Add a Touch of High Gloss

“Few wall treatments make a room feel more glamorous than lacquer—but trying to apply it is a Herculean effort. With these shiny new papers, you can unfurl that Hollywood Regency look right onto your walls.” This tip from In Style’s January 2009 “Extra Splash In a Flash” seems easy, but I can attest that it is BEYOND difficult to paint with lacquer (super high gloss paint.) I did it for Katie once and it was next to impossible. But, man does it look good on walls and furniture.

Handy Classics & Organic Structures will think, “I can do this, no problem.” I said this very same thing when I did Kate’s chest that holds her silver. My big mistake was that I did it outside—EVERY particle that was in the air stuck to the table and you can see it. (But Katie doesn’t, so maybe it’s okay for those big picture types.) But, I’m betting that this lacquer wallpaper would be equally hard to apply because any bump underneath would show up. So, only attempt if you’re willing to flex your non-preference and be very patient, Google how to do it and follow the instructions to a T. Funs, you might actually take the time to do everything right, but I’m wondering if you’d ever find the time to actually do it if you had a busy life and are working in some capacity.

I think this would be ideal for Smarts because you naturally think to hire out or delegate implementation of things that are not your forte. Organic Freedoms, no, just, NO. Okay, I take it back, you can do it if you are a professional painter/wallpaper master or you channel your inner Smart and hire it out.

Originally published April 22, 2010