Dining Room...my arch nemesis

So one day last week walking through the dining room I make the executive decision that I am going to pull down the ugly stained wallpaper.  How bad can it really be???

So Bri and I walk in and I am not sure where to start as they have painted over the paper at some point in its life so scoring it isn't an option.  Brian brings out a putty knife and starts a spot at the seam.  I then peel off a big strip - success this is going to be a piece of cake.  What is all the fuss about - why does everyone hate this so much?

Oh wait sure the paper peels off but nothing behind it does.  So off to home depot we go for some stuff for Ella's room (our home away from home and we should invest in stock).  We pick some wall paper removal spray off the shelf and I will tackle it the next day.  Oh yes and picked up the paint - can you say yellow - woo hoo I get a yellow room again.  The next morning I am up bright and early ready to get to work, at 7:30 I am getting to work.  The wall paper is coming off in full sheets but there was some damage on the first wall.  I clear all the paper on one wall and get to work spraying the glue.

That is when the wall decided to show me who is boss. So I start spray the glue and scrape away...if only it was that easy.  After several hours and only covering a small portion of the wall and emptying the bottle I was ready to give up.  I couldn't even lift my arms above my head and didn't think I had it in me to keep scrapping.  This wasn't easy and I was losing the battle.  I am sure it wouldn't look strange at all to leave the wallpaper up on the other three walls, would it??  No I must prevail - I will beat this wallpaper.  So to the internet I go - I read feedback from everyone on my facebook post and search on google.  Everything I suggested talked about vinegar/water, soap/water and fabric softner/water.   The last one is the option I picked.  Wow what a difference, it certainly wasn't easy but it was coming off much easier.  So through the 7 hours that day the removal and scrapping continued and I got through the rest of the room.  What a day, arms weak but the walls are scrapped.  Time to clean up.

Day 2 - time for wall repair.  Fill in holes, let it dry, sand and repeat.  Arms are still sore but I will get through this, wash down the walls that evening and time to paint the next day.

Day 3 - my dad calls and offers to come over and paint and guess what best part - no taping as we need to paint the crown molding and are replacing the wainscoting so if we get yellow on what is there no biggie.  We bust through the painting in record time and yes my beautiful yellow room exists.  Phase 1 complete.   Below are a few before and after photos before Phase 2...until tomorrow.