In my home office I have what looks like with grasscloth on the ceiling. It's actually a vinyl covering that's far easier to work with and a lot more durable than the real thing. That's why fool-the-eye wallpapers are so appealing.The selection of designs keeps growing as the technology to transfer images to vinyl improves. Some wallcoverings look like brick, either very rustic or a more traditional red brick; others include a fake-bamboo wallcovering, which has a very realistic appearance.
There's a wide variety of fool-the-eye wood patterns mimicking mahogany, walnut and oak -- even one designed to duplicate the look of paneling -- as well as wicker patterns that mimic the depths and tones of real wicker.
It's important to remember when working this type of wallcovering that a little goes a long way, so don't overdo it. One wall in a fake stone paper will be dramatic; all four walls could be a real eyesore.
And when hanging wallcoverings, be careful of the seams. Nothing will spoil the illusion like mismatched ends.
This brings me to some tips on hanging wallcoverings, which for many do-it-yourselfers is a real challenge.
First, make sure you finish all your painting before hanging wallpaper. This is especially true if you plan to paint the ceiling. You don't want drips on your new wallcovering. The same is true for painting doors and molding, which will be much easier to do before hanging the paper.
To figure out how much paper you need, measure all the surfaces, the height and the width, and take the finished measurements to your wallcovering store. I always make sure my clients get one full extra roll -- yes, a full extra roll -- in case of problems with hanging or damage in the future requires new pieces.
So here are the DIY Basics for fool-the-eye wallpaper:
- Styles are available from brick to stone to bamboo.
- Pay careful attention to the seams.
- Buy an extra roll in case of repairs.
