Bathroom Remodel -- Part 2: Wallpaper Removal Tips

Wallpaper can be gorgeous in any room but once the homeowner decides the paper has to go, removing it can be a messy job. After several hours of spraying, waiting and careful peeling, the wallpaper in the somewhat awful looking mud room and adjoining bath discussed previously here, is now history.

Removing wallpaper can be a huge under taking, but several "magic potion sprays" are available to speed removal along. What is the best spray to use, according to HGTV "Designed To Sell?" Something you might already have at home: mixing fabric softener with a little water and spraying it on the wallpaper is the best and easiest way to remove paper. After spraying, wait about 15 minutes for the fabric softener to soak through the paper, then slowly lift a corner. Patience is a virtue here so don't rush now. Carefully pull the paper away from the wall; standing in front of the paper, slowly peel the entire wet sheet away from the wall until the entire sheet is removed and laying at your now wet feet. Continue around the room. Once the paper is gone, the walls need to be washed down to remove any remaining glue. A mixture of dish soap and warm water will work well; use a sponge to wash the area, continuing until all glue is gone.

The good news for this somewhat messed up mud room is the unwanted wallpaper is gone and the walls are free of all glue. The not so good news is the person removing the paper is sopping wet. Oh-oh. After the walls were dry they were primed, and holes were filled. Tomorrow the walls will be sanded and re-primed.

The really good news, as seen in the floor photo, the old individual commercial grade vinyl tiles have been removed, leaving a floor that will be covered with concrete board, then the new Travertine tiles that were purchased an hour ago. More tomorrow.

Photo Attribution: somewhatfortyplus

Snow Day - No School!

When the phone rang yesterday morning at 5:30, the news had to be good. Predicted the previous evening, the meteorologist was correct. After a night of sleeting rain, the roads were thickly covered in sheets of ice and no child, regardless of their age, could safely venture forth from the cave. "The college is closed due to the ice," the voice said. "I'm sorry to wake you, but there is no school today." Sorry to wake me? Who doesn't wake up with a smile on their face at the sound of those two little words, No School? You can call me every morning and happily awaken me, I thought. Chicagoland was hit by another ice storm and outcome was treacherous, or delightful, depending on one's perspective.

The roads were icy. The sidewalk was far too icy to retrieve the newspapers the paper companies had promised would always be delivered to the door -- except today. An inch of ice covered the walk and steps. Perfect day for Yak Trax, yet any news worth hearing would be on NBC's Today Show.


A snow day is a gift, an extra day in the week you hadn't dared to think of until the phone call. A snow day should be spent in complete recreation, enjoying, relaxing, sitting in a bubble bath, eating bon-bons, reading a book. This gift day was spent in a somewhat creative manner: an apple pie was made, icy photos were taken, essays were read and graded, gifts were wrapped, and HGTV was enjoyed again and again. Soon it was dinner time and beef stew made on Sunday was on the menu at this restaurant. The pre-made meal only made this snow day truly a gift.
Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus