Wallpaper technique - Tear and Hang

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Wallpaper technique - Tear and Hang

Have you ever used the technique where you tear the paper into odd shapes and put up on the wall?

It really can look nice if done with some patience. I had a friend who showed me how to do it but that was about nine years ago.

Is the method still being used or is it old fashioned?

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Wallpaper technique - Tear and Hang

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Apr 13, 2011
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Creative Work of Art!
by: Charlotte

Hi

No, I haven't used it myself, but I do know just what you mean and I have considered it, usually for a fireplace wall.

Yes you can still use this method of hanging wallpaper - it's still a very creative and unusual look, and you're right, you can get some very attractive and unique effects.

It's a very easy technique to do - you just rip the wallpaper into pieces and stick it to the wall!

Try not to rip into too tiny pieces, else you will be there forever! Also try not to get shapes too intricate, but a mix of strips, stripes and larger rounder pieces is great.

Depending on the look you want to go for, you can choose the exact same wallpaper, or different wallpaper colors and patterns.

The easiest look to go for is the same wallpaper - this can be used even with a plain wallpaper, and actually creates the subtle pattern and texture with the shapes.

This wallpaper technique (tear and hang) is very good for using on bumpy walls, as it helps to hide any imperfections.

You can also try different colors and patterns (but I'd shy away from using different textures, although this could produce some very interesting effects!)

For this to work, do try to have a plan before starting, and gather wallpaper pieces in similar colors and textures together.

You might choose wallpapers in warm shades, from beiges, yellows, terracottas and rust colors...

...or all green, blue, turquoise, aqua and teal shades.

For this look to work well, and to get a beautiful kaleidoscope of colors (rather than a mish-mash), also look for colors of a similar tone (that is similar lightness/darkness) - that way you are concentrating on the beautiful blends of colors, and not contrasts in light and dark.

If you aren't sure how to get this right, squint at the ripped colored pieces you have gathered together, and if anything stands out too much, then discard it.

Subtle patterns can easily be included in this way, but anything bold will have to be carefully thought through, as again, these may start to stand out too much, and dominate the design - you don't want any single piece to catch the eye too much, else it will just start to look like a wall of ripped up pieces of random wallpaper - rather than a creative, and well-thought out design!

Continues on comment below...

Apr 13, 2011
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Continues from above comment
by: Charlotte

Of course, you may want to use contrasting colors or tones ('clashing' colors - such as red and green, or tonal contrasts, such as black and white) if this is to be an integral part of your design. You can get interesting effects almost like animal print, if you use the tear and hang wallpaper technique in this way.

For this to work, think about the 'pattern' you want to create in advance, and how you will need to position the different colors and tones for the right effect.

Also think about the 'shapes' in the pattern, and how you will create these with your ripped up pieces of paper. For example, using the animal print theme mentioned above, circular ripped pieces might suggest a leopard print, or giraffe print theme, and long strips could suggest a zebra print theme.

I have also seen some very attractive feature walls of tear and hang wallpaper techniques that have taken larger, and neater (square or rectangle-ish) pieces of wallpaper, and hung them neatly together in a patchwork quilt type of manner.

This works really well with small pieces of beautifully patterned (expensive!) wallpaper, particularly if you position the pattern so that the best bit is lined up nicely and framed within your torn piece.

Again, do take into account the blend of colors that you put next to one another, and while you might have a couple of stronger pieces to add interest and 'depth', it works best if you follow a planned color theme. Foil wallpapers (with metallic effect) can also look really nice like this.

On a practical note, wallpaper edges are always quite prone to lifting and peeling, so soak your wallpaper well, and make sure it's well stuck down - you definitely don't want your wonderful work of art coming apart at the seams!

You can also invest in some border adhesive to quickly stick down any sneaky corners as and when you find them lifting.

Paler and more subtle colors and tones can be used for whole rooms (if you have the patience) but save stronger colors and more striking displays as a feature wall - as, done well, this really is a art form in it's own right, and should deserve a place to shine - sometimes less is more for the most striking effect!

I hope these hints and ideas help.

If you decide to try this technique at home, do let us know how you get on, and perhaps even show us a photo of your finished project

Best of luck with your makeover/work of art.

Best wishes

Charlotte :)

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Wallpaper technique - Tear and Hang

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Wallpaper technique - Tear and Hang