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Wallpaper: An Old Friend or New Nightmare?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with domoREALTY

Have you ever ripped down wallpaper before? 

The house I grew up in had every flat surface wallpapered. From the ceilings to the floors this place was covered in wallpaper... and it wasn't the pretty floral kind, oh no, it was a medley of farm animals, especially cows. I think the original owners woke up one afternoon (after a heavy night of partying) and said "lets cover our house in tacky cow wallpaper! We'll be the envy of all our neighbors!" Obviously the drugs they were on the night before were still heavily in their systems. Needless to say, after the party was over they sold the house to my mom who saw it's "potential." I never really had a choice when it came to reMOOOving the cows. It was just something that had to be done. Their little beady black eyes followed me around the house. I was never alone, they were haunting my dreams. 

Long story short I hate wallpaper (and cows). So it's kind of ironic that 15 years later, while designing the next Mid-Century Modern flip I stumbled across some nifty designer wallpaper (no cows here) just fun colors, textures and designs. Call me crazy but I think I'm going to go for it. I've decided to stick with the guest bathroom, that way they can use the steam from the shower to peel it off the walls 20 years from now, while they talk about how much crack I must have been smoking when I decided to put it up.

What's your favorite design? Grey bubbles? Green twigs? or Blue leaves? 

If you are as crazy as me and are thinking of adding wallpaper to a room in your house check out this cool website:ONESTOPMODERN.COM

Mandy Buchholz
Benchmark Realty, LLC - Murfreesboro, TN

I remember removing wall paper I believe there were at least 5 different layers. Yes, when they wanted a change they just wall papered over and over. I bet you can't get a 10 year old to spend hours removing wall paper just to have a nicer home.

Jan 13, 2010 11:41 AM
Vanessa Reilly
domoREALTY - Atlanta, GA
domoREALTY, Homes for Sale - Atlanta

Mandy: Layers were the worst.... I always find it funny when people just paint over it and expect no one to notice. 

Jan 13, 2010 11:45 AM
Jean Hanley
Coldwell Banker Kivett Teeters - Hemet, CA
Specializing in Folks Who Want To Buy/Sell Homes

Don't do it!!!!  Actually, I like wallpaper.  I just don't like having to remove it.  As for cows....Yikes!  Good luck. 

Jan 13, 2010 11:50 AM
Dean Carver
United Brokers Group/Carver Home Team - Ahwatukee, AZ

Wallpaper is always a nightmare for resale. Sometimes it's easier to put up new drywall!

Jan 13, 2010 11:54 AM
Vanessa Reilly
domoREALTY - Atlanta, GA
domoREALTY, Homes for Sale - Atlanta

Yes I know but it's coming back in style BIG TIME!!! especially in small places, like bathrooms...

Jan 13, 2010 12:02 PM
Richard Weisser
Richard Weisser Realty - Newnan, GA
Richard Weisser Retired Real Estate Professional

I like the blue the best ... good for a small room!

Jan 13, 2010 12:13 PM
Vanessa Reilly
domoREALTY - Atlanta, GA
domoREALTY, Homes for Sale - Atlanta

exactly. Yes i think it's between blue and green... 

Jan 13, 2010 12:21 PM
Katherine Barnett
Re/Max Realty Specialists Inc.,brokerage - Milton, ON
Milton, Oakville, Burlington & area Real Estate

Grey bubbles.....looks like I'm a minority :)

 

Katherine

Jan 13, 2010 01:19 PM
Steve Loynd
Alpine Lakes Real Estate Inc., - Lincoln, NH
800-926-5653, White Mountains NH

Vanessa, the Green wallpaper is the choice for me, I like the natural colors and would hope they can remain fashionable longer than any past farm animal theme you may consider resurrecting.

Jan 14, 2010 06:20 AM
Vanessa Reilly
domoREALTY - Atlanta, GA
domoREALTY, Homes for Sale - Atlanta

Katherine: Thanks. I love the Grey Bubles too!

Steve: No farm animals on the walls in this house, although I did see a cool patter for Giraffes...

Jan 14, 2010 08:57 AM
Anonymous
Jordan

Hey V!  Jeff and I are all about some wallpaper, too!  We are installing this handprinted paper  (http://www.bradbury.com/isl_140_marooned.html ) in our tiki basement very soon.  Wallpaper packs great graphic appeal, and I love it in small-ish spaces like bathrooms.  I want to know more about this covert project!

Jan 15, 2010 07:43 AM
#11
Vanessa Reilly
domoREALTY - Atlanta, GA
domoREALTY, Homes for Sale - Atlanta

Jordan! You must come over 3535 summitridge Dr. It will be super bad-ass when it's done. Total renovation.... from new hardwoods to kithchen, baths...roof... the list goes on. Everything needed to get replaced. 

 

 

Jan 15, 2010 08:19 AM
Vanessa Reilly
domoREALTY - Atlanta, GA
domoREALTY, Homes for Sale - Atlanta

Jordan! You must come over 3535 summitridge Dr. It will be super bad-ass when it's done. Total renovation.... from new hardwoods to kithchen, baths...roof... the list goes on. Everything needed to get replaced. 

 

 

Jan 15, 2010 08:20 AM
Vanessa Reilly
domoREALTY - Atlanta, GA
domoREALTY, Homes for Sale - Atlanta

Jordan! You must come over 3535 summitridge Dr. It will be super bad-ass when it's done. Total renovation.... from new hardwoods to kithchen, baths...roof... the list goes on. Everything needed to get replaced. 

 

 

Jan 15, 2010 08:31 AM
Vanessa Reilly
domoREALTY - Atlanta, GA
domoREALTY, Homes for Sale - Atlanta

Jordan! You must come over 3535 summitridge Dr. It will be super bad-ass when it's done. Total renovation.... from new hardwoods to kithchen, baths...roof... the list goes on. Everything needed to get replaced. 

 

 

Jan 15, 2010 08:31 AM
Vanessa Reilly
domoREALTY - Atlanta, GA
domoREALTY, Homes for Sale - Atlanta

Jordan! You must come over 3535 summitridge Dr. It will be super bad-ass when it's done. Total renovation.... from new hardwoods to kithchen, baths...roof... the list goes on. Everything needed to get replaced. 

 

 

Jan 15, 2010 08:31 AM