Clothes and fabric — much like trinkets from travels, pieces of furniture, and cards from birthdays past — can hold a ton of sentimental value. Whether it be a T-shirt from a favorite concert, a scrap of sample fabric from a project long-since completed, or an article of clothing from a loved one, people cling to certain pieces much longer than others. But what do you do when that item no longer fits? Sure, you could tuck it in the back of a drawer or store it high up in the closet. What if I told you there’s a clever, rental-friendly DIY project you can use if for instead, though? That’s right. Two words: fabric wallpaper.
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“I love using vintage fabric as wallpaper,” says Gretchen Raguse of her Portland, Oregon home, which features this crafty hack in more than one spot. Where’d she get her inspiration? None other than Apartment Therapy! “I came across this idea on Apartment Therapy a few years ago and knew I needed to try it out in my own space,” says Raguse. “I started with an accent wall in my kitchen, meant to visually divide the area for my office. Repurposing a dress my mom made in the ’70s, I cut and pasted the fabric together to form a repeating pattern.”
Raguse only had enough material to cover a small section of wall, so she added trim and beadboard to round out the wall, which created the pretty patterned panel you see above. “Fabric as wallpaper quickly became an obsession of mine and made its way through my apartment,” she adds. “After the accent wall, I added it to my hallway ceiling and bedroom (as shown below). Even my friend’s place got a fabric makeover!”
If you’re ready to try this idea out yourself, I’d recommend checking out this in-depth tutorial, but here’s the gist: You start by positioning your chosen fabric on a freshly-cleaned wall with tape, lining up any edges. Lift up the fabric and roll a nice layer of liquid starch onto the wall, then smooth the fabric out onto the wall, removing any bubbles or wrinkles as you go. Next, add another thick layer of liquid starch on top of the fabric, ensuring it’s totally saturated through to the wall. Finally, cut the excess fabric off with a utility knife. When you’re ready for a change, the fabric will come right off with a soapy sponge bath. Genius, no?
Learn the secret to removing vinyl wallpaper and how to prevent internal frost on windows. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Hour 1
Learn what trends are hot in kitchen remodeling, how to prevent internal frost on windows, the difference between refacing and refinishing cabinets and more.
As a home improvement professional, I’m always looking to learn about the latest design trends. I recently came across the 2023 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study, and I have to say, the findings are quite interesting.
The study surveyed more than 2,000 U.S. homeowners who are in the midst of, are planning, or recently completed a kitchen renovation project, and the results provide a valuable glimpse into what’s trending in kitchen design. Here’s what stood out the most to me:
Renovation Spending Rises: The median spend on a minor remodel increased $4,000 year over year to $14,000 by mid-2022. Homeowners spent $15,000 on a minor remodel of a larger kitchen and $13,000 on a smaller kitchen.
Sustainability Influences Choices: 92 percent of homeowners incorporate sustainable features during a kitchen remodel. These include LED lightbulbs, energy-efficient appliances and water-efficient fixtures.
Open Layouts are Here to Stay: Following a dip in the trend of open kitchens last year, this year renovators are once again more likely to open their kitchens to other interior spaces and outdoor spaces. The most popular choice for kitchens newly open to interior spaces still is to have no wall separation. For the transition between the kitchen and outdoor areas, the most common choice is double doors or a row of doors.
Wood Cabinets Gain Popularity: White cabinets aren’t going out of style anytime soon. The color remains the most popular choice, but wood tones are a strong contender. Nearly a quarter of homeowners choose wood-tone cabinets.
Colorful Islands: 46 percent of homeowners selected an island cabinet color that contrasts the color of the main cabinets. The popularity of blue and gray declined slightly, while black, medium-tone wood and dark wood saw increases.
Frost building up on the inside of windows and doors during extremely cold temperatures could mean the humidity in the home is too high. (Julie Geving)
A homeowner in Wyoming says during the last cold snap, temperatures dropped to around 36 degrees below zero! She noticed frost building up on the inside of all of her windows and doors.
“Is there anything we can do to prevent this from happening?” she asks.
Frost building up on the inside of windows and doors during extremely cold temperatures can be caused by a number of factors.
Our first thought is that the doors and windows are older and defective. However, the homeowner says the house is new, so the doors and windows are very energy efficient. Because of this, less humidity is escaping from the home through the windows and doors. So, once the moisture in the air makes contact with those cold surfaces, it freezes.
So what’s causing this high humidity? Some possible explanations include:
Lack of ventilation: Insufficient ventilation can cause humidity to build up in a home, especially in bathrooms and kitchens where moisture is generated from cooking, bathing and showering.
Houseplants: Large numbers of houseplants can release moisture into the air, contributing to high humidity.
High occupancy: High occupancy in a house can increase humidity levels because of the many people living and breathing in the same space.
The solutions to high humidity are adding ventilation and insulation, and in extreme cases installing a whole-house dehumidifier. Make sure you’re venting any moisture out of the house, like using a range hood and bathroom vent fan.
To keep an eye on humidity levels in your home, and address the underlying causes, get a hygrometer to measure the amount of humidity in your home. It shouldn’t exceed 50 percent.
Refacing vs. Refinishing Cabinets
Refacing is the process of covering the existing cabinets with new materials to change the overall design while refinishing is the process of applying a new finish on the existing cabinets. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
We’re renovating our kitchen, but the budget doesn’t allow for all new cabinets. So, we were planning on refinishing them by sanding and then repainting. But then I read an article about refacing the cabinets. What’s the difference between refinishing and refacing, and which would you recommend?
Refinishing and refacing are two different methods used to update the look of kitchen cabinets.
Refinishing involves sanding down the existing finish on the cabinets and applying a new finish, such as paint or stain. This method is typically less expensive than refacing and is a good option for those looking to change the color of their cabinets. However, it does not change the overall design of the cabinets and can be time-consuming and labor-intensive.
Refacing, on the other hand, involves covering the existing cabinet doors and drawer fronts with new materials, such as veneer, laminate or solid wood. This can change the overall design of the cabinets and can be used to update the look of your kitchen. It’s also a more expensive option than refinishing, but it’s a quick way to change the appearance of your cabinets, and it’s less disruptive to your kitchen.
In summary, refinishing is the process of applying a new finish on the existing cabinets, while refacing is the process of covering the existing cabinets with new materials to change the overall design.
Hour 2
Hear the secret to removing vinyl wallpaper, tips for staining a pressure-treated wood fence, and more.
The Secret Removing Vinyl Wallpaper
Removing wallpaper may seem daunting, but with the right tools and techniques, it’s a manageable task. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
A homeowner wants to know — what’s the trick to removing vinyl wallpaper?
“I sprayed it down with DIF wallpaper remover, covered the wall with thin plastic, and then waited an hour or so, but the wallpaper was still stuck in place. I don’t want to damage the drywall by trying to scrape it off. What do you suggest?” he asks.
When removing vinyl wallpaper, you need to score the vinyl coating in order for the DIF wallpaper remover to work. To do this, use a tool called a paper tiger. Simply rub it over the face of vinyl to poke thousands of holes in it. This will allow the remover to penetrate to the wallpaper and deactivate it, so you can easily remove it.
To remove the wallpaper, mix in a 5-gallon bucket:
Stir the mixture, then apply it to the wall using a pump-up garden sprayer. After thoroughly soaking the wallpaper, cover the wall with a layer of thin (0.7 mil) plastic, using a wallpaper brush to press the plastic onto the wall.
Let the wallpaper remover soak on the wall for at least three hours, overnight would be even better. The mixture will dissolve almost all the adhesive, allowing you to peel away the wallpaper with virtually no effort!
Oil-based stains are the best option for pressure-treated wood because they’re more effective at penetrating the wood. (IcemanJ, Getty Images)
A homeowner wants to stain her newly installed pressure-treated wood fence. She asks, “Can you give me some tips or advice?”
Staining a pressure-treated wood fence can be a great way to protect the wood and enhance its natural beauty. However, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure that the stain is applied properly and adheres well to the wood:
Wait for the wood to dry: Pressure-treated wood is typically wet when it is first installed, so wait for it to dry completely before staining. This can take several weeks or even months, depending on the weather and the wood’s exposure to the elements. You can also try this test.
Clean the wood: Before staining, clean the wood to remove any dirt, grime, or other contaminants that may be on the surface. A solution of water and a mild detergent is usually sufficient, but you can also use a wood cleaner specifically designed for pressure-treated wood.
Choose the right stain: Not all stains are suitable for pressure-treated wood, so choose a stain that is specifically formulated for use on pressure-treated wood. Oil-based stains are the best option because they’re more effective at penetrating the wood.
Apply the stain evenly: Apply the stain evenly and in the direction of the wood grain. Work the stain into the wood using a brush, roller or pump-up, then back-brush it into the wood to ensure it’s thoroughly covered.
Allow the stain to dry: After staining, allow the wood to dry completely before applying a second coat or using the fence. This can take several hours or even days, depending on the weather and what stain was used.
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Simple Solutions
Conditioning a paint roller prevents loose fibers from shedding into the paint. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Condition New Paint Roller — Before using a brand-new paint-roller sleeve, it’s important to “condition” it, so that it spreads paint evenly and smoothly.
Place the new sleeve on the paint roller, fill a plant mister with water, then spin the sleeve as you spray it liberally with water.
Dry-spin the sleeve to remove any excess water, then roll the sleeve onto a piece of cardboard or other bare, clean surface. That will help remove any loosened fibers from the roller sleeve — and prevent them from getting into the paint or onto the newly painted surface.
Now use the dampened, conditioned sleeve to immediately apply paint.
Hanging S-hooks from ventilated metal-wire shelving is an easy way to add extra storage. (Photo illustration: ABBPhoto, Getty Images/Adobe Stock)
Extra Storage for Ventilated Shelving — If you have ventilated metal-wire shelving in your closet or pantry, here’s a quick, simple way to gain a little extra storage.
Buy several metal S-hooks and slip them onto the wire shelving. Use pliers to pinch closed the hooks so they can’t pop off.
The hooks are great for hanging all sorts of items that would ordinarily be taking up valuable shelf space, including dust brooms, hand towels, flashlights, belts, scarves, etc.
Further Reading
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Looking at an empty wall can be as daunting as looking at a blank canvas. What will you do to cover up all the blankness and mundanity that it emits in all its bare glory? It’s a question that interior designers have wrestled with for years.
Thankfully, there’s a tried and tested solution for getting around this issue, and it’s called wall panelling. It’s an effective and versatile decor approach that can help to add character and style to a space. There are a million different ways you can use MDF for wall panelling, so whatever effect you’re looking to create, you’ll find an option available for you.
In this post, we’ll take a look at some of the most popular wall panelling ideas and trends.
You can’t change the size of the room. But you can change how large or small the room appears to be. Wall panels can make a space feel smaller and cosier or larger and brighter. It all depends on the colours you use and the extent of the panelling.
To create a cosy feel, keep the panelling to a minimum at the foot of the wall, and use darker hues. To open up the space, install light-coloured panels. Using wall panels further up the wall will draw eyes to the ceiling, too, making the room look larger.
Wainscoting in High Traffic Areas
Looking to make your entranceway look a bit more lively? Then consider wainscoting. This is the process of adding panels to just the lower half of the wall. It’ll create a visually engaging impact while also providing a functional purpose, too. Walls in high-traffic areas tend to suffer scuffs and blemishes, but with wainscoting panels, the wall will be protected.
To get the most visual appeal from the panels, stick to the same colour as the wall or select a slightly different tone.
Have a door that you would prefer your visitors not to see, such as the bathroom entrance or store room? A popular trend is to use panelling to disguise the door so it blends in seamlessly with the wall around it. It’s important to use high-quality panels since weaker materials will buckle following the continual opening and closing of the door.
Back to Black
The Scandinavian-inspired decor has been popular for a while, and that shows no signs of slowing down. To achieve this relaxed, warm, and inviting look, opt for prominent wall panels with a chalky black finish. It’ll look luxurious from the outset, and since it matches with any other colour, it is highly versatile.
For high-quality wall panelling decor, you’ll need high-quality wall panels. Head to the MDF Store www.mdfstore.co.uk, where you can find a wide range of outstanding wall panelling/wainscoting products available for purchase.
Blair is Apartment Therapy’s Style Shopping Editor, where she covers the latest brand launches, need-to-buys, and anything related to her two unofficial beats — cane and rattan. Whenever she’s not perusing for the latest home finds (a rarity), you’ll probably find her reading, watching a horror film, or on the hunt for the best tacos in New York (recs are encouraged).
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Decorating the walls of a rental can often present challenges: Does the landlord allow paint, or do the walls need to be kept pristine white? Are you permitted to hang decor with nails and screws? Can you circumvent the rules with a bit of peel-and-stick wallpaper? All of these considerations don’t really come into play when you own a home, but the challenge of personalizing a rented space is always one that yields the most creative and interesting results.
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Take Maya “Marty” Martin-Udry’s walls, for example. Her tiny 249-square-foot studio apartment on New York City’s Lower East Side is covered from floor-to-ceiling in a collage of pretty much any manner of paper you could think of. “I started taping up photos, art, notes from friends, and more in college,” says Martin-Udry. “Over the years, the collection of memories on my wall has grown and moved with me to various apartments. It is kinship rendered on paper, a chaotic and overwhelming manifestation of the people and spaces I love and have loved. The noisiness, brightness, and abundance of the collage collapses and queers time — everything that has ever mattered to me, all the people I have been, and all the loved ones and experiences that have shaped me, clamoring together all at once. It makes me feel full.”
While the highly maximalist walls might not be for everyone, they’re a source of happiness and inspiration for Martin-Udry. “My home is joyful,” she says. “It is my heart on my sleeve. My great delight is to share it with others — so much of me is reflected in the space so sharing it feels vulnerable and connecting in the best way.”
If you’re looking to recreate this idea but are worried about visual overload, consider paring everything down to a specific color scheme. It might take a bit longer to source all the material you need to recreate this kind of floor-to-ceiling look. If you start collecting neutral, black-and-white, or specifically-colored postcards, photos, notes, etc. though, you can amass a totally personal collection without compromising on content or aesthetic. You can also use photoshop or other software to tint your images, too, if that’s something you’d like to explore. Companies like Urban Outfitters also sell collage kits to get you started (or fill in any gaps/unwanted white space on your walls), but the best memories — and wallpaper fodder — will be created organically out there in the real world. The only thing to keep in mind? Using painter’s tape to affix your images is probably your best bet for an installation technique, that is, if you want to get your full security deposit back!
