Wallpaper Trends

Paper Illusions: New Homeowner's Dream

2008-10-02T11:31:00.005-04:00

A New Homeowner’s Dream: The Paper Illusions Faux Finish Kit

Palmyra, VA October 2, 2008 -- Moving residences is considered one of the most stressful activities we Americans endure in our lifetimes, right up there with public speaking and, well, death. So after house-hunting and moving to a new home, we want to love all four walls of our new homes. Instead, we’re usually faced with damaged walls, decrepit paneling, peeling paint or worse. What to do?

Paper Illusions is the answer to a new homeowner’s prayers. For every new kid on the block disheartened with the shape of her walls, Paper Illusions has a beautiful faux finish that turns awful walls into awesome walls. Here’s how it works:

Paper Illusions comes in rolls that you rip into random shapes, dip in warm water, and apply to the wall. A smoother or sponge removes excess water and paste, and eases the paper around corners. No other tools are needed.
There is no way to make a mess with Paper Illusions, or to mess up its installation! This beautiful, easy wallpaper is completely foolproof.
No trimming, pasting or cutting is necessary. Nor are drop cloths, brushes or any special tools.

According to Carrie Wigal, owner of Wallpaper Illusions, ‘Paper Illusions transforms a room so fast you can complete an entire room in less time than it would take to paint it. And the impact is far more dramatic: From a distance, Paper Illusions gives you the look of marble so authentic you have to touch it to believe. Up close, it looks spectacularly hand-painted.’

Because you don’t need to be an expert to get expert results, new homeowners everywhere have saved time, money and spared themselves aggravation with Paper Illusions. Best of all, you can use Paper Illusions on almost any surface, including paneling (it hides the grooves) and stucco walls. ‘It looks great on backsplashes, fireplace surrounds, ceilings, lampshades, toy chests, waste baskets and, with a few layers of polyurethane, even floors,’ says Wigal.

So relax…. Paper Illusions puts you one step closer to making your new house a true home. Visit http://www.wallpaperillusions.com/ to browse the complete line of Paper Illusions products, including boxes, cases, mini-rolls, samples, sample books and do-it-yourself information.

We've moved!

2007-05-17T00:02:00.000-04:00

We have moved to a new domain: wallpaper-trends.com

Why the move? For many reasons, but the number one reason is to be able to offer you more...more pictures, more content, and easier navigation (easier to find what you're looking for).

Anyway, if you like what you've read here, then hop on over to our new location and grab the latest home decorating tips and trends in wall home decor!

See ya over there. ;)

Selling Wallpaper...Doesn't Anybody Do It?

2007-05-05T00:33:00.000-04:00

At first glance it appears that wallpaper (borders, more specifically) is a saturated market, but you know, I’m having second thoughts. Nobody really sells the stuff. They just slap up an ecommerce store and show pretty pictures with prices, but nobody is really talking about the benefits and features of wallpaper in general, let alone trying to sell to people who aren’t already actively looking for a particular pattern.

That’s what I like about what we’re doing here. We’re not just offering the latest wall paper decor for purchase, but we’re telling you why you need or would want a particular product. We’re not just offering “how to install” information, although very helpful and deserves attention, we’re going a step further with tips and tricks from professional paperhangers.

And we’re also about giving decorating tips and ideas to the do-it-yourself decorator. Paint is not the only way to go, although it certainly has its place.

Does the general public even know about self-adhesive border and removable wall decals? What about rippable wallpaper and the like? We’re going to assume you don’t know and tell you about it. There is an easy solution to covering wall paneling…and it doesn’t require paint, spackle or wall liners…and the results are stunning. You as a consumer have a right to know stuff like this.

This is our central mission here, and we’re just getting started. With over 20 years experience around the wallpaper industry, as well as a fresh new look here recently, we have the information and resources, and we’re ready to tell all.

If you haven’t done so already, subscribe to our newsletter (in the upper right margin of this page) and stay on top of all the latest decorating tips and trends in wall home decor. We’ll deliver what you need to make educated choices in your home decor, I promise.

Wallpaper Calculators: Consider this first...

2007-05-05T00:25:00.000-04:00

Determining the number of rolls of wallpaper you need to complete a project may seem like an easy task. In fact many wallpaper places provide some sort of wallpaper calculator to plop in a few dimensions and out comes the answer. However, the answer may not always be so cut and dry.

In most cases you determine the correct amount needed by taking the total square footage of the wall space you’re covering and dividing it by the square footage of a double roll. This will tell you how many double rolls you need. Easy enough…however these other factors should be part of the equation as well:

1. Windows, doors, cabinets, tubs, and other fixtures
2. Random, Straight or Drop Match
3. Pattern Repeat
4. Mistakes & Mishaps
5. Future Repairs

Windows, doors, cabinets, tubs, and other fixtures

If you’re wallpapering a bathroom, you don’t want to just measure the length of all the walls and multiply by the height to get your total square footage…especially if you have a shower/tub surround, cabinets, window and linen closet. You’ll end up with way too much. You need to deduct for the doors and fixtures to get a more accurate figure.

Random, Straight or Drop Match

The pattern match needs to be considered. Is it a “random match”, “straight match” or “drop match”? “Random match” means there’s no matching of any patterns when you hang one strip next to another. An example of this would be a solid or vertical stripe pattern. In this case, this would not effect your calculation.

However a “straight match” means the pattern has to line up vertically from strip to strip. And a “drop match” means the pattern has to line up diagonally from strip to strip. Needless to say, you’re going to have some waste when you’re working with straight & drop matches…it’s just a matter of how much.

Pattern Repeat

If the pattern is a solid or stripe, there is no repeat to be concerned about. Otherwise the length of the repeat tells you how much you may possibly lose when trying to match the pattern from strip to strip.

If it’s a real small print, you’ll probably be okay if you don’t deduct for windows or doors when calculating your total square footage. But if the repeat is greater than 5-10″, you may have a sizeable amount of waste. It will also depend on the room you’re doing. You may be able to piece the “waste” in a smaller area (i.e. a kitchen soffit). But more than likely you won’t be able to use the excess on any of your walls.

Mistakes & Mishaps

Let’s face it, we all make mistakes. Sometimes a strip is cut wrong…it happens, and it’s a real pain when you’re working with “just enough” paper to do the project. Also, mishaps happen…something tears, or gets hung upside down, or any number of scenarios. Again, it’s no fun when you have no room to fudge. Expect to make a mistake or have a mishap…give yourself an allowance for this…order an extra roll.

Future Repairs

Although wallpaper is much more durable than paint, it’s not perfect. Someone takes a permanent marker and decides to create their own little masterpiece, a piece of heavy furniture rips into the wall when it gets moved haphazardly, somebody drops a bottle of red wine and it splashes all over the wall…you get the idea. Do you tear it all down, live with the blunder or repair it?

If you’ve got an extra roll tucked away somewhere, then there’s no problem (unless you’re a smoker or live with one…the paper on the wall is going to be yellowed over time and won’t match the unused portion from the original purchase). But if you need to order more, you may be hating life when you realize how hard that pattern may be to find.

The first concern is dye lots. Wallpaper is made in batches/runs. The mill prints out a whole bunch of a particular pattern in a batch. Then they change their rollers and colors to print out another pattern in a big batch. When they run out of the first batch of patterns, they use the same rollers and colors for the first pattern, however when they mix the colors it may not be exactly the same hue as the original batch. Sometimes, you can hardly tell a difference in different dye lots. But sometimes you can…especially if you are hanging it in the middle of a wall.

The next concern, which is the granddaddy of them all, is the paper being discontinued. This means the manufacturer isn’t making it anymore. If the pattern has only been recently discontinued, you still may find some supplier/warehouse who has some left in stock. However, if it’s more than a year old, the chances are slim of finding it again. It will be like trying to find a needle in a haystack. And it will be the most miserable search of your life, trust me.

So, when it comes down to it, my suggestion is to always order more than you think you need.

Financially speaking, you need to think of the big picture when decorating with wallpaper. Wall paper is made to last a long time…so rather than thinking how little to spend, think future worth. This is an investment that will last 5-7 years not merely an expense that needs to be redone in a year or two. Consider the savings in the long run when this project is done right and you are prepared for all the factors listed above. You’ll be glad you didn’t skimp.

How to Find Discontinued Wallpaper

2007-05-05T00:14:00.000-04:00

Finding Discontinued Wallpaper has got to be one of the most frustrating quests known to man. This guide will show you who the best source for finding discontinued wallpaper is and outlines the steps to take to find it.

How Can I Find Discontinued Wallpaper?

By: Carrie Wigal
Copyright (c) 2006 WiggleWigal LC.
All Rights Reserved.

Your best source for finding discontinued wallpaper is the dealer from whom you originally purchased the pattern. This is where ordering from your local Mom & Pop Wallpaper Shop pays off…customer service is at its best from places like these. However, regardless of whether you purchased it originally from a physical store or an e-commerce site, this is your BEST source for finding the discontinued pattern.

When inquiring about finding more of your discontinued wallpaper, suggest the following scenarios outlined below. Keep in mind that more than likely your dealer is so accustomed to saying, “We don’t have discontinued wallpaper” that they may not realize they actually might still have access to the pattern since they sold it to you in the first place. But please go easy on them…they get requests like these ALL the time. However, 99% of the time they are unable to help the customer and their efforts prove to be a waste of their time…so be appreciative of any effort they make on your behalf.

Ask them to check their inventory records. The dealer may have stocked the pattern and still might have a few on hand. Explain to them you purchased it from them before and give a date as to how long ago it was purchased.
Ask them to check their stock orders at the time of your original purchase. If the dealer didn’t have this pattern in stock at the time of your initial order, they may have ordered a whole case of the pattern to get a better price from their distributor…if so, they would have sold a certain quantity to a customer and kept the remainder on hand until someone else bought it.
Ask if they have returned merchandise lying around. If the dealer initially sold this pattern to you out of their stock, it’s possible they sold the same pattern to someone else. If that’s the case, then it’s also possible the other customer(s) returned a portion as overage. Discontinued patterns are not returnable to the distributor, so if the pattern was discontinued at the time of the return, the dealer would have been stuck with the merchandise.
Ask to see if they have opened rolls lying around. If the dealer brough that pattern into stock at their location, they may have an opened roll of the pattern. Sometimes a dealer will offer samples of in-stock merchandise to help move the pattern off the shelf. However, once the roll is opened they do not usually offer it for sale. (That’s assuming you don’t care if the roll has been opened.) If they have opened rolls, it may not be listed in their inventory.
Ask the dealer to call their distributor for you to see if there is any stock left in the distributor’s warehouse. (More than likely this is how you found out the item was discontinued in the first place.) If no stock is available,

Sometimes distributors will sell off the last of their inventory to a third party…and sometimes it’s the same third party every time. It certainly doesn’t hurt to ask. Many times when a dealer discovers a popular pattern is being discontinued, they snatch up as much as they can with hopes to sell it at a premium price to people like you who are desperate to have more. Have your dealer ask the distributor what other dealers may have purchased the last of the inventory for that pattern.
Not every manufacturer has more than one distributor for their product, but some do. The dealer should automatically check this anyway, but just in case, ask the dealer if they have an alternate distributor for that pattern. If so, ask them to check their stock as well.

In the event your dealer is unable to help you, be sure to thank them profusely for any help they did give and request the name(s) of the distributor who supplied them with this product. As you continue to search the ends of the earth, you’ll want to skip asking dealers who only get this paper through these same sources. It’s a complete waste of your precious time.

The World Wide Web:
The Greatest Source of Information Available

When you have exhausted your efforts with your original retailer, its time to check online. Don’t even bother trying to look further in your local area…at least not yet, unless you have nothing better to do. Cast your net into the BIG Sea before fishing for this rare breed in your backyard pond. Try these sites specifically:

When you have exhausted your efforts with your original retailer, its time to check online. Don’t even bother trying to look further in your local area…at least not yet, unless you have nothing better to do. Cast your net into the BIG Sea before fishing for this rare breed in your backyard pond. Try these sites specifically:

You Can Find It On Ebay! …Maybe

Ordinary people buy & sell personal merchandise all the time. Oftentimes people will try to sell leftover wallpaper because either the place they bought it from will not take it back (due to being too old or having been opened), they were lazy, or they thought they could get more for it on eBay.

Ordinary people buy & sell personal merchandise all the time. Oftentimes people will try to sell leftover wallpaper because either the place they bought it from will not take it back (due to being too old or having been opened), they were lazy, or they thought they could get more for it on eBay.

When searching for the item, be sure to search by pattern #, pattern name, manufacturer, book name if you know it and pattern description. The person listing the item for sale may not know the pattern # or book name, so they will give a pattern description.
Check the eBay stores as well as auctions. Auctions usually only last 5-10 days, whereas store listings last month-to-month.
Be sure to check the box for “in titles and description” when doing your search, this way it will look up your search terms in the body of the ad as well as in the title.
Ebay also has a feature called “Post to Want it Now” for buyers to indicate what they are looking to buy. Indicate here what you are looking for…give a lot of details…include colors and pattern description. Ebay will contact you if a seller responds.

Discontinued Wallpaper Forum at ThriftyFun.com

Although you’ll need to wade through oodles and oodles of posts to see if you find your pattern, this is the best forum I’ve found for discontinued wallpaper.

Although you’ll need to wade through oodles and oodles of posts to see if you find your pattern, this is the best forum I’ve found for discontinued wallpaper.

Search for your pattern by pattern # or book name & manufacturer using the search box. You may find a match right away.
You can try a search by description, but your best bet may be to wade through each and every post to find the descriptions that most closely fit your pattern. Unlike Ebay, this forum doesn’t have pictures to scan through quickly, so searching for it this way can be very labor intensive.
Post your request. Be sure to include contact information…an email preferably. I recommend posting it as “yourname at domain.com” instead of “yourname@domain.com”. This will eliminate the likelihood of spam.

Last Ditch Effort

If after all of this you are unable to locate the pattern and you STILL want to keep looking, I suggest checking with any retailer who has physical stock of product. Remember not to waste your time searching places that only order from the distributor of the product.

If after all of this you are unable to locate the pattern and you STILL want to keep looking, I suggest checking with any retailer who has physical stock of product. Remember not to waste your time searching places that only order from the distributor of the product.When checking other sources specifically state, “I know this pattern is discontinued and there is no stock available with [name of distributor given to you from your original retailer], but do you have this pattern in your physical inventory?”

Understand that continuing like this will truly be like going on a treasure hunt, however this is your last ditch effort to finding that discontinued wallpaper. If it’s worth that much to find this pattern, press on.

When You Have Finally Reached a Dead End, It’s Time to Move On

As much as it may pain you, selecting another pattern may end up being your ultimate fate. But don’t worry there’s hundreds of thousands of CURRENT patterns to choose from. Next time however, be sure to ORDER EXTRA…because you certainly don’t want to have to start a quest like this again to finding discontinued wallpapers.

Resources included in this guide:
eBay, ThriftyFun.com

Copyright (c) 2006 WiggleWigal LC. All Rights Reserved.

Extra Rolls of Wallpaper?

2007-05-05T00:03:00.001-04:00

Do you have extra rolls of wallpaper and don’t know what to do with it? Whether you ordered too much or decided not to use it, there is still value in your purchase. Before you decide to throw it away, consider these options…

Return it! Most places will take back wallpaper purchased from them within 30 days provided it’s not opened and it’s not discontinued, however there’s usually a 25% restocking charge. (Keep in mind, if you bought it online, you’ll need to pay the return shipping costs as well.) So if you don’t want it, this is a great way to recoup a portion of your investment.

Keep it! It may be good to keep it on hand in case of future damage to the paper already hung on your walls. Wallpaper is very durable and lasts anywhere from 5-7 years, but tears and dings happen. Unfortunately many times patterns don’t last that long in production. It is very common to have a pattern you love and buy today become discontinued with no stock available tomorrow. Having extra on hand is ALWAYS a good idea.

Use it! Being as durable as it is, wall paper is a great commodity with multiple uses.

Line your shelves with it. Besides being a more durable alternative to shelf liner, it’s a shoe-in to further enhance your decor because it coordinates so well with your walls.
Dress up your pictures. You can cover mattes for picture frames or use it to cover a photo album or scrapbook. Not only will you enhance your room decor with coordinating pieces, but also you’ll have an excuse to leave your “brag books” lying around. (NOTE: If the wallpaper is prepasted, be sure to not expose the backing to your precious photos…you don’t want to risk damaging them if the glue is activated by moisture.)
Cover text books. If you have any children required to cover their books for school, wallpaper makes a great bookcover…and it’s a lot prettier than brown paper bags.
Get crafty. Wallpaper makes a great ingredient for craft projects. Whether it’s covering a lampshade, creating gift cards/tags, or embellishing other furnishings, the creative uses are endless…let your imagination soar.

Sell it! You can put it out at your next garage sale or better yet, attempt to sell it on eBay. You may not be so crafty, but there are plenty of people who are and many of them shop eBay for their craft materials. You may not make very much on it, but something is better than nothing if you truly want to get rid of it.

BIG TIP: Before selling it, do a quick search on Google or Yahoo! for the pattern number & manufacturer (if known). If it’s a discontinued pattern, you may find someone is looking for that same particular pattern to finish their job or do a repair…and they would be willing to pay a premium price, since they can’t get it anywhere else. ;)

If you have an idea or experience you’d like to share regarding extra rolls of wall paper, tell us about it…we want to know! Share your comments below.

Removing Wallpaper Can Be Easy

2007-05-04T23:56:00.000-04:00

Do You Want to Have an Easy Wallpaper Removal Experience?

Chesapeake Wallcoverings introduces their solution to creating an easy wallpaper application and even easier removal experience. The following article demonstrates the hottest new trend in wallpaper design. If you’ve ever had a hard time removing wallpaper or cringe at the thought of messing with putting it up let alone taking it down, read on and view the live demo of how easy wallpaper removal can be. Chesapeake Wallcoverings introduces their solution to creating an easy wallpaper application and even easier removal experience. The following article demonstrates the hottest new trend in wallpaper design. If you’ve ever had a hard time removing wallpaper or cringe at the thought of messing with putting it up let alone taking it down, read on and view the live demo of how easy wallpaper removal can be.

Easy-on, Easy-off Wallpaper is Hottest New Trend

(ARA) - Want to change the look of your living room or update your kitchen with new wall coverings but aren’t sure you can do it yourself? Think again. Home improvement projects are getting a lot simpler thanks to new easy-to-install, easy-to-remove products.

“In the past, the perception of wallpaper has been that it’s difficult to install and nearly impossible to remove,” says Tim Quinn, president of Chesapeake Wallcoverings. “We know that 90 percent of consumers are doing their own installation and removal. Now, wallpapering an average sized room is an afternoon project, and removal can be accomplished in as little as 15 minutes.”

Home decorating programs are increasingly showing designs that incorporate wall coverings. And the faux painting fad seems to be ending, perhaps because consumers have discovered the process is not always as easy as it looks on TV. The time is ripe for wallpaper’s resurgence.

Products like Chesapeake’s pioneering Easy-Walls collections virtually eliminate the negative issues associated with wallpaper: involved wall preparation; difficult installation including booking; seam separation; peeling; and the deal-breaking difficulty of removal.

Historically, preparing a wall for wallpaper has involved sanding, cleaning solvents, and multiple coats of primer and wallpaper sizing. Easy-Walls requires no preparation other than simply cleaning the wall. The product is designed to adhere to a wall that has been covered with at least two coats of paint, preferably one of primer and one flat latex, Quinn says.

Wallpaper can tear, crease and rip during installation. And if you fail to book it, the seams will separate once it dries on the wall. Because the product is a non-woven mix of natural and synthetic fibers, booking is no longer necessary; it’s made to be put on the wall immediately after wetting.

“This removable paper is much more forgiving than typical wallpaper,” Quinn notes. “With traditional installation, the paste has to have enough ’slip’ to allow you to realign it and move it around on the wall. This paper moves very easily on the wall and you can even take down an entire sheet and put it back on in a new position.” Mistakes are easily corrected: simply smooth it with your hands and reapply it to the wall.

Failure to book traditional wallpaper can result in seam separation and peeling. Improper wall preparation in a humid spot like a bathroom can lead to mold growth behind the paper. Because there is no vinyl in non-woven wallpaper, vapor lock, which traps moisture behind the paper, is unlikely to occur. The product is totally breathable, making it ideal for use in high-humidity areas like the bath and kitchen.

Forget the hours of scratching, wetting and scraping or steaming and harsh chemicals associated with removing wallpaper. You can take down removable wallpaper in a matter of minutes, Quinn says. Simply start at a corner and pull, and the entire sheet will come off in one piece. “This product is perfect for anyone who wants to be able to quickly and easily change a look of a room in the future - parents decorating a nursery who know they will need to redecorate as soon as the child grows, or renters who will need quick, clean, easy removal when they move out.”

Easy-Walls is currently available from most wallcovering retailers and large home centers. Six design collections, each with 120 or more patterns, are currently available. The per-roll cost of the product is usually $1 to $2 more than regular wallpaper, but is offset by reduced preparation and installation costs. For more information or to see a live demo, visit http://www.easy-walls.com/livedemo.htm.

Courtesy of ARA Content

EDITOR’S NOTE: Easy-Walls is a registered trademark of Chesapeake Wallcoverings of Maryland.

The following is a list of books available from Chesapeake using this easy-to-remove technology:

* Family & Friends II (Book ID: CS1310)
* Growing Up with Chesapeake (Book ID: CS1309)
* K & B Essentials (Book ID: FS0004)
* Livin’ Lodge (Book ID: FS0041)
* Open Spaces (Book ID: FS0034)
* Angels & Ivy II (Book ID: FS0073)

50% Off Wallpaper Discount

2007-05-04T23:49:00.000-04:00

No matter your taste, you’re sure to find a wall paper product to suit your decorating needs at half off the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP).

From wallpaper borders to wall murals, a wide variety of themes exist to fit your personal style. With wallpaper products easier to install/remove these days, there’s virtually no excuse why someone couldn’t add wallcoverings to their list of decorating options.

Are you renting a place & can’t really put anything permanent on the walls? That’s okay, self-stick borders and decals are all the rage. Not only excellent for apartment dwellers and dormitory residents, but they are also perfect for kids rooms for when their tastes change as they grow…just peel and stick!

Why such a deep discount? We stock these products in our local facility and are afforded better pricing than those giant order warehouses. Not only that, but we are a smaller operation with very little overhead costs. This enables us to pass on the savings to our customers. So check out these wall paper products and see which best fits your personal taste, not to mention pocket book.

Peel and Stick Wall Coverings: A New Generation of Wall Decor

2007-05-04T23:24:00.000-04:00

© Ty and Carrie Wigal - All Rights reserved
http://www.wallpapertrends.com/

There’s a new generation of fantastically “goof proof” wall decor products on the market to empower the most DIY challenged called Peel and Stick Wall Coverings. Besides the benefits of traditional wall coverings, such as durability, visual texture and interest, and a huge selection to choose from, this new product line offers much more by way of ease and convenience.

* The patterns and themes are offered in a wide variety to suit virtually any taste.
* The designs are crisp, fun and colorful.
* The “peel and stick” installation is enough for even kids to do.

Coordinating Walls and Accessories with Ease

A total room makeover can truly be achieved in just a matter of moments. While these work great on walls, there are many more opportunities to decorate…

* Furniture
* Windows
* Doors
* Mirrors
* Tiles
* Switchplates and Outlet Covers
* Home Appliances
* and more…

If something is applied out of place, then simply peel off the decor right away and reposition it. There’s no damage to the surface and no sticky residue! Still don’t like it’s position? Move it again…it keeps its stickiness with each re-application. They are also easy to care for with a surface that is durable and washable. A clean, smooth surface and imagination are all that is needed.

Endless Decorating Possibilities

The instantly removable nature of the peel and stick wall coverings lends well to a myriad of uses.

* Rental property and dorm rooms can be personalized like never before.
* Military families can ease the transition with a child’s favorite characters.
* Quickly and temporarily decorate walls for a party in minutes & offer extras as party favors to the guests.
* Completely change a room’s decor on a whim.

These products truly offer a fun, fast and enjoyable way to decorate your home spaces.

Wide Range of Pattern Choice

The Roommates for Kids by York Wallcoverings offers a nice selection of pre-cut peel and stick wall appliques and coordinating borders. The notable superhero collection includes:

* DC Comics Superman and Batman and
* Marvel Comics Spiderman and Fantastic Four.

The younger crowd will enjoy PBS favorites such as:

* Thomas the Tank Engine,
* The Wiggles, and
* Curious George.

The collection is rounded out with a nice selection of non-licensed designs for kids of all ages.

Imperial Wallcoverings makes an impressive showing with Walls My Way(tm) wall art decorating kits and a full selection of Disney(c) self stick room appliques and borders. The Walt Disney© Characters are all there, including:

* Disney(c) Princesses:
o Snow White,
o Cinderella,
o Belle of Beauty and the Beast,
o Aurora of Sleeping Beauty,
o Jasmine of Alladin, and
o Ariel of The Little Mermaid.
* Tinkerbell the Fairy,
* Winnie the Pooh & Friends
* Mickey and Minnie Mouse,
* Donald Duck,
* Goofy and
* Pluto.

Also featured are the exciting casts of the modern Disney Pixar(c) animation films:

* Toy Story,
* Finding Nemo and
* Cars.

Village Wallcoverings offer Easy Ups(tm) self-stick borders and removable, self-adhesive wall appliques. The Completely Kids wallpaper collection features the classic favorite Sesame Street©. These wall stickers are a sure pick for the nursery or play area with three themes including:

* Classic Sesame Street Characters,
* Tropical Tahiti, and
* Extreme Sports.

Coordinating wall accents include the whole Sesame Street Gang as well as single panel appliques as large as 18.5″ x 27″. Other huge sports, NASCAR© and nursery themed products offered by Village also add a unique possibility in the world of peel and stick.

The final collection is brought courtesy of Brewster Wallcoverings. A quite enjoyable cast of 1980’s classic cartoon characters is made available in both peel and stick jumbo accents and coordinating borders. These perennial favorites include:

* My Little Pony,
* Strawberry Shortcake and
* Care Bears.

The young ladies will be very excited with the more modern Bratz Genie Magic dolls/girls.

Perfect Gift-Giving Solution

These products are perfect for the upcoming holiday gift-giving season. Any child would enjoy a room makeover that they can do themselves. The fun will last all year long, as the decor is there to enjoy every day. Peel and Stick Wall Coverings are a fun and memorable gift idea, so take note parents and grandparents. The selection of available themes is truly remarkable and sure to please. With products like these, there’s no excuse to not decorate your home sooner than later!

—-
Carrie Wigal is the editor for Wallpaper Trends, a site dedicated to promoting the latest trends the wallpaper industry has to offer.

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See our Peel and Stick Collection at Wallpaper Trends

Damaged Surfaces Easily Overcome with Paper Illusions Wallpaper

2007-05-04T23:15:00.000-04:00

By: Carrie Wigal
©2006 by Carrie Wigal
All Rights Reserved.

Paper Illusions wallpaper is not just for walls. Check out these problem areas that can easily be remedied with Paper Illusions…

Stained Marble

Marble may be stone, but it is porous and stains easily. Although cleaning solutions are available to remove stains, if the desired result is not achieved, Paper Illusions wallpaper may be your easy and inexpensive way out. There are currently two marble faux finish effects available (stone & earth). Once applied, followed by several coats of lacquer, your marble surface will look brand new (and less likely to stain!).

Cracked Plaster/Concrete

After renovating the basement in our rental home we had to repair the concrete walls in the stairwell. We couldn’t afford to lose any more space in the walkway by sheet rocking metal studs, so my husband filled the concrete gaps, smoothed out the surface, and painted it–only to have the walls crack again over a period of a few months. We installed PaperIllusion® and the result is amazing. Besides the paper bridging the gaps of the cracked surface, it’s comforting to know should the surface tear (as the concrete will undoubtedly crack again), the Paper Illusions is easy enough to patch & repair.

Dark Wood Paneling

Having three rooms plagued with this 70’s decor, I can relate to the limited options there are to replace it. Covering it up is the best way to go and Paper Illusions wallpaper is by far the quickest, easiest, long-lasting, and desirable solution. No need to fill the grooves (if less than 1/4″ wide), PaperIllusion bridges the gap!

Chipped Laminate Countertops

Whether your present counters are in need of repair or you just want to give a facelift to your kitchen, bath or bar area, you can cover them with PaperIllusion® and give that marble/stone appearance at a fraction of the cost of laminate (materials & labor), let alone real stone…and have fun doing it yourself!

Damaged Vinyl Flooring

Who would have thought you could “wallpaper” your floor and get away with it? Check out these pictures. See how Paper Illusions can transform flooring as well.

Water Stained Sheet Rock

Although not a solution for repairing water damaged sheetrock, PaperIllusion is a great coverup. Provided the surface is prepped as the manufacturer recommends (washing & rinsing well, let dry, and applying wallpaper primer), Paper Illusions can give an eyesore an extreme makeover…quick and easy…and affordable!

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Carrie Wigal is the Editor of Paper It Fun!, a monthly publication highlighting all that can be done with PaperIllusion. Discover this easy and affordable decorating solution to your damaged surfaces, Click here now => http://www.wallpaperillusions.com/

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Paper Illusions Wallpaper

2007-04-29T00:22:00.000-04:00

There's an exciting resource available now for those interested in Paper Illusions Wallpaper. It's called Paper It Fun!

I have a personal affinity to this product, so a few years back I started a newsletter offering tips & testimonials from previous customers and their experiences with this product. Then I launched a discussion forum to open up conversation on all that can be done with PaperIllusion. That seemed to go over well.

What's nice about the forum is that I don't know the answer to every question, but there's a good chance someone else might. For example, covering a counter top with Paper Illusion...I heard you could do it, but I never did it myself. Well, there's a few people who have actually done it, and they gave details on how they did it and how it worked out for them.

Then, the idea came to me, wouldn't it be great if we could show actual pictures of what people have done with the Paper Illusions wallpaper, so I asked our subscribers to submit photos...and they did. Now they're featured in a photo gallery at PaperItFun.com.

The most recent addition to this arsenal of resources is a blog...an online journal discussing what's new at Paper It Fun! as well as what's new with the product line. Announcements concerning new color releases and colors being discontinued can be found here...as well as project details/instructions, and more.

The blog is fairly new, but there's plenty of content to be added and what's great is the opportunity to comment on each post. Unlike a regular website, blogs encourage people to participate...to discuss the topic at hand. I'm hopeful this will be a resource many will come to enjoy and benefit from.

I encourage you to check it out...Paper It Fun! is the only place I know of that offers this kind of resource material on the one-of-a-kind Paper Illusions wallpaper.

Wall Murals: A Reflection of You

2006-02-22T20:09:00.000-05:00

Murals Make Lasting Impressions

(ARA) - The next time you get the urge to update your home décor, look for items that are meaningful to you personally. Is your passion sailing? Do you love going on nature walks? Or are you interested in animals or wildlife? No matter what your interests, your home should be a reflection of you.

When Annette Williams and her family moved into their new house in Cameron Park, Calif., west of Tahoe this past summer, they decided to go with a Spanish theme. "It's part of my family culture," says Williams. "We're Portuguese, Mexican and Spanish and wanted our house to reflect who we are."

There are Diego Rivera and Botero prints with lots of rich reds, yellows and oranges on her home's walls. Complimentary Mexican pottery is scattered throughout the house. "I like the fact that everything ties together nicely," she says. But until recently, there was something missing.
One day towards the end of the summer while her father was visiting, he looked up at the niche over the formal dining room and said, "You really need something to put up there." Williams looked up at the seven foot high by six foot wide space and told her father she agreed. "I couldn't find a picture big enough to fit in that space at any of the print shops I visited, so I decided to go on line and look for a wall mural," she says.

The first mural she found that she liked was on the Murals Your Way Web site. "It was a picture of a bull fighter," she says. "It had the right look, but the colors were all wrong." So she decided to check out the vintage posters on the site. When she found the one titled, "Sweet Corrine's," she was blown away.

"The woman in the poster looked exactly like my mom when she was in her 20s," says Williams. Both women had porcelain white skin and long dark hair. Williams' mother loved to sing and the woman in the picture was standing in front of a microphone. "They even had the same first name -- Corrine. When I saw the picture it brought me to tears. I lost my mom to a stroke two years ago."

After showing the mural to her father, they placed the order together and waited eagerly for it to arrive. "Once I had it hung up over the dining room, my dad came over, looked up at it and just cried. 'Sweet Corrine's' is a great tribute to my mom and one I will treasure always," says Williams.

"Sweet Corrine's" is just one of the more than 4,000 images available from Murals Your Way. The company also offers custom murals from personal photographs, artwork, corporate photos or illustrations. Murals can be printed as small as 4 feet by 6 feet, or as large as a house. To check out the gallery, log on to http://www.muralsyourway.com or call (888) 295-9764 to speak with a design consultant to get started.

Courtesy of ARA Content

New Sesame Street Wall Decor

2006-02-07T23:07:00.000-05:00

Let Your Child Have a Sleepover Every Night:
New Sesame Street Wall Decor Lets Best Friends Last A Lifetime

(ARA) - Sesame Street’s Elmo, Zoe, Big Bird and Cookie Monster hold a special place in the hearts of children around the world. Now you can surround your little one with their favorite Sesame Street buddies in the form of wall décor that you both can appreciate in the comfort and safety of your child’s own room.

New this fall, Sesame Street wallpapers bring Sesame Street’s lovable characters to life in a whole new way. “Elmo Wants a Hug” and “Zoe Loves to Dance” are irresistible child-size cut-outs; everyone from Ernie to Elmo appear on use-anywhere appliqués; there is even a growth chart that can be personalized with your child’s name.

Most importantly, Sesame Street wallpapers reflect Sesame Street’s primary purpose of educating children and enriching their lives. The new “ABC” border includes the entire alphabet featuring a corresponding icon for every letter such as a penguin for “P” and a tiger for “T”. The colorful “123 Border” counts all the way to ten and illustrates the accurate number of balloons or birthday candles for each number. “These wallpapers are as engaging as they are educational,” says Maura Regan, vice president and general manager of global licensing for Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street. “They are designed to help children think, discover and prepare for school, and the learning is meant to be joyful.”

Even the clever character wallpapers make learning fun while conveying comfort and love. “Street Scenic” border is as interactive as a children’s picture book, and “Sesame Street Gang” cut-out shows the whimsical characters sharing the spotlight incolorful, smiling splendor. “The borders and appliqués can be hung at changing-table height or chair-rail height, wherever children can most enjoy them,” says Deb Zadnik, design director for Village, the company that created thewallpapers. “There is reassurance in seeing familiar, friendly faces while lying in bed or coloring at the desk. It’s also great to hang the ‘ABC’ and ‘123’ border just above the floor molding so even the tiniest tots see the bright colors and shapes while playing or crawling. These wallpapers meet kids at their level, and bring comfort and stimulation to them in the safest place of all, their own rooms.”

Sesame Street wallpapers are part of the “Completely Kids” children’s wallpaper collection from Village, available at wallpaper stores nationwide. Proceeds that Sesame Workshop receives from wallpaper sales help fund educational programs for children around the world. For a list of local retailers, call (800) 552-9255.

Courtesy of ARA Content

See What's Featured at Wallpaper Trends from the Sesame Street Collection

A Quick & Easy Solution to Your Dark Wood Paneling Nightmare

2005-08-21T21:55:00.000-04:00

By: Carrie Wigal

©2005 by Carrie Wigal
All Rights Reserved.

Are you a victim of 1970s dark wood wall paneling? Does the thought of confronting it fill you with dread and leave you uninspired? Do you seek relief from this outdated decor?

I too, am a victim of wood paneling. Plagued with four rooms of this stuff, I know how you feel.

Here’s a quick and easy solution to your wood paneling nightmare. But first, your choices…

Tear It Down or Cover It Up

The problem with tearing it down is not knowing what’s underneath. If you’re lucky, the underlying walls may just need some minor repairs.

However, the paneling may cover up seriously damaged walls or an unfavorable material such as cracked plaster or unfinished drywall, causing an even greater problem.

Unless prepared to start completely over, tearing it down is not an option.

Covering it up makes more sense and it doesn't have to be the elaborate chore you might expect.

Paint vs. Wallpaper

Given all the prep work necessary for a flawless finish, neither of these are considered "quick and easy". Here's why...

With paint, you'll need to spackle and sand to fill in the grooves. It's not that difficult, but it is rather time consuming and dusty.

Regardless if you keep the grooved effect, you'll still need to be prepared for the multiple coats, noxious fumes, and inevitable mess that painting indoors brings.

With traditional wallpaper, provided the grooves are small enough, you can hang a heavy duty liner before applying your wallpaper.

Besides the time it takes to choose a pattern, you'll need accuracy in measuring, cutting and matching it just right.

This requires some thinking and coordination…especially if you have windows, doors and cabinetry to work around.

So what’s the “quick and easy solution”?

What If...

What if there was a way to cover up the grooves in your paneling without spackle and sandpaper or heavy duty liners, and...

there were no fumes or multiple applications, and very little mess involved, and...

it was safe and easy enough to work around children…

and…

it could be completed in ONE DAY?

Imagine...

Wash and rinse the walls the night before, apply a primer/sealer the next morning, run a few errands, eat lunch at your leisure, apply your quick and easy paneling nightmare solution in the afternoon, and entertain guests in your newly decorated room that night!

Too good to be true?

Introducing...

Introducing PaperIllusion™ by Village. This product is perfect for covering dark wood paneling. It bridges the gap created by the grooves and delivers an amazing faux finish result.

Unlike regular wallpaper, you tear this paper into pieces, dip it in water and apply it randomly to the surface.

You hang this directly on the paneling after washing and priming it without using a wall liner.

No need to wait to “book” strips or apply glue. This paper is pre-pasted with a special formula allowing the paper to adhere to itself.

It is SO easy to install...there's no measuring, cutting or matching required.

Seriously, you just tear it into pieces, dip it in water, and apply it to your primed paneling.

And the results are stunning.

Plus, it creates a true texture, not just a picture of texture.

If a faux finish effect appeals to you, check out this PaperIllusion™ product by Village. Even if you've never considered "faux finish", take a look at this solution...it truly is quick and easy, odor-free, long lasting, enjoyable to work with and achieves a beautiful result.

Finally your wood paneling nightmares are over...See for yourself!

Carrie Wigal is the Chief Editor for Wallpaper Trends,
a journal of the latest tips and trends in wallpaper design.
For a quick & easy solution to your wood paneling nightmare,
Click here now ==> http://www.wallpaperillusions.com

** Attn Ezine editors / Site owners **

Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your ezine or on your site so long as you leave all links in place, do not modify the content and include the resource box as listed above.

If you need additional articles, contact me for fresh, new content you can use on your website or in your ezine for FREE! mailto:carrie@wallpapertrends.com

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Wallpaper Replaces Faux Paint

2005-07-10T00:14:00.000-04:00

In a recent article, "Wallpaper Regains Popularity in Decor" (published June 18, 2005 in The Indianapolis Star), Erin Crawford of The Des Moines Register gives five reasons to give wallpaper a look. She writes:

Wallpaper has been completely swept aside by faux paint fever in recent years, but maybe it's time to give paper a second chance.

"Wallpaper is coming back," says Diane Mack, a decorating company sales consultant in Clive, Iowa. "We're seeing sales start to pick up again."

Wallpaper has been reinvented with a more modern look, better application and removal methods, and textured styles that look better than plain old paper.

See the complete article here.

PaperIllusion by Village boasts "the easy way to faux finish" and people are putting it to the test. A recent survey by WallpaperIllusions.com shows 100% of those polled found the application of this product to be "very easy".

The Village Cafe is a discussion forum provided by the makers of PaperIllusion where customers are free to share their thoughts and decorating tips on Village Products. An excellent resource for the do-it-yourselfer.

More and more people are opting for wallpaper over faux paint. Not only is it easier to apply, the effect is longer lasting.

If you thought paint was the only way to go, take a second look and see the kind of results you can get with faux finish wallpaper.

PaperIllusion Tips & Testimonials

2005-07-08T15:47:00.000-04:00

We asked some of our customers what they thought of the Paper Illusions Wallpaper product and here is what they had to say...

I have been using the various paperillusions wallpaper colors for the last 6 or 7 years. I love them because they look funky and are extremely easy to use, more so than regular wall paper. I also like that you can easily stick a piece over another piece at a later time if there is a mark or damage to the original, rather than having to re-wallpaper the whole wall or room. I have used it in my last few houses and love it, though it is very difficult to find.

~Michelle Bowden

TIP: Try to match up the torn edges in a pattern that makes it look like the white tear line continues on like a true marble vein. If you do that, then it really will look nice, and on large walls, use large pieces if you don't want it to look like compressed pieces of marble glued together. ~KE

I really like this product. The walls in our home were damaged from years of abuse, and even though I repaired them, painting was really not a good option. I found this product and have done two bathrooms, an entry hall, and a formal dining room. Each in a different pattern, each in a different color, and each with a very different look. This product is very forgiving and covers little imperfections with ease. It is very simple to apply and the scraps can be used for room accessories, I covered the mattes on pictures and reframed prints. I even covered the cold air return grates so they would not be so obvious. I really highly recommend this product to anyone who wants a very stylish look that is easy to get.

~Gerrie Nowak

When asked, "What did you like best about this PaperIllusion product?" this customer replied...

...that I could put it up with my children. We had a ball...the bathrooms look very professional and I impressed myself (smile)

TIP: If you are using the dark papers...greens...reds... when you tear it, trim the gray part off...(some think) it looks funny on the wall when applied.~QW

The end look is very classy (Florentine Marble Earth). Applying the product was very easy.

~Joanne Brown

100% of the customers surveyed agree...
Installing PaperIllusion is VERY EASY.

Consider Paper Illusions wallpaper for your next decorating project.

How to Hang PaperIllusion Wallpaper

2005-06-21T19:55:00.000-04:00

PaperIllusion is the easy way to faux finish. This is a new and unique way to decorate your home.

Each design is first created by an artist and then printed on special prepasted, breathable paper to re-create the original, hand-painted look.

Due to the nature of the paper and the design, there may be slight color variations from one roll to the next. This is inherent to PaperIllusion and only enhances the beauty of the end result.

Preparation
Remove existing wallpaper. Walls must be smooth, clean, and free of mildew, grease and stain. Follow with an application of wallcovering primer/sealer.

Gather Tools
Smoothing tool, sponge, trim knife, water tray or bucket.

Coverage
85 square feet of PaperIllusion covers an 8' x 9' wall.

Multiply length by height of each wall and add together
Deduct for doors and windows to determine size of area to be covered

Now the fun begins with 3 Easy Steps!

STEP 1
Begin by tearing paper randomly into irregular shapes. Tear larger peices first (approximately 8" x 12"), then smaller pieces as needed.

Start with straight-edge pieces. These shapes should be used along edges, ceiling lines, baseboards, doors and windows, to minimize trimming required.

STEP 2
Dip pieces of paper into warm water and make sure the entire pasted side is wet. Allow excess water to drip off into the water trays or bucket.

STEP 3
Apply to your primed wall or ceiling. Use your smoothing tool to remove excess water and wipe with a slightly moistened sponge. Place the second piece with its edges slightly overlapping the first piece, smooth and sponge firmly. Any remaining bubbles will disappear as the piece dries tight to the wall.

It's that easy!

Corners--when applying pieces in corners, gently press your smoothing tool into the corner to mold the paper to the corner.
Trimming--to complete your project, use the smoothing tool and trim knife to trim around doorframes, windowsills, light switches, vanities, counter tops or even the pipes in your bathroom, as needed.
Left over pieces--cover waste baskets, picture frames, lampshades, switchplate covers, etc to create a coordinated decor look.

Remember with Paper Illusion wallpaper it is easy to start and stop--clean-up is a breeze--and you can do as much or little as you like each time without having the entire room in disarray.

Easy to remove. Moisten with warm water repeating until pieces peel off.

Reprinted from instructions included with packaging of PaperIllusion product by Village.