Retro Renovation

Remodeling, decor and home improvement for mid century and vintage homes

We help you remodel and decorate your home in mid-century and vintage style. Renovate your kitchen... or your bathroom... tour a time capsule... and share in a like-minded community passionate about their old houses. Read More.
  • Home
  • Be Safe!
  • Kitchen Help
  • Bathroom Help
  • Other Rooms
  • Decorate
  • Exterior
  • Culture
  • Holiday
  • Pam’s Kitchen
follow retro renovation on facebook
  • Home » Decorating Resources -- Also note those subcategories in the orange navigation, above! » wallpaper » How to hang vintage wallpaper — consulting Hannah’s guide

    How to hang vintage wallpaper — consulting Hannah’s guide

    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Email Newsletter

    Posted by: Pam Kueber • September 14, 2017

    I made a decision — it’s the Moby Dick rope trellis for the ceilings of my Mahalo Lounge. I’m going for over-the-top (literally) risky dark-n-stormy you-don’t-need-a-place-to-rest-your-eyes-in-a-tiki-bar epic. But Gulp: Now I need to gear up to hang it all. I’ve hung vintage wallpaper before, but usually $3 rolls found at estate sales and closed wallpaper shops. Now, I paid real money for this stuff. And, I’ve never had to trim seams before. So, I’m consulting Hannah’s Treasure’s How to Hang Vintage Wallpaper instructions here — and will take it slow. Wish me luck! Photo above: From Hannah’s Treasure’s.

    Related stories

    1. plastic booties to put on your feet when you are doing a home renovation project Bootie Queen
    2. ceiling glitter Ceiling glitter — where to buy it — and my very pressing questions
    3. retro-mod-accent-wall Retro wall stencils — patterns and tips from 8 reader projects
    4. Howdy hygge: 11 midcentury modest home features that deliver hygge galore

    Ad

    ​
    Comments 16
    Be-Safe-graphic2.3

    Get our retrolicious free newsletter.

    Newsletter-sign-up-2NMAS

    About Pam Kueber

    Now in my 10th year of publishing RetroRenovation.com!

    Comments

    1. ineffablespace says

      September 14, 2017 at 8:47 am

      Not every room needs a place to rest your eyes. I think that’s overrated.

      Reply
    2. Sharon says

      September 14, 2017 at 9:56 am

      A “crown molding” of thick hemp rope come to mind.

      Reply
    3. Carolyn says

      September 14, 2017 at 12:02 pm

      So I had to go back a week to read thru 198!!! comments (which was fun seeing what we all had to say on the subject and why we said it) to see what my first choice was – YEA! I must have some design in me since my first choice was the ropes.
      Loving Sharon’s suggestion for rope molding – hides those oopsies!
      Now, judging from the time capsule black-tile bath from earlier this week and your arms Pam – either you’re ready to tackle this paper job or you’ve already done it and we’re just waiting for the “Voila!” moment.
      I am thinking that wallpapering is one of those jobs you know you can do but are willing and quite happy to pay someone else to do like change your oil or do a tune-up. Personally I’d want someone else do it both to assign blame and lessen the chance I’d SEE the one little goof EVERY time I went in there.

      Reply
      • Pam Kueber says

        September 14, 2017 at 12:09 pm

        No, I haven’t done it yet! The wallpaper just arrived.

        Reply
    4. Felicia Alexander says

      September 14, 2017 at 12:02 pm

      Personally, I would probably have gone with the seashells in that room, but I’m sure your end result will be tiki-fabulous!

      BTW, I really like the Old World Collage Map design, but for a different kind of room–a den or a study would be perfect.

      Best of luck with your project! Do you have a wet bar for the room yet?

      Reply
    5. Angela says

      September 14, 2017 at 12:07 pm

      My only advice is be very very very careful. I bought vintage wallpaper ONCE. . The paper person I hired couldn’t work w it due to its age. It tore and ripped when he tried to cut and trim it. The glue turned yellow when it dried. It had to be removed because it was so bad. Then it wouldn’t come off without gouging the wall. Steaming, scraping, substances made to remove paper, nothing got all of it off. These were pro’s too that were doing this job. It was not DIY. My bathroom walls had to be torn out in spots and new drywall had to be installed. In the end it cost me hundreds of dollars more then budgeted. I learned that if you can go with new vinyl paper, it might save you anxiety and having to pay a lot to redo. Not saying it’s like this for everyone. I read on here that many people have no issues at all and the end result is awesome. The problem is that if you do have an issue , it’s a doozy that will be expensive to fix.

      Reply
      • Pam Kueber says

        September 14, 2017 at 12:10 pm

        I’ve installed vintage on my bathroom and kitchen walls and had no problem.

        Reply
        • Angela says

          September 14, 2017 at 12:16 pm

          Hi Pam
          I agree that many people have a great result . I see all the beautiful spaces on the site including yours and the wallpaper makes the room. I’m just offering a cautionary tale. I did not buy it from Hannah’s. Perhaps I should have . She has lovely stuff.

          Reply
    6. ineffablespace says

      September 14, 2017 at 12:34 pm

      I think if it’s new old stock and it’s been in wrappers or a box it should be okay.

      My vintage Thibaut Ching was in the wrappers in a box and it looks like new paper.

      In any cases my paper hanger will hang a layer of liner paper first and then the vintage paper, if he thinks its necessary (Not quite twice the work or cost because it’s wider and no matching).

      If it’s really good paper, like a $60,000 Zuber Scenic set, he’ll hang muslin first, then liner paper, then the paper. This way it’s archival and it can be removed. He’s even taken it down from one house and traveled to Florida or wherever to put it up in their new house. I won’t ever have to worry about owning something like this…

      Reply
    7. Christine W says

      September 14, 2017 at 2:00 pm

      I’m sure you’ll do a great job Pam and it will look fantastic. I love the wallpaper you’ve chosen. You know what you’re doing, but I will wish you Good Luck anyway. I hope you have some extra sets of hands available though

      Reply
    8. Carol says

      September 14, 2017 at 10:41 pm

      My first choice. Yeah! It won’t look too busy because of the beams in the room. The paper won’t read as a solid swath, which would be busy. It will look more like an accent.

      Reply
    9. Karin says

      September 15, 2017 at 8:18 am

      I’m sure the rope trellis for your ceiling is the right one and will look fantastic. Personally, it was my second choice. The back story of your house being so close to the cottage where Moby Dick was written made it quite poignant. It’s another layer of meaning. Finally finished reading my copy and loved it. I get it. Good luck with the ceiling.

      Reply
    10. Bette Jean says

      September 15, 2017 at 9:10 am

      I voted for green, green, green but like Carolyn I reviewed the original voting article. I can see where you’re going with your choice and it’s wonderful…especially near the spotted walls. I am normally in favor of giving the eye a place to rest in a room. BUT this is epic design and rested eyeballs are over rated!

      Reply
    11. Sean Mahan says

      September 15, 2017 at 1:50 pm

      Wow, the best of luck for you! I never did it myself, but from talking to friends that have, they usually give the same tip: lots of patience!

      Reply
    12. Mary Elizabeth says

      September 16, 2017 at 4:38 pm

      I read the instructions on the Hannah’s web site and agree with everything they say. I have hung a lot of wallpaper, vintage paper to modern vinyl, but never over my head. I think I would end up with more paste in my hair than on the ceiling. Plus, I remember you and climbing and falling. If I were you, I’d bite the bullet and hire a professional. (Pay no attention when he says, “You want me to put this paper where???”)

      Reply
      • Pam Kueber says

        September 17, 2017 at 8:41 am

        Yes, I am skared. I have my wallpaperer coming in to take a look at the job. And she has done ceilings before, she says!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    • Midcentury-Marketplace-Ads3
    • Lotsa basics on Amazon:

    • BE SAFE / RENOVATE SAFE!
      Get informed and be aware about the environmental & safety hazards in old homes, materials and products. #1 RULE: Consult with your own properly licensed professionals. More info: See our Be Safe/Renovate page... EPA asbestos website ... EPA lead website ... U.S.F.A. – fire safety, etc.
    website-bottom-banner-pam-kateFINAL

    Important Reader Information

    • Terms of Use: By using this website you are agreeing to the site's terms of use. Read them here in full.
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosures: How I make money
    • Contact

    Copyright 2018 © Retro Renovation®, all rights reserved. Please do not use any materials without prior permission.