I'm so psyched. This was easy. I've been talking about doing it for months, ever since I saw something similar in a British edition of Country Living (I think they reused the same images in an American issue later, but I'm not sure). Most of this wallpaper comes from my Original Fairy Godmother Pam Garrison, who sells packs of it on Etsy and will do again soon, she says (but you gotta be quick, darlings, because the stuff sells in about five seconds), and some of it is from sweet Tammy Gilley, and some of it is just mine. I cut all the rectangles with a rotary cutter while I was talking on the phone to my sister. It took about an hour; I just cut sizes totally randomly.
The door is our bedroom closet door. It's got a panel in it and is quite skinny. I had a big bottle of wallpaper paste and a cheap brush, and I just put the paste on the back of each piece (using an old cookie sheet to catch the drips) then slapped it on the door. I couldn't find the plastic scraper thing I bought to smooth it all out, so I used a pastry scraper. That was actually a little harsh — it ripped the paper, which becomes quite delicate when saturated by the paste. But it was okay. I just put the pieces up randomly, overlapping sometimes. Then I smoothed it all out. I tried not to get bubbles and stuff but I didn't try that hard, really; the pasting took about an hour, and then the very best part was that as soon as I was just totally ready to be done, I was done! Now, I ask you girls — how often does that happen? Not often enough. I'm always ready to be done when I'm actually only 5/8ths of the way done. This time I was 19/20ths done by the time I was ready to be done. It was great. I'm really happy with this. The wallpaper gets discolored with the paste, but don't worry — by the time I woke up this morning, everything was dry and it looked fine (though there are still some patches of discoloration, but I don't mind that; it just makes it look like it's been there longer than five minutes).
This is my very first time putting any kind of wallpaper on a real wall. I was so nervous that this would be a difficult, messy project, but it seriously was a cinch. Oh wait, I just remembered that I did the linen closet doors a long time ago, but that wallpaper was new. I forgot about that. Anyway, these pieces are all vintage. I want to do the outside of the linen closet doors now, in something more mid-century mod patchwork, to match the hallway (which is more contemporary than the bedroom). I really had fun with this.
How sweet that looks. It just makes me happy. Anything in your house that makes you smile is so worth it. Are you going to name the door "Pam?" :)
It looks great! It's fun seeing this since I have a lot of the same papers! :D
PS- can you upload that top pic on flickr, please? ;)
That is LOVELY!! What a great idea. *logs into file cabinet in brain*
this is beautiful, really beautiful. Oh my, I'm thinking of all sorts of adaptions of this idea. "Peter!..."
What is that lovely bird artwork above the chair?
Ohhh C'monnnnn...really!!! You are killlling me!!! This has got to be the most over the top, deeelish eye candy ever!!
Really now Alicia...too darn FAB!! My face actually squinched up ..as if I were in PAIN from it!!
Really..Like "OH I can't bare to look any longer..I'm gonna die"
Geez Louise!! It is truly beyond Lovely and PERFECT!!
and ok...if that is not a killer tag team???...Posie and Pam Garrison....KILLLLER!!!
Gonna print these pics...as painful as they are and all!!
xoxo Jenny
So sweet and cottage-y. And Pam - love her.
yah. what blair said! :)
and Jenny! :)
wow! i love that sooo much. i'm stealing this idea for sure...
Looks very nice. And I like those birds on the wall too!! And Blue Print, I liked that mag more than Real Simple.
please open the door!! Let us peek inside! You give us the best happiness with your pastel delights!
That just looks so cute and so very "you"! It makes me wish I had a door to wallpaper now, except maybe in a bit more autumnal colors for "me". I'm off to visit little Kai for the first time today. It's so neat, I almost feel like I'm a new aunt!
Have a great weekend, and damn girl! you are productive!
OH.MY.GOD. You are amazing! You know I love ya girl! Every single picture is Perfection.
Haha, everyone is so enthusiastic about what you did and I must confess I'm no diffrent! It looks really good.
Wow, that looks so cool!
I know that Country Living article - the pics came from this book (which I think you'd LOVE)... http://www.amazon.co.uk/Flea-Market-Style-Emily-Chalmers/dp/184172937X/
There's also this book by Emily Chalmers, equally fab... http://www.amazon.co.uk/Flea-Market-Style-Emily-Chalmers/dp/184172937X/
Whoops a daisy - posted the same link twice - I meant this one as the second one... http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cheap-Chic-Home-Style-Budget/dp/1841724734/
I love the bird print above the chair? Where did that come from?!
The door came out lovely and I too am interested in the bird artwork.
Oh I love that door so much! I have the Flea Market Style book that the Country Living pics are from and was inspired to do a wallpapered patchwork wall a few weeks ago - but it's not nearly as pretty as your door!
Thanks guys! The bird painting is a copy of a Melissa Sweet flashcard that I made -- it was my first painting and I never actually finished it, but I hung it up anyway.
Oh, I love this Alicia!
Uh, guess I'll get my Cath Kidston box of matches out and burn my house down now.
Beautiful!
It also made me think of this patchwork wall made over on Tree Fall. http://treefalldesign.typepad.com/tree_fall/2006/09/a_little_bit_no.html
How cute are you! I love this. I sooo identify with your 5/8ths of the way thing. Ask me about the quilt made from salvaged Laura Ashley upholstry samples that has been in a bag in the closet for eight years. I seriously have one hour worth of work left on the thing. I just can't stand to look at it. My hope is that one day the inspiration bolt will strike again, and I will not want to vomit when I look at it.