Vintage Bureau Project: How to Create Drawer Liners Using Chateau Wallpaper
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Vintage Bureau Project: How to Create Drawer Liners Using Chateau Wallpaper

Nuala Campbell (@oh.for.the.love.of.furniture) talks us through her most recent craft project, creating draw liners for a vintage bureau desk out of The Chateau’s Honeycomb wallpaper. Keep reading to find out what she did…

What you'll need

• Metal ruler
• Measuring Tape
• Craft knife
• Pen
• Beeline wallpaper adhesive
• Cheap chip brush
• Wallpaper of choice

Step 1.

Measuring The Drawers
Most drawers I add liners to are wider than a roll of wallpaper and as tempting as it might be to just flip the wallpaper sideways so you only have one cut, it will look odd as the paper is meant to be hung vertically. So, depending on your design of paper it can ruin the aesthetic of the piece if it’s not in the right direction.

The only measurement you need is front to back. Make sure you do this measurement on the left, middle and right of the drawer as often you will find they aren't entirely even. Choose the shortest measurement and stick to that for both pieces.

Step 2.

Cut Your Paper
If your drawer measures 20cm for example from front to back, don't be tempted to cut two pieces straight away one after the other at 20cm. As just like you would on a wall, you have to match the design on the wallpaper up in your drawer too.

Before cutting both pieces of paper, I use the first cut and just make sure everything looks okay size wise in the drawer. If it looks like a snug fit, move on to matching up the design for the second piece of paper and cut it to match the same size as the first. Remember to keep an eye on what piece is for the left and the right of the drawer, you don't want to get these mixed up and your pattern won't match if you get them the wrong way around.

Step 3.

Apply Your Adhesive
I've tried so many different types of adhesives on different drawer bases. Sometimes your drawers are a laminate wood and other times they are solid wood. It was very much trial and error with finding the right one.

Finally, I discovered the Beeline Ready Mix Wallpaper Adhesive Yellow Top. Beeline adhesive has added PVA for a super strong bond, but also has amazing slip properties to allow you to work your paper into place without worrying that it will stick a little wonky. As a general rule of thumb, I never paste the paper, I always paste the drawer. Don't worry if you get paste on parts of the drawer that you aren't putting paper on, it’s really simple to wipe off with a damp cloth.

Step 4.

Fit Your Drawer Liner
I always start with the bigger piece of paper. Just place your paper into the drawer and give it a good rub over starting from one side and working over to the other to eliminate any air bubbles from forming. Match up your next piece of paper to the pattern and again work from one side to the other.

Depending on what you are using your drawer or surface for, you may want to seal your new drawer liners for extra protection, I like to use a flat Decorators varnish.

If you give Nuala’s craft project a go, we’d love to see! Tag us on Instagram @the_chateau_tv or join the Escape to The Chateau Fan Club on Facebook and post your finished project on there to share with our inspiring community.