
I just couldn’t take it any longer. Last week we started taking down wallpaper in our dining room. I knew there were at least two layers and we found that there were actually three layers.

Wallpaper doesn’t hide cracked plaster.

Seeing this 1920’s wallpaper for the first time.

We found a razor blade stuck to the wall beneath the chair rail. I’m confidant this chair rail isn’t original and it isn’t going back up.

I made the first rips and then Dave got out his tools and got to work.

We’ve filled many bags.

Isn’t this gorgeous. It is a block print. The ink runs as soon as we spray it with the warm water and vinegar solution.

Some evidence of plaster repair over this paper.

circa 1970?

There used to be a stove here and they did an awful job of patching. The area around it bows out noticeably. Fortunately, we have a plasterer coming out this Friday about some other work so we will show him this too.

doggie break



This is a good pic of all three wallpapers. I think the top layer was circa 1990.

Just as I suspected – the crown molding wasn’t original. We can tell because the first two layers of wallpaper go to the ceiling, but the last layer stops short. It seems to me it was around 1990 that chair rails and crown molding became popular again.

I thought the crown molding was overkill with these beautiful french doors.



This wall needs a lot of love.

Fashion might not be the only reason they put up the crown molding. Looks like they had to do some plumbing work here. This will have to be patched because the crown molding isn’t going back up.

Dave uncovered some patterned wallpaper on the ceiling. I think I’ve seen that patterned wallpaper is back in style.
I’m excited to get the walls repaired, primed and painted. I’m going to get a test pot of paint called Tomato Cream Sauce – a little bold for me but I’m going for a warm, cozy color as this is the room we gather most often with family and friends.