DIY Network

Stairway Upgrade: Anaglypta Wall-Covering From "Restoration Realities" episode DRTR-106

	The front stairway, prior to the upgrade, was in good shape but visually rather plain and drab.
	As part of the dress-up of the stairway, period-correct anaglypta wall-covering was installed.

In this episode of DIY's Restoration Realities, Bill Click and Chris Babcock visit Knoxville, Tennessee and the home of Sean and Jennifer Bolen. In this segment, the do-it-yourselfers begin the transformation of a drab, ordinary stairway to a highlight home-feature by adding period-authentic anaglypta wall-covering. Later, they finish off the stairway with installation of chair-rail.

Materials and tools:

For hanging anaglypta wall-covering

4' metal straight edge or level
Anaglypta wall covering
2 paint pans; one for adhesive and one for paint
Painting roller
Releasable painting tape
Cut brush
Clay-based wallpaper adhesive or paste
Drop cloths
4' metal straight edge or level
Plumb line
Sharp scissors
Razor knife
Putty knife
Smoothing brushes, long and short bristled
5 gallon bucket and sponges
Water
Paste brush
Pencil
Measuring tape
Paint

advertisement

	Figure A
	Figure B

Sean and Jennifer visited a local wall-covering dealer to select a suitable, period-authentic style of covering for their stairway. Wall-covering specialist Ralph Trent helped them with their decision. Lincrusta wall-covering was one option. It's a heavy relief wall-covering (figure A), similar to linoleum, that was first used in the 1870s as a less expensive alternative to plaster. It's a little more difficult to hang than ordinary wall-coverings, and is prone to breaking if not handled properly. Installing it should typically be left to professionals.

Anaglypta is a thick, embossed pulp wallpaper (figure B) that was first used in Europe in the 1880s. Though it's cotton-paper based, it's still very durable and can last for many years. It's also relatively easy to install -- even for novice DIY'ers. Since they wanted to install it themselves, this is the material Sean and Jennifer selected for their stairway.

DIY Factoid: Lincrusta was used on the walls of the Titanic, and can still be seen in photos taken of the ship as it lies today on the ocean floor.

	Figure C
	Figure D

Hanging Anaglypta Wainscoting on a Stairway

Here are the basic steps followed in the installation of the anaglypta wall-covering.

• Measure the depth of the wall the anaglypta will cover and determine the angle of the stairway. Measure up from the top of the molding on the baseboard (figure C). We used a folding level to set up the markings and measurements for installing the anaglypta on the angle.

• Take the same measurement at the foot of the stairs.

• Snap a chalk line to determine the height of the wainscoting the anaglypta will align with (figure D).
  

• Transfer all measurements to the anaglypta and cut. The anaglypta features a repeating pattern, so it's easy to cut and re-assemble pieces while maintaining a continuous pattern. Where the pattern on the anaglypta ends will determine how high to make your measurements.

• Roll or brush glue evenly onto the back of the cut pieces of anaglypta (figures E and F). The glue we used is a clay-based adhesive that's ideally suited to this application.

• Bookend the sections -- i.e., fold the edges over each other to join them -- and set the pieces aside and allow the specified amount of set-up time before hanging. In our case, we waited about 10 to 15 minutes.

  Figure E

  Figure F

  
  

• Align bottom of the anaglypta to the molding and smooth up using a long-bristled brush to evenly distribute the glue underneath (figure G). Be careful not to stretch the anaglypta.

• Overlap seams of each successive piece of (figure H), tapping seams down with a shorter bristled brush to ensure adhesion to wall.

• Wipe residual glue away with a damp sponge.

• Continue this process until you've covered the entire area.

  Figure G

  Figure H

  
  

• In our case, settling had caused some unevenness in the stairway flooring and baseboard. To compensate, Jennifer pushed a panel of the wall-covering down far enough to avoid a gap at the bottom (figure I), then trimmed away the excess.

• Trim bottom edges using a putting knife and utility knife (figure J), and push any remaining edge underneath cap molding.

  Figure I

  Figure J

  
  

• With the wall-covering installed and the adhesive dried, you're ready to paint. One benefit of using anaglypta is that it does not need to be primed before painting.

• Mask off any areas you do not wish to paint (figure K) and begin rolling on paint over the surface (figure L). Use a heavy-nap roller to get paint into the textured details of the anaglypta.

• Use a cut brush to fill in edges.

  Figure K

  Figure L

  
  

  Figure M

Restoration Realities WEB-EXTRA: Working with Anaglypta

Anaglypta is a deeply embossed relief wall covering that can be painted. In Victorian times it was typically used below a chair rail. It's easier to work with than Lincrusta. However, there are a few steps you need to consider before hanging Anaglypta:

• Remove old wallpaper and clean the surface.
  
• Fill any cracks.
  
• In some cases, you may need to apply an acrylic wallpaper primer.

Note: This is a summary of steps included in the procedures shown in this episode of Restoration Realities. There may be variations in procedures for your particular restoration project based on the types of materials you select and the nature or extent of your particular project. Always follow proper safety precautions, and read and follow manufacturer's guidelines, diagrams and safety notices that come with materials or products that you select.

RESOURCES :

Renovating Old Houses: Bringing New Life to Vintage Homes
Author: George Nash
Publisher: Taunton Press
ISBN: 1561585351
Order this title from Amazon.com.

Renovating and Restyling Older Homes: The Professional's Guide to Maximum Value Remodeling
Author: Lawrence Dworin
Publisher: Craftsman Book Company
ISBN: 1572180293
Order this title from Amazon.com.

Selecting and Renovating an Old House: A Complete Guide
Author: United States Department of Agriculture
July 2000
Publisher: Dover Publications
ISBN: 0486409562
Order this title from Amazon.com.