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(ARA) - Blank walls in
need of a makeover almost always beg the question: What
color to paint? But before trotting off to the paint
store for color strips and tester cans, consider a new
alternative: wallpaper. Because one of the oldest home
décor products -around since the 1600s - has been
reinvented.
New technology is making
wallpapers simpler to hang and remove, and even easier
and less messy than paint. These easy-hang wallcoverings
- called non-wovens - are breaking down walls of
resistance of do-it-yourselfers who are now asking:
wallpaper or paint? |
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If you've never
wallpapered before, you'll find these clever new papers
completely goof-proof. If you have wallpapered before,
you will appreciate that they take a lot less time to
hang and remove than customary wallpapers. Installing
easy-hang wallpapers is even quicker than painting,
which requires smoothing the wall to perfection,
applying at least a couple of coats, and waiting hours
or days between steps - whereas wallpapers have always
been a great solution for problem walls.
These wallpapers adhere to walls with magnet-force, yet
are easily repositionable. Non-woven wallpapers do not
expand or contract, so there's no reason for "booking"
the wallpaper, or folding it for a few minutes to let it
expand. Once it's up, what you see is what you get, so
seams won't ever separate. In fact, they virtually
disappear.
Made from natural and synthetic fibers found in common
household products like gauze, tea bags and coffee
filters, non-wovens are tear-resistant during both
installation and removal. Whereas paper-backed,
pre-pasted wallpaper may require steamers, strippers and
countless hours to pry it off sheetrock walls, easy-hang
wallpapers come down in entire sheets within minutes
with a simple, gratifying tug at a corner, without
marring the walls. You can even roll the sheets and take
them with you if you move.
Non-woven wallcoverings are also eco-friendly, vinyl
free and breathable, so they are ideal choices for
kitchens and baths or wherever mold and mildew are a
concern.
For do-it-yourselfers who
want a faux finish look, non-woven wallpapers are far
more fail-safe than paint. Manufacturers offer a variety
of patterns to mimic the best faux finishes that only a
pro could do. The result is pleasingly uniform and
richly textured, without the multi-step process and cost
of painting. And the broad color palette for these
wallpapers rivals any paint collection, but without any
color surprises at home. What you see in a sample book
is exactly how it will look on your walls. |
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Here are some tips to get you rolling with the new
easy-hang wallpapers:
Find the Product: While many manufacturers now make
easy-hang wallpaper, it's so new that it can be easy to
miss in the store. Often called "non-woven"
wallcoverings, several makers and retailers have given
their collections clear, identifiable names. Informative
tags on wallpaper books will help you locate the
product.
Product Samples: Selecting the right pattern for a room
is much easier when you sample the product first. If
product swatches aren't displayed in-store, ask your
retailer if he can order them for you. Unlike paint
testers, you won't have to re-prime over your "test"
section of wall.
Wall condition: Easy-hang wallpapers are available both
pre-pasted and un-pasted. To install pre-pasted
non-woven wallpaper, simply dip a strip briefly in water
and bring it to the wall. To install unpasted non-woven
wallpapers, simply roll the paste on the wall, and apply
the dry paper to the wall - no water or paint trays are
needed. Both kinds are easy to handle, and each
manufacturer provides easy-to-follow instructions,
including advice on whether or not you need to prime
your walls first.
Be Daring: Don't fret over your pattern choices. The
ease of the product frees you to be more creative with
wallpaper. Consider just buying a pattern for one wall-a
hot look in home décor now-and if you love it, order
more for the rest of the room or simply pull it off the
wall and let your imagination go wild for another round.
Courtesy of ARA Content |
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