Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Pondering Planked Walls


Lately I've been pondering such questions as ...

  • Why is it that every time I have my carpet cleaned someone (dog or kid) vomits on it within 72 hours?? That happened yesterday right after I came inside from shoveling the snow off the driveway ... which leads me to my next question...

  • Why the heck are we having a snow storm in the Spring?? Darn groundhog. And finally...

  • Why did I pay someone to remove wallpaper and paint the kids' bathroom, only to discover that he painted over the wallpaper?


Sadly, I'm no closer to the answers. Whilst I pondered, I furiously scraped the bathroom walls.



I didn't get very far. Scraping wallpaper is hard. Scraping wallpaper with skim coat and three coats of paint is harder. Argh! Now my tennis elbow has flared up again.

Perhaps it would have been okay to leave the painted wallpaper, but I like things to be done the right way. And painting over wallpaper, to me, is just wrong.

So, now I find myself pondering the use of tongue and groove siding to cover up the nasty walls. This bathroom is my inspiration...









I've always loved the look of planked walls, but was reluctant to try it on perfectly decent walls. However, now that my walls are indecent, it could be a fun option. I'm not sure if it will work, as the bathroom baseboards are tile and the siding may be too thick. I'll keep you posted.

I'd love to know... have you ever used tongue and groove planks on interior walls? Would you use paint over wallpaper? Should we trust a groundhog?



Posted by Carolyn@Sweet Chaos Home at 11:55 AM

21 comments:

  1. thatmormonladyMarch 26, 2013 at 12:11 PM

    I a new follower and BIG fan. I love your style. I've seen some variations of planked walls using 1/4 inch (or thinner) MDF, but maybe MDF isn't the best choice in a bathroom. Hmmm. I'm really sorry about your painter situation! I hope you got your money back, and why isn't he scraping your walls?

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  2. NanaDianaMarch 26, 2013 at 12:28 PM

    Carolyn, What a bunch of BADS all at once! There is a product now that you can apply over wallpaper that makes it the base for a skim coat of plaster and then you can paint over that. UGH- what a mess- xo Diana

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  3. Karen March 26, 2013 at 12:59 PM

    That sounds like an excellent solution-one that one cause your elbow to swell like a balloon too. I can't believe that any professional would paint over the wallpaper with out clearing it with you first!

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  4. Pura VidaMarch 26, 2013 at 1:00 PM

    I am a going over it kind a gal from way back!

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  5. Jenny @ Simcoe StreetMarch 26, 2013 at 1:32 PM

    Sorry to hear about the carpet and snow and most of all your painter. I hope you got your money back. I say make lemonade and go for the planked walls

    Jenny
    Www.simcoestreet.blogspot.com

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  6. primjillieMarch 26, 2013 at 1:53 PM

    I love planked walls, but I just wanted to say my mom had a painter paint over her wallpaper (it was really, really glued flat to the wall) and you can't even tell several years later. Now she's contemplating having him paint over her wallpapered bathroom, so we shall see how that goes. Good luck!

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  7. StaceyMarch 26, 2013 at 2:05 PM

    At my last house we textured over the wallpaper that was adhered to the walls really well. Painted it and it was beautiful for years. You never would have know. :)

    I am going to plank one of our bedrooms and it has decent walls.

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  8. Kim @ Savvy Southern StyleMarch 26, 2013 at 3:00 PM

    Painting over wallpaper is fine if done correctly. The seams have to be plastered and sanded first. Our kitchen and master bath are paint over wallpaper. The guys we hired to remove the wallpaper in the master bath and then paint tried and the paper was not coming off and was going to cost a mere fortune.

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  9. ℳartina @ Northern NestingMarch 26, 2013 at 4:27 PM

    I LOVE planked walls, I want to do a planked wall in my son's room! I think it would look fabulous in their bathroom!

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  10. Blondie's JournalMarch 26, 2013 at 6:41 PM

    I love planked walls, too, especially when they are done horizontally. I wanted to do that at the lake bathroom but hubby chose some sort of stone tile. Go for it...it sounds like you would be at the paint and wallpaper project forever!

    XO,
    Jane

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  11. lisaroyMarch 27, 2013 at 12:08 AM

    Argh. Just one of the reasons why I hate wallpaper! Personally I wouldn't paint over it unless it was just not coming off. I would totally go for the planked walls! I love that look and would actually love to have a lake house where all the walls are planked! :)

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  12. AnonymousMarch 27, 2013 at 3:57 AM

    My sister did her living room with pine planks and it looked awesome! I love the idea of planks in the bathroom.. although I don't think it will be easier or less time consuming than removing the wallpaper.. Good luck! - Susan

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  13. Karen at Home Sweet HollywoodMarch 27, 2013 at 1:40 PM

    I say plank away! And if you have any doubts, check out Lauren Leonard's blog The Cottage Mix...she is the planking queen and it looks fantastic! Good tutorial too. (no, I am not her agent...haha!)

    Good luck with your decision Carolyn.

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  14. Kerry@homecrushblog.comMarch 27, 2013 at 2:45 PM

    Love the concept of planking those walls Carolyn -- stop the scraping before your elbow is ruined forever :)

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  15. Jamie K.March 27, 2013 at 3:17 PM

    I used to wallpaper for money....I used half White vinegar and half hot water to spray on , wait about 15 min and you might be surprised how easily it peals...unfortunately in a bathroom I'm sure it may be glued really well. You'll need to score it before you spray .... Painting over wallpaper that has no tears is one thing..but one that has already been "Kinda" taken down..I'm afraid all of your seams would show. I love planked walls ...can't wait to see what you decide!

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  16. Leena Milligan LanteigneMarch 27, 2013 at 3:38 PM

    Never used it but would like to. Would not paint over wallpaper and would go after the guy who did to ewither fix it or give me back my money. I have no idea why a groundhog is trusted to predict the weather, however he seems about as accurate as most weather people on tv. I hope you can find a solution to your bathroom problems. The weather? I think we're at the mercy of Mother Nature and she seems to be in a snit this year for some reason! Hugs, Leena

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  17. DeenaSalMarch 27, 2013 at 5:20 PM

    We used knotty cedar planking in the living of our first home. It was gorgeous and smelled heavenly. My husband installed each piece diagonally. It looked incredible. I was so happy. Then someone suggested we seal it in case anyone ever spilled a drink on the wall (???). My husband thought it was a good idea so he sealed it. It was still beautiful, but the heavenly scent was forever gone. Follow your heart and please yourself. No one knows your true style except you!

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  18. DeenaSalMarch 27, 2013 at 5:20 PM

    We used knotty cedar planking in the living of our first home. It was gorgeous and smelled heavenly. My husband installed each piece diagonally. It looked incredible. I was so happy. Then someone suggested we seal it in case anyone ever spilled a drink on the wall (???). My husband thought it was a good idea so he sealed it. It was still beautiful, but the heavenly scent was forever gone. Follow your heart and please yourself. No one knows your true style except you!

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  19. CharulieMarch 27, 2013 at 5:34 PM

    I can't believe your painter did that without at least asking you if he could.

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  20. High School OnlineMarch 7, 2015 at 1:37 AM

    nice work done

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  21. High School Diploma OnlineApril 7, 2015 at 4:22 AM

    Wow wonderful post i have got here Thanks a lot,

    ReplyDelete

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