| These projects are so simple and relatively | | | | try to keep the edges as even as you can. Once the |
| inexpensive but the end results are amazing and look | | | | napkin is stuck in place give it another coat of starch |
| like much higher priced designer effects. Just take a | | | | and move onto the next section, working your way |
| trip to your local discount party supply store and | | | | around the room. Excess drips and swipes of starch |
| browse the paper napkin section. You'll find lots of | | | | can easily be cleaned off with water. Let dry |
| beautiful patterns there and it's great fun to search | | | | thoroughly. If you desire, you can take your |
| through them with an eye for interior design. | | | | personalization one step further by rubber-stamping |
| You'll need: | | | | designs onto the plain sections of the napkins. |
| - Paper napkins in your choice of color and pattern | | | | For walls, borders are not the only creative endeavor |
| - Sta-Flo Liquid starch, 64 oz. bottle (usually around $1) | | | | to do with napkins. Go around door and window |
| - 2 or 3" paint brushes and/or a sponge | | | | frames as an accent. Try making a faux chair rail (it's |
| - rubber stamps and ink (optional if you want to get | | | | a good idea to snap a chalk line first for a nice straight |
| really fancy) | | | | guideline). Or create square or rectangular "frames" on |
| - can of water soluble Polycrylic clear finish (optional) | | | | the wall to accent sconces or to surround a grouping |
| These wall borders will not damage paint and can | | | | of photos or pictures. |
| easily be removed by peeling them off and washing | | | | Now that you've got the hang of working with starch |
| the wall: | | | | and thin paper napkins you can move on to trying your |
| To figure how many napkins you'll need, measure the | | | | hand at a shortcut version of decoupage. Plain wicker |
| diameter of your room and divide it by the size of an | | | | trays are wonderful to decorate. Merely put a good |
| open napkin. Most decorative paper napkins have a | | | | coat of starch over the surface and cover it with the |
| border all the way around and, unless you want a | | | | one ply of the napkins. By gently dabbing with a soft |
| really huge border, I find that half a napkin with the end | | | | brush, you can work the paper into the wicker nicely. |
| border sections trimmed off works very well for a | | | | Once again, put another layer of starch over the top. |
| border with the plain edge up at the ceiling edge of the | | | | Let dry thoroughly and then apply three coats of |
| wall and the long border at the bottom. The napkins | | | | Polycrylic, letting dry between coats. This gives you a |
| are usually two or three ply. Moisten your finger to lift | | | | nice protective waterproof surface and spills can be |
| the printed layer away from the back at a corner and | | | | wiped up with a damp sponge. |
| carefully peel them apart. You'll only use the one ply | | | | The uses for this type of decorating are limited only by |
| top layer. If your wall is painted a color other than | | | | your imagination. Not long ago, I found an old gray |
| eggshell or white, you may want to use one of the | | | | metal typing table in a thrift store. The top was |
| white backing layers as well to keep your border's | | | | scratched and stained so I used acrylic paint on the |
| color bright. | | | | edges of the top and the flip down sides and then |
| Pour some liquid starch in a little bucket and use a | | | | used the decoupage technique on the flat surfaces |
| paintbrush or sponge to apply a layer of starch on a | | | | using guest towel type paper napkins I had on hand. |
| section of the wall. Smooth the napkin onto the wall | | | | Now I've got a functional retro piece that I can |
| working from one side to the other gently so as not to | | | | conveniently wheel around. |
| tear the napkin. A gentle dabbing motion with the brush | | | | This method is so easy and inexpensive you'll be |
| or sponge works well. If there are a few wrinkles, don't | | | | searching for other things to decorate for your home |
| worry about it. The paper is thin enough that it will | | | | and for personalized gifts as well. Thrill and amaze |
| appear to become one with the surface of the wall | | | | your family and friends and always have fun with your |
| and the few creases add an old world character. Just | | | | creativity! |