Farmgirl Follies

Wallpaper tutorial

Posted by Farmgirl on February 12, 2010  |  1 Comment

I am not an expert. In fact, wallpapering experts will probably shudder at my rudimentary wallpapering procedures. But hey … this is what works for me. I hope it works for you, too!

First, gather your tools. I do not draw lines on the wall or use a plumb bob. They are too logical and mathematical for me. Something about plumb bobs and straight lines reminds me of high school geometry. And I loathed high school geometry. Geometry does not compute well in my right-brained, literature-loving mind.

So I use an18-inch level. I look at the little bubble and know that my wallpaper is straight. That’s good enough for me.

Prepare your walls. This should be done even before you gather your tools. As you can see, my walls needed some work. They’re smooth now and ready to hold my paper. Note: ALWAYS pre-paint new drywall before papering.

Measure your walls. My first section of wall is 69 inches from ceiling to wainscotting. Add one inch extra so you have some room for error, crooked walls or in my case, to tuck it behind the molding. (More on that in a minute.)

Trim the wallpaper strip to required length. My mother-in-law taught me to wallpaper about 13 years ago. To get a nice clean edge, she suggested cutting the strip with a knife, not scissors. Simply fold the paper, insides facing as shown. Then run a sharp knife along the crease.

Moving in the right direction. The “top” of my wallpaper strip is always the part I grasp and unroll. It’s helpful to mark a little “x” on the back of the top of each strip — you don’t want to hang a piece upside down!

From the bottom of the strip, roll the paper with the pattern on the inside. See how I’m holding the paper in the above photo? The edge shown is the top of the wallpaper strip.

Follow instructions. Every roll of wallpaper comes with instructions. This wallpaper should be submerged in warm water for 15 seconds to active the paste. (I always buy pre-pasted wallpaper.)

Submerge the roll in warm water for the recommended time. Then, grasping the top of the strip, begin to unroll from the sink and fold the paper back onto itself. The insides should be facing each other. This allows the wet paste to get nice and sticky.

It’s called booking.

Grasp the top of the wallpaper, climb the ladder and position on the wall, starting in the corner and going left to right.

Before smoothing out the air bubbles, check to see if the edge of the strip is level.

Use a smoothing tool. Gently but firmly smooth the paper on the wall. Be careful not to push too hard. You don’t want to rip it or cause more wrinkles. If there are air bubbles trapped underneath, push to the edge so the paper can tightly adhere to the wall.

Trim the edges. If you’re lucky, there will be a small space between trim boards and the wall. Use a tool like this and gently push the paper behind.

You will have to trim some edges. After the strip is smooth and perfectly positioned, use a straight edge and a razor blade or cutting tool to trim the excess. Be careful not to trim too much … you don’t want to come up short!

Though I originally planned to paint this room, I’m quite happy with the wallpaper. It reminds me of burlap. A cozy, warm, slightly textured fabric that appeals to my inner decorating diva.

Repeat the process. Ready for another strip? Hang just like the first, careful to position the strips against the edge of the previous one. They should not overlap, but edges should meet. Now a disclaimer: all walls are not straight walls, especially in old houses.

Some of my seams overlap. There’s nothing I can do about it. Don’t worry. Just use a seam roller to smooth them out and make them as flat as possible.

Remember to remain level-headed. Wallpapering can be frustrating or it can be therapeutic. It can start as great therapy and turn into something ugly and arduous. It can be interrupted by three screaming children …

… or an elephant in the room.

I couldn’t move the piano. I won’t even tell you how I managed to wallpaper behind it. But it’s done and the piano is unharmed. That’s all that really matters.

Here’s a trick. We have some unconventional trim around our doorways. Before I started papering, I had Farmguy go around with a crowbar and screw driver and loosen all of the moldings. Instead of  having to trim around all of the windows and doors, I simply tucked the paper behind. Much easier.

Then I came to the thermostat. It’s tricky. First, take a couple of big swigs of Diet Coke, a few deep breaths and grab your scissors. Then I said a prayer. Then I repeated my mantra: I think I can, I think I can!

I removed the thermostat cover and loosened the back electrical plate from the wall. I didn’t fully remove it, because I was afraid I’d detach some wires or get electrocuted.

I smooth the strip of wallpaper onto the wall, covering the thermostat, too. Using scissors, I punched a hole through the paper covering the thermostat. I cut a square slightly smaller than the plate. It took a few additional snips at the corners, but I was able to work the square plate through the hole I’d cut in the wallpaper. Wet wallpaper is slightly stretchy, making the process a bit easier.

Then I smoothed the paper around the thermostat, worked all bubbles out the bottom and side, and reattached the face plate. Whew!

Finished.

It will take a few days of admiring the new, smooth walls before I can bring myself to pound new nail holes and decorate the room. In the meantime, I must do something with that light fixture. I think it needs a coat of hammered pewter spray paint and some new shades.

But that’s another project for another day.

I hope I haven’t totally confused you. Wallpapering can be fun. It’s best to get someone to help you the first time, though. Perhaps for moral support more than anything else!

Happy decorating!

NOTE: I do not buy patterned wallpaper. With patterned wallpaper, each strip must align perfectly for the pattern to match and look evenly distributed on the wall. It’s much harder to do and would probably make my head explode. If you fall in love with a patterned wallpaper, disregard everything I said and seek professional help!

Paused, but not forgotten

Posted by Farmgirl on December 29, 2009  |  1 Comment

I didn’t forget. I may have been residing in the midst of stocking stuffers, sledding and kid central, but I did not forget that I am in the middle of a project. In fact … it’s on my mind every time I spy a decorating magazine on the coffee table.

The kids’ bathroom is not yet finished. But I did get a new toilet for Christmas!

After all, we’re a practical family. We like practical presents — thanks, Mom! Also residing beside the toilet on our porch — temporarily, I swear! — is a pedestal sink. I tiny little pedestal sink perfect for the tiny little bathroom.

The real show-stopping Christmas gift — thoughtfully acquired and lovingly hauled 50 miles — was that first item, back there at the beginning of this post. Remember … ?

Farmguy bought me a bathtub for Christmas. And not just any tub … it’s a rusty, chippy old clawfoot tub. The outside needs some sandblasting and a fresh coat of paint. The inside is perfect. Delightful!

At the rate we’re going I may have to soak in the back yard after filling it with the garden hose … but it will — some day — look lovely in my bathroom, right next to the shower.

That despicable shower!

I’m already planning fluffy white towels and a little bowl of pretty soaps. And bath salts … and bubble bath soap … and … raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm, woolen mittens …

*sigh*

I’ll keep you posted.

Color me happy

Posted by Farmgirl on December 17, 2009  |  1 Comment

A few of my favorite things.
These are a few of my favorite things … but also my favorite colors. Rich browns, antique whites and creams, bronzy golds and old red.

Both of these collections speak to me … I love to decorate with this warm, cozy and comforting colors. Caramels and rust and black and brown and silvery white.

Yummy!

And who can resist a collection of old books … or old door knobs!

I love it.

Flamin’ fungi

Posted by Farmgirl on December 11, 2009  |  5 Comments

He said he would take care of supper. And he did … as you can see. I feared for the safety of my kitchen at one point, but it survived. And so did the mushrooms, much to my delight.

Imagine walking into your kitchen at the precise moment flames shoot two feet into the air. You jump, you screech something along the lines of “Hoooly Moses!”

And then you move in for a closer look. Because although it was intimidating at first glance … the flames die down eventually.

And after he’s done showing off, you have a chance to see what’s in the skillet.

And you can’t help but say, “Oooooohhhhh. Aaaahhhh.”

Can you blame me? Sauteed mushrooms in flaming bourbon sauce …  that’s what he made to accompany his grilled tri-tip. The man amazes me. He can take one look in the pantry and come up with something fabulous. I have to plan fabulous … and it doesn’t include the glitz and glamour of flaming fungi, let me assure you.

FarmGuy’s Friday-night Flamin’ Fungi

1/2 pound of sliced button mushrooms (or any kind you like)
1 tablespoon soy sauce
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
Black pepper to taste
Splash or two (or three) of bourbon

Drizzle a little olive oil into a cast iron skillet. Saute mushrooms until they begin to shrink, then add other ingredients. Simmer until sauce begins to thicken and mushrooms become tender.

Now if you want some flame in your game, move the skillet away from the heat, add your bourbon, then tip the skillet a bit onto the gas flame … vavoom! you have flames in your skillet. There’s really no need for that, however.

And if you prefer to do without the bourbon, so be it. These mushrooms will still taste mouthwatering and rich.

Enjoy!

The patient woman’s final frontier

Posted by Farmgirl on December 2, 2009  |  6 Comments

“He that can have Patience, can have what he will.”  ~ Benjamin Franklin

“The two most powerful warriors are patience and time.”  ~ Tolstoy

I’m feeling warrior-like today. I have endured. I have had unending amounts of patience. I think I should “have what I will” now. You see, I’ve been accused of too often following my whims … of getting something in my head and then rushing headlong into it without first figuring out the logistics.

Not this time.

The Back Story: in September 2008 — while FarmGuy was away on business — there was a leak in the upstairs bathroom. (It’s actually the kids’ bathroom, but it contains the only tub in this old farmhouse). Water dripped through the dining room ceiling and the seam along the drywall fell to the floor.

FarmGuy informed us the tub was the culprit; therefore, we stopped using the tub — 14 months ago! Though a shower in our bathroom is satisfactory for daily use, women — and little kids — need bathtubs. We do! It’s in our genetic makeup. And mostly, I just want the bathroom fully functional again.

So I’ve waited … tried not to nag … offered suggestions. And here we are, 23 days before Christmas 2009. Ready to meet Old Man Winter head-on. And I cannot face another winter without a tub for soaking away the chills, dangit!

Man’s excuse list:

• It’s going to be a huge mess
• It will take days
• The fixtures will have to be removed
• We’ll have to pull the carpet and tack strips
• All that cracked floor tile has to come up
• Who knows what we’ll find
• It’s not a quick-fix, easy project
• I don’t even know if I know how to fix it

Well darling, honeypie, sugarlips, babycakes …

The mess wasn’t really that big. In three hours I managed to take out the toilet, vanity and sink. I made a phone call and with a little help from my mother, got all fixtures carried to the bed of your pickup so you don’t have to strain your back. It’s cuz I love you so much.

I also removed the baseboards, carpet and those nasty tack strips. Then I popped up all of that crumbly old tile around the toilet.

Have I mentioned how I hate wax rings? ICK!

Just so you know, dear, the plywood floor under the toilet is so soft I can stick a screwdriver through it. I’m thinking maybe it wasn’t the bathtub after all …

Can we please fix this now?

I’ve done all the hard work for you and cleaned up the big mess. All I really want for Christmas is a working bathroom for the kids. And a working tub for the mommy would be nice.

I promise — if you get this old tub working again, I’ll even install a new wax ring for the toilet.

Oh, by the way. We need a new toilet.

I set it down a little too hard.

Porcelain isn’t as tough as you’d think!

P.S. I love you!

Pretty in pink

Posted by Farmgirl on October 24, 2009  |  3 Comments

Patience is a virtue.

And these little farm girls have been waiting and waiting … and waiting.

Finally the floors are painted and the baseboards back on the wall.

And because they were begging and pleading …

I made the beds so they could see the final result.

I still need to upholster two pieces of plywood for headboards, but the girls don’t care.
They get to sleep in their pink princess room tonight. I’ll be painting a dresser and desk.

I may move a third bed into the room.

It’s sweet and girlie, and I want to stare at the chandelier, too!

It’s amazing how a couple of coats of paint, one new light fixture and
some elbow grease can transform an entire room … and state of mind!

Color transformations

Posted by Farmgirl on October 11, 2009  |  7 Comments

First I ripped up the ugly green carpet. Farmboy — though he is not on board with this project — was kind enough to remove the baseboards and carpet tack strips for me.

Carpet tack strips are evil and menacing. Even thick gloves and shoes don’t thwart the biting teeth of these torturous tools.

Removal of the carpet revealed wood floors. Most of the floor looked fine … but then there was a very large area in the center that looked like this:

Because I do not have the time or patience to sand and strip and refinish and … so on …  I’m painting the floors. I nice high-gloss chocolate brown that will looks fabulous with the pale pink walls. I started painting this afternoon.

I know … it’s difficult to tell the exact shade of pink from this photo. But it’s pretty. Subtle. And it’s called princess pink. Because my two little tomboy princesses will be sharing this room with its chocolate-colored floors and … crystal chandelier.

I gave in. I never decorate in what could be called shabby chic or cottage style … but for a girls’ room, it seemed perfect. I had a little extra money saved up from a catering job and so I splurged on a sweet little chandelier from Lowes. I don’t have a photo yet.

It’s the most anticipated part of this room transformation, therefore it goes up last. We need to keep the motivation going, you know.

Do you like to paint? I do. I’ve painted the inside and outside of my houses, friends’ houses and Habitat for Humanity houses. I’m definitely not an expert, but I do enjoy it. There’s something special about putting a fresh coat of hope and color on the walls of a room. A fresh start … full of possibilities. It’s very gratifying. 

And here’s where I admit my mistake. Sherwin Williams has fabulous paint. It covers in one coat (usually). This time, however, I opted to save money. I went with another brand. Thank goodness I bought two gallons. It took two full coats of pale pink to cover up a light tan. And that’s ridiculous. Did I save money? Sure … if you don’t factor in time and labor.

I’m done with the walls …

I’ll paint the floor primer on tomorrow night. And I know … I also think the trim in the room would look better white. Except for the dining room, all of the trim in this house is unsanded cedar. And since the curtains will cover up the trim anyway, I’m not going to bother ruining  a paint brush on such rough wood.

I can’t wait until this project is finished … neither can my girls.

I’ll keep you posted on the progress. In the mean time, here are a few photos of my gotta-stretch-my-limbs-after-an-afternoon-of-painting walk.

These colors are beautiful, too.

Spice accompanied me on my walk.

He’s the son of a tiger-striped mama and he never knew his daddy. He’s adjusted well, after years of therapy.

And a thoughtful gaze into the wild blue yonder was a perfect way to conclude the afternoon.

I love autumn.

Get cozy and cuddle up

Posted by Farmgirl on October 2, 2009  |  5 Comments

I’ve never had the urge to fill my fireplace with pumpkins. Until now. Isn’t that cute? Just a little fall cheer on this chilly, rainy Friday in October.

How will you be spending the weekend?

The shop will be open today and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Come on by for some primitives and rustic treasures to feather your nest. Go next door and select some crisp, juicy apples or a gallon of cider. Maybe some apple butter, too. A friend was just telling me how delicious a sharp-white-cheddar grilled cheese sandwich with apple butter tastes. I may give it a try.

There are lots of chores on my to-do list this weekend, as always. But tonight is family night. At our house, that means something yummy, but no-fuss for supper … board games or a movie … and lots and lots of laughter. We tend to forego the official “family nights” throughout the summer months because it’s warm and sunny and stays light until late.

But today … blustery and definitely not warm, seems the perfect occasion to resume such an event.

Here’s the plan. We’ll belly up to the bar (in the kitchen) for a steaming bowl of Loaded Baked Potato Soup. It’s my Georgia cousin’s recipe. Nothing like a bowl of tasty comfort food to put a smile on everyone’s face!

Then we’ll drag out some board games, lounge around in our pajamas and … laugh. Love. Pursue happiness.

And then … the kids go to bed at 8:30. Then FarmGuy will put in a movie (a romantic comedy if he’s in a good mood and wants to make me happy) or a dramatic thriller if he has his way. And I’ll grab my fuzzy blanket with the horses on it that I’ve cuddled under since sixth grade. And we’ll watch our movie and eat popcorn and enjoy our blessings … warm shelter, simple pleasures … and family.

Make time to appreciate your blessings … and to experience them … this weekend. It’s definitely time not wasted.

Love,
Farmgirl

P.S. Here’s the recipe, in case you’re in need of tasty comfort food, too!

Topsy-turvy, upsy-daisy, wrecking-ball sort of day

Posted by Farmgirl on September 24, 2009  |  8 Comments

My girls were about this size when we moved into this house. For awhile they shared a very large bedroom. Somewhere along the line, we I decided we should build a wall down the middle of the room to create two separate spaces.

That was when I decided to rip up the forest green carpet. It offends my sensibilities and clashes with just about everything I own. Or at least I perceive that it does. (Room by room I’ve been removing that green carpet … but that’s a  tale for another day.)

The great wall of sisters. Farmboy came along nine months after we moved here. Somehow, he ended up with the largest bedroom in the house … but the sisters didn’t care because they each had their own room.

Over the last six months or so I’ve heard rumblings of distress, consternation and disdain for those separate spaces. Somehow, they’ve decided they should move in together. Again. Now that they’re older.

For some incomprehensible reason … I gave in today. Today I tore up three bedrooms and turned the upstairs into a disaster zone that rivals Hurricane Katrina, minus the water.

Farmboy is thrilled. Perhaps because now he’s even closer to the top of the stairs. It won’t be so far to walk when he gets out of his bed umpteen times a night before falling asleep. (I’ve tried it all SuperNanny … I’ve even taken notes from your show. He gets up, consequences or no.)

Here’s the room after we cleared the girlie stuff:

(Imagine it with green carpet. See what I mean?)

I was worried about the fairies. You see, sister #2 loves them. “Do you reeeeeally want to leave them?” I asked. Then, just to be sure, I handed them a scraper and the bottle of DIF. If they could commit to peeling away their early childhood, then they were old enough to decide to move in together. Right?

They weren’t as traumatized as their mother. I had carefully selected these charming fairies for my sweet little then three-year-old’s room. And now they’re gone.

Have you heard of Wallies? They are wallpaper cut-outs. They’re perfect for people like me who want to dress up a wall, but can’t commit to an entire room full of wallpaper. And bonus: they’re small enough that you can enlist child labor for removal.

Bye-bye fairies. I will miss you forever, just like the sweet green, cream, yellow and pink Peter Rabbit wall border in my baby girl’s room back in 2000. But that was another house. My first love house.

Excuse me while I get a tissue …

So basically, the house is a wreck. But I did make progress in the former fairy hideaway, turned cowboy bunkhouse. Want to see?

First I pulled out my handy-dandy black spray paint. Of course. I can’t redecorate without painting something black. It’s an addiction. And I’m fully committed to it.

I bought this bed at a used furniture store last November, when it was time for the little man of the house to have a big-boy bed. It was too cold to paint then, and I’ve been meaning to take things apart and do it all summer.

Good things come when those who wait

and wait 

and wait 

finally get their rear in gear!

The bed looks MUCH better now.

I knew it would! Isn’t it great when your dreams are realized?

Please pardon my bedskirt. It fits a queen-sized bed, but I couldn’t pass up such a fabulous $2 bargain at Goodwill!

This red dresser/basket thing-a-ma-bob came from a yard sale. It’s actually a nursery dresser — see the little balls on top? Those used to be pink, blue and white and the dresser was a blonde wood stain. The door was already missing. I just slapped on some red paint, found baskets to fit the shelves and ta-dah, perfection for $20.

And then there’s this dresser. Someone stripped it, then rubbed on some blue paint and wiped it off. Or something.  Whatever the case, it’s the color of your favorite faded Wranglers or Levi’s, and it’s my favorite.

I want to be honest about something, though. This room doesn’t really look like this. Two seconds after I took this photo, that bucket of toys was all over the floor, the bed had been jumped on and 50,000 marbles rolled under the bed.

But for one moment in time, it was perfectly photogenic.

And Farmboy has a room to sleep in tonight.

I can’t say the same for his sisters.

I still have to ”renovate” the old Farmboy room. Translated, that means I have to rip up some green carpet. Don’t tell FarmGuy. It’s best if these things occur when he’s not around.

He can’t ever envision my visions, but usually he likes the end result.

Usually …

Three goals, one week

Posted by Farmgirl on September 16, 2009  |  1 Comment

These inspirational photos from the pages of Country Home signify three goals I have for myself this week.

Goal #1: Create comfort. My greatest wish is to create a warm, cozy and welcoming home for my family and the friends who enter. See that photo above? Regardless of whether or not you like the colors and the patterns or even their choice of flooring … just look. It’s welcoming. To me that room says, come in, sit a spell and read or talk or relax. It’s cheerful. Happy. Friends would feel comfortable in that space — and that’s a great compliment to the “home maker” …

Goal #2: Tame the clutter. This is an ongoing battle for me. There’s lots of kid clutter, life and schooling clutter, farm clutter, and general junk making it’s way into our home each and every day. Usually it ends up on the kitchen island. I know the clutter monster can’t be tamed, but it can at least be managed.

Goal #3: Add autumn ambiance. Just a few things to bring the season indoors. Pumpkins, gourds, Indian corn. Natural color to add spice to our lives. I’m saving this goal for last … it’s the most enjoyable.  It’s my dangling carrot at the end of the week.

What are your goals for the week … month … season? Are you feeling the urge to nest, yet? I definitely am. I’m busy as the squirrels in my yard. And it feels good!