Welcome to “Weekend Warriors.” Every Friday, we run a shining example of a reader’s recent makings—to say TGIF and send you off right into your own weekend’s projects. This Friday's weekend project comes from Matt Pisane, a graphic designer in New York. Matt writes:

After several months of looking at the blank white wall of my bedroom, I decided something needed to be done. I wanted a solution that was cheap and easier than painting. Then it came to me---common crepe paper party streamers. They come in a variety of colors and cost as little as five bucks for a 500-foot roll. The only other thing needed is a little double sided tape to hold them in place at the top and bottom. I've received many compliments on the idea and recently put them up on a friend's wall (pictured below---ed.). Thought you guys might be interested. It's an easy solution to a common problem---the boring, stark white wall.

Turns out we are interested. We wrote back to Matt and he shared some tips for replicating his pinstriped walls. • To get the stripes straight: "I just winged it to my best ability to get the stripes straight. However, marking off light tick lines, using a plum line or starting in the corner against the adjoining wall are all ways to ensure more precise placement." • To fasten the streamers to the wall: "A 1.5" stip of tape on the top and bottom is all that's necessary. I used Scotch Permanent Double-Sided tape which may be problematic down the road. But Scotch also sells a 'Removable' double-sided tape that is probably better suited for eventual removal. On a side note, the streamers themselves don't bleed so there's nothing to worry about there." Some additional tips from Matt: • Place the side of the streamer that's on the outside of the roll against the wall. It seems to lay more flat this way. • After securing the top, pull the streamer nice and tight toward the bottom so it is flush with the wall. The streamers have a bit of stretch. Mark it, tape it, THEN cut off the excess. • Humidity may cause the streamers to loosen a bit and even sag from the wall slightly. However, they go back to normal when the weather is moderate again. 99% of the time they are fine. A dedicated DIY'er, Matt notes that the dry erase board on his wall was cut to size and mounted in an old frame. The corkboard was found and spray-painted blue for interest. He didn't say what the story is on the shiny, industrial-looking lamp in the picture, but we kind of like that, too. (Images by Matt Pisane) If you’ve completed a project that you’d like to see featured on Weekend Warriors, don’t be shy—send it to us.

0 Comments