Aging New Wallpaper with a Glaze Finish
Old houses often owe their appeal to telltale signs of wear, such as sun-bleached wallpaper and softened stair steps. Although many modern wallpapers are marketed with labels like "classic" or "antique," they still miss the ragged patina of truly historic papers. A staining technique using a tinted glaze can give new wallpaper that aged appearance.
By Skyler Reed4 steps
Subtle staining gives wallpaper an antique quality.
Worn stair treads, creaking floorboards, wallpaper faded by sunlight, and corners of plaster that have crumbled—these are the small clues that give many older homes their inviting character. To assist decorators in capturing that bygone feel, a number of new wallpapers are produced as "classic," "antique" or "vintage." Yet lacking a patina-like surface, fresh wallpapers do not have the shabby appeal of wallpapers with real history. By staining new wallpaper with a glaze, you can create the impression that it has a past.
Step 1
Use a damp sponge to clean the wallpapered walls completely.
Step 2
Tint a can of shellac primer by adding a few drops of water-based stain. This tinted primer will serve as the glaze for giving the walls an antique finish. Mix it well, then check the tint color and strength in a small, out-of-the-way spot. If needed, add more stain.
Step 3
Apply the stain to the wall with a rag, using circular strokes. While doing so, remove excess stain from the wall with a second rag, so that a translucent, somewhat mottled look remains.
Step 4
Pause often and step back to inspect the patina, wiping away or adding more stain as required. Remember that shellac primer dries fast, so any changes must be made without delay. If necessary, use denatured alcohol to clean up or "erase" primer that has been left on too long.
