Spotlight Magazine for North Mansfield March 2015 Spotlight Magazine for Mansfield South, March 2015 | Page 8

Spotlight Magazine

The Art Of Wallpaper

to any
specialist
Go alongtypes ofDIY store orwill see lots
decorating shop and you
of different
wall coverings, but
how did they originate?

The first type of paper was introduced in
Egypt around 4000 BC and was called
papyrus. It was from about 200 BC that the
Chinese started to put glued rice paper
onto their walls, and around 105AD that
they began to make paper from textile
waste.
Knowledge spread from the Chinese to
the Middle East via prisoners in the eighth
century. It took until the twelfth century for
papermaking to reach Europe.
English manufacturing methods became
world famous, and in the eighteenth
century wallpapers from London
workshops were highly sought after. Initially,
hand painted papers imitated architectural
details or materials like marble and stucco,
but eventually other patterns emerged.
The 1920’s are known as the Golden Age
of Wallpaper as some 400 million rolls were
sold during that period. The industry was
revolutionized after WW2 when plastic
resins were added to make wallpapers
stain resistant, washable, and more
durable.

over dark paint or wallpaper. It won’t be
as noticeable if the wallpaper fails to align
exactly at the top.
4. Use a special plumb bob to get paper
straight.
5. Your first strip should be about four
inches longer than the height of the wall.
Strips after that should be at least two
inches longer top and bottom and may
need to be more to ensure a pattern match.
6. Turn off the power before papering
around switches and receptacles. Remove
cover plates and paper over them. Then
make a diagonal slit from opposite corners.
Trim away the triangular flaps and replace
the cover plate.
7. Double check newly hung strips for
bubbles and seam matches.
8. Use a sponge to wipe excess adhesive
and rinse the sponge often.
9. Use a sharp utility knife to trim paper
10. A special paste is needed to hang a
border on top of wallpaper.

Whilst the popularity of wallpaper has
ebbed and flowed in the intervening
years, there is now more variety than ever
and a wide price range. The choice of
wallpaper can affect the mood and style of
a room and can influe