Thursday, March 08, 2007

Work in Progress....


We hadn't planned on redecorating our kitchen again for a long time, but when the paint started to peel from the walls, we felt we had no choice. I'm all for the 'Shabby Chic' look, but this was definitely shabby WITHOUT the chic, unfortunately!
All of the peeling paint had to be scraped off and then the walls needed to be skimmed - very messy business! Reluctantly I have decided to wallpaper the walls, as I don't want to go through all of this again.. Having spent several years removing layers of woodchip paper from most of the walls in our home, here I am putting paper back up!!

This is how my poor kitchen is looking at the moment....We've moved lots of the kitchen contents into other rooms in the house, so cooking a meal involves lots of searching for equipment!

I have painted the ceiling now and have bought the decorators in to put up the paper for us. I have never done that in my life before, preferring to do DIY myself, but time does not allow and I want to get back to sewing as quickly as possible. They should have the job done in a day, whereas it would take me a week!
I have chosen this VERY subtle paper from Laura Ashley.

Thought we could team it with some red accessories for a warmer, more cheerful look.
A busy weekend awaits, when I shall try to reinstate some normality back to our home!

28 comments:

  1. i love your choice of wallpaper. i'm sure your kitchen will look lovely when it is finished.

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  2. That paper looks gorgeous!! Can't wait to see the finished look.
    I agree bring in the professionals!

    Gone are the so called TV DIY interior designers. I once put coffee on the walls to give it a wonderful tone on the strict instruction of Linda Barker, no, no, NOOOO:(((

    Thankfully that was a long time ago, I stick to linen white now.

    best wishes Ginny

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  3. I love your wallpaper, Niki! And I can feel for you... my house has been a work in process since we purchased it 8 years ago! Hubby is a firm believer in DIY, and I do what I can, too... so only the urgent things get done first. Next up is turning a family room into a bedroom for son #2. Hope you can return to sewing quickly!

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  4. Can't wait to see the finished room. I bet it will look beautiful.

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  5. Love the paper! Good for you, go with the pros...our kitchen remodel took 7 months...and that was without the cooktop, so we ate junk food practically every night...it was horrible, and I gained about 30 pounds! Let the pros do it and get it done! Good luck!

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  6. Lovely lovely paper.....best of luck with this excercise.....

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  7. Anonymous8:35 pm

    stunning wallpaper! I'm sure it will looking amazing, can't wait to see the finished product!

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  8. It'll be fabulous, I have no doubt. Can't wait to see the results! Send them over to me when they've finished yours!! Sue xx

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  9. The dolls in one of your post are so amazing! I love dolls!

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  10. how exciting! i would love to redo my kitchen, i'm so bored with it - lol! and it's looking quite dated, not good "vintage" dated, just dated... i can't wait to see pic's of your redo =) have fun! debbie

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  11. Shabby with out the chic...that would be my house, lol! I'm loving what you're doing with your kitchen; that wall paper is just yummy!

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  12. Beautiful paper! I look forward to seeing the end result!

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  13. Oh so you'll change your kitchen look from blue white to red white? That'll be interesting to see! I love the Laura Ashley wallpaper you've chosen! Ah the mess will just be for a short time and after that you'll be rewarded with a new kichten look :D Happy redecorating Niki! Hugs xox

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  14. wallpaper in the kitchen? I wish you the best of luck, I would have gone for a skim.
    The wallpaper is lovely; let's hope it stays put!

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  15. Hi Niki, can't wait to see the finished room - with your added touches it will look just wonderful I know! Clare x

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  16. Anonymous10:54 pm

    What a wonderfull choice , for the wallpaper , trust your great shabby-chic talent to come up with something stunning !

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  17. Gotta love the subtle white on white that Laura dreams up.....the mass of frames makes my heart leap.

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  18. Love the YUMMY wall paper...
    That Laura Ashley really has it going on...
    Keep us posted, it's so fun to watch the progress.
    Amy (Mom to the Four Sisters)

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  19. Hi Gigibird,
    Our kitchen is a good size at 20sq mt and the ceiling height is 3mt, so the condensation doesn't really build up in there - I am sure the paper will stay put!
    Anyway, it will be easier to stick a piece of loose paper back than peeling paint!

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  20. Anonymous8:39 pm

    It looks like it will be beautiful when it's done! I really like the wallpaper and think that red accessories will be perfect with it, and you can change out the accessories any time with other colors since the wallpaper is subtle. Can't wait to see the finished product.
    Allie from Minneapolis
    www.mycozyhome.typepad.com

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  21. It's a great wallpaper! Good luck putting it up and getting your kitchen back in order.

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  22. I need to do this very thing as my kitchen walls look bad with worn wallpaper...I'll be anxious to see yours! Love the wallpaper choice!

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  23. Anonymous1:28 pm

    oh, that paper is gorgeous! I can't wait to see the finished room!

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  24. Wish I could pop over and help.

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  25. Wish I could pop over and help.

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  26. Everything will be PUT right soon I just know it. Drink a little more coffee and keep at it.
    NANCY JO

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  27. Your choice of paper is excellent, and with red..WOW. Can't wait for the 'After' photos..!

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  28. Gosh this brings back memories of us remodeling our kitchen. I love the wallpaper you have chosen.

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Thank you for finding the time to visit me...
Niki xx