I had been planning a major renovation of my largest antique mall space for quite some time, and during the last month I finished it. The booth is housed within The Antiques Market of Williamston in Williamston, Michigan.
My booth had green lattice on the walls that have been the backdrop for 11 years. It looked OK, but several other dealers have the same thing, even using a very similar shade of green. I want to have my own style, to I concocted a harebrained scheme using some of my hoarded vintage wallpaper.
Because we can't wallpaper directly on the walls at the mall, I purchased 11 four foot by eight foot sheets of luann board at Home Depot, and applied my vintage wallpaper to them with ready-mixed wallpaper paste.
I wisely chose to work on this in my driveway during the most recent wave of heat and humidity. It's been an ordeal, let me tell you!
I used a rolling pin to help smooth out the wallpaper, which worked quite well. I wasn't going for perfection here. In fact, I wanted the seams to show and for the walls to look like layers of peeling paper like you might find in an old farmhouse.
After finishing papering the luann boards, I transferred them to the mall and had hired a very capable worker named Troy to install it. Installing the boards wasn't a one-woman job! The photo below shows the lattice vs. the wallpaper. Please don't tell me you like the lattice better....
I purposely applied the wallpaper in a patchwork pattern on one wall, with some torn areas, making a giant collage. I had to do this primarily because I ran out of the pink paper:
Once I had the backdrop installed, I layered on the goodies I have to sell. I always go for the maximum eye candy look:
I still have some arranging to do, but I'm pleased with my updated mall space.
It's going to be hard for anyone else to replicate my wall treatment......
My dad painted this old aluminum awning for me. I think it makes a nice focal point on the wall:
Wallpapering luann boards and attaching them to walls could be a way for apartment dwellers to get wallpaper in their apartments while being mindful of their lease. When it's time to move, the walls can go with them!
This was a labor of love, and I have to remind myself that I don't need to do this again for another 11 years. That's a relief!
So what do you think of my hairebrained scheme? I'm all ears.
Mitzi
Dearest sweet mitzi, i love what you did with the walls on your booth. It's beautiful and i really love that sweet roses wallpaper. I wish i could visit your shop...it looks beautiful and filled with treasures! Have a lovely merry happy friday and love to you!
Posted by: Jacqueline | 09/02/2011 at 06:05 AM
It looks lovely.
Posted by: Donna VW | 09/02/2011 at 07:16 AM
Just plain perfect! I love the patchwork pattern, even better than if you'd gone with all roses. It really suits the space well.
And look at those flowery hats for sale! I feel like I should hop in the car and head your way.
Posted by: Karla | 09/02/2011 at 08:15 AM
Beautiful! Love it. I really have to get there to visit one of these days. I'm so close ....
Posted by: Felicia Kramer | 09/02/2011 at 09:03 AM
Love the walls!! What a great idea and I like the patchwork, too. The awning is adorable and a good idea, too. Your space looks so fresh and inviting. I hope to get there someday!!
Annette
Posted by: Annette | 09/02/2011 at 10:10 AM
Thanks so much, Jacqueline! I wish you could visit my shop someday too!
Mitzi
Posted by: Mitzi Curi | 09/02/2011 at 12:45 PM
Hi Karla!
Thanks so much! I have been lucky to find a lot of great hats recently, after quite a dry spell.
I saw your article in Romantic Homes with the framed wallpaper, and created something similar in my living room. Ill post about it sometime in the future.
Mitzi
Posted by: Mitzi Curi | 09/02/2011 at 12:49 PM
Harebrained? Nah! Your space is beautiful and classy! Great job!
Posted by: Kat | 09/02/2011 at 12:50 PM
Yes, Felicia, you need to make a run to Williamston sometime. Maybe on a nice fall day after the leaves start to change color....
Mitzi
Posted by: Mitzi Curi | 09/02/2011 at 12:55 PM
LOVE IT!! I could shop your booth and know I would find things to take home. The wallpaper is darling.
Danielle
Posted by: My Blessed Serendipity Life | 09/02/2011 at 02:12 PM
Well I sure want to come on in and take a look around *winks* Very inviting. I LOVE the awning your father painted! It's my favorite element by far. Vanna
Posted by: Vanna | 09/02/2011 at 02:42 PM
Hi Danielle,
Thanks so much! Im getting a lot of positive feedback about my harebrained scheme!
Have a wonderful long weekend!
Mitzi
Posted by: Mitzi Curi | 09/02/2011 at 05:11 PM
Hi Vanna!
Thanks for the nice comments! I wanted to attach that awning to the wall above our bed, as sort of a canopy, but my hubby didnt go for the idea.....
Mitzi
Posted by: Mitzi Curi | 09/02/2011 at 05:18 PM
LOVE it! Your booth is always my favorite one there!!!
Posted by: Kim | 09/02/2011 at 05:20 PM
Thanks so much, Kim! I hope you find lots of treasures this weekend!
Mitzi
Posted by: Mitzi Curi | 09/03/2011 at 05:56 AM
oh my gosh, eye candy for sure!!!! i cannot wait to visit the williamston antique mall. well done, it's simply perfect. have a wonderful holiday weekend mitzi!
Posted by: sharon | 09/03/2011 at 09:35 AM
Thanks, Sharon! Business is picking up at the malls. I love fall because people get in the mood to shop for antiques!
Mitzi
Posted by: Mitzi Curi | 09/03/2011 at 10:52 AM
I love it! I love that you used all the different papers, perfect! karen...
Posted by: karen | 09/03/2011 at 11:29 AM
Mitzi, I love your booth's new look and hope I will get a chance to visit when I come to MI next month. How hard was it for you to use so much of your wallpaper?! Wishing you a profitable holiday weekend!
Posted by: Colleen | 09/03/2011 at 05:57 PM
Hi Mitzi,
What a great idea! Your booth looks wonderful.
Marilyn
Posted by: Hannah's Treasures Vintage Wallpaper | 09/03/2011 at 07:56 PM
Hello Mitzi,
I am coming to steal your walls, just beautiful. It really shows up your other pink items like the cupboard.
Great choice and I think it will last longer than 11 years.
Happy days.
Bev.xoxo
Posted by: Bev C | 09/04/2011 at 12:39 AM
Hi Colleen,
I hope you can see my booth in person this fall! I was able to part with the wallpaper rather easily, because much of it was rather plain, except for the pink floral paper. Im very partial to floral paper....
Mitzi
Posted by: Mitzi Curi | 09/04/2011 at 03:08 AM
Hi Marilyn,
Im so pleased you like my newly papered booth! I consider you the queen of vintage wallpaper!
Mitzi
Posted by: Mitzi Curi | 09/04/2011 at 03:10 AM
Hi Bev,
If you can figure out how to get the walls back to Australia, Ill agree to let you take them!
Thanks for stopping by today!
Mitzi
Posted by: Mitzi Curi | 09/04/2011 at 03:16 AM
Hi Mitzi!!! At last I made it over here! Yay! I love your make over and LOVE that awning. The stripes make it pop. Also love your new look and all the details.
Thank you so much for your visit and lovely words! xo – g
Posted by: Georgianna | 09/05/2011 at 02:27 AM