Blogging has to be THE most motivational experience.
I told you guys I was finally going to get started working on the kitchen and putting that resolution “on paper” was absolutely instrumental in driving me to actually begin. I can’t bear to disappoint – you guys keep me accountable. 😉
So because I told you I was going to strip the paper off the walls, and believe me – for that reason alone, I actually started, persevered, and finished stripping that darn paper off the walls.
Thanks to you.
I love you.
Remember the kitchen “before” pictures?
Here we are two weeks, 16+ hours of wallpaper stripping, and 20+ episodes of Bones on Netflix later:
Allow me to introduce you to my wallpaper stripping tools – my new best friends and worst enemies:
Three simple supplies – dish soap, spray bottle (this was not in fact full of Perfect Bathroom cleaner – it was empty, so I reused it because I am cheap green), putty knife.
I’ll describe the method that worked best for me, even though I would be surprised if you ever find yourself in the exact same situation.
I filled the spray bottle with hot water from the sink and added in some dish soap. The paper on the wall was in two layers – the brown paper decoupaged on top, and a manila-yellow lining paper beneath.
First, I stripped off as much brown paper as I could by finding an edge and sliding my putty knife beneath it. Then I sprayed a section of the wall liberally with hot soapy water (being careful to avoid water running into outlets or switches – I used a dishtowel to catch any runs above those) and let it sit for a minute or two. Once soaked, the brown paper was fairly easy to peel off, leaving the lining paper behind. Then I re-sprayed the lining paper with hot soapy water, let it sit, and scraped it off with the putty knife.
The drywall beneath is a mess, as you can tell from these pictures. I still need to wash the remaining glue residue off and do a lot of spackling. (Ugh: my favorite part… #sarcasm)
But look how much brighter the kitchen is now!*
*This is a polite way for you to affirm my hard work and the fact that a change has taken place in the kitchen without actually being forced to say it looks better. You’re welcome.
So the next step is getting these walls ready to paint the lovely gray-green-blue color from my kitchen moodboard. It’s Pensive Sky by Behr.
So that I can begin working on refinishing the cabinets. So I can replace the countertops. So I can install the sink/faucet. So I can build the range hood. So I can tile the backsplash… It goes on and on. But I can’t wait to keep working on this all as soon as I get back from Haven (it starts this Thursday you guys!).
Thank you for keeping me motivated, you guys! All my love,
wow way to rock it out!!!! awesome work!
Thanks Cassie! It really did pay off!
It already looks a 1000 times better. Great blank slate for your make-over. I love the wall color you picked I think it will play very nicely with the green in the dining room 🙂
Thank you Katja! I'm glad to hear it actually looks better 😉 I've been in love with that wall color for a long time now and I'm so glad I'll finally get to use it!
It looks sooooo much better already– excited to follow along with the rest! 🙂
Yay! Thank you so much Stephanie 🙂
Girl, even if it's just temporary the white really lightens up the space. I'd say you deserve a nice break from living, breathing, and sweating wallpaper for so many days… Inch by inch you'll get there girl!
The new look is totally livable, right? 😉 I love the space so much more now that that oppressively dark paper is gone!
Can't wait to see! Love the mood board and YES it looks better…and I totally feel your wallpaper stripping pain. It. Was. Everywhere. Proud to say we are finally 90% wallpaper free. YAY!
Thanks Tania! I'm so glad it wasn't anywhere else in our house – I think I would run away crying 😛
We are 90% popcorn ceiling free, but I'm currently in denial that the other 10% exists.
Already looks so much better! Your before looks like my before- oak cabinets and green laminate countertops. But your after moodboard blows mine away! I'll be sulking in the corner 😉
Aw, haha, thanks Caroline! We'll see if I can manage to actually materialize that moodboard 😉
It already looks so ,uch bigger in there after the removal of the wallpaper!
Right?! It's amazing what colors and textures can do!
What an improvement! So bright!
I always watch Netflix when I work on projects too.
Thanks Julia! Netflix is SUCH a life saver. I can't focus in silence – I need interesting background noise!
wooohooo all your hard work is paying off!
Thanks Trina! 🙂
Flex that muscle girl!! I knew we would be bests. I mean DIY while watching netflix is pretty much my MO. 🙂
Its coming together nicely! Renovating is hard work but once its all done you look back with such pride and satisfaction it makes it all worthwhile 🙂
Loving that mood board! Gorgeous and I love the splash of yellow.
Oooh!! Yes, it's looking so much better and brighter already! I so wish me talking about doing stuff on my blog was enough motivation for me, I'd have LOADS done by now 😉 But seeing fully stripped walls is SO satisfying – we'll be tackling the same in the guest bedroom soon, will use your post as my motivation!! xxx
What a huge difference! You are amazing! I don't think I would have it in me. Great job! Or great muscles! It is true that blogging is a great motivator.
Jenni
Removing that wallpaper has made such a difference! I'm so excited for your kitchen makeover–especially that totally gorgeous range hood! Build me one, too. (I'm sure it would look great over my tiny, ancient builder's grade stove!)
Ugh. I hate removing wallpaper. But it makes such a huge impact. Hurray, for progress!