I Hate Wallpaper

Last week, I decided to buy a new soap dispenser for the downstairs half-bath, but I couldn't decide which one to buy. Nothing felt right.

I decided the problem was more with the cheap chrome towel bars and faucet. Of course, if I was going to change all that, the ugly brass builder light should go too... Then there was that border near the ceiling that I wasn't crazy about... and it could use a coat of paint...

Today, I installed the new faucet - luckily Peter was willing to help me get the old one out first, because that was pretty tough. Next, I had to get the old border down (and disconnect the wall light over the sink, since the border ran half under it). Which brings me to the I hate wallpaper part. Or more specifically, I hate removing wallpaper.

The easiest way to get the border down was with a hand-held steamer and putty-knife. Of course, the ceiling is 9 ft. high and I'm not. And did I mention my slight ladder-phobia? In the tiny half-bath there was very little room to maneuver a ladder and no way to open it to reach the section of wall over the toilet.

So, tonight I found myself balancing on a half-open ladder, juggling a steamer and putty knife, and cursing the previous owners for putting up the border in the first place. And it all started with a new soap dispenser... Sigh.