One Roll Project: Folding Room Divider

I've been wanting to wallpaper a folding screen for quite a while now and this stay-at-home situation put me over the edge into finally just doing it! My pattern of choice? Emerald (Fortune) for its eye-catching green color, beautiful pattern, and touch of metallic gold. I was able to find an inexpensive room divider on Craigslist that would allow for a wallpaper application. It needed to have a smooth and sturdy surface, unlike most room dividers I found online, which were mostly paper or fabric.

PHASE 1: PRIMING

I did this first phase outside to combine "work" and soaking up some Vitamin C. I originally thought I should blue tape the entire black frame to protect it, but then quickly realized I don't have the patience for that. And that turned out to be just fine, with a little extra care not to drip any primer onto the frame.

Necessary supplies for Phase 1 included: bubbly water, good music, Zinnser Sheildz wallpaper primer, a paint brush, and... a trusty assistant. In my case, Otis was of zero help, but a good companion for the occasional primer play break in the sunshine.

I did two coats of primer to completely cover the paneling. Because it had a shiny finish, I wanted to ensure the wallpaper would adhere, so I figured two coats were better than one.

PHASE 2: WALLPAPERING

The key with this project was to figure out pattern placement. I chose to line up the repeat symmetrically (both up/down and right/left). I didn't worry about the repeat matching between panels, but rather made each panel identical.

And then I applied the panels in sets of two after pasting and booking them.

PHASE 3: ROOM DIVIDER-ING

The best thing about room dividers is they are a perfect functional piece of furniture where you want to split up a room or hide something from view. In my case, I could use it to hide a Peloton from my work desk (first image) so I don't have to constantly be reminded that I've neglected use said Peloton that day.

Or you could use it to put out your clothes for the next day. This would not be the best example, as I've sworn off wearing clothes that require ironing until I start going back out into the world again. Honestly, what is the point?

But my favorite use for this divider is to add a big dose of pattern to a space that can't be wallpapered, like in the farm ping-pong room. I absolutely love how it fancies up this old building in a most unexpected way.

Now if only someone would come play fancy farm ping-pong with me... one day!