Vintage wallpaper can be a stunning feature in historical homes, adding character and charm that’s difficult to replicate. However, wallpaper becomes more fragile with age. In most cases, saving antique wallpaper requires a restoration specialist’s expertise.
In this article and accompanying video, This Old House host Kevin O’Connor visits the Franklin Pierce Homestead in New Hampshire to witness the meticulous restoration of 200-year-old imported wallpaper.
Understanding Vintage Wallpaper
Vintage wallpaper, especially from the 19th century, is more than just a decorative element—it’s a historical artifact. Due to their intricate designs and high cost, these wallpapers often originated in Europe and were often found in palaces and large villas.
Origins and Production
Most ornate wallpapers of the early 1800s were produced in Europe, particularly France. The creation process was labor-intensive and time-consuming for the following reasons:
- Designs were intricate and often depicted scenic views or elaborate patterns
- Due to scale and difficulty in sourcing raw materials, production of a wallpaper could take several years
- Printing required thousands of wooden blocks, each representing a different color
Historical Significance
The rarity and craftsmanship of these wallpapers make them valuable pieces of history. In the case of the Franklin Pierce Homestead, the wallpaper was imported from France in 1824, coinciding with a visit from General Lafayette, a hero of the American Revolutionary War, to Ben Franklin’s home.
Common Types of Wallpaper Damage
Over time, vintage wallpaper can suffer various forms of damage, such as:
- Colors loss: Colors may lose vibrancy due to exposure to light and air
- Insect damage: Typically appears as lace-like outlines or small holes
- Loss of adhesion: Sections of wallpaper may separate from the wall
- Water damage: Often visible as dark tide lines on the wallpaper
Tools and Materials
Professionals use specialized tools and materials to get the best results for wallpaper restoration. Here are some of the tools and materials used in the restoration process:
- Cosmetic sponges for detailed surface cleaning
- Crayon pencils for fine details and stain reduction
- Gouache paints for color matching and in-painting
- Japanese paper for infilling due to its strength and flexibility
- Methylcellulose glue for adhering patches
- Non-latex rubber sponges for gentle cleaning
The Wallpaper Restoration Process
Restoring vintage wallpaper is a meticulous process that requires patience, skill, and specialized techniques. Here’s an overview of the steps involved:
Documentation and Cleaning
Accurate documentation and a gentle cleaning process are the first steps toward restoring vintage wallpaper to its former glory.
First Steps
- Gentle approach: Working slowly and thoughtfully ensures that the media, pigment, and color remain intact. This gentle approach avoids introducing new damage during the cleaning process.
- Photo documentation: Before beginning any restoration work, conservators take highly detailed photographs of the wallpaper. This step is necessary because it documents the paper’s original condition, which conservators need to reference throughout the restoration process.
- Surface cleaning: Surface cleaning involves carefully removing dirt, dust, and insect debris. Conservators use cosmetic and non-silicone rubber sponges to lift contaminants from the wallpaper without damaging it or leaving trace residue.
Filling in Missing Pieces
Conservators use paper infilling, a technique to amend sections of wallpaper that are missing. Here’s the process:
- Outlining on Mylar paper: The first step in infilling is to outline the missing area on Mylar paper, which creates a template that precisely matches the gap.
- Cutting a matching patch: Using the template, the conservator cuts a replacement piece from Japanese paper, which is highly durable.
- Adhering the patch: Adhering the patch involves using methylcellulose glue, a stable and neutral adhesive that won’t compromise the wallpaper’s integrity.
- Adding a layer of toned paper: Next, the conservator adds a layer of toned paper to the patch that matches the original wallpaper’s thickness and background color.
Final Steps
The last step in the restoration process involves in-painting and coloring, which requires a delicate touch and an eye for detail. Here’s what that looks like:
- Mimicking the original design: Using matte paints and crayon pencils, conservators work diligently to replicate the original design. This work involves mixing pigments and paints to achieve a close match.
- Testing and drying: Thorough testing ensures that the colors match. Conservators allow the colors to dry completely before analyzing them.
- Tonal matching: Focusing on tonal matching rather than exact replication blends the restoration with the original wallpaper but doesn’t fill in art that wasn’t the artist’s original work.
Challenges in Vintage Wallpaper Restoration
Restoring vintage wallpaper presents several challenges that require an expert’s knowledge. These challenges are often unique to each restoration project and need a tailored approach.
Matching Original Colors and Patterns
One of the most significant challenges in vintage wallpaper restoration is matching the original colors and patterns without exact references. It requires a keen eye for detail and an in-depth understanding of historical design techniques, and it’s also why it can take so long to match modern paints to the wallpaper’s original colors.
Working With Delicate Materials
The fragility of antique wallpaper makes it vulnerable to damage during restoration. Conservators must handle these materials with the utmost care to avoid introducing new damage and use tools that keep the wallpaper safe and intact.
Balancing Historical Accuracy With Pragmatism
One of the main goals of wallpaper restoration is balancing historical accuracy with practical restoration techniques. Conservators aim to preserve the original design and materials while ensuring the restored wallpaper remains durable.
Addressing Environmental Factors
Environmental factors such as humidity, sunlight, and temperature fluctuations can significantly damage vintage wallpaper over time. Understanding these factors and taking steps to mitigate their impact is essential for long-term preservation.
Best Practices for Preserving Vintage Wallpaper
While professional restoration is often necessary, non-experts can preserve vintage paper by following these best practices:
- Address any signs of damage quickly to prevent further deterioration
- Avoid touching the wallpaper unnecessarily to prevent natural oils from degrading the surface
- Control humidity levels in the room to prevent moisture damage
- Minimize direct sunlight exposure to prevent fading
- Use gentle, dry cleaning methods for regular maintenance
When To Hire an Expert for Your Vintage Wallpaper
While some minor cleaning can be done by homeowners, most vintage wallpaper situations should be handled by a professional.
- Extensive water or insect damage: Extensive water or insect damage requires professional attention. Conservators have the tools and expertise to address these issues without further harming the wallpaper.
- Large sections of missing or peeling wallpaper: When large sections of wallpaper are missing or peeling, professional conservators can perform infilling and re-adhesion techniques that restore the wallpaper’s appearance and stability.
- Need for a museum-quality restoration: For those seeking museum-quality restoration, professional conservators have the skills and materials to achieve exceptional results. Their meticulous approach guarantees that the restored wallpaper retains its historical charm and beauty.
- Valuable or historically significant wallpaper: Valuable or historically significant wallpaper deserves expert care. Professional conservators understand the historical context and can perform restorations that honor the wallpaper’s unique heritage.
Resources
Kevin O’Connor travels to the Franklin Pierce Homestead in Hillsboro, New Hampshire. The historic site, built in 1804, has 200-year-old block-printed wallpaper manufactured by hand in France.
O’Connor talks with paper conservators working to restore the scenic wallpaper, an edition of “Les Vues d’Italie,” made by Joseph Dufour and Co., Paris, in the 1810s and 20s and shipped to New Hampshire in 1824.
Special thanks: Bexx Caswell-Olson
