We’re constructing a new bathroom and would like to replicate a look/idea that we saw several years ago in a friend’s parents’ home. They essentially “wallpapered” the room with old National Geographic maps and it looked great with the wooden wainscoting, trim, etc. It was a powder room; Ours will have a shower it in, but will be used predominantly as a powder room.
Now, we’re getting ready to do the job…. anyone have any experience wallpapering with non-wallpaper/maps/etc ? We want it to look artful and well-done, not too “homespun”…
your comments appreciated! thanks
Replies
Sally,
There are commercially available wallpapers that have maps that look good. You could mix several of these to get the effect of multiple maps that you are looking for. Unless you have sentimental value attached to the maps you are putting up, this may be the safer route to go for longevity of the wall finish. However, if you have specific maps that you really want to put up...
No experience with wallpapering, but a couple of suggestions anyway. Moisture is always a problem in a bathroom when wallpaper is involved, and you might want to see if there is a clear sealer that you can paint over the top to protect the paper you are using. Also, I would suggest that you buy a piece of drywall and experiment with different techniques before you apply any precious paper (sentimental maps) to your walls.
Good luck, and post pictures.
Aimless,
Thanks for the tip re: the commerical maps... we'll look into it, though we do really love the authenticity of the Natl Geographic ones, and yes, we have done some traveling and would like to include certain areas of the world. Your suggestion to do some trial runs first is a great one!
(it will be months before pics are avail but will try to remember to post)
Sally,
This link is kind of thin on details, but it sounds like they hang the map just like wallpaper and then shellac over it to protect the surface:
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/rm_walls_wallpaper/article/0,1797,HGTV_3807_1389018,00.html
Aimless,
You're so resourceful, thank you! We'll do some trial-runs and maybe will get some more responses as to what kind of shellac has worked for others, etc. The maps we have are in good shape (not torn), and are original to the 1960's and 1970's (great yard sale finds!).. but the tinted shellac would be nice for a more aged effect.
Is shellac waterproof? IIRC, I wouldn't use shellac in a bathroom.
I haven't done it but here are a couple of things to consider.
Maybe decoupage solution would be just the thing.
The wall behind should be white so nothing shows through.
The water based polyurethanes (like Minwax Polycrylic) will not yellow at all, they dry perfectly clear. If you don't want any color change, I'd try one of them.
Some clear finishes may make the fibers transparent, (like oil on paper) so what's on the back side of the paper may show through, so experimentation is a must.
Good luck with your project - I hope you'll post pics.
Friend of mine is an avid traveller. Decorated powder room over course of a FEW years, with postcards collected from travels. Did one wall at a time. Made SURE to coat the wall with SIZING first.
Currently the walls are done but now its the ceiling's turn!
Well, as long as you make sure they look more attactive than these :)
We inherited this wall in the new/old house.
House In Progress...assembling the pieces
Oh my! That *is* interesting... Nah. I think our old National Geographic maps will look cool. We've done a good bit of traveling, so it's fitting to our style and what we've collected along the way.
Hmm, Green Bay Packers, huh??? Now there's an idea...
I think your's will look cooler too :)
Especially if you don't trap cigarette smoke in your house for 70 years after you've sealed the windows.
This is the wider shot photo:
http://www.houseinprogress.net/archives/000314.html
I just realized we didn't include the right hand side of the wall in the photo. The side you see? Has the top half of the football players. And just outside of the frame of the photo?
Their bottom halves.
Since we have since moved our bedroom into this room, the map wall is the last thing I see before I go to bed at night.
Sigh.
Yes, I've done it and it's hard. Not impossible, just hard. Maps don't have the tear resistance that wallpaper does so once it's wet it starts to fall apart quickly. Set your pasting table up close to the bathroom, dry fit first, paste and go like gangbusters. Have extra maps available because you will tear some. We coated ours with poly.
Hi, Thanks for your feedback, Rick. Would you do it all over again?
How do you like your final product/result? Other pros/cons? What did you seal the maps with? Any other suggestions, ideas would be most appreciated . Thanks!