Beyond Paint and Wallpaper: Trends in Wallcoverings

Wait! Before you open that can of paint to freshen up the look of your room, let’s talk about wall coverings. A coat of paint is the traditional wall finish go-to, but it’s not your only option. Consider one of today’s trending wall coverings either as an accent wall or for the whole room.

Braided Hemp Wallpaper

Hemp wall coverings are a great, natural alternative. Created by weaving highly durable hemp fibers, this wall covering is a great eco-friendly option! You’ll find it’s typically hand-woven and dyed with natural materials. Even if you select a natural color palette in this wall covering, hemp’s textured finish will bring a new level of interest to your walls. 

Metallic Wallpaper

Perhaps you hear wallpaper and you flash back to floral prints. Today’s wallpaper has come a long way since then. Don’t be afraid of going metallic. Today’s choices range from a subtle metallic thread woven into natural fibers to varnished metal leaf hand-applied to high-quality paper. If you’re not quite ready to make the total commitment to metallic, consider it for an accent wall. 

Leather/Faux Leather 

You have a few different options when we talk about leather or faux leather wall coverings. You could select a simple traditional leather finish or suede option. Alternatively, you’ll also find textured options with stitching or other patterns. You choices don’t end there! If you’re not sure a full room or even a full wall of leather is right for your room, consider using leather tiles as a mock-headboard or other wall feature. 

Bamboo or Cork Tiles

Like hemp, bamboo and cork are eco-friendly decorating choices made from sustainable materials. With tiles, you’ll have a variety of design choices starting with how you lay out your wall. Will you go with tiles placed in horizontal lines or a herringbone pattern? Which material is right for you will be based, at least in part, on where you plan to use it. Bamboo requires a dry space, which rules out use in a bathroom or basement. Cork, on the other hand, can be ideal as a kitchen backsplash or bathroom wall. If you seal the cork properly, the tiles are water-resistant.

by Anjie Cho

Paint Like a Pro: 5 Steps to DIY Walls

Bringing new life to a room can be as simple as rolling a new color of paint on the walls. You’ve chosen the hue that compliments your space (if you haven’t done that yet, get some helpful hints here), but that’s just the start. Although painting a room on your own isn’t difficult, there is a right way to do it. Follow these five steps to paint your space like a pro.

Gather the tools

You don’t want to get half a wall into your project and discover a needed item you failed to buy. Before you get started, gather your supplies. 

Prep the space

That fabulous color you selected will look best on a clean, smooth surface. Take time to clean the wall with a damp sponge and mild dish washing detergent. Patch holes and scrape off any flaking paint. Large pieces of furniture should be moved into the center of the room and covered with a drop cloth. Place painter’s tape around your room where the wall meets the trim. You should also remove outlet covers and other wall fixtures. Before you open the can of paint, cover the floor with a drop cloth or other material to protect it.

Prime

Primer is a given when you’re talking about new drywall. What about an existing wall? If you’re not covering a darker hue with something light, you may be tempted to skip this step. Don’t. Primer will give your finished coat a more uniform finish regardless of your final color.

Bring on the paint

Grab a two-inch brush and load it with paint. Be sure to lightly drag the brush across the edge of the can in order to remove the excess paint. Using long, steady strokes, apply the paint to the areas around your taped off trim and the corners of your room. Then, pour some of the paint into a tray and load up the paint roller. Work on 3-4 foot sections of wall at a time and apply your paint in an overlapping “W” pattern. Without lifting your roller, go over the same space with horizontal strokes.  Plan on applying two coats of paint for a smooth, even finish. Before you call it a day, remove the tape. 

Finish it off

Once your walls are completely dry, tackle your baseboards and the trim around windows and doors. Apply tape to each section of wall that borders the trim. Reach for your two-inch angled brush to paint the trim. 

Enjoy your beautiful new room!

by Anjie Cho

The What and Why of Skim Coating

Before you paint another wall in your house, let’s talk about skim coating. This process of applying a layer of mud (joint compound) to the wall will create a smooth, even surface. When finished, skim coating will effectively conceal all evidence of seams, fasteners or repairs to your walls, even under close scrutiny and under a variety of light sources. 

Why skim coat?

There are several reasons you’ll want to skim coat. Among them: 

  • Covering existing decorative texture treatments to an existing wall

  • Blending existing drywall with new installation for a cohesive look

  • Smoothing out a wall that has been patched and repaired

  • Refinishing walls with lingering wall paper paste or other wall treatments like stenciling and painted patterns

  • You plan to paint with a gloss or semi-gloss paint that will highlight any defect in the existing wall

What tools are needed?

You may need to apply multiple coats of mud to the wall in order to achieve the look you’re going for. Keep this mind when you’re determining how much joint compound to purchase. You’ll also need a roller brush and a wide drywall knife or squeegee trowel. Pick up a paint tray to hold the mud while you work. Of course, you’ll want to prep your room before you begin to work, so grab a few drop clothes too!

The *How-To* of it all

If you’re working with an existing wall, first make any minor repairs to the wall; for example, fill nail holes and lightly sand any loose pieces. You can also apply a fast drying primer to the wall in order to cover stains, highly pigmented colors or loose wall paper scraps. 

Water down your joint compound to roughly the consistency of a bowl of melting ice cream. You should be able to scoop the mud out of the bucket with an appearance of a lump that’s a little runny and sagging. 

Here’s the key: work in small sections. You don’t want the plaster to dry before you can wipe it down. Using your paint roller, place the mud on a section of wall and then immediately scrape the wall with the trowel. You’ll leave behind a thin layer of smooth mud. Once you’ve completed your first pass, let the walls dry completely. Continue applying layers until the walls are smooth and even. 

One last step: before you finish off your fantastically crisp new walls with your favorite color you’ll want to prime them. This will seal the porous mud and ensure the new paint color you’re looking forward to will adhere to the wall properly.

by Anjie Cho