Choosing a Technique

• You have a couple of different ways to go when planning a brown bag wall treatment. You can tear the paper into small pieces that will be glued to the wall like a collage, or you can hang full sheets of paper from a roll like wallpaper. The torn-paper method gives lots of surface texture and is a simple one-person job. The full sheet method results in a smoother texture and coverage of a large area in one shot, but you may need a helper to hang the sheets properly.
  
  

Preparation

• Your wall should be stripped of any previous wallpaper if applicable. Before applying the paper, clean the walls thoroughly with a mixture of 1/2 cup of oxygen bleach powder and 1 gallon of hot tap water. Once the wall is completely dry, apply a coat of wallpaper sizing, which is basically primer for wallpaper, with a paint roller. Look for a sizing product that is specifically designed for use under wallpaper as regular paint primer has different properties. The base coat is necessary is you want to have the ability to remove the brown paper someday.
  
  

Application

• Mix a batch of commercial wallpaper paste as directed, making it on the thick side about the consistency of pudding. For the torn-paper method, coat both sides of a paper piece, place it on the wall as desired and brush it flat with a wallpaper brush, or use your gloved hands. Repeat until the wall is completely covered. For the full-sheet method unroll a sheet of kraft paper just a bit longer than the wall's height. Coat one side with wallpaper paste. Lift the sheet and press it against the wall so that it runs parallel to the corner, and brush a coat of wallpaper paste on top.
  
  

Finishing

• Once your brown paper walls are dry, you may want to add a finishing coat of sealant. A clear sealant will protect the wall and make it easy to wipe clean, but it will also change the appearance of the paper. If you like the look of unsealed paper, there's no need to seal it. If you want a darker, shiny finish, apply a coat of sealer with a brush or paint roller as directed.