From The Past: March 30, 2008
Years ago when we painted the bathroom walls burgundy, I thought it was beautiful. I still look at the pictures and think it is beautiful. We put a chair rail around the walls and wallpapered the bottom half.
I grew up in a hundred year old house where every room was wallpapered; sometimes to help conceal a crack in the plaster. This is what I was accustomed to and believed it to be the ordinary thing to do when decorating.
On the other hand, Kevin grew up in a new home; one where the walls were perfect, constructed of drywall, and no wallpaper was needed.
Kevin was totally against hanging any wallpaper, but I convinced him it would be okay since it was a small space and only half the wall would be covered. When he and my dad hung the wallpaper, they used wallpaper paste so it would stick better and last longer.
The paste did its job and the wallpaper lasted for many years. The only part I didn’t like was around the baseboards. When I dusted them, I noticed the edges of the wallpaper beginning to curl a bit. I was also unhappy with the ceiling. It needed a fresh coat of white paint.
So, last Saturday, the day before Easter around 10:30 in the morning, when Kevin asked me what I had planned for the day, I suggested we do something for the house. As always, Kevin was game. He forever strives to make me happy and he is up for any suggestion I make. He still amazes me after all these years. Men like Kevin are rare.
I suggested redecorating the bathroom and we went from there.
The chair rail came down easily enough. We bought some DIF GEL to remove the wallpaper. You spray it on and then scrape the wallpaper off. I highly recommend this product as it made the wallpaper come off much easier. I have heard people say you can use fabric softener and water, but it was just as economical for us to buy the DIF because I don’t use fabric softener.
We will never hang wallpaper again. It can be beautiful, especially in an old house, but paint is so much cheaper and easier to change. The wallpaper was one of many mistakes I have made in regards to our house. I am glad it has now been corrected!
Some people will think the bathroom looks plain now, but it is much brighter. At this time in my life, I want things simple and uncluttered.
We kept the blue for now because it was easier, but that may change later.
A new coat of paint on the ceiling and walls, and a new faucet has made a big difference in this room. I am now excited to have a go at our second bathroom!