My Powder Room is coming together but I still have a toilet in my living room. Dang it! Every day this week I’ve thought I was going to power through all these tasks and slap the toilet in there — but then I put in a 15 hour day and feel like I’m treading water.
Progress has been made though…
All the planks have been primed, sanded, primed, caulked and painted (two coats). The door casings have been installed and painted. Beadboard ceiling has been installed and painted.
You might be wondering why I didn’t plank the whole room. Well people, I’m going to wallpaper. I know, What? Wallpaper? Yep, I’m doing it!
I’ve never installed wallpaper before. I’ve had a strong aversion to wallpaper for YEARS in fact but wallpaper has made huge strides and is now sitting at the “cool table”. I decided I wanted to do something different in my powder room. Something FUNky! So I searched far and wide for the wallpaper that tickled my FunKy bone and found it!
Two problems with my plan:
1. I thought I bought adhesive backed wallpaper…but didn’t so I had to go through extra steps to install.
2. I was advised that I wouldn’t need to skim coat my walls prior to papering as the paper would hide the texture.
Not so. I could see every bump on the two walls that were not smooth. (The other two were new drywall and therefore smooth.)
I pulled the piece of walllpaper back off the bumpy wall and went ahead and wallpapered the two smooth walls.
Then got out my magic trowel and joint compound and got to work skim coating. AGGGGH!
Two more layers of mud and I’ll prime, and prime again and then wallpaper and then MAYBE I’ll get that damn toilet installed!
On a positive note, I’m loving my wallpaper!
kristin says
In small doses–like a bath or foyer, I think it can be fun and great to use. Layla from TLC did her guest bath and it is so cheerful with the planks and bird wallpaper. HOWEVER, living in a home that has wallpaper covered in wallpaper, covered in paint, covered in our paint, covered in some textured walls slapped over paint, I know wallpaper can be the devil! We have one wall where over the years walls have had holes placed for pictures and recovered. It is crazy how bulging some of the patches are. You can’t sand down wallpaper like drywall!!! We actually need to buy you a ticket to come and help us–it is such a mess!
Suzanne B says
Every time I thing about wallpaper I have these flashbacks of scraping it off the wall and it was such a nightmare in one home I helped in that I swear I have a phobia of it. There truly are some beautiful and classy wallpapers now but I can’t get past my trauma. 🙁 On a good note though I have found a few places that have some super cool stencils.
seansmom says
I’ve wallpapered about a gazillion rooms and if you just take time and have a bit of patience, things will turn out just fine. Making sure your first piece is plumb and level is the clue and “booking” your paper also helps to eliminate a lot of problems. Go for it!!!
Tavia says
I feel the same way about wall paper! Have a sample from Anthropology I am going for! I did a search within your website for planked walls because I have a few questions. I couldn’t find anything so I hope you haven’t answered these questions!
What plank product did you use? Did you caulk the seams? It looks like such a clean application!! Your a real pro I know but this looks perfect!
Thanks for all the inspiration!!
kim massa says
So sorry you had to do more skim coating, I remember how much you have grown to dislike doing it. The end is near and so far your bath room looks fabulous. Will you add a ledge to the top of the plank wall that does not go all the way to the ceiling? My brother has that in his bath and it is really pretty. Looking forward to seeing the completion.
Feral Turtle says
I have done my share of wallpaper and taking down wallpaper! I have come to love the wallpaper that needs paste vs the paper that is pre-pasted. I find it sticks better when you add your own! It is going to be beautiful Sandra! A woman of many talents you are!!
Dixie Dobbins says
I love this post! cant wait to see it. had a quick question about the planks. How did you make them join so nicely in the corners? And what kind of wood are you using for your planks? Im brand new to this world and im using some luan from LOWES and having it cut in 6 inch strips and its not near as pretty as yours! Please share, maybe I missed that somewhere earlier. Thanks. Loved the comment about the guy at Hardware store asking you “what are you TRYING to make?” you should have pics on your phone saying Well, ive made this and this and this… so I think I can handle this. LOL
maxims says
Testing this out for mobile comments