A few weeks ago when I wrote this post about adding character to my house, I mentioned the need for some type of backsplash in the kitchen. I had already done some research and realized a tile backsplash, done properly (grrr) is a lot of work! It would require replacing the drywall with cement board, prepping, tiling, grouting, and sealing. After all that work, I would NEVER want to change it. And that is just toooo permanent for this decorating ADD suffering gal. So I looked into putting up some beadboard in this space. Then I stumbled upon this post and it was enough to convince me for action! It used a paintable wallpaper to achieve the look I wanted! Best part: It should be easily taken down if I ever want to change it up in the future! But looking at the final product, I think it is purdy enough to stay this way for a loooong time!! Just you wait :)
First thing I did was prep the wall. I did a lot of prep to make sure my plan of it being "removable" someday would actually work out. I first wiped down the wall to remove any of that kitchen grime that my kitchen doesn't have. ha! Then I primed it using a basic wall primer. After that dried, I used an actual wallpaper primer that is suppose to help the wallpaper adhear AND come back off nice and easy!
Our countertop and cupboards do not end at the same point, so we had to figure out the best looking way to create an end point. I decided that having the beadboard extend out and up the wall a little ways would be best!
Then we started the wallpapering process. This wallpaper is exactly like other wallpapers in the fact that it was pre-pasted and needed to soak for a short time before being positioned on the wall. I measured, cut, and used a plastic bin to soak the paper. Once we got going, it actually went up very smoothly.
I will admit that the perfectionist in me came out a few times in this process. I had to keep checking to make sure I was actually keeping my beadboard straight up and down. My fear was that my father would come and note that my beadboard was crooked. He has a superpower like ability to see straight lines. I'm really not kidding...it's a Cronbaugh thing :)
After it was all up, we finished it off with some trim. I used a small molding around the countertop and some decorative at the top and sides.
Then I gave it all a nice coat of paint! I matched the paint to our upstairs molding and doors in the house. It is a semi-gloss so it should clean up nicely :)
BEAUTIFUL Don't ya think?!?
