The wallcovering panels were located in between beautiful carved wood mouldings and trim in the regal vestibule. These panels, made of a canvas with simulated leather on the front, were able to sustain themselves in the climate of San Francisco because William Haas had pocket doors installed on the outside of the vestibule (one of the very first pocket doors of the time in the area). Through the years, the wallcovering panels had loosened and were releasing from the walls and ceiling. What appeared to be shrinkage of the wallcovering panels around the inner edges of the mouldings and trim could actually have been attributed to the wood mouldings contracting with the changing climate.

The wallcovering panels that could be removed without harm were completely taken down and laid flat. A map was drawn and the panels numbered and indicated on the map for accurate re-installation. Upon close inspection of the wall surface, I could see that the plaster had loosened in many areas, and the wall appeared dry. It was evident that a good part of the problem had been the unstable plaster underneath the wallcovering. I then proceeded to scrape away all the loose plaster, and next I applied a coat of oil based primer sealer. When the primer dried, I smoothed on a skim coat. This not only filled in the areas of plaster I had to scrape away, but also gave me the level and even surface I needed to re-apply the wallcovering panels. To insure a good seal of the prep work, I applied another coat of oil based primer sealer (a sandwich effect).

It was now time to re-install the wallcovering panels. I carefully turned the panels upside down, and proceeded to remove debris and as much of the old plaster stuck on the back as was safely possible. I then needed to check for adhesive compatibility, taking the utmost care in assuring the adhesives would not harm or discolor the antique panels.

There was now one last step. Because the wallcovering panels had now become ill fitting around the wood mouldings due to probable shrinkage of the wood, I needed to somehow fill the gap (about 1/8" to 1/2" in some areas). I decided to mix a black paint that would match the faded black panels. I applied the paint with an artists brush all along the inside of the mouldings and trim. After the paint dried, I then re-installed all of the panels back to their appropriate places.

The Haas-Lilienthal House is the only Queen Anne Victorian house opened to the public as a museum in San Francisco. Whenever you are in this beautiful city by the bay, a visit to this historic gem is a must.

Authentic historic reproductions of wallpapers of the era were custom made by Bradbury & Bradbury Art Wallpapers, well known for being incredibly authentic in their reproductions through their thorough research into wallpapers from the 19th and 20th centuries. Extensive use of borders and frieze's were applied througout the house, as well as hand made screen-printed wallpaper installed in almost every room of the three-story home. Special emphasis on the beautiful coffered ceilings was acheived by installing unique borders and decorative ceiling designs that were cut out by hand.
The house received the 1989 Historical Preservation Award, and appeared in Victorian Homes Magazine 1989 spring edition.