Design Tips for Using Self Adhesive Wallpaper

by Reiko Gomez

I used a fun snakeskin print wallpaper on the wall of this bedroom set.

I finally tried it and am happy to report that it really works! Self Adhesive wallpaper is like a giant post-it note for your walls. Easy to put up and take down, with no residue. It’s perfect for your rental home, apartment, a child’s bedroom or any space that you want to design in an easy and non-committal way.

Here is my experience of using removable wallpaper, and some tips for how to make it work for you:

For a recent TV show pilot, I was asked to design two bedroom sets (see post ). I had to use the same room for both sets, and design one right after the other, in the same day.

One of the bedrooms I designed had a deep green painted wall behind the bed and the other had a sexy snakeskin print wallpaper.

Detail of faux snakeskin removable wallpaper.

The bedroom with the snakeskin wall was going to be filmed first, and the bedroom with the green wall second. So the night before the shoot I painted the wall green, and the next morning I covered it with the self adhesive wallpaper and prayed that when I took off the wallpaper, the fresh green paint wouldn’t come off with it!

Dan hangs the snakeskin wallpaper over the green painted wall

My prayers were answered. The wallpaper didn’t leave a trace on the deep green wall, and both sets were completed on schedule.

Hanging Self Adhesive Wallpaper:

1. Measure your wall, then cut your strips of wallpaper, adding a couple of inches to the length (that you can trim off later).

2. Using painters tape (aka “blue tape”) hang the cut wallpaper sheets on the wall and leave them there overnight. Do not remove the backing. This allows the curl in the wallpaper to relax. (For me, this step resulted in easy and secure application.)

3. When ready to affix, start at the top of the wall, removing the backing gradually as you press the paper onto the wall. Use a wallpaper smoothing tool  to remove any air bubbles.

4. Trim the excess paper at the bottom of the wall.

To remove the wallpaper, I started in a bottom corner and pulled very gently. I didn’t have a single problem with the wall paint.

The green bedroom wall after the wallpaper was removed looked perfect.

I loved the self adhesive paper selection at Burke Décor  and plan on using their wood grain papers for an upcoming project. I like the way they used it on a table (picture). The possibilities are really endless!

Fun idea: wood grain self adhesive wallpaper wrapped on a table top.

Share on FacebookVickimgivens

What a great way for dress up a rental, make it your own and not upset the landlord!

Jessica

great post Reiko!

http://www.kitchenssimply.co.uk/Kitchen

The method is not only economically, but it can change the atmosphere of a room in a matter of hours. In this editorial they explain the way you can install this sort of wallpaper & you delete it, if the necessity arises.

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I love exploring how our physical space can help us to manifest our dreams. In this blog we'll go deeper with design, creating homes and lives that fulfill our visions. Visit My WebsiteLatest blog entriesMelting Buddha Asian Art Exhibit in NYCEarth Hour Tonight at 8:30pmFeng Shui and JapanImportant Feng Shui Advice for New Buildings and New ConstructionInspirational BlogsAll the BestAll This is Grace and CharmApartment TherapyBeach Bungalow 8Beach VintageDécor 8Design SighDesign SpongeDesire to InspireKatie DidLaw of AttractionTEDThe City SageVelvet & Linen Search My BlogFollow MeMe in the news... Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane Los Angeles Times: When Casting the Couch Reiko on CBS News The New York Times: Feng Shui Remedies Slideshow The New York Times: In Search of the Just-Right Desk

Reiko Feng Shui Interior Design Copyright 2010

Important Feng Shui Advice for New Buildings and New Construction

by Reiko Gomez

Do you live in a home (or work in a building) built after 2004? Are you considering buying a new home, or an apartment in a new building? Are you currently building a home (or adding a large addition)? Are you constructing a new building? If so, please read this. There are important issues with newer buildings which require extra care…

“Flying Star” Feng Shui is a an advanced reading of a space using numerical calculations.  It is partially determined by the “cycle” when a building was built. Each cycle lasts 20 years, and  has particular strengths and weaknesses.

In 2004 we started a new cycle, and buildings built from 2004 through 2023 have two very unique characteristics: they contain the strongest, and the weakest, Feng Shui energy. You can actually find the energy that is associated with wild success, and the energy associated with severe accidents or illness, side by side in the same building.

This is quite rare. I consider it an extreme example of the Yin-Yang principle: every item contains its opposite within itself. (The Feng Shui of new buildings is a little like the Yin-Yang on steroids!)

If you are currently living or working in a building built in this period: Don’t fear. There are always ways to neutralize the weak areas using Feng Shui cures (although it is important to know that you can never turn a negative into a positive, you can only neutralize it). It is important to find out exactly where the weak spots fall in your space, and in some cases you may want to rearrange your furniture to avoid spending long periods of time in those areas.

The good news is that you probably have some wonderful energy in your home or office that you should be taking advantage of. Getting a Flying Star Feng Shui reading can tell you were it is located, and give you suggestions for maximizing its power.

If you are currently constructing a new home or building: You still have time to make important changes. It’s a good idea to find out where the weak and strong zones fall in your new construction as soon as possible. This will allow you to make decisions about the locations of key rooms. Weak areas are perfect locations for storage closets, laundry rooms, garages, and other seldom used spaces. Strong energy areas will be good locations for family rooms, offices, bedrooms, and kitchens.

 

If you are in the planning stages of a new construction: You are in luck! By determining the Feng Shui of your property first, you can work around the weak zones, or even “cut out” the weak spots from your building design altogether. For example: say you are designing a new home and you find out that a very weak Feng Shui energy falls in the Southeast corner of your property, you might decide to turn that corner into an open courtyard or deck, thereby “cutting out” the weak Feng Shui corner of your house.

Knowing where the stronger Feng Shui falls on your property, you can design a layout that places the master bedroom or the home office smack dab in the middle of the good energy, thereby maximizing its effectiveness.

The important thing to remember is that Feng Shui is about creating solutions, not making problems. There is always a remedy in Feng Shui, so rest assured that you can improve any situation.

Knowledge is power, and knowing the energy of your space empowers you to make decisions that will support you in creating a space that helps you achieve your goals.

Share on FacebookNexuskap

This is really good to know! Thanks Reiko.

Devidas

I plan on building a home in the near future…so this was timely. I appreciate it.

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I love exploring how our physical space can help us to manifest our dreams. In this blog we'll go deeper with design, creating homes and lives that fulfill our visions. Visit My WebsiteLatest blog entriesMelting Buddha Asian Art Exhibit in NYCEarth Hour Tonight at 8:30pmFeng Shui and JapanDesign Tips for Using Self Adhesive WallpaperInspirational BlogsAll the BestAll This is Grace and CharmApartment TherapyBeach Bungalow 8Beach VintageDécor 8Design SighDesign SpongeDesire to InspireKatie DidLaw of AttractionTEDThe City SageVelvet & Linen Search My BlogFollow MeMe in the news... Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane Los Angeles Times: When Casting the Couch Reiko on CBS News The New York Times: Feng Shui Remedies Slideshow The New York Times: In Search of the Just-Right Desk

Reiko Feng Shui Interior Design Copyright 2010

Feng Shui and Japan

by Reiko Gomez

My heart and prayers go out to every person in Japan, and those around the world who have loved ones impacted by this disaster.

The situation in Japan is almost beyond comprehension, and yet it is natural to want to make some sense of it. Why did it happen? Some have asked me: Is there a Feng Shui connection?

There are a couple of aspects in this year’s Feng Shui that points to potential problems such as this:

1. The Year of the Rabbit

Each year is symbolized by two elements. This year we have the element Metal sitting on top of Wood. In the 5-element cycle of Feng Shui, Metal cuts Wood. (Not a compatible pair, to say the least.) The global effect of this can be, as I said in my 2011 Feng Shui Tips post “mounting conflict under the surface.”

2. Flying Star Feng Shui

Add to that the advanced Feng Shui “flying star” analysis. Each year there is a shift of energy felt around the world. Some regions receive supportive, auspicious energy, and one area receives a very weak energy. In 2011, the East (including Japan, China, Taiwan, countries in the Pacific Ocean and Hawaii) is the site of the 5 Yellow Lian Zhen Disaster Star.

As you can probably gather, this is the weakest Feng Shui energy, related to obstacles, fires, lawsuits, illness and possible death. Furthermore, the “5 Yellow Star” is the Earth element, and we are seeing the effects of disastrous earth movement in that region.

So the East is a very weak area this year.

On a positive note, 2012 is a 4 Year for the East. This is related to springtime, rebirth, and love. It can’t come soon enough.

In the meantime, we can send our prayers and positive energy, and contribute to the recovery effort.

Share on FacebookJessica

I really liked this post. Thanks Reiko!

blog comments powered by DisqusNavigation -->About me
I love exploring how our physical space can help us to manifest our dreams. In this blog we'll go deeper with design, creating homes and lives that fulfill our visions. Visit My WebsiteLatest blog entriesMelting Buddha Asian Art Exhibit in NYCEarth Hour Tonight at 8:30pmImportant Feng Shui Advice for New Buildings and New ConstructionDesign Tips for Using Self Adhesive WallpaperInspirational BlogsAll the BestAll This is Grace and CharmApartment TherapyBeach Bungalow 8Beach VintageDécor 8Design SighDesign SpongeDesire to InspireKatie DidLaw of AttractionTEDThe City SageVelvet & Linen Search My BlogFollow MeMe in the news... Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane Los Angeles Times: When Casting the Couch Reiko on CBS News The New York Times: Feng Shui Remedies Slideshow The New York Times: In Search of the Just-Right Desk

Reiko Feng Shui Interior Design Copyright 2010

Earth Hour Tonight at 8:30pm

by Reiko GomezThe Eiffel Tower during Earth Hour. Getty Images.

This is a simple way to send a big message about climate change:

“Celebrating its 5th birthday, Earth Hour is back again. Join people in thousands of cities worldwide when lights are shut off for an entire hour at 8:30 p.m. local time on Saturday, March 26, 2011.

Earth Hour, organized by WWF, started in 2007 in Australia, with 2.2 million people and 2,000 businesses shutting off their lights for an hour in a stand against climate change. Just one year later, Earth Hour had become a global event with 50 million people participating across the globe, according to Earth Hour’s website. 2010 was the biggest Earth Hour yet, with a record 128 countries and territories participating.” ~ from the Huffington Post

Empire State Building goes darkShare on Facebookblog comments powered by DisqusNavigation -->About me
I love exploring how our physical space can help us to manifest our dreams. In this blog we'll go deeper with design, creating homes and lives that fulfill our visions. Visit My WebsiteLatest blog entriesMelting Buddha Asian Art Exhibit in NYCFeng Shui and JapanImportant Feng Shui Advice for New Buildings and New ConstructionDesign Tips for Using Self Adhesive WallpaperInspirational BlogsAll the BestAll This is Grace and CharmApartment TherapyBeach Bungalow 8Beach VintageDécor 8Design SighDesign SpongeDesire to InspireKatie DidLaw of AttractionTEDThe City SageVelvet & Linen Search My BlogFollow MeMe in the news... Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane Los Angeles Times: When Casting the Couch Reiko on CBS News The New York Times: Feng Shui Remedies Slideshow The New York Times: In Search of the Just-Right Desk

Reiko Feng Shui Interior Design Copyright 2010