The gathering of brothers and sisters of the brush is once again upon us. This gem in the treasure trove of Guild experience is truly an affirmation of excellence. Born from the spirit that continues to sustain the Guild worldwide, our sharing of experience is our greatest commodity. The value and depth of our diverse perspectives broadens the vision and our capability to fulfill our relationships in the creation of beauty.

Yes, we are agents and engineers of beauty. The confidence we foster for ourselves furthers our commitment toward mastery. March Madness has been a unique gathering. This one day emersion has a casual demeanor but a kick ass message; don’t leave any questions on the table. We are among our peers we don’t need to explain who we are. The baton of responsibility for the organization of March Madness has been

passed. The geographical center has moved slightly south from Springfield, Massachusetts to Windsor Locks, Connecticut. The Connecticut Chapter is honored to accept responsibility from Berkshire and hopes that the support of our regional chapters continues. The Boston and New York metropolitan areas have much to offer in emerging design trends and materials. This is

not to say that Atlanta, Chicago, DC, LA, or San Francisco are secondary markets, we extend an invitation in body and spirit to all that are compelled to attend. March Madness is an unsponsored event, just a bunch of mechanics talking shop about the materials and products that affect our professional lives. We are confident that you will not be disappointed and encourage your participation in the future of mastery and brotherhood. - The Connecticut Chapter Committee for March Madness 2014

March Madness 2014:An Affirmation of ExcellenceBy NGPP Member Denis Picard, C.P., Denis Picard Wall Covering, Kensington, Connecticut

President’s Message............................................................ 2

Three Apps Every Entrepreneur Needs in 2014.................... 3

Not Your Typical Project....................................................... 4

Connecticut Chapter Monthly Meeting................................. 6

How to Know Your Sale is Going South............................... 7

Call for 2014 Region Director Nominations.......................... 8

New Members...................................................................... 9

Installation Techniques for Delicate Wallcoverings............. 10

Sweden’s Basic Beauty....................................................... 12

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

March Madness 2014 Details:Saturday, March 15th

American Legion Hall36 Fairview AvenueWindsor Locks, CTDoors Open: 8:00 AM ETRegistration at the doorFee: $30 per person

January/February 2014 - Page 1

Volume 40, Issue 1 January/February 2014

March Madness has been a unique gathering. This one day emersion has a casual demeanor but a kick ass message; don’t leave any questions on the table.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE . . .

January/February 2014 - Page 2

NGPP: Future BoundBy President Cyndi Green, C.P., Cyndi Green Wallcovering, LLC, Monroe, Louisiana

My fellow members,As we move into 2014 I want to share that I am grateful to be working with such a visionary Board, which you elected to govern this organization. As you might recall, one of our past actions was the appointment of a special group, a Marketing Task Force. This task force is headed by Bob Banker, our National Secretary and past Region Director and has been tasked with researching and developing a plan of evolution for NGPP’s future marketing efforts. Both the Marketing Task Force and the Board have worked hard to address the thousand questions involved in charting our future organizational growth, as well as to establish a time line for progress. One critical component to have evolved from this task force was the decision to enlist a marketing consulting firm to help us define and pursue our goals and growth. This is a bold step by this Board, and was met with full leadership approval. It was made clear to us that we have now reached a point of either continuing by doing what we have been doing for decades which has had marginal success, or push forward and aim this organization into a new direction. The new direction is one that will move us toward being the true spokesperson for wallcovering installation. We believe that the new direction is the best course for the NGPP. As we have stated from the beginning, we want our members and their needs to be top priority while charting this course, so we are going to ask for your help. By now, you should have received or will shortly receive a letter from me. The letter is a request for help in completing a survey which will confirm the elements that you are looking to receive from the NGPP and your involvement with the Guild. That survey

is a key to defining our future steps to keep this organization and our craft viable through the upcoming years. The Marketing Task Force has determined that certain aspects of the organization must change for us to better meet the needs of our members better while

succeeding in new growth. One change, and one which is certain to be heartfelt by the community, will be to update the name of our organization to reflect who we are today and where we want to go in the future. Many hours of discussion and research have driven this decision and we feel that to honor our history we must grow to meet the demands of our future. To attract growth, we need branding and an image which can be viewed as more contemporary, progressive and professional. This will require a corresponding logo change as well. Rest assured that the NGPP membership will be asked to vote for ratification and approval of these recommendations. We believe that just as this board has, you will see the wisdom in this decision. We have selected solid, professional counsel for these decisions and they are telling us of how currently outdated we appear to be to others in our industry and to the consumers that we need to reach. It is time to evolve our image. The Marketing Task Force is also looking at a redesign of our website to increase functionality. We all know how quickly the world is changing and how important social media campaigns are to our awareness and growth. The committee will look at many aspects of this, including blogger content and how social media aligns with the decision made by consumers when hiring a professional. As the group moves forward, I will increasingly communicate our

One critical component to have evolved from this task force was the decisionto enlist a marketing consulting firm

to help us define and pursue ourgoals and growth. This is a bold stepby this Board, and was met with full

leadership approval.

progress with you through this media. We are all working together to grow and evolve this organization through the necessary transitions being faced by us all. The Education Committee’s programs are also growing in importance. The committee is actively developing on-line courses with minimal fees for members. The objective here is to help us give consumers what they want: a list of skilled wallcovering technicians that the consumer and industry can trust by knowing that these technicians will have the correct skills to successfully complete their project. The immediate target topics will include initial offerings in digital, commercial and residential wallcoverings. The option for participation will be up to you, but we again hope you will quickly see the benefit of having these designations which will hold value for consumers as we go forward. Each course will introduce a symbol recognizable by the whole industry and it will be linked after your name. This is still a work in progress and we are looking at it as the NGPP Wallcoverings University. This will bring additional awareness to everyone regarding the professionalism and talent of our members. As we move forward, the Marketing Task Force will look at different methods to monitor how effective these changes are being viewed. Our main goal, at this point, is to keep you aware of how we are growing the organization in smart ways which will benefit all of us; either through consumer awareness or social media content or a new more appealing website. We are confident in the positive steps that we are currently enacting. I will continue to keep you posted and am always available for contact.

The future is ours to grasp. We must do it now. We need all of your support and I, personally, am counting on it. Don’t forget to mark your calendars for the unveiling of our efforts at our 40th anniversary celebration in Louisville, Kentucky, September 12 & 13, 2014 where we will be Swinging for Success!

Three Apps Every Entrepreneur Needs

in 2014By Katie Finnegan and Erica Bell, Entreprenure.com

1. Free Wifi Finder by JiWire, Inc. (v4.jiwire.com/search-hotspot-locations.htm):A definite game-changing app for the entrepreneur and tech guru who needs to be plugged in 24/7. In the early stages of a startup, every situation and opportunity is high stakes and you can’t afford to allow a poor Internet connection to get in the way of your company’s success.

2. Hukkster by Hukkster (www.hukkster.com): Looking for attire but need to spend less due to a limited budget?

No time to browse the sale racks? Let our app Hukkster do the dirty work for you and track your most coveted products so you can easily get your hands on the items you want, the moment they go on sale.

3. Mint (www.mint.com): An entrepreneur probably knows a thing or two about managing finances, but it’s always good to be able to easily access information about personal cash flow. Mint allows you to record expenses, create budgets and manage savings plans, all from your phone.

January/February 2014 - Page 3

Not Your Typical ProjectBy NGPP Boston Chapter Member Barry Blanchard, Finishing Touch Professional Paperhanging, Elliot, Maine and reported by

NGPP Northeast Alternate Region Director, Heidi L. Johnson, Fine Interior Finishing, Williamsburg, Massachusetts

January/February 2014 - Page 4

Occasionally, we are asked to complete some unusual installations—spiral staircases, barrel ceilings, yachts, etc. Below are a few notes/comments from NGPP member, Barry Blanchard who installed murals in four elevators. Subsequently Barry was interviewed by fellow Guild member, Heidi Johnson.

Were the images printed on vinyl, self-stick products, or paper?“The mural images for this project were created by an artist on pre-primed canvas for installation in an urban high rise penthouse. Acrylic paints were used that were very durable.”

Were the murals pre-trimmed, made to size, or engineered for an exact placement?“There was one panel per door (total of seven panels) which was designed for the space. The murals were slightly over sized and I trimmed them down to fit. The placement of the images was set by the artist but there was some leeway to make minor adjustments during installation.”

How and where did you set up?“I set up my equipment between the client’s living and dining rooms. There was plenty of space. All of the elevators that I was installing

were on one floor. I was less than ten steps away from two of the elevators. The unit was very large. There were just two people home and they stayed out of my way and were very easy to work for.”

What prep was done and what adhesive and special tools did you use?“The doors were painted

so I sanded and washed the surfaces. A coat of Swing Prep Coat was applied as my primer. I used 838 but any clear or clay pre-mix would do. A vinyl sweep was my smoother of choice.”

Did you have any concerns about wear and tear on the edges of the doors?“The canvas material is durable. When the doors are opened the edges are out of the way. There’s some risk of wear and tear on the edge but not significant to my thinking. The client did have to get two of the doors adjusted because they were scraping. That was done before I arrived.”

Could you access the areas behind the openings to tuck the product to the actual edges?“I slid them behind the overlapping edge about an inch—enough so they wouldn’t show. The leading edge was more of a challenge. I measured the distance from the edge of the door to the edge of the door casing (the length of the hidden edge). I put pieces of blue tape marking the one inch mark. I aligned the laser with the edge of the casing with the line on the door and hung to that. It worked well. I made sure the edge of the mural was slightly back from the leading edge of the door. It doesn’t show when either opened or closed.”

Could you manipulate the doors as required?“The client had the engineer turn off the elevator for that floor when I was working on them.”

NATIONAL ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

January/February 2014 - Page 5

Advance EquipmentManufacturing Company

Bradbury & Bradbury ArtWallpapers, Inc.

Brewster Home Fashions

Cavalier Wall Liner

Concertex

Custom Laminations, Inc./The CLI Group

Designtex Group (The)

Fabricmate Systems

Fidelity Wallcovering, Inc.

Gardner-Gibson, Inc.

Jacaranda, Inc.

Jack Loconsolo & Company, Inc.

Jacobsen & Balla

KC Sales Group

Koessel Studios

Len-Tex Wallcoverings

LSI Wallcovering

Maya Romanoff Corporation

MDC Wallcoverings

Metro Wallcoverings

National Wallcovering/Tapo-Fix

Naturetex

Pacific Laser Systems (PLS)

Phillip Jeffries Ltd.

Presto Tape

Purdy Corporation

Rife RE Enterprises LLC

Roman Decorating Products

Roos International, Ltd.Wallcovering

Roysons

Rust-Oleum Corporation, ZinsserBrands

Schooner Prints

Sean O’Connell Painting Corp.

Sherwin-Williams Company

Steve’s Blinds & Wallpaper, LLC.

Tajima Tool Corporation

Textile Wallcoverings International,LTD (TWIL)

The Williamson Free School ofMechanical Trades

Thibaut Wallcovering

Total Wallcovering

Vahallan Papers

Wallauer’s

Wallpaper Direct

Warner Wallcoverings, Division ofRJF International

Weitzner

Wolf-Gordon, Inc.

XIM Products, Inc.

York Wallcoverings, Inc.

How did you calculate your wages for this project?“Since it was in a metropolitan city and I had worked in this building before, I was familiar with its procedures for unloading, parking and getting to the elevators. All my estimating was based on the information provided to me by the artist (whom I had worked with for years). From those factors I knew that the project would take me

more than a day (it took 12 hours) between the installation and commuting into/out of the city so I priced it for two days.”

Were you a part of the decision making on this project? Who was the artist?“The artist, Iris Lee Marcus, of Stow, Mass. (irisleemarcus.com), provided me with a sample of the material she was using. I did a test hang to check for shrinkage. That’s about it. The murals were on site when I arrived.”

Would you do this again?“Absolutely. Looks great.”

Connecticut Chapter Monthly MeetingBy NGPP Connecticut Chapter Member Ann Davignon, Papering By Ann, Waterbury, Connecticut

On December 4th, the Connecticut Chapter had a successful and informative meeting featuring Robert M Kelly as their guest speaker. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn Express in Danbury, CT with an attendance of about 30 people including 13 Connecticut Chapter members and 17 others from the New York Metro, Berkshire, and Westchester Chapters and guests. Everyone had time to socialize and enjoy pizza, salad, and beverages prior to Bob Kelly’s presentation. The presentation included Bob’s praise of the NGPP and described how he joined the Guild in 1980 and helped form the Connecticut Chapter with Reno Gola in 1985, along with some old stories and a few laughs. The presentation was divided into two segments with the first about his book “The Back Story of Wallpaper: Paper-Hangings 1650-1750” and the second about his wallpapering experiences in the last 20 years, including working at the White House. Mr. Kelly’s book explains the history of wallpaper with regard to manufacturers, sellers, and its use by installers. Various terms have changed over the years. The word wallpaper is now commonly known as wallcovering. Bob told how wallpaper was developed in Europe. Prior to 1650 wallpaper was often used for lining drawers, in travel chests, etc. This original paper was strong and therefore often hung on walls with tacks.

Embossed paper was used on manuscript covers and not on walls. History does not follow a straightforward or logical path and we must understand the first 100 years in order to understand the next 100 years as everything goes in cycles. Questions and answers followed Mr. Kelly’s presentation as well as book signing opportunities by the author. Bob discussed some of his wallpaper experiences at the White House over the years with a special emphasis on top security. One

of the two most popular questions he was asked is how he got the job at the White House. He explained his upbringing and you earn success with hard work. Back in 1991, there was a wallpaper emergency at the White House and he was called. However, everything at the White House takes time. In 1993 Bob provided an estimate but he did not starting working on the project until 1995. Bob discussed what was involved in papering the Oval Room and the importance of hiring a professional paperhanger. Sketches were required to take into consideration doors, windows, and drapes to

have a perfect installation of a swag border. The second most popular question he was asked was if he was nervous working at the White House. The answer was yes, but only until he took out his tape measure to start the job. Papering is a team project and Bob emphasized that he always hired other NGPP professionals to work with him. This was a great meeting and enjoyed by everyone.

January/February 2014 - Page 6

How to Know Your Sale is Going SouthBy Jane Porter, Associate Editor, Entrepreneur.com

Having a keen eye for when a sale is going sour takes savvy. Here are five red flags and strategies for saving the sale:

No. 1: If a Potential Client Seems IndifferentA client who is interested in doing business with you should have questions and concerns. If they don’t outright reject you but don’t have any questions either, be on the alert, warns Victor Cheng, author of the book Extreme Revenue Growth (Innovation Press, 2007). To resolve this problem, he suggests creating more of an advisory relationship with clients. You can let them know that you’ll help either to solve their problem or point them in the direction of another business that might be a better fit. Offering to help people find other vendors might seem counterintuitive, but it can go a long way to earn the trust you may need to win over a client, Cheng says. “People will share more with an advisor than a salesperson. It’s more of a dialogue than a broadcast.”

No. 2: If There’s No Hard Deadline For a Decision Having urgency around a sale is important, Cheng believes. Early in the process, ask potential clients about their timeframe. You want to prioritize those companies that have a hard deadline. You can find ways to firm up deadlines, says Rich Sloan, co-founder of StartupNation.com, a Birmingham, Michigan-based business-advice website. He suggests limited-time offers or discounts to create urgency around a sale. “The only way you get someone engaged is to find their buttons,” Sloan says. Perhaps point out what the competition is doing, or identify the financial risk involved in not acting quickly on the sale.

No. 3: If You Aren’t Dealing With the Decision MakerYou may start out talking with a junior-level employee who is vetting options, but beware if

you aren’t put in touch with the decision maker after a few conversations. It’s probably a sign the company isn’t serious about buying, Cheng says. Getting past that roadblock can be challenging. The bigger the organization you are dealing with, the more layers of management you likely will have to penetrate, Sloan says. He recommends creating a presentation that your initial contact can easily show to upper management. You also might request a quick conference call with the senior-level person involved. “It’s a sticky situation because you need to be respectful of the person you are talking to and not undermine them,” Sloan says.

No. 4: If Your Price is Too High People generally object to a price because they believe they can find the same product or service for less or because you’re trying to sell more than they need, Cheng says. If your competitors are offering a lower price, focus on how you can provide added value. But if you’re offering more than a client needs, you may need to scale back the initial proposal, Cheng says. You also could offer creative payment alternatives, Sloan suggests, such as incentives on the first purchase if the customer continues to buy more.

No. 5: If You’re Asked For a Proposal Instead of a ConversationWhen potential clients ask for a proposal before agreeing to talk with you, it’s usually a sign they’re simply gathering price quotes from vendors, Cheng says. Before submitting a proposal, ask what the client is looking for and what criteria will be used to make the decision. Reaching a verbal understanding on those issues increases the likelihood that you’ll get the sale. “The problem with a proposal is there is no chance for them to tell you what is wrong with it,” Cheng says, “as opposed to working through all the nuances verbally.”

January/February 2014 - Page 7

Call for 2014 Region Director Nominations

NGPP is pleased to announce that election 2014 has begun! It’s time to nominate your favorite member or yourself for a Region Director or Alternate Region Director position. To qualify for one of these positions you must be a current member and in good standing for a minimum of three (3) years at the time of the election. This year we will be filling five region positions: Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, South, Central and West. States and countries included in these regions are:

Northeast: NH / NY / RI / VT / MA / CT / ME/ Eastern Canada and Africa

Mid-Atlantic: PA / DE / MD / NJ / VA / WV / KY / Middle East

Central: MO / ND / IL / SD / IN / IA / NE / MN / OH / WI / MI / KS / Australia and Europe

South: AL / AR / TX / OK / TN / LA / MS / FL / GA / NC / SC / South America and Mexico

West: WA / AK / OR / CA / ID / MT / WY / NV / UT / AZ / CO / NM / HI / Western Canada and Asia

The Board of Directors shall have management, control and direction of the business and affairs of this corporation. The Board of Directors is subject to the bylaws of this corporation and none of its acts shall conflict with these bylaws. The Region Directors shall participate in board meetings at least four times a year, and perform all duties of a member of the National Board of Directors in a professional manner. The Region and Alternate Region Directors are to represent all members in his/her region. Candidates for either position may campaign by private means (i.e. written correspondence, private email, in person or on the telephone). All written correspondence (including anything distributed in mass via email) must be copied to the NGPP National Office prior to distribution. Eligible candidates will be voted for by members in their respective region, which is determined by the state or country of residency. Ballots will be distributed 60 days prior to the

annual membership meeting, which this year will be held at the National Convention in Louisville, Kentucky. Region Directors coordinate with the Alternates in attending Board of Directors meetings. Prior to these meetings, the Region Director and Alternate are required to submit reports and review the Board Book so they are prepared to participate and vote on issues brought up at the board meeting. In addition, they are required to write “Paste-It-Notes” (a summary of news in their area) for inclusion in the six issues of The Installer during the calendar year. These “Paste-It-Notes” should describe the activities and concerns of the region as well as report pertinent national news and the activities from board meetings. Region Directors/Alternates are also asked to call every member in his/her region at least once a year as well and follow-up with perspective members who have contacted the National Office for information. So you may be asking yourself, with what type of other activities might they be involved? To begin with, all of the Region Directors are part of the Membership Committee. In addition to representing the members in their region, they should also try to promote member benefits and the recruitment of new members. In regard to serving the chapters in their region, the Region Director and/or Alternate could oversee and facilitate the planning of productive meetings via suggestions for demos, guest speakers, new product information, and encourage the chapter’s leadership to promote regular attendance at monthly meetings as well as at regional and national events. They are also encouraged to make periodic visits to chapter meetings or other organized events in their region. For associate members in their region, Region Directors should stay in contact quarterly to be certain that we have the most current contact and new production information. They should also promote networking opportunities for all the members within the region. The leadership of NGPP is professionals

January/February 2014 - Page 8

who are passionate about their work and the members they serve. Why consider stepping up and volunteering? Volunteering and the leadership it creates provide many opportunities to advance your own career. Volunteering is rewarding. It has a positive impact and allows you to be a part of making a difference, being a role model, meeting new contacts, and providing self-improvement. Volunteering provides you with the opportunity to devote your time, energy and compassion to your community by giving back. Reach out and start a relationship with others to give them a start. Mentor and be mentored. If you have any questions, please

call (800) 254-NGPP. If you have great ideas and the enthusiasm to be a part of a great organization, consider running for one of these Region Director or Alternate positions with the NGPP. Anyone interested in running for the position of Region Director or Alternate Region Director must submit his/her name in writing to the National Office, 136 South Keowee Street, Dayton, OH, 45402 or fax (937) 222-5794 or email at ngpp@ngpp.org by April 30, 2014.

CHAPTERSAtlanta

BaltimoreBay AreaBerkshireBoston

Central PennsylvaniaChicago

Coachella ValleyColumbus

ConnecticutDelaware County

Greater CincinnatiLos AngelesMiami ValleyMilwaukeeNew Jersey

New OrleansNew York

Northeast OhioNorthern CaliforniaNorthern New Jersey

NorthwestPhiladelphiaPittsburgh

Rocky Mountain ChapterSan Diego

South FloridaTwin Cities MetroUpstate New YorkWashington DC

Westchester CountyWestern Carolina

Welcome New MembersNew and Rejoined Members

Libby CokerNaturetex17777 Center Court Drive,Suite 455Cerritos, CA 90703(562) 404 4943libby@naturetexproducts.comAt-Large

Thomas GuilmettePaperhanging by TommyGuilmette217 Fremont StreetHarrison, NY 10528(914) 760-0898tomsmooth11@gmail.comWestchester County

Thomas V. KalinoskiThomas Wallcovering833 Lincoln Avenue, Ste 3West Chester, PA 19380(610) 291-6221thomasworldpainting@gmail.comAt-Large

Dow KowalczykDow & Company. LLC547 45th Street, Apt. 2Brooklyn, NY 11220(718) 360-8775dowcompany@gmail.comNew York

John KrauseWallpaper Solutions5528 Montana DriveConcord, CA 94521(925) 691-4944john@wallpapersolutionsonline.comNorthern California

Marcus SantmyerNature Coast Wallcoverings4 Hoptree CourtHomosassa, FL 34446(404) 985-0501marcussantmyer@yahoo.comAt-Large

Rodrigo Santos VictorinoYork Painting14 Grant StreetYonkers, NY 10704(914) 652-3974Rodrigovictorino00@gmail.comNew York

Bob ThompsonBob Thompson Painting and Wallpapering11184 Antioch Rd, #175Overland Park, KS 66210(913) 787-1603bobthom52@yahoo.comAt-Large

Don VasilauskasNu-Looks28 Cabot RoadHolliston, MA 01746(774) 217-9744vas9744@live.comAt-Large

January/February 2014 - Page 9

Installation Techniques for DelicateWallcoverings: Huge Success!

“Our biggest complaint on weathered walls is seams popping,” states Jennifer Block, the New York Regional Representative and Director at Maya Romanoff during the National Guild of Professional Paperhanger’s (NGPP) educational offering Installation Techniques for Delicate Wallcoverings held at Rings End’s educational facility in Stratford, Connecticut on January 30, 2014. Vincent (Vinny) LaRusso, C.P., NGPP Vice President and trouble shooter for Maya Romanoff, stated, ”When you use pulp papers, you need to instruct your installers to use a liner…not a ‘bridging’ liner, but a liner that will hold those seams in place.” He further stated that when clients are purchasing these types of papers, that they need to look at the expertise of the installer’s knowledge and when we (installers) recommend a liner, it is imperative that they heed our wisdom. A discussion followed this statement which included input from David Berkowitz, CEO,Maya

Romanoff. Coming in specifically for this event, he took notes and expressed how he appreciated the “whys and why not’s” of certain installations. Vinny made the statement that the Maya products are fool proof. He went on to share that most products are

numbered in sequence for a purpose. That purpose is so that you do not have shading; they are marked on top. He explicitly stated you must

know your product, the area you are installing, and the correct way to estimate and engineer your room. An example that was shown was not to cut the glass bead in a corner. Want to know why? The answer is because it will result in a dark shadow that would be unacceptable. Glass bead corners must be wrapped. By knowing your product, you can install it in the appropriate manner for the best result. Another example is that if you are installing wood veneer, you know you need to be there a day early to lay your product out so that it can acclimate to its environment. As installers, we don’t want to hear (or read) the next statement ….most failures are because of the installer. Vinny expressed that he has seen many jobs where the number one failure is due to poor preparation. Installers need to prep the walls such as making sure that the surface is clean of bumps and contractor sawdust. Again, you need to know your product and ask questions such as: do I need a liner, do I need to “size” my walls, or do I need to let the primer cure and for how long? Of course, a discussion did come about with the instruction sheet and “what would I do?” Vinny stated, “I know that you can hang on flat paint” and as Denis Picard, the technician of the group, stated “it is because of the ability of the moisture to wick. Knowing the stability of the wallcovering helps to determine the stress level to the bonding chains of primer to substrate.” Many felt a comfort level of a primed wall which seals that wall and gives the installer that added knowledge of a failsafe install but doesn’t address the level of porosity

By NGPP Past President, Elsie Kapteina, C.P., Wallpaper Hangups by Elsie, Bethel, Connecticut

January/February 2014 - Page 10

photo compliments of Heidi L. Johnson

needed such as performance liners do. Sure, they take time and time is money. The statement, “time is money” led Vinny in the direction of selling yourself. He stated that it is so important to show up to a client’s place and have confidence in what you do and the appearance to go with that confidence. It is critical that you show that you are a professional and you deal with professionals. As the Ring’s End Training Center was a great set-up for this type of session, the class worked at the demonstration walls on two different opportunities. The first was to hang Wood Veneer on abutments in the room, allowing attendees to wet the material, let it

relax, balance the sheets, and wrap the outside corners. Others installed the Mother of Pearl tiles. The afternoon provided installers the opportunity to hang full sheets and feel the weight of the glass bead and learn how to trim from the back side

of the product. Still others had to be creative to install a back wall with weathered metal….on an over-sealed wall with eggshell finish and no liner. Many of the practice installs had bubbles and one had a seam split. As professionals, we know how to repair the split seam; but as Vinny noted, in the case of the unprepared wall, installers needed to be cognizant of what they were installing on. The NGPP Educational committee was able to keep this class priced at a minimum because of the exceptional generosity of the following contributors:

l Maya Romanoff – Demonstration product

(including shipping)

l Maya Romanoff – Lunch sponsorship

l Ring’s End – Facility and promotion

l Roman Decorating Products – Gift bag of

product

l Rust Oleum Corporation, Zinsser Brands – Door prizes and gift product

The event would not have been capable without the hard work and personal contribution of many folks. These generous people include:

l Vincent LaRusso, C.P., Vice President of

the NGPP

l The Connecticut Chapter of the NGPP

l Dennis Robb, Rings End

l Jennifer Block, Maya Romanoff

l David Berkowitz, Maya Romanoff

l Eva Foley, Maya Romanoff

l Michael Popovich, Maya Greenwich

Designer

l Robin Patrick, Roman Decorating Products

l Glen Gowski, Rust Oleum Corporation, Zinsser Brands

As NGPP is looking to bring more of these training events to our membership, we are asking that anyone with an expertise in a specific area contact the National Office or the NGPP Education Committee. We are working to bring an NGPP Wallcoverings University online and need volunteers help to create wonderful classes such as this. If you are willing to spend a little time to share your wisdom with our industry, please contact the National Office at (800) 254-6477 or ngpp@ngpp.org.

TheINSTALLERVolume 40, Issue 1 • January/February 2014

The Wallcovering Installer is publishedbi-monthly by the National Guild of Professional Paperhangers, Inc. The subscription is included withmembership, butis available for $36 annually tonon-members.

Contact the National Guild ofProfessional Paperhangers:136 South Keowee StreetDayton, Ohio 45402(800) 254-NGPPFax (937) 222-5794ngpp@ngpp.org • www.ngpp.org

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENTKimberly A. Fantaci

THE INSTALLER EDITORLauretta Jenkins

OFFICERSPresident - Cyndi Green, C.P.Vice President - Vincent LaRusso, C.P.Treasurer - Carl Bergman, C.P.Secretary - Bob BankerPast President - Elsie Kapteina, C.P.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATE CO-CHAIRJerry Russo, Roman Decorating ProductsGreg Laux, MDC Wallcoverings

REGION DIRECTORSCentral - Steven Neal Kaye, C.P.West - Jeff SmithNortheast- Jack EganMid-Atlantic - Michelle CorlSouth - Pam McCartney

January/February 2014 - Page 11

Sweden’s Basic BeautyBy NGPP Northeast Alternate Region Director, Heidi L. Johnson, Fine Interior Finishing, Williamsburg, Massachusetts

As paperhangers we often work with what appears to be simple means and supplies to create a beautiful result. However upon arrival at Lim & Handtryck printers in Gothenberg, Sweden, one is reminded how product production comes from similarly perceived simplicity. If you are not familiar with the colors and patterns from this producer of historic reproduction period papers, you can get a good look at their product line on their website: www.limohandtryck.se. The distemper print medium they use is a mix of intensely hued inorganic pigments and linseed oil, which produces a washable and light resistant wallpaper. Reels of ‘real’ paper which L&H print on are poised next to the drying machine, where the wet print is festooned to dry. Recycled paper is also offered in their collections. The warehouse is home to a good supply of available inventory which includes packaging and shipping tables as well as reels of printed and ground papers, and print rollers.Lim & Handtryck also market their own cellulose paste. Many thanks go to my hosts at Lim & Handtryck for allowing me to tour their special factory and for producing a wonderful product.

January/February 2014 - Page 12