My wallpapering experience was not what I expected

This weekend I decided it was finally time to get the wallpaper up in our powder room. I chose the wallpaper back in January, months before we actually moved in. I have always been a huge fan of wallpaper, but our previous home was very minimalist and I was a bit afraid of putting wallpaper up. I have watched shows like House Rules and The Block and seen many a wallpaper disaster, it looks like the hardest thing to get right, but I was determined that it was going to happen. 

We moved in around 8 weeks ago, and not only have we been pushed for time, but I think in many ways hubby was avoiding facing the task of wallpapering. I can’t blame him, like I said I have seen the TV disasters of ripped wallpaper and horribly bubbly wallpaper. The design I chose was kind of a little out there too. Bright and tropical. I am usually quite into pastel and peaceful colours and tones and don’t go for bright too often, but this paper grabbed me! And I also decided that a boring little powder room needed to make its very own statement, I mean why not? 

It is pretty bright

Surprisingly I found wallpapering fun, yes I said fun! Here I was expecting the worst, frustration and maybe even some hair pulling, but cramped into that very tiny powder room I actually loved lining it all up and smoothing it out! It was almost therapeutic.

We had brought 2 rolls and actually only needed the 1, so I had the bright idea to do the kids bathroom above their bath! Hubby looked at me strangely thinking that this was not in the original plan, but he also knows once I make up my mind it is usually going to happen. We worked as a team and it actually went up pretty quick. I really enjoyed it, I had no idea I would actually be good at wallpapering and I was really pleased with myself! 

The beginning of wallpapering the bathroom

We now have a couple of seriously bright walls and admittedly I know it won’t be everyones taste, but I always say we should style for ourselves and not for others and so I took my own advice and chose something I love! I actually showed it to my sister when I brought it and she thought it was terrible, I wonder if she will like it better now it’s on the wall? She usually thinks I am pretty crazy, but she loves me anyway. 

The bathroom wall completed!

I am new to this wallpapering and I am no expert, but here are a few things I learnt

• Buy your wallpaper from a shop where they can give you advice on how to hang it.

• Make sure you buy the correct glue

• Read instructions a couple of times.

• Have someone help you!

• Make sure you measure correctly so you buy the right amount. We over brought which was better than not having enough, but still if you end up with extra rolls you can’t use check if you can return them if you haven’t opened the packaging.

• It will take longer than you expect so allow plenty of time.

• If you have young children it might be a good idea to have them out of the house or have someone who can watch them, as not only do you need patience, but you will have cutting tools and glue around which could be dangerous. 

• Make sure you have a sharp tool like a Stanley Knife to trim edges.

• You will also need a ladder, good scissors, a measuring tape, a level, rollers for the glue, a bucket and tool for mixing, a sponge, and a pencil for marking the wall and the paper.

• Make sure you lay out the paper and check where the pattern will match up before you start. 

• Once the paper is up on the wall it should dry naturally for optimum sticking, it is best to turn the heating off. 

On another note we also enjoyed a visit from Steve’s brother who we hadn’t seen for a couple of months so that was great, he also brought around a yummy cake as a pre-birthday celebration!

Aspen had a couple of friends over for a sleepover, they had an absolute ball. Oh and I finally got Steve’s prints up on the wall too! All in all it was a productive weekend.

What did you get up to this past weekend? Have you ever wallpapered? 

If you want to see a little more of what things I love in my home check out my recent Vlog! 

You may also enjoy my blog on how to make a space for yourself to relax and recharge in.

Thanks for joining me, love Mac xx

Style to the beat of your own drum.

You may also enjoy my post about discovering your purpose and you can link up with my #mg link up HERE