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  • TUESDAY AUGUST 31 2010 12:52 AM

Doing It With Tara: Contact Paper Décor

Tags: Art, Blog, DIY

by Tara Diane

I really love this project, contact paper décor, because it’s great if you’re renting or living somewhere short term and want to jazz up the walls.  If you’re renting you probably don’t want to paint, since you’ll just have to paint over it when you leave, and probably don’t want to spend a bunch of money on vinyl wall decals that cost a fuck-ton and aren’t reusable.  These aren’t reusable either, but they only cost $6 worth of contact paper and an hour of your time.  So… on with the tutorial!



What You’ll Need:


  • A roll of contact paper.  I used a black faux leather one because I’m classy as shit.  And, more importantly, because they were out of solid black at Home Depot.

  • An exacto-knife or other razor cutter, with a new blade

  • Scissors

  • Various circled things to trace (I used a crappy album, a CD, and a coaster)

  • A surface to cut on that you don’t mind messing up


zoom image

Roll out the contact paper and start tracing circles, then cut them out with your razor cutter.  I made seven album-sized circles, then a bunch of small and medium circles (too lazy to count, see last image if you need to).

zoom image

Now, we’re going to go back to second grade for a minute.  Remember making snowflakes out of coffee filters?  If not, your childhood was terrible.  But, just in case, here is a video to refresh you.

zoom image

Ta-dah.  I only cut the “snowflake” shapes into the large circles, the small and medium circles were left alone.  I don’t really think they look like snowflakes, more like decorative circles.  Maybe?  Hopefully?

zoom image

Once you’re done cutting them all out, peel the adhesive backing and start sticking those puppies to the wall!

zoom image

And, you’re done!  Enjoy your mildly cool looking and incredibly cheap new wall design.

:]

 

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Comments
Catallus

Catallus

United Kingdom
May 2009

AUG 31, 2010 03:29 PM

I have said it before and I'll say it again: You are almost the only contributor worth reading on Lifestyle.

Great stuff.

Lemonkid

Lemonkid

Canada
May 2003

AUG 31, 2010 09:06 PM

Catallus said:
I have said it before and I'll say it again: You are almost the only contributor worth reading on Lifestyle.

Great stuff.



Agreed. I can't seem to find contact paper listed in any local hardwear stores websites though.

Sadista

Sadista

Charlotte, NC
November 2006

AUG 31, 2010 10:25 PM

That's pretty cute looking!
Never made snowflakes from coffee filters as a kid though, just regular white paper.

Jensen

Jensen

SUICIDEGIRL

Texas, USA

SEP 01, 2010 12:16 PM

Lemonkid said:

Catallus said:
I have said it before and I'll say it again: You are almost the only contributor worth reading on Lifestyle.

Great stuff.



Agreed. I can't seem to find contact paper listed in any local hardwear stores websites though.



Really? Maybe it's listed under shelving paper. If in doubt, places like target and even some grocery stores might have it.

Missy

Missy

SUICIDEGIRL

California, USA

SEP 01, 2010 01:09 PM

When I was in Highschool I used clear contact paper over my reject photo prints on my bathroom floor. Came out pretty cool and was pretty durable.

Mere

Mere

HOPEFUL

USA

SEP 01, 2010 11:02 PM

This is awesome. *proceeds to add awesome black spots to the wall...*

So... these come off relatively easily (i.e. without ripping off the paint) after being stuck up there for, say, a year?

CoyoteMike

CoyoteMike

Iowa City, IA
May 2006

SEP 02, 2010 07:39 AM

I have an uncle who does something similar (thought different) in his art. He uses cutouts over woven photographs (using mathematical sequencing) to create dramatic effects.

Lemonkid

Lemonkid

Canada
May 2003

SEP 02, 2010 01:21 PM

Coyotemike said:
I have an uncle who does something similar (thought different) in his art. He uses cutouts over woven photographs (using mathematical sequencing) to create dramatic effects.



I have an uncle who drinks.

CoyoteMike

CoyoteMike

Iowa City, IA
May 2006

SEP 02, 2010 01:23 PM

Lemonkid said:

Coyotemike said:
I have an uncle who does something similar (thought different) in his art. He uses cutouts over woven photographs (using mathematical sequencing) to create dramatic effects.



I have an uncle who drinks.



Braggart.

Lemonkid

Lemonkid

Canada
May 2003

SEP 02, 2010 01:24 PM

TaraDiane said:

Lemonkid said:

Catallus said:
I have said it before and I'll say it again: You are almost the only contributor worth reading on Lifestyle.

Great stuff.



Agreed. I can't seem to find contact paper listed in any local hardwear stores websites though.



Really? Maybe it's listed under shelving paper. If in doubt, places like target and even some grocery stores might have it.



Oh I guess I might just have to get off of the internet to look for something.

mydogfarted

mydogfarted

Oakland, NJ
June 2003

SEP 02, 2010 01:28 PM

Lemonkid said:

Catallus said:
I have said it before and I'll say it again: You are almost the only contributor worth reading on Lifestyle.

Great stuff.



Agreed. I can't seem to find contact paper listed in any local hardwear stores websites though.



Try WalMart or your local grocery chain like Loeb/Loblaws/etc. Brand name is Con-Tact.

mydogfarted

mydogfarted

Oakland, NJ
June 2003

SEP 02, 2010 01:33 PM

Just an FYI - do not cover the entire wall in it, or stick it on counter tops to "redecorate", like the 80 year old man who used to own my house did. surreal

CoyoteMike

CoyoteMike

Iowa City, IA
May 2006

SEP 02, 2010 01:36 PM

Quick question: How easily does this come off your walls, and what sort of residue is left over when the time comes for your landlord to figure out you security damage.

Jensen

Jensen

SUICIDEGIRL

Texas, USA

SEP 02, 2010 01:50 PM

Coyotemike said:
Quick question: How easily does this come off your walls, and what sort of residue is left over when the time comes for your landlord to figure out you security damage.



I did this in my apartment and it was up for about a year. When I peeled it off it didn't effect the paint at all. The glue in contact paper (the specific brand, con-tact) is pretty weak, so I feel fairly confident saying it won't hurt your paint. I can't vouch for other brands though!

Jensen

Jensen

SUICIDEGIRL

Texas, USA

SEP 02, 2010 01:50 PM

mydogfarted said:
Just an FYI - do not cover the entire wall in it, or stick it on counter tops to "redecorate", like the 80 year old man who used to own my house did. surreal



I thought about making pinstripes on my wall. No go? haha

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