The decorating adventure continues with another day dedicated to painting and wallpapering. Let’s delve into the progress made and the challenges encountered.
The Perils of Flash Photography: Color Conundrums
The first photo captures the recently wallpapered section above “The Stage.” The wrinkles are a result of the wet paper, and the camera flash unfortunately distorts the true color. The actual paint is a much richer, redder hue, appearing deceptively pink in the picture.
Striving for Symmetry: Addressing the Uneven Wall
The wall with the windows has been a source of ongoing concern. Despite filling gaps, trimming foam, sanding surfaces, and meticulously applying filler, a sense of imperfection persisted. To address this, I resorted to a trusty solution – Warmaline.
Warmaline: A Problem-Solving Product
Warmaline is a 2mm thick polystyrene sheet offered in rolls. Primarily designed for insulation, it’s also a secret weapon for tackling uneven walls. Here’s a breakdown of its key features:
- Requires Ready-Mixed Paste: Regular paste, regardless of viscosity, is insufficient. Polystyrene doesn’t absorb liquid well, so opt for ready-mixed paste for optimal adhesion.
- Enhanced Adhesion for Problem Areas: Border or overlap paste offers extra strength for areas requiring additional support.
- Drying Time is Crucial: Allow a minimum of 72 hours for the paste to dry thoroughly before applying wallpaper. This ensures a secure bond between the Warmaline and the wall.
- Cutting Techniques: Shears are preferable over craft knives for cutting Warmaline to avoid tearing or breaking.
- Delicate Handling: Treat the material with care, as it’s prone to tearing and breakage. Fortunately, patching is straightforward due to its thickness, allowing for clean edge-to-edge joining.
- Smoothing Tips: Ditch the hanging brush and use a soft, cloth pad for a gentle touch. Avoid using bare hands, as friction can cause burns.
The Reveal: A Smooth Surface Awaits
The photo showcases the transformed wall with the Warmaline successfully applied. It now boasts a smooth and even surface, ready for the next step – the wallpaper!
A Strategic Move: Postponing Flooring
With the Warmaline needing 72 hours to dry, wallpapering is on hold. This unexpected delay presents the perfect opportunity to tackle the dreaded task – laying the flooring. While not the most enjoyable part of the project, progress is progress.
A Glimpse of Things to Come
I’ve been busying myself with other decorating projects, and there are some exciting finds in store. However, the reveal will be staged alongside the furniture placement to create a more complete visual experience.