Customer Reviews
Customer Reviews - Closeup to Snow Covered Pine Branch - Canvas Art Wall Decor - 66"x96" - (Cont'd)
18 Reviews
5 out of 5 stars
Closeup to Snow Covered Pine Branch - Canvas Art Wall Decor - 66"x96"
$83.99
Free Shipping
The strips are clearly numbered 1-6. One reviewer said his/her numbers were wrong, so I printed the full picture off of amazon and carefully examined the strips. My numbers were correct. The material is plastic/vinyl sticker with heavy paper backing. Think thick bumper sticker. Folding down the first 4 inches or so really helped before adhering the top. I am right-handed and started in the upper right corner of the wall so I could have the most control of the right edge of each strip when matching up. I would recommend giving yourself about 4 inches of picture of waste at the top if your wall height can accomodate that, just in case your wall isn't totally square so you don't end up with a white upper corner on the left. My wall (minus baseboard, which I left in place) was 93", so I had plenty of inches to spare on the top and bottom. I wanted more of the trees and less of the grass, so I measured 4" down on the picture and drew a line with a similar-colored expo marker, creased it and placed that first where the ceiling met the wall, starting in the right corner of the strip.
I was really worried about the adhesive working. Some reviewers said the mural came off and rolled down the wall later on. I did this yesterday on a semi-gloss painted drywall wall with subtle knock-down texture. I had painted about 2 years ago. We do live near Phoenix and have virually no humidity and don't smoke. I don't think I had to worry because this mural stuck really well. I would recommend a burnishing tool. I used a pink putty scraper, found here:
3M 357 Bondo Spreader, 3 Pack
I didn't trim (I used a sharp utility knife) until I had 2 strips done, then I trimmed the first strip, etc.
I don't know if my wall was out of level or the pictures were a tad off, but i did have to slightly stretch or back off from time to time to get the pattern to match. I would guess it was about a 1/2" overlap. Yes, I did have some puckers, I don't think it can be avoided unless you are a superhero. In retrospect, I think paper murals turn out neater, but for the money, this turned out just fine. The strips are forgiving in that you can, within reason, unstick and re-stick portions. The total time took me 3 hours, a ladder and a few cuss words. I don't think another person would have made the process quicker or better for me personally. Once you get your rythym it goes good. The scraper is helpful to get the corners sharp before you trim them.
It's a beautiful scene, and given the choice I probably would have chosen this one again. The quality of the picture is great. Of course, if you put your nose to the wall it won't be as sharp as a regular portrait, but stand a foot away and it is very acceptable to me. This is a BIG picture. The colors are a bit darker than my screen showed. That's ok, but something to consider.
So why 4 stars instead of 3? I was hoping for a mural that opened up the room. The darker colors of this one (for example, the ground looks golden in the pic but on the wall it is closer to an orange brown) seem to close the room in more, which frustrated me a bit. Also, because this wasn't an easy job I would have appreciated some detailed instructions to make it less painful.
**Update: It has been a week or so now and the mural is still adhered the same. We are getting used to the scene and like it better now than in the beginning. I also want to note that the surface of the mural is a low sheen, almost matte finish, not shiney at all, so lights and window sun glare are not an issue, which is nice.
***new update: about a month and the mural is still stuck the same. This is our high humidity time of the year and nothing is peeling down or bubbling.
**** Still another update. Over a year and the mural hasn't budged. I like it even more; it's what I see when I pass the doorway in the hall and it makes me happy to look at this serene scene. I'm surprised I haven't gotten tired of it, but no. I wouldn't hesitate to order another one in the future.