Glamorous Bathroom Wall Treatment

The walls in my bathroom were not in super good shape when I bought my 100 year old house, they had the old bumpy type plaster. After several attempts at painting, I finally came upon a solution.

I took both brown craft paper and red rosin paper (both available at home improvement stores)and tore it into uneven pieces, keeping some of them with a straight edge to put at the top of the wall where it met the ceiling. I then took them and crushed them between my hands really good and opened them up again, revealing the wrinkles. At this point smooth them slightly, but not very much.

Then, before I applied it to the wall, I spray painted some gold and used copper leaf paint on others (I bought the copper leaf paint at Wal-mart). I used a foam brush dipped in the copper leaf and very lightly drug it over the creases so it just hit the top of the creases. I let it dry and applied it with wallpaper paste. When it was all done, I applied a coat of water based polyurethane over the top.

I get more compliments on this room than any room in my house. I have a clawfoot tub and a vanity made from dresser. I also have chandeliers in there that adds to the glamor.

By Elaine from Iowa

Editor's Note: Here is Elaine's dresser vanity:

Convert An Old Dresser Into A Bathroom Sink Stand

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By 01/28/2009

I've researched this technique elsewhere on the web and they stated specific products had to be used. Did you use a specific wallpaper paste or will any standard brand available at the home center do? Sure wish I could see a larger pic.

By Carol from Iowa (Guest Post) 10/19/2008

Elaine,
I truly enjoy all your posts! We seem to have alot in common - including the fact that we both live in Iowa. I live in Bettendorf. It would be great if we could get together with others who live in Iowa so we could share our thrifty and creative ideas. What do you think? Also, please keep the creative and helpful posts coming! Thanks!!

By 09/24/2008

Forgot to answer you Darlene. I had it done in a day except for the coat of polyurethane. Did that the next day to make sure everything was dry.

By 09/24/2008

Thank you all.........I too, had seen the brown paper method done on floors so of course my ideas was born from that.

Red rosin paper is a paper that is a little heavier weight than brown paper and you can buy it at any home improvement store. It is used mainly to put down to cover flooring to keep it from getting soiled. I used this sparingly, just to add some more dimension.

By 09/23/2008

I am so impressed. You did a beautiful job.

By Darlene (Guest Post) 09/23/2008

You can also do this with tissue paper. Your room does look gorgeous, I have to admit. How long did it take you to do this? Darlene

By 09/23/2008

This wall looks sooo beautiful !! Bet it is even more beautiful in person. The color looks so Rich . Thanks for including your instructions and How-To's.
But what is the "Red Rosin Paper" that you refer to?
I havn't used this before. Don't know what it is, exactly.
I'd be tempted to try your technique, but is there a method to make it a different color than the red ?
The method of wrinkling the brown bags is a very old technique. But I havn't seen it used on walls before. It is neat !!