Home Renovation: Wallpaper & Popcorn Ceiling Removal

Wallpaper mess

For the past two weekends, we have been removing wallpaper and popcorn ceiling. These are frustrating, time consuming, soul sucking tasks. Wallpaper is the worse of the two, in my opinion.

If it were not for our WONDERFUL friends and family (you guys know who you are), we would not of gotten as far as we have. We also wouldn’t have a hair left on our heads. This process is very exciting, but it is very tedious and frustrating as well. Luckily, we have amazing people working with us, all of whom have the most amazing sense of humor.

sweet julie

If you have pulled down wallpaper, you know how incredibly awful it can be. Everyone has a suggestion on how to remove it. We tried every suggestion. The only trick that SEMI-worked was mixing fabric softener in hot water and painting it over the wallpaper. We drenched those walls and still had to chip away millimeter by millimeter.

picking up wallpaper

If you are about to try this endeavor, my suggestion to you would be to burn the room to the ground. Just kidding, but it is really tedious and frustrating. Use lots of water, fabric softener, patience and good scrapers. All of these things are at Lowes, except the patience. You will have to ask the good Lord for that one.

painted popcorn ceiling

The popcorn ceiling was not near as bad. Really, in comparison to the wallpaper it was a sunny walk in the park. We used a Roundup 1-Gallon Plastic Tank Sprayer to wet the ceiling and then scraped it right off. If you try to do it, make sure you get it pretty wet and go over the whole ceiling at least twice before prepping for paint or texture.

a true pal

Kobalt Texturizer

Parker and I tag teamed the kitchen and dining room last Sunday and got it completely texturized. We used a Kobalt 3-ft Gravity Hopper Gun to texturize the walls, and when I say we I mean him, because there is no way these noodle arms were going to hold up that mac daddy. It was fantastic, I can’t imagine texturizing without it. I followed Parker with a Kobalt 14″ Blue Steel Taping Knife and smoothed the texture. If you try this yourself, make sure it is not to wet or to dry. I learned the hard way, thank God for my husband’s patience.

mixing wall texture

master taper

Before we texturized, my niece and I taped off the crown molding, windows and cabinets. If you ever have to do this to paint or texturize you MUST use a Tape & Paper Dispenser. It will change your life.

Tape and Paper Dispenser

It has been very hard and exhausting, but also exciting and a lot of fun. We still have a long way to go but I feel good about our progress. You will be seeing MANY more posts from me and our home renovating journey.

An Artistic Adventure with Mom

A while back my mother won a gift card to Pinot’s Palette from the radio. She asked me if I would go redeem the gift certificate with her.

Pinot’s Palette is a one time painting class equipped with a cash bar for beverages of your choice and free snacks. <–My favorite part of the deal.

You are given a canvas and the paints you will need to complete the painting.

Prior to the class, you pick the painting you would like to recreate yourself. They have a calendar of options to choose from.

We picked this painting.

Yes, I painted this.. I know, your thinking how did she do it? It is so amazing.

Ok enough of that, it really is not to bad, but the instructor’s painting looked much better.



We had such a great time. We really enjoyed spending time together and doing something different for a change. At the end of the class we proudly loaded up our paintings and patted ourselves on the back.

Mine is now hanging in my office. It is a reminder of my fun night out with my mom.

I would recommend the class to others, it was such a good time and the instructors were fun and encouraged everyone to be silly.

Check out their website and see if there is one near you!

Colorful Painting

Before I decide to paint, I like to look at other paintings to get my creative thoughts rolling. Of course, you should always do original work, but sometimes looking at another painting will get thoughts going so that the thought process can begin.

Of course, the best inspiration is right outside our front door. Just taking a walk will really inspire me. Never underestimate your surroundings.

I came across this painting while surfing Etsy, shocking right? I am obsessed with Esty and so is my pocketbook.

Visit QiQiGallery and view all of their pieces.

I love this painting because it uses so much color! It makes me want to dip my hands in paint and go crazy.