Sunday, March 15, 2009

Do You Smell Smoke?

Do you smell smoke? If you do it's because I've been thinkin'. After a few emails exchanged with Becky from Hospitality Lane I think I've just about made my decision.

Sometimes there are just things a girl has to change in her life. It always used to be rearranging my furniture until the cable company limited our access to the cable hookup. (I still grit my teeth when I think about that stupid man walking across my carpet with muddy boots and not apologizing for it.)

This time it does not involve moving anything. Not really anyway.

It's the wallpaper in my kitchen and dining room. I'm tired of this look. It will be 10 years exactly next month. My grandma came over for 2 weekends and helped my paper this area of my house. I tried to convince myself it has sentimental value. Truthfully? That's not it. I just really like this wallpaper. It was my first major purchase after divorcing my husband and wanting to make my home, my home. A friend of my used the same paper in another room in her house and when I saw it, I knew I had to copy her. So I did.


Here's the problem. 10 years ago when I went to strip the old wallpaper down, I found several other layers. Then underneath all that, I found panelling in my dining room. YUCK!! That was my ultimate decision to wallpaper instead of paint. I've been reading up on painting over wallpaper. Mulling all of this over has been quite the ordeal. I know I'm in it by myself as I have no one to help me. Hubby says he will. I know him. He won't. Never trust a man who says "my word is good". He's lying. I will make him and me both absolutely miserable during this time. But, I think I'm gonna bite the bullet and attack it head on. Possibly starting as early as next weekend if not sooner.
My chicken and rooster collection will be down to the bare minimum. I love them, but I'm growing tired of looking at them. Plus I think the new paint will showcase my hubby's antique buffet. The older I get the more I love the meaning of "SIMPLIFY". With that in mind I will show you an area I would like to showcase that particular word once this process is complete. Bare with me. The smoke is starting to fade...


13 comments:

Terri Steffes said...

Whatever happened???

Terri Steffes said...

Ohhhh... I cannot wait to see what you do. If I only lived closer, I would be there in a minute to help. What fun this will be.

It is cute paper but ten years is a long time to live with something like that. You got your money's worth from it!

akawest said...

We all need a change at times. I am looking forward to seeing what you decide.

Something Nice and Pretty said...

It will be great once your done and you will probably wonder why you didn't do it sooner:)
Rondell

Anonymous said...

It looks nice,but if your tired of it then I understand. I will be watching to see what is up.

Anonymous said...

I can't wait to see what you are up to.

We did paint over wallpaper, in the front hall, at the farm...with no regrets. It was out of necessity, since it wouldn't come off the wall. We did a sort of textured/sand paint of some kind, can't remember. We made a pact to never wallpaper again and it has saved our marriage.;-)

Domestic Designer said...

Can't wait to see the result. I am sure it will be great. Two years ago I painted over wallpaper in my kitchen and it turned out great. Just took a bit of research to figure out how. I know you will be successful! Have fun!

Justabeachkat said...

Hi there! We're still in California, but I had a minute and thought I'd see what you've been up to. I gave up on wallpaper years ago. I just got too bored too fast. Paint is much easier to change on a whim. Can't wait to see what you do. Pics please.

Hugs!
Kat

shaybert said...

Oh I do not relish the task. But whichever way you tackle this project, you'll be much happier. I agree with the never paper again comments.
And thank you for the positive remarks regarding my entry... thanks for stopping by! Blessings, Shay

Femin Susan said...

How awesome! Thanks for sharing!
may god bless you !

Becky K. said...

I cannot wait to see the project finished.

I agree with Terri...I would love to come and help. A bloggy painting party...

Oh well, we will enjoy it vicariously as you show us your progress.

carolyn@simple~primitive~devotion said...

Good luck with it! My kitchen and both bathrooms are wallpapered, and not of my choosing either. It was done when we bought the house, but I was able to tolerate at the time. Now I want it GONE! But am afraid to start such a huge project. Time & money are not plentiful at this time in my life, so I keep putting it off.
So I wish you well, and look forward to seeing your's when you are done.
About the rooster collection, I have collections of collections, and I too pare down at least once a year. Simplify is my motto!

Unknown said...

I'd prime the paper if you can't remove it, and then paint it! I don't do wall paper for just that reason, getting it off the walls and then washing the walls, and choosing new paper and the messes!
Oh So Sorry, did you already think of that?
I paint. It's cheap and if you want to change the colours in a year, it's $35.00 or so.
Just me, but you go for it and post the "new" kitchen.