Wallpapering

DIY Project Sheet No 4 Wallpapering

your dollhouse Wallpaper adds to the character and charm of your doll house, and it is well worth the effort. The following are some tips to help you with the decisions you will need to make and some step by step instructions. Choosing your wall papers There are a large range of wall papers available that are specially made for doll house decoration. If you are unsure of the style that will suit the period you are re-producing, you may consult reference books, or ask the staff at The House of Miniatures.

(a) Measure your rooms You should measure all the rooms carefully to ensure you have enough sheets to cover the desired walls. Use the grid below to assist you-

RoomlengthWidth heightBedroom 1


Bedroom 2


Dining room


Kitchen


Bathroom


Hallway


Attic

 

When purchasing wallpaper, bring your measurements with you, to assist us. This will ensure you have enough sheets to match patterns etc. We suggest you always buy extra , to allow for mistakes. The average size room usually requires three sheets of wall paper to cover it.Remember, the room trim will be glued in later (ie skirting and architraves). Leave all woodwork trims until after the wallpaper is thoroughly dry. Trims will cover any gaps.

(b) Preparation:

Always complete your electrical wiring before commencing wallpapering.We recommend preparing your walls by washing them with a solution of one part PVA glue and 10 parts water, to ensure the wallpaper adheres to the walls or ceiling. Use this treatment if walls are raw or painted.( If your walls are raw, we recommend sealing raw walls with sealer paint, and letting them dry prior to the PVA treatment If your walls are painted, gently rub with a fine sandpaper to ensure a better fix..) Apply PVA treatment with a brush. Let dry thoroughly for 12 hrs.

(c) Cutting to size: Commence with the first room. Carefully measure and markoff the dimensions on the back of the wall paper sheet, using a light black-lead pencil. We recommend you allow a 5 mm gap at the top and the bottom of the wall, to assist you with application, and for a neater finish. Remember this will be covered by the trim later. Double check all measurements prior to cutting. If you are unsure, mark and cut walls on a large piece of brown paper, to check all dimensions, before cutting the real thing. As doll house wall paper is thinner than regular house wallpaper, care need to be taken when cutting – use sharp scissors or a sharp Stanley knife. Do not cut out windows or doors at this point. When the sheet is cut, test it in the room for size and fit and remember which wall it is cut for. It is a good idea to label in pencil on the back of the sheet,

on the bottom edge – 1/1, (room 1 sheet 1)1/2, 1/3 etc, in case you get confused when gluing.When marking the second sheet, remember to match the pattern, and check with sheet one , prior to cutting. Repeat for sheet 3. Leave windows and doors covered until paper is thoroughly dry.

(d) Fixing the Paper: We recommend using a paste made from 50% PVA glue and 50% water. Ensure it is well mixed, with no lumps. Apply the prepared paste to the wall to be covered with a small one and a half inch paint brush, ensuring an even application. Pay particular attention to the edges and corners of the wall. Only paste one wall at a time. (As doll house wall paper is thinner than regular wallpapers, it may stretch or tear if it becomes too moist – so don’t apply paste to paper). Apply the sheet of wallpaper to the wall. Slide it carefully to the exact position required,(allowing for 5 mm gap top and bottom) and gently smooth out from the centre, using paper tissues. Smooth out any air bubbles. Work quickly, as the sheet may tear if it becomes saturated with moisture. Continue for sheets no 2 and 3 .Ensure patterns match. Allow to thoroughly dry.

(e) Trimming the Paper Only trim paper when dryUse a very sharp craft knife to cut around windows and doorways, and remove any other overhangs. Work from the inside.