Sunday, February 26, 2012

Stripping Wallpaper


I'm in the process of cleaning out the bedroom before stripping the wallpaper but I thought I'd take a few last shots of it.


Gone will be the wallpaper, the turquoise floor (Benjamin Moore Calypso Blue) and the vintage Cape Cod cottage kind of look that I originally thought the house should have.  So here goes...

When I bought the house just over four years ago, every single room except one had wallpaper dating from the '50s to the '70s.  It seems a little strange to be stripping this wallpaper but after having done it so many times, I've worked out a method that works pretty well.  I know they make a lot of different tools and solutions that are supposed to make it easier but I think most are a waste of money.   The only tool I use is a wallpaper scraper with a changeable blade, a spray bottle, a scouring pad and a washcloth.


 First, I look for seams up by the ceiling and starting at a corner, I peel off the top layer.  All of the paper I've stripped seemed to have a top layer that could be peeled off leaving a paper layer on the wall.  Really old wallpaper might not have this and one of those scoring tools might help the process.


Here's one wall after I've peeled off the top layer.  Once this is done, I use a spray bottle of plain water to wet the paper.


Here I've sprayed alternating layers just so you can clearly see what's wet and what's not.  I've put down a few layers of old towels just to catch overspray and water that runs down the wall.


The paper will absorb the water pretty quickly so keep spraying it so you can see a sheen.  The idea is to reconstitute the glue.  You'll see in places that the paper bubbles up as it expands.  After about four applications of water and letting it sit about 15 minutes, I start testing the edges to see if it's separating.


This piece seems ready so I start peeling it off the wall.



This first piece came off almost in one piece.




If there are any stubborn spots, just spray them again and scrape them off with a wallpaper scraper.



After the paper is removed, there's still glue on the wall so I use a scouring pad and warm, soapy water to get most of the glue off the wall.  Be sure to do this before the glue dries.  Then follow up with a clean cloth to make sure all the glue is off the wall.


Once last piece and this section of the room is done.  Isn't the pink pretty?



This section of four strips took my about half an hour.  The white stripe down the wall is where there was some old water damage that I plastered over and primed before the wallpaper went up.

I still have blinds and curtain rods to take down and a little more cleaning out to do but I hope to get at least half of the room stripped today.


This door on the bathroom is my favorite door in the house.  I just love the proportions of it.  I can't wait to try my "Silent Paint Remover" but I want to wait until I can have all the windows open for ventilation or even take it outside on the porch to strip.

It might look good from a distance...


...but it's really caked with paint like most of the woodwork in the house.


I'll also strip the hardware using the chemical-free stripping method I've found very successful in the past.  I experimented with painting the hinges silver and as you can see it wasn't really successful.

I've changed my mind at least three times about how the room will look.  I'd really like to better integrate modern, vintage and antique elements so we'll see how that works out.  I think it's easier said than successfully done.

63 comments:

  1. Looks like lot's of work but it will be worth it in the end! I do like your baskets there too, nice!

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  2. Stripping wallpaper is not one of my favorite things to do. The slimy feeling on my hands grosses me out. Once again I am looking forward to seeing what amazing ideas you came up with. I had to strip wallpaper from the inside of my kitchen cupboard this week and then my husband painted it a bright white. Pop over and tell me what you think. I did a post on re-organizing it.

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  3. you make it look so easy! in our 1940s cape cod, the old paper came off fairly easily in the kitchen. but previous owners put up paper in the newly constructed upstairs over unprimed/unpreped sheetrock and the paper there peeled off the sheetrock layers. nightmare.

    love that you're stripping that fantastic door. well worth the effort...

    seeing your progress is so much fun. thanks, as always donna

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  4. I know personally how much work it is to strip wallpaper off but in the end it's usually so satifying. I can't wait to see what you do with you room and I love that old door. We have several doors throughout our home that are tall and narrow and I love them.

    Enjoy your Sunday!
    XX
    Debra~

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  5. I look forward to seeing what plan you have for the room. If it is anything like the rest of the house it will be magazine worthy.

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  6. Ewww stripping wallpaper and stripping paint - equally tied for my least favourite things to do in life!

    Can't wait to see the final product.

    xox

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  7. I have stripped plenty of wallpaper in my life and I agree that a spray bottle of water works just as well as any of the formulas for sale. I like the perforating tool too. Good luck on your project.

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  8. I had a wonderful looking wallpaper in a bathroom once which I was constantly re-gluing as the steam from the shower loosened it..never again will I paper a bath! When we sold that house it took ages to remove the wallpaper (maybe all that extra glue?) I had purchased expensive tools to help which did not! Wish I had just tried the spray bottle technique. Can't wait to see what you do with this room.

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  9. before you ever wallpaper again put sizing on the wall that can be bought at any place that sells wallpaper. The paper will just roll off the wall in full sheets front and backing.
    Cathy

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  10. I love everything you've done to the cottage so far - so I'm sure this room will turn out beautiful. Great job (and good tip!) on the wall-paper stripping! It's a job I've always dreaded.

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  11. Wow, hats off to you, looks like more work than I'd have energy for right now! Maybe when Spring comes and fresh air is blowing in through the windows. :)
    I am excited to see what you transform the room into. I tend to have a painting or something that I'm always compelled to build a room around while I realize most people probably do a room and then look for pieces...anyway, I always love what you create, so it will be fun to see what happens. (Especially to the floor!)
    :) - Cindi

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  12. Like you, EVERY room in our home had wallpaper - 2 still do! Can't wait to rid them of it!!! I find it a nasty, nasty job!

    I'm sure your finished product will be stunning!

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  13. Steve, I so admire your energy and focus. Your weekends always are extremely well planned and purposeful. And, isn't it nice to accomplish a huge indoor task such as stripping wallpaper before the coming season lures us into our gardens.

    Linda

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  14. Sooo, what are you thinking for this room? I think it'll be gorgeous and right in step with the rest of what you've done so far! Is that a large piece of art through the doorway? Whatever it is , pretty cool.
    am

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  15. steve, when we stripped the wallpaper here we had the problem of big chunks of plaster coming off with the paper. i have no idea what they used to put it up (cement?) but it was really, really hard getting it down. i can't wait to see just what you do with this room!

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  16. I have so many walls the previous owner painted over...many times. Any suggestions? I've had professional painters in who do not want to take down the paper. I hope you will share your paint stripping recipe. Everything is looking great. May hat is off to you and your patience. Bonnie

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  17. You make taking down wallpaper look easy! I can't wait to see what you do to that room, although I have to say I loved that wallpaper!

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  18. Looks like a job I would not want!
    I'm sorry to see that wallpaper go...I love it. I like your vision for the room though so I can't wait to see how you redo it.

    I was thinking about papering my bedroom but it looks like too much work to get rid of when I change my mind...which I often do!

    Have fun!

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  19. Uhg, removing wallpaper is like getting my teeth cleaned. Hate thinking about it, hate doing it, but end result is the best. What do you have in mind for the floor? Are you going to keep and put a modern twist to it?

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  20. Year - and a house - ago I tackled stripping the entire house. There were at least two layers of paper and many, many coats of paint. Sadly, your method wouldn't work at all with the paint, so I ended up hiring strippers. The scraped and soaked and got it all off, leaving me water marked floors, glue on the wall and debris everywhere - a total mess, but no real paper left. It then took me two years to finish the work - room by room. Well worth it, but a total pain.

    glad your job is not quite that awful. If the glue dries before you get it washed off, you might try using vinegar. I found it melted the glue, especially if you heat it a bit in the microwave! good luck.

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  21. Exercise with purpose!! You make it look so easy. I sure love that blue floor, but excited to see the transformation.

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  22. S...I'm putting this in my "resume" file.......You're hired!!! Now, do you hang as well? ;) I can't wait to see this new adventure as it progresses.....k

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  23. thank you for this post, i have a small bath to strip and always fall for the all the gadgets and sprays.
    can't wait to see the transformation
    debra

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  24. Stripper Guy...

    Good job....really good! Was this the wall you also washed on some paint? Looking forward to your new vision.

    signed,

    Slug

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  25. Isn't it a pleasure to start something when you have been eying it, and thinking, and planning for months! I can't wait to see the door (and I can see that taking it onto the porch might be a good idea).

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  26. You make it look so easy! I've stripped it in my bathrooms where it was glued directly to sheetrock with no sizing and no matter how I soaked it, it came off in little pieces. It's going to be such a new fresh room! Your hard work will be rewarded.

    Glad to see you back blogging...was wondering where you went!

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  27. I just love stripping wallpaper. Ha. I'm anxious to see what you're going to do. Are you painting the floor again or doing something else? I've got one room left to do.

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  28. oh Steve, you're a better man than I (wait, that did come out right;) I HATE to strip wallpaper- stripped paper off of every room in our first house. I cried a lot. Still have PTS over it...

    Happing stripping (that didn't sound right either;),
    joan

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  29. Oh boy. Stripping wallpaper is quite an experience. My house was built around 1875 and when removing wallpaper after first moving in, found that there were several layers of wallpaper to remove! But it was kinda fun seeing what others before me had put up (except for that ghastly layer of Superman wallpaper ... ugh!). Your home is beautiful, I wish you would post more often because I love your blog. :)

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  30. Wow, that's my worst nightmare. I tried to do mine with a little scraper tool, it drove me out of my mind, I did half of it and uncovered the original late 18th century decor in the hall which was fascinating - then I gave in and hired a man.
    And, yes the powder pink is lovely and I'm not a oink woman.

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  31. Phew, that's a lot of work. I admire your thoroughness and look forward to seeing what's next. I love the wicker chair, its cushion, and the painting. Hope you can fit them in somewhere.

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  32. I'm delighted to see that we get to get to follow along with the further adventures of Steve and an Urban Cottage. New wallpaper? Stenciled walls? Stenciled floors? none of these? Oh, the anticipation!

    But I'm also glad that you are following through with your intention to create more balance in your life. As much as I miss more frequent posts, it speaks of your success in resisting "enslavement" to the blog and, of course, to the wonderful responses to it. Don't blog myself but I can imagine it could be addictive--in both positive and negative ways!

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  33. For those of you with wallpaper on sheetrock or that's been painted over, that's a game changer. I've dealt with both. Paper right over the sheetrock is the worst. I think it be best to gut it or put a 1/4-inch sheetrock over it.

    I don't mind taking wallpaper down and I love putting it up so there might be new wallpaper going in to this room.

    Rosalind, thank you for recognizing that. Balance isn't as easy as it should be. Some things have to give.

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  34. I just cringe at the thought of wallpaper removal. I've taken down wallpaper in 5 rooms this past year! UGH! HATED every minute of it. I found success with boiling water in a garden sprayer.
    I was working over drywall so it was probably why it was such a miserable job.
    I can't wait to see the new look in the bedroom, but I loved it the way it was.

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  35. Wow quite a system you have. I think you must have been innerly patient to even figure it out. I just would spray and then muscle through it. UGH. Can't wait to see it~on Nitas today I saw a bedroom she called Austere~but I thought of your house.

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  36. You make it look so easy! The thrity year old grasscloth I scraped last year was just a bear to remove -- it had been applied directly over unpainted drywall. It was a miserable job, but you what? Good old water in a spray bottle turned out to be the best remover on most of the walls.

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  37. I'm excited to see how your new room turns out. I love your style so much- and I agree it is difficult because I change my mind all the time too about what I want! Thanks for the tips on stripping wallpaper and chemical free removers for hardware. Looking forward to seeing your bathroom door in all its glory once all those layers of paint have been removed!

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  38. It must be the spring spruce up vibe was humming today. Sally and I finished painting a bedroom today. (except the windows...)

    Wallpapering has always been my nemesis. I am convinced it helped accelerate the demise of my first marriage many years ago... Sally and I did a little when we first bought our house here in Salem and quickly agreed that it would be best to hire a pro. We're still happily married 28 years later:-)

    We're looking forward to following along your continuing adventure.

    Cheers,
    John

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  39. I hate stripping wallpaper, too! Looking forward to your projects in this room. Thanks for sharing your method for getting the paint off of the hardware. I need to do that in the next few weeks and I can't wait to try it!

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  40. What an exciting project. You make the wallpaper stripping look easy. Have fun with the decisions. I look forward to seeing the end result.
    Best...Victoria

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  41. Today I scraped off some small random pieces of wallpaper in the dining room that didn't come off when I literally peeled my cheapo wallpaper off the wall.I still can't believe I used an "easy peel" wallpaper, but it was new on the market two years ago and fit the budget. How glad I am that I went with it, because the take down was a snap. The replacement, a great quality paper, will be up for the next ten years. I am so not scraping it off!! I cannot wait to see what magic you create in this room.

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  42. I will miss the vintage Cape Cod look. I spent a lot of summers growing up over there, so it's a bit nostalgic to me. I'm keeping one of the last images of it. Looking forward to seeing what you do next though!

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  43. Thanks for the step-by-step. I'll be redoing my bath within the next year, so I'll be sure to bookmark your directions. (I'm thinking William Morris wallpaper.)

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  44. Can't believe you forgot, actually of course I can, you've been busy.

    Now I feel soooo lazy hiring someone to strip off my tiny bathroom wallpaper.

    Must say you look pretty fancy to be yielding a spray bottle.

    just sayin'.

    I know you will manage to blend all you desired looks together in such a way as to turn us all pea green.

    .

    xo jane

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  45. Now I know how to strip wallpaper, should (god forbid) I ever have to do it. Love the paint stripping process on hardware too. Very useful info! You know I love those baskets on the floor of the first photo. Kitty too.

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  46. Do you sit down much? Just wondering. Actually, I suspect you and I have this in common: we find this kind of thing relaxing? Can't wait to see the finished room!

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  47. gosh that does look like a lot of work Steve...I've removed so much wallpaper over the years that I think I have an aversion to it. Can't wait to see what you decide for this room...those floors are so pretty now, but I'm sure you have a clear vision for this room. I do love combining modern, vintage and a little industrial.
    annie

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  48. "modern, vintage and antique" ah, you know how to keep us hanging on to your every word.. and posting! We're waiting!

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  49. This is such a great blog...I am in love with this house...
    All of the blog followers jump over to Apartment Therapy and vote for An Urban Cottage for best home design blog!
    (and tell your friends!)

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  50. Hey, thank you very much for that! I just discovered I was on there a little bit ago.

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  51. That's a lot of work! Can't wait to see how it all comes out!

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  52. Steve,
    Once again you've embarked on an ambitious project which I have no doubt will turn out -- once again -- perfectly.
    But I'll miss that blue floor!
    Thanks for the timely tutorial on wallpaper stripping.
    Meanwhile, do you have any tips for giving some instant *patina* to some brand new and very shiny lacquered brass door hinges?

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  53. Miranda,
    I've never done it but there was a brass door knocker I really wanted but it came very shiny and lacquered so I called the company and asked if there was any way I could strip the lacquer and age it a little. They put me on hold for awhile and came and said, "No one wants to do that so we don't any advice. People only call us to relacquer their pieces after they weather." Really.

    I think you need to strip the lacquer with something like acetone and then age it with vinegar or some acid. If you google "aging brass" or "how to age brass" and you should find some advice. I might buy something cheap to experiment with first though.

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  54. Thanks, Steve! It seems like acetone (to remove the lacquer) and apple cider vinegar (to add darkness/patina) may do the trick... to be continued!

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  55. Wow Steve I am exhausted after reading your post; I am sure it is not as easy peasy as it looks! Great job though. I love those baskets you had in the room.

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  56. I have stripped more wallpaper than I care to remember and it was never this easy. You must have the magic touch. Looking forward to seeing how the room turns out and am curious about the hardware stripper.

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  57. This brings back the memory of stripping a two story staircase years ago. My finger nails were wrecked. I like your patience.

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  58. looks like a chore that you have somehow made appealing to do...
    what will you do in the room now?? that door is lovely and it will feel so great to have it stripped. when i was in university a boyfriend and i rented a very lovely but very old and neglected place and spent about 2 weeks before school started stripping the old wood, which looked like yours. it was heavenly afterwards and the place looked phenomenal. i love that you are keeping the old, good things. they are so well-made.

    xo terri
    p.s. i am still out east, heading back on sunday.

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  59. Nice to see that you've found the energy to tackle a big new project! I notice too the less frequent posts but that's OK if it means we get to see your home transform more! I'll miss those blue floors but can't wait to see what you come up with. A mix of modern, vintage and antique is up my alley but I agree it's easier said than done. I'm sure you'll make it work.

    I've never had the pleasure of stripping wallpaper but all the woodwork in my home is 'caked' like your great door. Never even crossed my mind to strip it all down, I just keep adding to it! : )

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  60. Thank you for the great pictures and tips. I've never stripped wallpaper, but you make it look so easy. Really looking forward to seeing your ideas for your new room. Have you been saving tear sheets?

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  61. You little worker bee....always chipping away at previous decor to reveal the real "Steve" look! Bring it!

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  62. Kill me, just kill me.

    Now I know who to call next time I need to re-paper...

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