Creative woman uses lockdown to create amazing patterned wall for just £50
- Ellie Sheales, 25, used wallpaper samples to create a cool patchwork wall
- Ellie says you can do the same with book pages, wrapping paper and old maps
- The transformation cost Ellie just £50
If you’re bored of Netflix and itching to do something creative during the coronavirus lockdown, take inspiration from this creative woman.
Ellie Sheales, 25, from Caithness, Scotland, used a batch of wallpaper samples to create a unique patchwork feature wall.
Ellie, a baker and countryside ranger, told money-saving community LatestDeals.co.uk: “Lockdown has got me itching to crack on with all the projects I’ve been longing to do, but hadn’t had the time.
"My latest project was a room that previously was just a ‘dump' of boxes, clothes and neglected guitars. I wanted a funky and usable space to chill out and play music. I have quite an eclectic and bohemian style, I love to use all the colours all the time!
"I have previously done walls with book pages or sheet music, and love the speed at which you can fill a space, without the faff of rolling out full lengths of wallpaper.
"A few months ago, a friend was having a clear out and gifted me a huge book of wallpaper samples, as she knew I was a crafty type who could probably make use of them. I fell in love with the bright and colourful patterns and decided that I’d love to have as many as possible on display.”
Ellie decided to use the wallpaper samples to transform one of the rooms in her home, making sure each of the samples would perfect match each other. She had already transformed another bedroom in her home using a similar technique, but using book pages, wrapping paper and old maps instead, so was confident with what the final look would be.
"I decided to go for a tile style with the paper cut into squares,” Ellie explains. "I measured and cut each square by hand, to make sure they would match up properly - this was quite time consuming, but I did it over a few evenings in front of the TV.
"The wall was in pretty bad shape, so I had to fill holes with Polyfilla and then sand it. I painted it with Dulux basecoat, which is great at filling in hairline cracks. I then painted it in white.
"Once the wall was dry, I started with my ‘tiles'. I used a spray adhesive, but you could also use wallpaper paste.
"I started in the middle and lined up each square with the next. I had to trim some of the squares to fit against the skirting board and the sockets etc. I did this by first sticking the square and then trimming the excess using a sharp knife and a steel rule for a straight edge.”
Ellie is delighted with how the transformation has turned out, and says you can do the same with a variety of materials, even if you don’t have a generous friend with plenty of wallpaper samples.
"I absolutely loved doing this project, and it kept me occupied for a few days during the lockdown,” she adds. "I absolutely love how it looks, and I love spending time in there now!
"You could easily create a similar effect using wrapping papers, patterned paper or even pictures from magazines. Many online wallpaper stores also offer samples through the post - some free, some a couple of pounds each.
"All in all it probably cost me around £50 for the two tins of paint and the adhesive!"
Tom Church, co-founder of LatestDeals.co.uk, comments: “Many people will find that a creative project will calm them and be a good outlet during the stressful time that is this global pandemic.
“Ellie’s wallpaper wall is totally unique, eye-catching and fun - and shows that as long as you’re creative with the materials you use, you needn’t spend a fortune transforming your home.
“Have a look around your home for old maps, wrapping paper and wallpaper samples, and see if you can create a similar look!"
What to read next?
Knockout result. What a cracking transformation.
I have used wrapping paper and sheets of music, and have just decoupaged a door with an old science book.
I urge anyone to have a go, it's easy and very effective.
I 'll need to give this a go. I might try it on a smaller scale. It's definitely something different.