While Mike and I are thrilled and excited about this new adventure, there is one thing that gives me a pit in my stomach. . . wallpaper. I didn’t even realize it until presented with the prospect of living there how much wallpaper my grandparents hung throughout the house. Every room save two has wallpaper. In addition, the last time I tried to remove wallpaper from the house I rented in Berkeley I felt like I was trapped in a Charlotte Perkins Gilman story. I’ve been reading all the techniques and methods for removing old wallpaper from plaster walls, but I know this is going to be a huge challenge. So, if you’ve been on the fence, friends of ours, about commenting–now is our official plea. If you have some magic formula, some incantation that will make all that paper melt away, comment away. If not, a good luck wish is equally welcome.
a sampling of the wallpaper throughout the house
MaD, congrats on the move. Too bad you’re not stopping in Chicago to go to a Cubs game on the way over!
Back to wallpaper, rent a steamer. I’ve removed plenty of wallpaper in my day and that little tool helps immensely. Be sure to wear clothes that you won’t care if they get wet, because your arm will, certainly. Also, vinegar applied to the wallpaper will help to lift the particularly stubborn pieces. You must have a wide-edged scraper. Even with that you may run into ones that you’ll just have to scrape and scrape, especially if your grandparents didn’t use sizing. Overall, I find it immensely satisfisfying to denude the walls of their dressing…so enjoy!