unexpected - go off the wall

From Habitat plus - wallpaper

Don’t limit your wallpaper to your walls or using just one design all over.

Wallpaper can be used in a variety of unexpected and fun ways, big and small. Cover books and old tins to use as pen pots or decorate the front of a chest of drawers or the back of a set of shelves.

Off the wall

Paint is always a good way to smarten up furniture, but adding wallpaper brings a whole new dimension.

Use wallpaper to cover the back of some shelves or the front of a chest of drawers. Or how about using a single print in a variety of colourways on the front face of a staircase?

Everything in its place

Create a locker-style setup in your front entryway divvied-up using contrasting stripes of the same wallpaper pattern in different colourways for each family member, so that everything will (hopefully) be in its place. To the left, four variations of the same cute cactus pattern (from left to right) Resene Wallpaper Collection SMIL69753709, SMIL69757001, SMIL69752222 and SMIL69756414 help keep this hallway tidy and are a joyful greeting to come home to after a long day.

Small things

Transforming small everyday objects with a bit of wallpaper is super-easy. Pen pots were made by upcycling old tins and covering them in Resene Wallpaper Collection GP5973. Floating shelves are a clever way to add flair to your walls without taking up too much real estate. The floating shelves add a little tropical flair paired with Resene Wallpaper Collection AT7071 and tropical paint colours Resene Sakura and Resene Dingley.

Did you know?  There are a series of quick videos with ideas on how to get creative with wallpaper on www.habitatbyresene.co.nz/habitat-tv.

Butterflies and blooms

Head back to craft class and fashion these fluttery butterflies out of wallpaper design Resene Wallpaper Collection 606874, then let them fly up the wall (painted in Resene Urbane). Or make some romantic floral blooms out of your favourite patterns from the Resene Wallpaper Collection. Learn how to make your own at www.habitatbyresene.co.nz/habitat-tv.

Instant art

Many wallpapers are so detailed that they are pieces of art in and of themselves. Wrap a piece of wallpaper around a readymade canvas or pop it into a suitable frame. There are wallpapers inspired by the floral still life paintings of the Dutch Masters such as Bosschaert, van Aelst and Breughel. Use a frame that opens up to easily change your wallpaper art as your tastes change.

Tips and tricks

• Always allow wallpaper to dry naturally after hanging. Do not try to hurry the drying process by using a heater. Force drying the wallpaper will cause the joins to open during the drying process. In cold, damp, unventilated conditions, drying may take up to one week.
• Change the water in the trough after every three lengths or 10 minutes.
• Do not use a seam roller and don’t apply too much pressure to the seams or you will squeeze out the paste and the edges will lift.
• Wipe off excess paste and water after each length. A towel under the water trough is a good idea.
• It is not necessary or recommended to repaste ready-pasted wallpaper.
• Anaglypta and paint-on wallpaper hanging instructions must be carefully followed to ensure proper finish.
• Before you begin, check your wallpaper roll by roll to ensure that you have the correct pattern, colour and sufficient quantities of the same lot number to complete this job.
• If defective wallpaper is discovered after hanging three lengths, stop and contact your Resene ColorShop.

Please place your wallpaper orders allowing plenty of time as there may be delays and some items may be unavailable. Samples are available in selected designs. Ask our Resene ColorShop team for assistance. Please view your favourites in store.

Want to get your own free copy of future issues of Habitat magazine?

• Retail customers and homeowners: All Resene ColorShop and DIY Cardholders are sent a copy of each issue of Habitat. Sign up for your free card here - Australian residents - New Zealand residents.
• Specifiers: Sign up for Habitat here.

If you have an idea, project or story that you think would suit Habitat plus, we’d love to hear from you. Please drop us an email with your details and include photos if submitting a project.

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