Reproduction Wallpaper Installation Specialist

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" height=90 BGCOLOR="#006699" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="02c285a1erlcgo.png"> <div> <B>Historic Wallpaper Specialties</B><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Old English Text MT" ><B>    </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFCC00" FACE="Old English Text MT" ><B> |</B></FONT></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Historic Wallpaper Specialties"><U><B>Home</B></U></A><B>     </B></FONT><A HREF="zuber_wallpaper.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Zuber Wallpaper Installation Specialist"><U><B>Jim's Profile</B></U></A><B>    </B><B> Specialties</B><B>   </B><B> </B><A HREF="historic_house_museum_wallpaper_projects.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Historical Wallpaper Portfolio"><U><B> Portfolio</B></U></A><B> </B><B>    </B><A HREF="links.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Historic Wallpaper Resources"><U><B>Historic Wallpaper Resources</B></U></A><B>     </B><A HREF="id25.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Reproduction Wallpaper Installation Spec"><U><B>Contact Jim</B></U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#CCCCFF" TEXT="#080000"> <bR> <div> Specialty Installations</div> <div> <I>&</I></div> <div> Wallpaper Conservation Services</div> <div> <I><B>  <IMG SRC="14a30e40.jpg" border=0 width="304" height="228" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="12" VSPACE="0"></B></I></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#990000" FACE="Microsoft Sans Serif" ><B>Antique French Scenics and Wallpapers </B></FONT><B> </B><B> </B></div> <div> Rare, antique wallpaper does show up from time to time. It can range from previously hung French scenics, to unused rolls of wallpaper found in an attic.  Because antique wallpaper is  irreplaceable, it should only be handled by specialized craftsmen, with the greatest of care.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Specialized installations for the historic house museum and private restorations</B></div> <div> Paperhanging techniques have paralleled changes in manufacturing technology throughout it's history. To insure historical accuracy, Jim installs reproduction wallpapers using paperhanging methods of the targeted restoration period.  Archival materials are recommended for installations in the historic house museum and in other appropriate situations.   To avoid the introduction of acidity to th<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Arial" >ese fine wallpapers,  Jim uses only archival quality wheat and cellulose pastes and acid-free lining papers.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>Tacked muslin over Planks to receive Wallpap</B><B>er or Paint</B></div> <div> The use of muslin over planks, or logs, as a foundation for wallpaper or paint, was common practice in the south and west where plaster was scare.  Jim has researched this historic technique and has completed several major projects.  He is now capable of offering this technique for a variety of historic structures.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Zuber et Cie Scenics & Chinese Hand-Painted Panels</B></div> <div> Jim believes that if you study the history of wallpaper, you will come to realize that French scenics and Chinese hand painted panels are wallpapers greatest achievements.  Fortunately, both genres are still available.  Zuber et Cie, a French company that has been in business since 1797, still prints scenic's from the original hand carved <IMG SRC="26771bf0.jpg" border=0 width="369" height="191" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="7" VSPACE="7">blocks.  Chinese hand painted scenic's, historically unique to the culture, are also still being produced by Chinese craftsmen both in China and in America.  Jim believes these high quality wallpapers are the most difficult and challenging to install.  The use of muslin, in conjunction with archival liners, ensures removability. Jim applies muslin  to each wall in full size widths.  At any time, the wallpaper can be removed in full wall sections by pulling off the muslin which will keep the liner and finish paper intact.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Screen and Block Printed Reproductions</B></div> <bR> <div> Hand screen and block printed wallpapers have selvedge which must be hand trimmed before installation.  Block printed papers, printed with uncoated distemper inks, are extremely  sensitive to moisture and touch.  Jim is adept with trimming skills and very experienced in handling highly sensitive distemper, which cannot tolerate anything on it's surface.  The use of special liners and traditional adhesives are necessary to ensure a successful installation. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Wallpaper Conservation</B></div> <bR> <div> Jim often collaborates with Susan Nash, who is a nationally recognized wallpaper conservator. Susan writes, "Sometimes there is a good reason to save an old historic wallpaper. It may be a rare pattern or scenic; it may exist in a house which is being restored to that period; it may be the work of a renowned designer or artist or printer; or, the owners may simply like it a lot and do not want to lose it. When a document wallpaper is to be saved, a conservator should be called in to give advice or treatment.</div> <div> Even though old wallpapers often look beyond saving, there is really much that can be done to improve appearance and to secure it to the wall again. The surface can be lightly cleaned of surface dirt, and flaking paint can be relaxed and consolidated back down to the paper using hot gelatin solution.</div> <div> Where cracks in the wall have made cracks in the paper, the crack must be filled and a patch of Japanese paper laid down to carry the wallpaper. Due to settling of the building, draws in corners and cracks in walls, especially on chimneys, are very common.</div> <div> Where paper is loose on the wall, it can be readhered with new paste. Missing paper can be replaced using a Japanese paper, for example, and then these repairs can be toned and painted to continue the design. Where paint has flaked off the wallpaper itself, the design can be inpainted using watercolors.</div> <div> The most difficult and disfiguring damage is usually water stains. Often they can be reduced using blotting techniques, and if this fails, they can be disguised using pastels. </div> <div> In the rare instance, a wallpaper can be removed completely from the wall, cleaned, washed, repaired, and given new paper and cloth backings, then rehung in it's original place. This gives the wallpaper a new lease on life. In wallpaper conservation, as in other paper conservation, preservation of the original and reversibility of the treatment are the foremost concerns. But it is also very satisfying to improve the appearance of the paper so much that the wallpaper once again becomes a pleasure to live with"<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Microsoft Sans Serif" >.</FONT>Susan has written an excellent article on the <A HREF="http://www.adelphipaperhangings.com/Roseland%20Story.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.adelphipaperhangings.com/Rose"><U>conservation a  Fresco wallpaper in a Mississippi Plantation.</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Candidates for wallpaper conservation: 18th & 19th century wallpaper including French Scenics, Chinese Panels,  and Victorian roomsets (installed on plaster or muslin).</U></B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Susan Nash</B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Microsoft Sans Serif" > graduated from the University of Michigan with major concentrations in painting, photography and art history in 1969. She then extended her studies, graduating with the first class in Art Conservation at Cooperstown, NY in 1973, studying paper conservation with Sheldon and Caroline Keck, and Marilyn Weidner. Although Susan briefly worked in objects conservation, she returned to paper conservation with a four-year tour in the National Parks Service at Harpers Ferry. In 1983 Susan developed her own private practice.</FONT></div> <div> Since then Susan Nash has spent a year in Italy and one year at the Northeast Document Conservation Center in Andover, MA as their wallpaper conservator. She now specializes in historic wallpapers in addition to working with all types of paper-related artifacts of the 19th and 20th centuries.</div> <div> Susan's clients include MT. Vernon, the White House, The Anthropology Archives at the Smithsonian, Gettysburg NHP, Museum for the Early Southern Decorative Arts, and many other private and public collectors. Her studio is in historic Shepherdstown, West Virginia, near Washington, DC.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>