Changing it up {Calcutta wallpaper from Milton & King}

Cha-cha-changing it up again! After a few years with green benches and a couple months of the random mural I painted near the stairs to pass quarantine time, I updated both areas! I shared the process on Instagram (you can find installation videos on my Instagram “wallpaper” highlight). Over on Instagram I asked what questions others have regarding wallpaper. There were so many, so I am sharing my answers below.

I am beyond thrilled with how both spaces came out. Every time I walk past the stairs or breakfast nook, I smile. I think I might have annoyed my family the first few days by declaring, “I love it so much” way too many times!

Okay….here is all my non-professional advice when it comes to wallpaper!

Where is my wallpaper from?

I partnered with Milton & King on this process. They provided wallpaper as part of their ambassador program. The gorgeous paper is called Calcutta.

How did you select your paper – there are so many choices?

I created a Pinterest board with pictures from my current house, a color palette, and plants (because I have a lot of those). Then I browsed every page of Milton & King and pinned my favorite boho wallpaper, island wallpaper, tropical wallpaper, and floral wallpapers. Once I had my favorites I just opened the Pinterest board each day to see what stood out and what I no longer liked. When one stopped appealing to me, I removed it from the Pinterest board. Once I narrowed it down to a few I did an online consultation with Natalie of Home Ec. – sharing my Pinterest board with her and getting her thoughts on the space too. When she suggested the one that was already my favorite, it was the confirmation I needed to take the plunge.

How do you know what will look good (small sample on a website looks nice, but on a wall)?

Most companies have the option to order a sample piece. I would recommend getting a sample if you aren’t sure you will love it and tape it to the wall for a week or so. Seeing it in the space might help you decide if you like it and if you like it in the space.

Is it best to choose one pattern and then use it in a couple pops around the house?

I think this is a personal preference . I wanted to use this paper in two places because I liked it so much. I’d say most of the time it is best to just use it in one spot though.

How do you measure and know how much you need?

I used the wallpaper calculator on the website, but also got assistance from Milton & King. If you are questioning the amount of rolls you need, they provide top notch assistance! Another thing to keep in mind is that wallpaper is usually printed in lots. This means there can be slight variation of color, so it is better to order a little extra at the start instead of running short and ordering later (potentially getting the color off a bit).

What was the process like?

First – it was SO MUCH EASIER than my past attempts at installing wallpaper. It is a non-woven paper that is not peel & stick or pre-pasted. This means I was able to measure the paper (and double check the measuring), brush wallpaper paste on the wall, and then hang the wallpaper. I’ve tried peel & stick before, but once it is on it is on…as in you can’t move it around to adjust it and I had a hard time with that. Pre-pasted wallpaper is just a lot messier. I recommend reading the hanging tips from Milton & King.

Tips & Tricks for hanging it? How did you work out the cut outs?

Plan it out before you start. We considered where the paper would fall on the wall to decide if we wanted to start on the left side or the right. We picked the direction that was the easiest to hang. Also – use a metal straight edge and sharp exacto-knife for cutting out the top and bottom AFTER you hang it. Always leave extra on the top and bottom to trim. For outlets and other openings – hold the paper to the wall to know exactly where it is going to go and then measure out where to cut your openings. Cut small. You can make the opening larger when you hang it.

Plan. Measure. Measure again. Cut. Hold to wall to make sure you are good. Brush paste on wall. Hang paper!

Is wallpaper possible on textured walls – without taking off all the texture? Do walls have to be prepped?

I wouldn’t recommend hanging wallpaper on textured walls. I think it would be hard to hang evenly (matching up pieces), you would be able to see the texture through the wallpaper, and it would be difficult to avoid air bubbles. I think it is worth the extra effort to add some drywall mud and smooth down the texture. To prep my walls I did a quick coat of white paint over my floral mural (by the stairs) just to be sure it didn’t show through any seams and the drywall mud didn’t absorb all the adhesive. I recommend prepping your wall by making it flat (remove texture, fill holes) and a coat of paint that is somewhat similar in color as the background of the wallpaper (this step isn’t necessary).

Could someone do it alone or do you need extra hands?

It definitely helped having my dad in the larger area with all the cut outs. The smaller area (breakfast nook) was easy to do on my own. I think it just depends on your comfort level and the difficulty of the space. I am SO GRATEFUL for my dad’s help!

How long do you have before the adhesive dries to get the wallpaper up?

This depends on how thick you brush on the paste. We pasted one section at a time and immediately hung the paper. If the adhesive seemed to be getting dry, we brushed on a little more. Just do one section at a time!

How long did that space by the stairs take to install?

We started around 11:30am and finished around 5:00pm

How do you make the edge look finished when it doesn’t wrap around to the wall next to it (not a corner, the opposite of a corner)?

We laid out the paper to make sure we did it in the direction that it would wrap around that section. Last time I had wallpaper in this space it didn’t go around and we used an exacto-knife to cut it and used a lot of adhesive to hold it down. Eventually the edges started peeling up though, so I wanted to try to avoid that this time if I could.

How to you line the design on the paper up correctly with the sheet next to it?

We hung one piece first. Once it was attached, we held the paper (still on the roll) up against the wall until we found where it would meet up. When you are looking at a design, look for where it says “pattern repeat” in the product description. This will tell you how long the design is before it repeats.

Does the glue mess up your drywall finish and how hard is it to remove? When you remove it will you need to remove the glue before painting?

The last time I removed wallpaper it came off so easily by just getting it a little wet. According to Milton & King this paper will come off in complete sheets without getting it wet and without damage to the wall. Sounds easy! I will make sure all the glue is removed before I paint it again.

Wallpaper vs. murals?

Wallpaper for sure! Unless someone else paints the mural for you. Okay, that is just me. I enjoy the process of painting a mural, but once it is done I tend to only see the things I want to change. With each passing day I see more of what I would change until I can’t take it anymore and I paint it – or cover it with wallpaper. I like that wallpaper gives me a fun design that is also symmetrical and orderly – that is just me though!

What is the best peel & stick wallpaper?

I’ve only used the small roles from the $3 section at Target, so I am not a good source on this.

What are your thoughts on traditional wallpaper vs. the temporary kind?

I think most wallpaper is somewhat temporary now. At least in the sense most of it will come off as whole sections without destroying the wall underneath.

Would it work on furniture like and old Ikea dresser and doing the drawer front?

Yes, I think it would!

Is it bad to hang in a small bathroom prone to to mildew from so much steam?

I probably wouldn’t hang wallpaper in a room like that, but I’m not sure it wouldn’t work. Seems a bit risky that it would peel off to me or hide mildew behind it.

Is it worth the cost? Is it worth the time + cost?

This is a personal decision. The first time I hung wallpaper in the area near my stairs it was a pattern by Orla Kiely. It was a bit of an investment, but it was worth it (in cost and time) to me. I loved that paper and didn’t change that area again until wear and tear from being in a high traffic area took its toll.

I am extremely thrilled with the final product, but also the installation process. I am already dreaming of what I can wallpaper next. It would be kind of awesome to do the breezeway or a wall in my bedroom, but those are huge walls! A girl can dream!

For video of us hanging the wallpaper, visit my Instagram @underthesycamore Highlights

I used Calcutta wallpaper from Milton & King

Adhesive was Zinsser Sure grip (recommended by Milton & King)