Progress is Progress

After another hiatus we were back to the entry way project. What better way to celebrate our independence then by stripping paint and wallpaper from every inch conceivable in our modestly sized foyer.


Here's an idea of the magnitude of the wallpaper situation...A photo taken during our inspection before purchase.... The perspective is from the floor looking up. It's all covered in a sad shade of mauve with stripes of pale beige. I'm sure it was lovely in the 70s but is now sad and dirty.

Now I'll make an admission...

We started this projects MONTHS ago and have been living with the remnants of Victorian paper, wallpaper glue, shades of green paint, and huge cracks in the plaster. This weekend the goal was to get the remaining wallpaper down and begin to fill some of the cracks. Maybe primer? How about just living with something less scary...

Here's where we are today...

Pieces of backing paper stuck to the ceilings...beginning to patch plaster....and more stripping to go. Sigh. Notice in the photo that tall Mr. Ham House is able to strip the terrible inclined ceiling over the stairs without a ladder. What luck! And what pain he'll have in his arms in the morning....

I have to say one of the biggest challenges is certainly getting through all the layers. The bottom layer, which is a disintegrating brown paper has two coats of paint, one in a fun turquoise that might work in a bedroom, but not an entry. Over this, lies a coat of paintable (I am guessing) wallpaper that seems water impermeable and the lovely paper you see above. I know it could be worse, but it sure isn't fun...

Did I mention it's messy, too? Thank you Ham House Mother-in-law for once again coming over and demanding we live in a civilized home. The nagging is actually appreciated.