Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-07-13

u OF would be surprised 10 KNOW
how many housewives there are
who are saving a pretty penny
this summer by doing n little bit of
wall papering on their own initiative.
VI isn't entirely a matter of economy.
either-one really has trouble in get
ting decorators to attend promptly TO
ones orders since the draft has taken
30 many of their young worlSmen away.
SO the housewife gently retires from
public life for several mornings in a
week gives instruction TO the maid or
the other members OF the household
that she does not wish 70 he disturbed.
and then. donnins a pair Of the new
war work overalls. she goes TO IT, She
usually does not tell you anything
about Il till Il IL all over because
usually she does not mind actually
doing the paper hanging half so much
as che would mind having members OF
the family give suggestions as 10 her
method or mounting a ladder and
welding the paste brush.
The overalls are very important
part of the performance. So too Is an
ail- il-enveloping mob cap. A pair Of
large cotton gloves ts also a protec-
ton. though the paste used on paper
actually does not discolor or injure the
hands. II is removed quite readily with
soap and water.
Here are some suggestions for the
woman who is thinking OF taking an
excursion into the realms OF paper
hanging.
Take time TO remove all old paper
from ceiling and walls. The profes-
elonai does not always do this, but it
is easier TO get good results Il YOU do
and after all II Is only a matter OF
patience. It requires no actual skill 10
remove old paper. Sometimes the old
paper Is loose and a good deal Of It can
be pulled of dry Use a dull vegetable
knife 70 start II and TO help in pulling
Il off. To help of the rest Of the paper
have a pail OF warm, preferably soapy,
water and either a sponge or a soft
brush Moisten a little OF the paper at
a time thoroughly and then scrspe Il
OF. The ceiling paper should by all
means come off. for YOU Will want 70
use some sort OF kalsomine on the cell
ing and that cannot be applied over old
paper. Ii is very much easier 70 use
4aff
ing Apply the kalsomine with a large
kalsomine brush. A good one can he
bought for about thirty-fve cents,
Professional decorators pay four or
five dollars for their kalsomine brushes
hut for only q few rooms the cheap
brush Is Just as satisfactory.
If there is paper moulding in the
room Il should be carefully taken down
at frst. each piece being marked with
pencil on the wrong side where Il be
longs. II you are going 10 paint or
stain the woodwork then keep the
moulding down and paint II and let II
dry before putting II back in place.
Otherwise thoroughly wash or dust the
moulding when IL is down. DO not re-
turn the moulding till all papering and
painting are done.
After the paper Is all removed. paint
or stain woodwork-but not the floor.
When the paint has dried apply the
paper. Now put back the moulding.
Have the floor thoroughly washed. take
out spots with some patent stain re-
mover and when dry apply the stain
that you have picked out for this pur-
pose.
The actual pa perins is the most DIFF
fcult Of the several parts OF the work
Of redecorating a room but Il has the
advantage OF being one that is soon
accomplished. II you have ever watch
ed a professional paperhanser you per
haps think that you will need an array
Of rather complicated implements. But
this is not the case You Will need
large paste brush-one similar TO that
used for kaisomining. An old white
wash brush Il Il IS clean and soft will
do. You Will also need a large pair u.
paper scissors. Then you will need
some cloths 10 rub the paper on with
and come TO wet II with and some TO
rub paste off the baseboards.
Be sure that the steps you use are
firm and capable Of bearing your
weight. Arrange a past1ng table az a
convenient height. Professional paper
hangers use smooth wide board held
between saw horses. Two chairs o1
equal height would probably answer
the purpose for YOU. An old door
would do for the board-anythin that
Is long enough to make 1t possible 10
paste an entire length OF paper az
once.
You can buy paste at paper-hang-
er's shop that needs only mixing with
cold water 10 the proper consistency.
Now you are ready 10 start on the
paper. Trim off one margin Of all the
rolls. II there is an UP and down, trim
off the right margin. The margin IS
the little strip of plain paper on each
side Of the rolls.
Now cut the paper in proper lengths.
Begin with the long, straight lengths.
Cut perhaps half dozen at a time.
Place them one on top Of the other,
face down. on your long board or table.
Now with the paste brush. cover the
back OF the top strip eveninly with
paste Have every part OF II wet with
paste, but put IL on not 100 thick.
Place the steps in position, and, hold
ing the pasted strip of paper in both
hands, doubled, with the two pasted
ends folded together. mount the steps.
Unfold the paper, paste side 20 the
wall, and slap" Il on the wall. You
can lift IL and rearranse IL as many
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