Papering a Ceiling -2
Papering a Ceiling -1
Start papering at a corner, working across the width of the room rather than over its full length. Measure out from the corner of the ceiling to place the first strip of paper; mark a distance about 1 inch less than the width of the wallpaper. Set a chalk line from this point to a point exactly opposite on the other side of the ceiling; use a carpenters’ square against the wall to make sure the line is straight. Snap the line against the ceiling to mark the edge of the first strip of paper.
Mix the paste as directed. Cover your work table with a clean plastic dropcloth and unroll a strip of wallpaper on it, face down. Measure the width of the ceiling across the chalk line and cut the strip of wallpaper about 4 inches longer than this, using a sharp scissors. If you’re using a paper with a definite pattern, cut the strips for the entire ceiling at this point. Match the patterns exactly before cutting each strip; cut all strips about 4 inches longer than the measured width of the ceiling where they will be set into place. Unpatterned paper can be cut all at once or strip by strip, as you prefer.
Adjust the first strip on the table, still face down, so that one end lies flat and the other hangs over the table edge.
Brush paste evenly onto the strip of paper with the paperhangers’ paste brush. Fold the pasted strip accordion style, paste to paste, in folds about 18 inches long, lifting the paper at both edges and pulling it toward you to make each new fold. Be careful not to crease the paper at the folds, or the creases will show on the finished ceiling. Slide the piled-up paper to pull the dangling end of the strip up onto the table; paste this end and continue folding until the entire strip is folded together.
Position the stepladder scaffold under the chalk line so that your head clears the ceiling by about 6 inches. Start at the right corner if you’re right handed, the left corner if you’re left handed. Stick the smoothing brush in your pocket. Use a roll of paper to support the folded strip. Lift the roll of paper and the strip, being careful not to let the paper slip off the roll.
Lift the paper up to the ceiling with your left hand, top end toward the corner. With your right hand, set the top end of the paper carefully onto the ceiling, leaving about 2 inches extra at the top and the bottom end. The far edge of the paper will overlap onto the wall about 1 inch; press it into place with your fingers. Line up the edge of the paper exactly with the chalk line on the ceiling. Correct a slight crookedness by gently sliding the paper into place; if it is very badly aligned, peel it off and re-apply it.