Wallpaper, maps, fabric can cover switch plates

Published 1:05 pm Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Do you have any pointers for keeping switch plates looking fresh?

If you plan on painting your switch plates, upkeep will depend entirely on the type of paint you choose. Latex-based coatings with a glossy finish are the easiest to clean. Simply wipe off smudges and fingerprints with a soft cloth dipped in a solution of warm water and a drop of mild dishwashing detergent. Flat paints, on the other hand, have a rough texture that traps dirt and leaves streak marks, so they are difficult to keep looking bright.

There are more creative ways to protect switch plates. You could cover them in pretty patterned paper, for example. Art-supply and crafts stores offer an array of options, but you might consider old maps or other papers with an interesting design.

Trace the switch plate onto the back of the paper, making sure it’s aligned properly. Then cut out the template and adhere it with craft glue or positionable mounting adhesive. Cut holes for the light switch and screws. Seal the paper with water-based urethane, available at hardware stores.

Besides protecting the surface from tears, the sealer will make the paper washable with soap and water. For a variation on this idea, cover a switch plate with patterned cotton fabric. Follow the same procedure, substituting fabric glue and treating the surface with a stain repellent.

Decorative metal switch plates are another cleanable, durable option. They come in many finishes, such as nickel, brass and copper. Look for ones with a protective lacquer coating that resists tarnish.

You also can apply gilding to existing switch plates. Gold, silver and metal leaf (also called Dutch Leaf or Dutch Metal) are sold in a variety of colors at art-supply stores and online. The materials can be applied to any standard plastic switch plate, according to the manufacturer’s instructions. To prevent tarnish, especially of metal leaf, apply thin coats of acrylic topcoat. For a finished look, mount the plates with screws that match the color of the gilding.

While shopping for furniture upholstery, I came across something called the “Wyzenbeek rating.” What is this, and how should I use it?

Upholsteries need to be as practical as they are eye-pleasing, especially if they’re covering furniture that tends to get a lot of usage. Durability is important, which is why the early-20th-century inventor Andrew Wyzenbeek devised a method to test fabric strength.

Wyzenbeek’s machine determines how many double rubs (considered one complete motion forth and back) a sample of fabric can withstand before tearing. Heavy-duty materials rate at 30,000 double rubs or more; 15,000 is considered average. The number is typically printed on tags attached to sample swatches found at upholstery shops and furniture showrooms.

In addition to the Wyzenbeek rating, swatch tags contain other helpful information. For example, they typically list the upholstery’s fiber content, which is another good indicator of durability. Certain natural materials, including cotton and wool, are considered strong, especially if they have been blended with a synthetic fiber, such as polyester or nylon (the blend will be expressed in a percentage). Microfiber is both stain resistant and long-wearing.

Delicate materials, such as silk, on the other hand, are best saved for room settings that get little use. Tags also indicate whether stains need to be treated with a wet or dry solvent, and if the fabric must be dry-cleaned.

Weigh these practical factors against your decorative needs and you’ll end up with the right upholstery fabric.

I planted French and English lavender plants last fall and they’re looking a little gray after the winter. Should I cut them back completely?

It’s funny you should ask. I have four beds of lavender in front of my house in Bedford — they’re edged with germander, a fragrant herb that makes a delightful border. I was out there inspecting them this morning, and I asked the gardener who works with me whether they were doing well. He said the lavender looked fabulous and that we should wait for the first buds to form along the stems before pruning.

You should do the same. Cut the stems down as far as the buds, pruning your lavender into any shape you like.

Questions should be addressed to Ask Martha, care of Letters Department, Martha Stewart Living, 11 W. 42nd St., New York, NY 10036. E-mail to mslletters@marthastewart.com.

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