Friday I was feeling a bit better, so I got to scraping on the next area of the house we plan to tackle: the living room. See how we scrape here. The coffered ceiling brings a few more challenges to the process (a lot more corners and edges to contend with) so it took more time but came off rather easily.
Last Monday we sold the dining room’s original chandelier and Micah talked the couple into buying the matching entry light as well. While laying in bed with the flu, I started looking around at lights. I found the perfect fixture and convinced Micah that the entry would be simple to add to our next phase of popcorn removal. Famous last words. The popcorn came off alright, but there was another layer of stubborn texture underneath. We put a call into our drywall guy and luckily because he was floating all of the ceiling, the flat texture (possibly knock down?) wouldn’t affect his work.
Along with the ceilings in the entry, we had some trim to address. All of the base and door trim will get replaced but we’ll leave the crown as is. Along with that, there was some strange trim around the stairway.
I see what they’re trying to do on that left stair rail wall, but it’s not working.
I’m not sure if they’re just trying to mimic the other doorways, or if they’re hoping to protect the outside corners from wear and tear, but all that it does is cause distraction.
So Micah ripped it all off and we’ll have Tim finish it neatly. It was fun to find some of the original 80’s wallpaper under there, although I was shocked to discover something so neutral – no hunter green or mauve here.
While Micah and I pride ourselves on doing much of the work, there are certain tasks that are best left to professionals. Drywall finish work is one of them. Tim did an incredible job on the dining room, and I’m so excited to have him back to work his magic. Hiring good professionals is never cheap, but you get what you pay for. One thing we’ve done to save what we can is prepping the spaces ourselves. You are paying these people for their time as well as their talent – if you can have the space pretty much ready to go for them when they get there, you can save quite a bit of cash.
We covered the floor in plastic sheeting and the doorways as well.
This product by 3M can be attached to a special tape dispenser for easy application, and it clings to the walls so you don’t have to tape it all down.
Taping off the wood beams took some time, but it was time I had and money we saved. If you’re working with a contractor, ask them if there is anything you can do to cut down on their time. If they’re laying a new floor, it might be removing the old one, if they’re painting, it might be filling in and sanding nail holes. Professional work can be worth the cost, and making their job easier can ensure that your money is well spent.
Claire Brody says
Such great progress being made! This house is going to be unreal when it's all finished.
Jennifer@The Chronicles of Home says
That coffered ceiling is DREAMY. I love them so much. Our living room is small but the ceilings are high and adding a coffered ceiling has been on my mind since we bought the house. Glad you're feeling better, too!
Albertina M. Cisneros says
Thanks for sharing all these tips. I think the idea of prepping the space is such a good one! and easy no matter your DIY skill level.
Julia Konya says
I agree prepping can cut down on costs greatly and I would never touch large drywall projects either. You really have to know what you are doing or it will look lumpy and awful
Kristin@bliss-athome.com says
Yes! When we had to hire a plumber for our bathroom, we did all the tear out and cut the wall out so it cost a lot less. Where ever you can take things into your own hands and save on labor it's worth it. Hooray for banishing the popcorn 🙂 xo
Tery H says
I wonder if that scrap of wallpaper was the paintable texture kind that was popular. If so, they painted it hunter green for sure!
sarah m. dorsey says
We are thinking about hiring a professional to paint our ceilings. If we do, we're definitely planning on doing the prep work ourselves!! Your coffered ceiling is gorgeous!!
Shavonda Gardner says
Omg girl a great drywall contractor is worth their weight in gold!! After atempting it myself 1 time i swore id never touch it again. It really is an art and ill happily pay the price and leave it to the professionals. We had some drywall work just done in the hallway actually…worth every penny. Also why does your house have to be so darned gorgeous!!