Wallpaper Warriors

I began the first full day of the renovations on our house today. Jimmy and I started last night with the wallpaper in the servant hall (back staircase). After experimenting with several different techniques, we finally found the right technique. We started off by scoring the wallpaper with a "paper tiger" (perforating tool) and then by spraying some wallpaper removal solution on it. However, we realized this wasn't the best method because it barely reached the underside of the backing paper. So, we then began to pull off the top portion (decorative surface) of the wallpaper. Most of it came off pretty easily without much effort, but, all of the backing remained adhered to the wall. However, after drenching it with a concoction of hot water and fabric softer, it peeled off like butter. We just had to scrape across it with a plastic putty knife and it came right off. Some of it could even be peeled off by hand. Most of the surface area had only one coat of wallpaper. Some of the trickier areas (around door/ window casings) had two coats. Still, the wall underneath was painted with a glossy paint, so, this facilitated the removal of the backing. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it is like that all over the rest of the house. I know there are at least three coats of wallpaper in our current bedroom. I just hope the wall has been painted underneath! Then, of course, there are the ceilings on both the first and second floors. There are signs of wallpaper on them, but they have also been painted! I foresee me needing lots of bubble baths and massages to make through a successful renovation!

After about 6 hours of removing paper, I believe I am almost halfway finished with this area! The wall underneath looks pretty good, minus a few rough spots. However, those should be pretty easy to smooth over with a skim coat of either plaster or a spackling concoction. Jimmy says it looks like we are living in a "crack house." I have to admit it is somewhat disheartening to go through the labor-intensive wallpaper removal process because it looks worse afterwards. Still, I have to remind myself that it is temporary and that it will be better in the end. I just hope that "end" is not too far away!!