UNDERSTANDING DYE LOTS
Why Your Order Must Be Complete
Because my wallpaper is custom printed to order, each production run is unique. The ink, the paper, and the printing process can produce very slight variations between runs — even when ordering the same colorway.
This means if you order six panels today and realize you need two more next month, those two panels may not be a perfect match to your original order.
This is not a defect. It is the nature of custom, small-batch printing — the same reason a hand-dyed textile or a hand-thrown ceramic varies slightly from piece to piece. It is part of what makes it special.
But it does mean one thing matters above everything else:
ORDER ALL YOUR PANELS AT ONCE.
Use the roll calculator on my website, follow the measuring steps in this guide, add your overage, and order everything in a single order. Your walls will thank you.
WALL PREP
Prepare Your Walls Before You Begin
The most beautiful wallpaper in the world will not look its best on a poorly prepared wall. Before your panels arrive, take time to do this properly.
YOUR WALL SHOULD BE:
Clean — wipe down with a gentle soap and water solution to remove dust, oils, and residue. Let dry completely.
Smooth — fill any holes or dents with spackle. Sand smooth. The flatter the wall, the better the result.
Primed — if your wall has been freshly painted, wait a minimum of 30 days before installing wallpaper. New paint needs time to fully cure.
Painted with the right finish — eggshell or satin are ideal. Avoid flat or matte finishes for peel and stick. Avoid high-gloss for traditional pasted wallpaper.
Free of texture — heavily textured walls are not ideal for either substrate. If your wall has significant texture, consult a professional installer before proceeding.
A NOTE ON HISTORIC HOMES:
Many of my clients have older homes with plaster walls, original woodwork, and irregular surfaces. If you are working with plaster or a wall that has been painted many times, I strongly recommend consulting a professional wallpaper installer before beginning.
Installing Your Traditional Luxe Wallpaper
Traditional Luxe wallpaper is an estate-quality pasted wallpaper. It is designed for permanent installation and gives the most architectural, built-in look of any substrate. For historic homes, dining rooms, primary bedrooms, and any space where you want the wallpaper to feel like it has always been there — this is the right choice.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
Wallpaper paste (ask your installer or hardware store for a recommendation based on your wall surface)
Wallpaper smoother or brush
Sharp utility knife and metal straight edge
Level or laser level
Sponge and clean water
A second pair of hands
STEP BY STEP:
1. Draw a level vertical line at your starting point. This is the most important step. Every panel that follows depends on this line being perfectly straight.
2. Apply paste evenly to the wall or the back of the panel depending on your method. A thin even coat is ideal — not too much, not too little.
3. Hang your first panel aligned to your vertical line. Smooth from the center outward using your smoother or brush. Work air bubbles toward the edges.
4. Match your pattern carefully at each seam before pressing permanently. Step back and check at eye level.
5. Trim top and bottom with a sharp utility knife against a metal straight edge. Change blades often for clean cuts.
6. Wipe away any excess paste immediately with a damp sponge. Do not let paste dry on the surface of the wallpaper.
Small bubbles that appear after installation are normal. Most will disappear as the paste dries. Do not panic and do not peel.
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 PEEL AND STICK INSTALLATION
Installing Your Luxe Peel and Stick Wallpaper
Peel and stick gives you the refined look of traditional wallpaper with added flexibility. It is ideal for rental properties, rooms you may want to change in the future, or walls where paste installation is not practical.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
Wallpaper smoother or soft cloth
Level or laser level
Sharp craft knife and metal straight edge
A second pair of hands
STEP BY STEP:
1. Ensure your wall is completely clean, dry, and smooth. Peel and stick performs best on eggshell or satin painted walls. Wait 30 days after any fresh paint.
2. Draw a level vertical line at your starting point.
3. Peel the backing away gradually as you apply — do not remove the entire backing at once. Apply from top to bottom, smoothing as you go.
4. Use a smoother or soft cloth to press gently and firmly. Work from the center outward. Never press hard with your fingertips — it can stretch the material or leave marks.
5. Match your pattern at each seam before pressing permanently.
6. Trim top and bottom with a sharp craft knife. Change blades often.
TO REMOVE: Peel slowly and at a low angle. If a section is stubborn, gently warm it with a hair dryer to loosen the adhesive. Never pull sharply — this can damage paint.
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Seven Mistakes Worth Avoiding
1. SKIPPING WALL PREP
Clean, smooth, primed walls are the foundation of a beautiful installation. This step cannot be rushed.
2. NOT DRAWING A LEVEL STARTING LINE
Everything else follows your first panel. If it is not perfectly vertical, every seam after it will be slightly off.
3. ORDERING TOO LITTLE
Because my wallpaper is custom printed, reorders may vary slightly in color. Order everything you need in one order. Add 10% overage for straight match patterns, 15 to 20% for 24-inch half drops, and 25 to 30% for 38-inch half drops.
4. RUSHING THE PATTERN MATCH
Step back and check your seams at eye level before pressing permanently. It is much easier to adjust before the paste sets or the adhesive grips.
5. PRESSING TOO HARD ON PEEL AND STICK
Firm and even pressure with a smoother. Not fingertips, not force.
6. INSTALLING ON FRESH PAINT
Wait 30 days minimum after painting before installing any substrate.
7. DOING IT ALONE
Wallpaper is a two-person job. A helper makes pattern matching, smoothing, and trimming dramatically easier — and more enjoyable.
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WHEN TO HIRE A PROFESSIONAL
HEADLINE:
When to Call a Professional Installer
BODY:
I love that so many of my customers install their own wallpaper. There is something deeply satisfying about doing it yourself — and for straightforward rooms, it is absolutely achievable.
But some situations genuinely call for a professional. Here is my honest guidance.
CONSIDER HIRING A PROFESSIONAL IF:
Your room has tall ceilings above ten feet
You are working with a stairwell or an angled ceiling
Your walls are plaster, heavily textured, or in an older home with irregular surfaces
You are installing in a dining room or primary bedroom where the result needs to be flawless
This is your first time, and the room is large or complex
A trained wallpaper installer will make seams invisible, patterns perfectly aligned, and will work efficiently. The cost is almost always worth it for a room you will look at every day for years.
TO FIND AN INSTALLER: Ask your local paint store for a recommendation, or search for a certified wallpaper installer in your area. Feel free to reach out to me as well — I am happy to help you think through your project.
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A Note from Melissa
Every pattern in my collection began as an original painting — brush, pigment, and paper. No shortcuts. No AI. Just the places and memories I have loved my whole life, translated into something that can live on your walls for years.
I want your installation to be as beautiful as the wallpaper itself. If you have questions at any point — about measuring, choosing a colorway, or anything else — please reach out. I read every message.
And remember: order your sample first, live with it in your light for a few days, and trust what you see. That is always where I would start.
If you want to see any pattern in your actual room before you order a single panel, reply to any of my emails with a photo of your space. I build custom mockups at no charge and will show you exactly how your room could look.
With warmth,
Melissa
melissadayton.com
melissa@melissadayton.com
@melissadaytonart
Samples available for every collection — $5, ships quickly.
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