How To Create an Elegant Faux Finish with PaperIllusion Wallpaper

Creating Simple Elegance in Your Decor

You're the Designer with PaperIllusion Wallpaper

Creating beautiful faux finishes on your walls has never been easier. The hardest part is picking out the paper as there are so many colors and finishes to choose from. You won't need special tools, and you can work in small increments of time. Best of all, there is little clean up or prep time involved.

The process of applying PaperIllusion Wallpaper involves three simple steps:

• Step One: Tear


• Step Two: Dip


• Step Three: Apply

Your friends won't believe you transformed your walls yourself, and you won't believe how easy it is!

SquidArt Courtesy of tagsforkids

Step One: Tear

PaperIllusion Wallpaper

Start by tearing the paper into random, irregular shapes. I like to tear up a roll while watching television or sitting around with friends. I put torn pieces into two piles: one for those that have a straight edge, and one for those that don't. If you want your walls to have a veined look, let the underside of the paper show once in awhile. I do a little of both, depending on the color I'm using. For example, the Tuscan Red script paper has a gray underside, which looks really pretty with the red colors. Some of the lighter colors have a white underside, which looks like grout when layered. I've done walls with and without the underside showing, but you need to decide before you start tearing. It looks great either way, but you're the designer. Do a few sample pieces before you tear up an entire roll. That way you can decide what looks best for your project.

Step Two: Dip

PaperIllusion Wallpaper

When you're ready to begin, just dip a piece of the paper into warm water for a few seconds. Some of the PaperIllusion kits include a tray like the one pictured here, but a bowl of water works just as well. I change the water every half hour or so. You can start anywhere, but I typically begin at the top of a wall and work my way down and out. If you start at the top, begin with the pieces that have a straight edge.

Step Three: Apply

PaperIllusion Wallpaper

Now for the fun part. Apply the torn wet paper in an overlapping manner to any clean, dry surface. You can even use PaperIllusion wallpaper over paneling as long as the grooves are 1/4" or less in width. Once you've overlapped and positioned your piece of wet paper, just use a smoothing tool to press it into place and a damp sponge to remove excess water. That's all there is to it. Just keep applying the paper until your surface is completely covered. I usually work for an hour or so at a time, take a break, then go back to it.

Script Illusion in Tuscan Red

Script Illusion by PaperIllusion

One of my favorite PaperIllusion styles is Script Illusion. Our hallway was covered with dreary, yellowed wallpaper that dated back several decades. My least favorite home improvement project is removing old wallpaper. On top of being messy, it wastes hours that could be spent doing something more creative and constructive. In this case, I was able to simply peel off the wallpaper and leave the liner. Then I papered over the liner with Tuscan Red Script Illusion. Regular wallpaper would have been problematic since I needed to accommodate six doors and a built-in cabinet in the hallway. I used the same paper in a bedroom closet that had decaying, boldly striped wallpaper from the 1920s. I decided not to strip this paper, since I wasn't sure what was underneath, but the PaperIllusion wallpaper adhered beautifully. Also, because Tuscan Red is such a rich color, the striped paper was completely camouflaged. I was sure we'd have to panel the closet in wood, so PaperIllusion definitely saved the day.

Travertine Illusion Terra Cotta

Travertine Illusion by PaperIllusion

Later this year we'll be doing a major remodel of our kitchen (circa 1926). In the meantime, a quick, inexpensive fix was needed to update the walls, which were covered with tacky, pink-flowered wallpaper. To prepare the walls, I tore down the paper and left the liner. I've been applying PaperIllusion over the liner with no problems.

The cracked ceiling was an eyesore, and also included a badly beat up vent. The ceiling is now covered in PaperIllusion, and looks like new. I'll almost be sad to see the walls and ceiling torn down! The paper I chose is Travertine Illusion Terra Cotta.

Courtesies

Addicted 2 Decorating on Facebook
Riomaggiore Mural by Galen Crader
Animated Paint Brush by Animation Library

DIY Home Decor Lenses by Kim Giancaterino

Wallpaper Murals and Cutouts, PaperIllusion Wallpaper, and More!

How To Add a Trompe L' Oeil Window with Wallpaper Murals ∗ How To Add New Scenery to Your Home with Wallpaper Door Murals ∗ How To Create a Child's Dream Bedroom with Wallpaper Murals and Cutouts ∗ How To Create a Baby's Dream Nursery with Wallpaper Murals and Cutouts ∗ How To Create a Surfer Bedroom with Wallpaper Murals and Cutouts

How To Create an Elegant Faux Finish with PaperIllusion Wallpaper ∗ How to Create a Faux Marble Countertop with PaperIllusion Wallpaper

SquidArt Courtesy of tagsforkids