Get in the Hang of Remodeling by Buying Low-Cost Wallpaper

Judging from the phone calls and mail, many of you are thinking about redecorating. So in the coming weeks I will cover sources that offer excellent value for remodeling projects.

Other than new floor treatments, there’s probably no feature that can transform a room as much as wallpaper--and it’s nowhere near the cost of flooring, especially if you can hang it yourself.

We’re lucky in the San Fernando Valley and Ventura County to have probably the best bargain source for quality wallcoverings in Southern California. Smart shoppers from Orange County to Santa Barbara come to the Wallpaper Bin, a local treasure for many years. Even if you’re not planning on putting up wallpaper, you may change your mind when you see what’s on the racks.

They offer a large selection of “in stock” papers from well-known manufacturers at greatly reduced prices. Because these are discontinued patterns, which is why the cost is greatly reduced, I suggest you get a little extra, just in case.

Here’s an idea of the savings: A Van Luit design, originally $59.95 is $9.99 a single roll. Some Waverly patterns that were $27.95 are $9.99. Textiles (strings and grasses), dimensionals, light-reflective silks and fabric-backed vinyls come in many design styles and colors and range in price from $12.99 to $16.99, far below the original price.

Be aware that wallpaper, although priced by the single roll, is packaged only in double rolls, a practice I wish the industry would change. So figure that into costs.

The Wallpaper Bin is known for its 1-cent sale section where you buy one single roll and get a second single roll for only a penny. So check this and the clearance bins before you make a decision.

If you want to take a sample home and live with it for a few days, they will cut off a generous piece for only $1 and deduct that from your final purchase.

The Wallpaper Bin, 17139 Ventura Blvd., Encino, (818) 788-1291; 4255 Main St., Ventura, (805) 642-6422.

Weekend Super Sale

Woodland Hills Camera has a sale today through March 20. An Elph 10-AF that retails for $100 at most stores will be priced at $49.95 and comes with a film entitlement card for 10 free rolls.

From Canon, the ES 170 video camera will be tagged at $389 instead of $495, and the Deluxe Celestron telescope that is usually $189 will sell for $119. Woodland Hills Camera, 5348 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Woodland Hills, (818) 347-2220.