Gold Leaf Wallpaper Hanging Instructions

PATTERNED GOLD LEAF WALLPAPER

For a seamless finish with a little extra drama, the overlay and splice method is the one. Your Gold Leaf panels come printed with a selvedge/bleed at either edge of the pattern. Rather than butting the edges together, each drop is gently overlapped, then cut on the wall to create a beautifully precise join.

It sounds fancy, but it’s wonderfully straightforward when done with care.

Before you begin

You will need:

         •        Paste-the-wall adhesive, ready mixed

         •        Paste brush or roller

         •        Sharp snap-off knife

         •        Steel ruler or straight edge

         •        Smoothing brush or plastic smoother

         •        Seam roller

         •        Plumb line or laser level

         •        Clean damp sponge or cloth

         •        Step ladder

         •        A cutting surface or protection for skirting and floors

A little prep goes a long way

Make sure your wall is clean, dry, smooth and sound. Remove old wallpaper, fill any cracks, and sand down rough patches. Fresh plaster should be fully dry and primed before hanging.

Turn off power before working around sockets and switches and remove faceplates where needed.

Step 1: Plan your starting point

Your Gold Leaf wallpaper will be printed in panels A, B, C and so on depending on how many you have. Choose where your first drop will hang and mark a perfectly vertical plumb line. This is your guiding star, so take your time here. Even the most fabulous wallpaper cannot disguise a wonky first drop.

Step 2: Arrange your lengths

Check the design repeat carefully on the panels you have and label the drops in hanging order to keep everything beautifully in sync (if they aren’t already).

Step 3: Paste the wall

Apply an even coat of paste to the wall, covering slightly more than the width of one drop. Don’t be shy, but don’t overdo it either - a smooth, even layer is exactly what you’re after.

Step 4: Hang the first drop

Position the first length against your plumb line and smooth it gently into place from the centre outwards, working away any air bubbles as you go.

Leave the excess at the top and bottom for trimming later.

Step 5: Overlap the next drop

Hang the second drop so that it overlaps the first matching the pattern exactly. Smooth it lightly into place, taking care not to shift the design.

The overlap is temporary - the magic happens in the next step.

Step 6: Splice through both layers

Using a sharp knife and a steel ruler, cut through both layers in the middle of the overlap with one clean, steady pass.

Try not to saw back and forth - a confident cut gives the crispest result.

Step 7: Remove the waste strips

Peel away the thin trimmed strip from the top layer, then gently lift the edge and remove the waste strip from the bottom layer beneath.

Now smooth both edges back down so they meet perfectly. This creates a beautifully neat, almost invisible join.

Step 8: Smooth and clean

Use a smoothing brush or seam roller very lightly along the splice. Wipe away any excess paste immediately with a clean damp sponge.

Be gentle here - less scrubbing, more dabbing. We’re after pristine, not panic.

Step 9: Repeat across the wall

Continue across the room, repeating the same overlap, splice, remove and smooth process for each drop.

Keep checking the pattern match as you go and always use a fresh blade. A blunt knife is nobody’s friend.

Step 10: Trim top and bottom

Once each drop is in place, trim neatly at the ceiling, skirting and around woodwork using a sharp blade and straight edge.

Take your time with corners and edges for the most polished finish.

Need a visual guide?

Watch this video demonstration of the “overlay and splice” wallpaper hanging technique to see exactly how the overlap and double-cut method works.

Please note: this is an external video and not an official Divine Savages tutorial.

Top tips for a flawless finish

         •        Change blades often for crisp, clean splices

         •        Don’t press too hard with the seam roller

         •        Wipe paste off the surface straight away

         •        Check every join before moving on to the next drop

 

Please note:

We always recommend using a professional decorator experienced in specialist wallcovering installation, particularly for overlay and splice methods. It’s the best way to ensure your wallpaper looks every bit as glorious as intended.

 

---

PLAIN GOLD LEAF WALLPAPER

To achieve the best possible visual result when installing our plain gold leaf wallpaper, it is essential to follow these directional guidelines carefully.

1. Maintain Consistent Panel Orientation

• All wallpaper panels should be hung in the same direction to avoid

variations in how light reflects off the surface.

• Panels installed in alternating or opposing directions may appear different in

tone or texture, even though the material is from the same batch.

2. Use Directional Markings

• Establish a consistent top edge when cutting and applying each panel and

note this clearly during installation.

• It may be helpful to mark the top edge of each panel with painter’s tape or a

pencil mark on the reverse side.

3. Plan Your Layout

• Before beginning installation, dry lay the panels to plan their placement and

orientation across the full ceiling or wall area.

• Use natural or directional lighting to view how the surface reacts before final

adhesion.

4. Communicate With Your Installer

• Ensure your installer understands the importance of consistent orientation.

5. Installation-Related Variations

Please note that while all wallpaper panels are cut from the same production batch,

variations in final appearance caused by installation techniques or lighting conditions

are not considered product defects.