Hey, remember the 80s? I do, and I remember everything was wallpapered. I also remember the 90s, when all the wallpaper was painstakingly removed, then covered up with faux-finishing (salmon colored sponge paint anyone?).

But just like fanny packs, bodysuits and Members Only jackets, wallpaper is making a comeback. And it's way less terrible than you'd think. I learned this via my friend Erica. A classically trained violist (maybe you've seen her play with Dessa, Jeremy Messersmith, Heiruspecs... need I continue?) with fantastic hair and the coolest tattoos ever, she's a badass in her own right. And now she has a badass loft. And she asked if my friend Maggie and I wanted to help her hang some badass wallpaper.

If hanging wallpaper in someone else's brand new, beautiful loft doesn't sound a little scary to you, then you must be a professional wallpaper hanger. Thank the lord Erica's mom Jane had done this many times before and offered lots of great advice. Phew.

Erica had already picked out this gorgeous paper from Graham & Brown. A little metallic, a little blue, a little textured... and incredibly easy to work with. They use this "Superfresco Easy" technology, which basically means you paste the wall, not the paper. We measured the wall (twice), then measured the paper (twice), then cut the paper (once).

After smearing the wall with paste (available through Graham & Brown's website or Home Depot), we started putting the paper to the wall.

.....and stay there! — .....and *stay* there!

The first piece was pretty easy, save an outlet we had to cut around. Other than that, we just needed to brush a few bubbles out and trim excess paper in the corners and along the ceiling.

We learned right away that it's important to note which direction your print is going. Otherwise, I think this paper might've given the casual onlooker a seizure.

Watching the progress was so much fun & incredibly satisfying.

That's my butt. I had to ask Erica's mom to take a pic with me in it. Otherwise, you'd all think I just sat back and watched like the lazy SOB I am.

And only 2.5 hours after we arrived, it was like a whole new vibe going on. Really, it took less than 3 hours.

I think Erica likes it.

Erica showing off her purty new focal point.

If you want that same sense of accomplishment we felt, you might get it from watching this video. If that doesn't work, I suggest you put up some wallpaper in your own place. Or maybe in someone else's.

Hey Eleanor!

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