sharp exacto, cut out openings for windows and doors.  If your house is electrified, be very careful trimming down the doorways so as not to cut your tape wire.  The door/window trim will cover if your cuts are a little ragged.

6.  If you are using a wallpaper border over a wallpaper, you must use a tacky glue such as white tacky -- DO NOT use YES paste it will not hold.

NOTE:    If you are papering a small room such as a bath, you may be able to use one sheet of paper for the front wall and one side wall.  Again, start at the left, far corner and cover the front wall, wrap around the right corner, and continue across the right wall, and wrap 1/4" around the back edge of the wall.  The second sheet of paper will cover the left wall.  Be sure you have enough paper to wrap 1/4" around the outside wall.  NOTE:  This procedure only works for very small rooms, or if you have chosen a paper that is exceptionally wide.

    Also, if you are papering an attic room or one where the ceiling and/or walls are slanted, you may want to first cut a template out of plain paper to make sure that the fit is correct.  Once the paper template fits correctly you can cut your wallpaper.  Remember though, that you should still install the front wall first, and wrap.
 
Here is the answer to an unasked question.  If you have extra flooring, you might consider using some for a back-splash around the tub, sink or toilet, or a wainscoting for an entire wall.

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