Friday, January 29, 2010

Say Hello to Michael Giordano, Our Wallpaper Hanging Guru

There are a lot of things one should be aware of when hiring and working with  a wallpaper hanger. Be aware of what the costs are and what can go wrong. Greetings, I am Michael Giordano, wallpaper hanger for about three and a half decades, and I will be doing a series on wallpaper hanging, and mishaps to avoid with  tips and advice.  Watching trends come and go in the wonderful world of paperhanging, and I am always finding new ways to improve my skills.

Let’s get to it. The first thing you need to do is pick an installer.  You definitely want a knowledgeable one. So where do you find a reputable, trustworthy installer? The National guild of professional paperhangers is a good place to start; showrooms will also have a few tips that can help. Ask lots of questions, and if you get a recommendation from a reliable source, you can start heading in the right direction.

The material is one of the most important things to pay attention to, and we, the paperhanger, need to educate you, the decorator/designer.  Whether your in the business a while or just starting out, some things are doable, and some things are just not possible!  I know you  think we are magicians, but we do the best we can.  Some seams DO  show depending on the material you are using, but we will get into that another time. Materials are  an investment,  whether it costs $20.00 a yard or $500.00 a yard,  since it adds up in the end. But as you know, this a worthwhile expense . One of the best ways to keep cost down is getting the proper measurements of the space you are doing and the specifics of the paper or fabric.  Showroom salespeople help you as much as they can, but it is essential to confer with your paper hangers so no detail is overlooked.  Remember, you have windows, doors, and closets, so ask  an installer for estimates since they are often free.  Get your measurements and your pricing all at once.  On the job site, ask your installer what prep you might need--some papers require wall liners,   recommended for a reason.  Educate yourself to ask for the directions on the material or wall covering you are choosing, read it at lunch, on the train, or in the cab, and gain the knowledge to save time and money. don’t cut corners or someone will pay.

If you have any questions or your installer needs to ask a question I work with many of your favorite showrooms I am here for you, just ask and I will lead you in the right direction!

Best In Show  Wallpaper from Osborne and Little

2 comments:

  1. Thank you for reading and stay tuned for more helpful hints from him!

    ReplyDelete