Icon - Arrow LeftAn icon we use to indicate a rightwards action. Icon - Arrow RightAn icon we use to indicate a leftwards action. Icon - External LinkAn icon we use to indicate a button link is external. Icon - MessageThe icon we use to represent an email action. Icon - Down ChevronUsed to indicate a dropdown. Icon - CloseUsed to indicate a close action. Icon - Dropdown ArrowUsed to indicate a dropdown. Icon - Location PinUsed to showcase a location on a map. Icon - Zoom OutUsed to indicate a zoom out action on a map. Icon - Zoom InUsed to indicate a zoom in action on a map. Icon - SearchUsed to indicate a search action. Icon - EmailUsed to indicate an emai action. Icon - FacebookFacebooks brand mark for use in social sharing icons. flipboard Icon - InstagramInstagrams brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - PinterestPinterests brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - TwitterTwitters brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - Check MarkA check mark for checkbox buttons.
You are reading

DIY: Botanical Wallpaper to Greet Holiday Guests

Search
the home depot logo 7

DIY: Botanical Wallpaper to Greet Holiday Guests

December 12, 2013

Gardenista’s editor in chief Michelle has been obsessing over botanical wallpaper and trying to Pick the Perfect Wallpaper for a guest bathroom since March. (She even asked readers to weigh in on some flowery patterns she was considering.) With the holidays–and holiday house guests–just around the corner, we persuaded her now is the perfect time to bring the garden indoors.

With help from our partner The Home Depot, we took her shopping for all the equipment and supplies she needed for a DIY wallpaper project.

Photographs by John Merkl.

Wallpaper  20  DIY  20  sample  20  pattern  20  l  20  Gardenista

Above: After we encouraged Michelle gently (“Just pick a wallpaper already!”), she chose a particularly lovely wisteria pattern: Cole & Son’s Egerton.

Wallpaper  20  DIY  20  tools  20  l  20  Gardenista

Above: Here’s a collection of some of the DIY wallpaper supplies she bought at The Home Depot, including a canvas drop cloth; a wood level; a paint roller and tray; a sponge, and a paintbrush.

Wallpaper  20  DIY  20  Roller

Above: A Linzer 9-Inch Metal Roller Tray is $3.64; a Purdy 9-Inch Wood Handle Frame for a paint roller is $10.47 and a Purdy Woven Roller Cover is $5.97.

Step 1: Prepare for some messiness. Back home and ready to start wallpapering, Michelle unfurled a Canvas Drop Cloth ($11.98) to protect the floor and fixtures in the bathroom.

Step 2: Prepare the walls. The day before she wallpapered, she rolled on a coat of Zinsser Gardz Clear Water-Based Sealer ($109.85 for five gallons at The Home Depot) to provide a water-resistant foundation to the wallpaper adhesive. The sealer dries to a film in two hours; she let it cure overnight before proceeding.

Wallpaper  20  DIY  20  paintbrush  20  l  20  Gardenista

Above: To apply sealer around the edges of electrical outlets, towel bars, and the bases of wall hooks, Michelle used a 1-Inch Economy Chip Brush with a natural wood handle; it’s 97 cents.

Wallpaper  20  DIY  20  level  20  l  20  Gardenista

Above: A Crick 36-Inch Wood Level is $84.99

Step 3: Michelle measured the height of the walls and then cut all the strips of wallpaper. After cutting a strip, she unfurled the roll and lined up the pattern before cutting the next strip. On each strip, she left an excess of 4 inches (so she could trim the top and bottom after hanging).

Cole  20    50    20  Son  20  botanical  20  wallpaper  20  Michelle  90  s  20  bathroom  20  4  20  l  20  Gardenista

Step 4: She picked an unobtrusive corner of the room to hang the first strip in case she was not able to match the pattern perfectly on the last piece of paper she hung.

Wallpaper  20  DIY  20  sponge  20  l  20  Gardenista

Above: A Martha Stewart Living Natural Sea Sponge is $8.97.

Step 5: Michelle used a sponge to wipe off excess wallpaper paste that seeped through the seams between strips of paper.

Cole  20    50    20  Son  20  botanical  20  wallpaper  20  Michelle  90  s  20  bathroom  20  2  20  l  20  Gardenista

Above: Using a razor blade, she trimmed around electrical outlets, towel bar bases, and other wall fixtures. A five-pack of Stanley Heavy-Duty Blades is $1.34.

Wallpaper  20  DIY  20  trowel  20  l  20  Gardenista

Above: A wood-handled Finishing Trowel is $7.97.

She held a straight-edged trowel along the top and bottom edges of the paper so she could trim off the excess paper with a razor blade.

dark  20  cole  20    50    20  son  20  egerton  20  in  20  Michelle  90  s  20  bathroom  20  l  20  Gardenista 0

Above: Finished–in time for holiday house guests.

Considering a botanical wallpaper to bring the outdoors in? See How to Pick the Perfect Wallpaper.

(Visited 198 times, 1 visits today)
You need to login or register to view and manage your bookmarks.

Frequently asked questions

What is this article about?

This article is about creating your own DIY botanical wallpaper to greet holiday guests.

What materials do I need to create the wallpaper?

You will need wallpaper paste, a paintbrush, scissors, and botanical clippings.

What are botanical clippings?

Botanical clippings are small branches or leaves from plants and flowers that can be used for decoration.

Can I use any type of botanical clippings?

Yes, you can use any type of botanical clippings as long as they are not too thick or heavy.

How do I create the wallpaper?

You will need to apply wallpaper paste to the back of the botanical clippings, and then place them on the wall. Repeat this process until the entire wall is covered.

Is this wallpaper permanent?

No, it is not permanent. You can easily remove the botanical clippings and wallpaper paste with warm water and a sponge.

Can I use this wallpaper in other areas besides a wall?

Yes, you can use the botanical clippings to create other decorative pieces, such as a table runner or placemats.

Can I create this wallpaper with artificial botanicals?

Yes, you can use artificial botanicals for this project if you prefer.

Have a Question or Comment About This Post?

Join the conversation

v5.0