The Wallpaper from You Know Where . . .

by | Mar 13, 2015 | Decor Ideas | 10 comments

I wanted to give everyone an update on one my 2015 DIY projects–making over my upstairs boys’ bathroom. Remember this lovely floral wallpaper?

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Well, it must be straight from the pit of, well . . . you know.

All three of the bathrooms in our house had wallpaper when we moved in.  Removing the wallpaper from the first two bathrooms was super easy, it pulled right off in long sheets.  But this one?  Ughh.  It has been holding on with everything it has.

Now, I appreciate all of you right now who are wanting to comment with some helpful wallpaper removal tips, but trust me, I’ve tried them all.  And I’m not a novice wallpaper remover–my husband and I took wallpaper off of basically every room in our first house!  This stuff is just bad though, really, really, bad. 

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It keeps pulling off the top layer of the drywall with it, which means lots of patch jobs before I can paint. 
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 Just look at how it’s mocking me!
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 I’ve been working on this on and off for 3 weeks now.  Earlier this week I finally got about 95% of the paper off the walls in the vanity area, and was able to patch the ripped drywall spots and sand.
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 The walls still need a little bit more prep before I can start to paint, but I’m getting close 🙂

So if you don’t remember, here is my inspiration photo for the look I’m going for:

Lisa Gabrielson Design

Lisa Gabrielson Design

 

I’ve already purchased several other renovation items that will work well for this look.  I found a nice light fixture on clearance at Home Depot

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as well as an inexpensive faucet.
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 I’m excited about the one-handle faucet for my boys–they just aren’t able to get the hot and cold water mixed right on the two-handled faucets.  Do anybody else’s kids have that problem?

My plan for the vanity base is to mix up a custom dark navy using my Fusion Mineral Paint (probably some Liberty Blue with a little Coal Black added) and use that to refinish the vanity. I am really looking forward to trying out the Fusion on cabinets, I have read great reviews about it.

I also bought a new vanity top from Home Depot.  Nothing fancy, just a solid white top with a built in sink.

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We don’t need anything especially glitzy in that bathroom, and this was a simple, cost-effective option.  Anything will look better than the faux ivory marble with shell sink that is in there now!

So, that’s where I’m at.  I have company coming in town the end of March, and I’m hoping to have the bathroom mostly finished by then.  It may take me longer to put the finishing decorative touches on the space, but I’m hoping to at least have it functional.

Best wishes to you for all of your DIY projects!

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10 Comments

  1. Susie @ The Chelsea Project Blog
    Susie @ The Chelsea Project Blog on March 14, 2015 at 10:06 am

    Mel…Mel….Mel…I feel for ya, girl. Hang in there….I can see the finish line from here.. 🙂 Suz

    • Melanie
      Melanie on March 17, 2015 at 2:08 pm

      I’m trying! This may be the end of my room renovating for awhile though!

  2. chris aka monkey
    chris aka monkey on March 14, 2015 at 11:41 am

    removing wallpaper has to be on the top ten list of projects from you know where i am still working on my teeny bath trying to get wallpaper off too xx

    • Melanie
      Melanie on March 17, 2015 at 2:08 pm

      i wish we could combine our efforts Chris! I’ll come help you if you’ll help me 🙂

  3. Tracy
    Tracy on March 14, 2015 at 8:14 pm

    The payoff will be worth it! And yes the 2 handled faucets look pretty, but not practical for kids. Love your choices.

    • Melanie
      Melanie on March 17, 2015 at 2:06 pm

      Thank you Tracy!

  4. Dorene @ Seasonal Chapters
    Dorene @ Seasonal Chapters on March 15, 2015 at 2:30 am

    I feel your pain…we had a lot of wallpaper to remove from the bathrooms when we moved into our home. It was a long and frustrating job, but it was worth the effort in the end. I can’t wait to see your final result…I’m sure it will be amazing and your hard work will pay off and make you smile each time you walk past the room.

    • Melanie
      Melanie on March 17, 2015 at 2:05 pm

      I’m banking on that Dorene, although right now I’m wondering if that day will ever come!

  5. Cynthia - Clockwork Interiors
    Cynthia - Clockwork Interiors on March 15, 2015 at 10:55 am

    Can’t wait to see the finished project! If you have any tips on removing wallpaper glue AFTER the walls have been painted, I’d love to hear them! p.s. can’t wait to try Fusion paint !

    • Melanie
      Melanie on March 17, 2015 at 2:04 pm

      Oh man, I wish I did Cynthia! That sounds like a real mess.

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