Off the Wall Tips for Repurposing Wallpaper

97c26d28221c9897c76c0952629f5972By Suzanne De Vita

This week’s #TBT is Grandma Maxine’s wallpaper collection. Yes, my dear grandmother really collected wallpaper. And not just swatches or scraps here and there – I mean rolls and rolls of the stuff. Occasionally she’d scrapbook with it, but for the most part, it remained untouched. Until, that is, she gave them to me.

I’m not a designer, nor a wallpaper installer. For whatever reason, hanging onto those little pops of pattern makes me happy. But since I’m absurdly under-qualified to actually paste them on my walls (I’d turn into Elmer, the giant glue monster terrorizing Townsville), I thought I’d explore some easier, DIY ways to repurpose it.

Punch up your décor with these off the wall ideas:

Start Small
Believe it or not, there are a lot of little things around your home that could use a facelift. That old lampshade, a wastebasket, even your light switch plates—with wallpaper, you can breathe new life into any typically unnoticed feature. If you’re looking to achieve a custom feel, well, look no further! You’d be hard-pressed to find someone with wallpapered switch plates in the exact same style and pattern. For a tutorial on those, check out this how-to from MarthaStewart.com. Other housewares that can be wallpapered:

  • Hangers
  • Stools
  • Serving travys
  • Candle holders
  • Storage bins
  • Napkin rings
  • Tissue box covers
  • Placemats
  • Magnets
  • Vases
  • Journals

Wallpaper Redux
Rather than make cosmetic changes, wallpaper can also replace some common household items. Swap out your drab drawer or shelf liners with wallpaper alternatives, frame and hang as artwork, or revamp a boring bookshelf by covering books with coordinating patterns. And from the creative folks at OhHappyDay.com – wallpaper gift bags! More ways to re-use wallpaper:

  • Painting drop cloth
  • Picture frame mattes
  • Pennant decorations

Go Big or Go Home
If you’re going for a bold statement, add pizzazz to your kitchen or bathroom by covering the insets of your cabinetry. For the less daring, dress up cabinets by wallpapering the back inside, which is especially eye-catching if the cabinets have glass panels. If you’ve got wallpaper fever, try it out on your stair risers, a headboard (Remodelista.com has a sophisticated DIY version), or even on your door! And while you’re at it, wallpaper these, too:

  • Fridge
  • Fronts or sides of desk or filing cabinet drawers
  • Table tops (gorgeous on glass!)
  • Chair seats or backs
  • Divider screens

The possibilities for wallpaper really are endless.

Have you repurposed wallpaper? How did you do it?

Suzanne De Vita is RISMedia’s Online Associate Editor and social butterfly. Aside from wallpaper, her collections include themed knee socks and cow print memorabilia.

This was originally published on RISMedia’s blog, Housecall.

About the Author

Greg DiGiorgio is a highly reviewed Arlington MA Realtor who is a dedicated, passionate, and market-savvy professional who puts his clients’ satisfaction before all else. His attention to detail, superior people skills, broad knowledge of the real estate industry as a whole, and his pure determination to indulge his clients with first class service sets him apart. In addition to Greg being an Accredited Buyers Representative-ABR, he understands the power of creative, well-organized and highly effective marketing and offers customized marketing plans that maximize property exposure to the most qualified buyers. He has appeared several times on Fox 25 News where he was interviewed on current market trends and conditions. A real estate transaction is really about managing people, their desires and their finances. It is an intricate and consequential negotiation.


Greg understands that it is important to secure not only the most able buyer, but also to the one that is most likely to close the deal. When so much is at stake, Greg is the one you want to represent you. His fair yet aggressive negotiating style and protectiveness of his clients’ best interests and ultimately, their assets, has gained his respect with colleagues and clients alike.


Greg also knows that every transaction represents the most important purchase or sale a person can make, and he takes every precaution to ensure that communication is impeccable with all parties involved from beginning to end. Whether it’s patiently guiding first time buyers through this exciting process or following through with clients’ needs long after the transaction is over, Greg’s warm, caring yet efficient business style will turn you into a client for life.


Driven


Greg grew up in the Greater Boston area and has a deep appreciation for the North East way of life. He attended The University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing, with a concentration in Marketing Research. Greg’s professional background is rooted in the technology sales & marketing. As a result, he learned to adapt to many different people and situations quickly and competitively. The insight that he has gained from many years of involvement in bringing all components of a transaction together smoothly has granted him a unique perspective and approach to the real estate industry. His enthusiasm and tenacity has allowed him to emerge as one of Greater Boston’s finest Realtors, and one of the highest reviewed amongst Arlington MA Realtors!


My Goal


My goal is to provide the best experience possible to my clients while helping them achieve their real estate goals. My streamline systems and use of technology ensure a smooth ride along the way. Whether it’s a first-time buyer, a seller, or investor, I strive to gain lifelong clients and friends by providing them with a fun, relaxing, but yet educational experience throughout the entire process.


Objectives for my Buyer Clients


Counsel session to determine wants & needsSchedule times to view properties

Run comparable analysis report for subject property

Help negotiate terms of the offer

Provided options for home inspectors

Help negotiate & finalize terms of Purchase & Sale Agreement

Assist in finalizing finances with Mortgage Broker

Handle any other paperwork and/or tasks including meeting mortgage commitment deadlines to making sure the transaction closes on time.

I keep an open door policy with all my clients even after the sale should they have any questions, or need help with any of their real estate needs. The closing of a real estate transaction is not the end, but just the beginning of a relationship.


Objectives for my Seller Clients


Listen carefully to make sure your goals and objectives are clearly understood

Explain the home selling process thoroughly

Discuss agency relationship

Price your home accurately

Stage your home for sale

Plan & implement a proven & innovative marketing plan

Work diligently to sell your home quickly and efficiently

Follow up with open house leads & showing brokers to obtain feedback

Work hard to ensure that each step of the transaction is running smoothly

To ensure that all smoke & carbon monoxide detectors are installed and working correctly, and to obtain certificate from town/city

To obtain final payoff for city/town water bill

“Most Importantly to communicate with you consistently and efficiently throughout the entire home selling process”

Certifications and Recognitions


Winner of Leading Edge Real Estate’s Outstanding Creative Marketing Award. Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)

Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR)

Member of the Institute of Luxury Home Marketing (ILHM)

Licensed Massachusetts Real Estate Broker

Member of Greater Boston Real Estate Board (GBREB)

Member of National Association of REALTORS (NAR)

Zoning & Building Codes Certificate

Residential New Construction Certificate

Title V Certificate