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.
Bootie Queen 
Ceiling glitter — where to buy it — and my very pressing questions 
Retro wall stencils — patterns and tips from 8 reader projects 
Howdy hygge: 11 midcentury modest home features that deliver hygge galore 
Get our retrolicious free newsletter.
About Pam Kueber
Want to be social? Follow me on:
Sign up for my weekly Newsletter
Comments
Leave a Reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Not every room needs a place to rest your eyes. I think that’s overrated.
A “crown molding” of thick hemp rope come to mind.
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.
No, I haven’t done it yet! The wallpaper just arrived.
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?
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.
I’ve installed vintage on my bathroom and kitchen walls and had no problem.
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.
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…
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
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.
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.
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!
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!
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???”)
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!