Varnishing over previously stained woodwork + more

[diydazzler]

When I moved into my house some years ago I replaced all the skirting and architrave with softwood and then used a mahogany stain.(it was the ex's idea ! )

Now I'm re-decorating and the mahogany doesn't go with my planned decor.
What are my options ? I don't want to paint it but I would like a lighter finish ? Would a lighter varnish go over the mahogany or just make it even darker ?

Also I'm papering 1 wall with a different colour paper to the other walls.
What's the best way to deal with the corners where the 2 papers meet ?

 

[scottishlad2k10]

When I moved into my house some years ago I replaced all the skirting and architrave with softwood and then used a mahogany stain.(it was the ex's idea ! )

Now I'm re-decorating and the mahogany doesn't go with my planned decor.
What are my options ? I don't want to paint it but I would like a lighter finish ? Would a lighter varnish go over the mahogany or just make it even darker ?

Also I'm papering 1 wall with a different colour paper to the other walls.
What's the best way to deal with the corners where the 2 papers meet ?

im a painter and im just wondering when you applied the stain..... had the skirtings been varnished before? if so you can sand the stain off.

if the stain is on new wood you have no chance itl be sunk into the wood like a burst pen on a white carpet.

for the wall paper just make sure to start in the middle of the wall. and see how it works in at corners. paper shoul overlap by about 2-4 mm on the corner max!! any more and it can cause fungus and crap growing due to moisture.

 

[opps]

The two pieces either side of the corner should be applied last.

Hang one side of the corner, allowing a small amount to run onto the next wall, if there is too much cut it back as per scottishlad's recommendation.

Now pull the paper back from the corner, whilst still wet.

Hang the paper on the adjacent side of the corner. Let the excess run around the corner. Use a soft pencil to mark the wall profile and trim back. Alternatively- my preference- use a wide filing knife as a guide and run a snap-off bladed knife along the profile.

Once the paper is trimmed, pull back the edges.

Smooth the first sheet back down so that you have a slight overlap running onto the other wall and finally smooth down the second sheet. Apply more glue as necessary.

Job done.

You might find it advantageous to run a thin bead of caulk down the corner. This will provide a soft substrate for the knife when cutting.

good luck