Help! Decorating scheme in my guest bath is "Brothel Chic"

10 years ago

Most of the fixtures, wall colors, etc. are pretty neutral in my new home. Stuff I can personalize as I desire, in my own time.

But this room cries out for an immediate overhaul. It seems to be a gaudy "Moulin Rouge" theme with layers of wallpaper and very thickly applied plaster texturing, painted with unattractive faux finishes. It is also very impractical--no place for soap or a towel.

What suggestions do you make? I have not done many DIY projects in the past so am at a loss as to how to get rid of this awful variation in the wall. Do I just need to keep the texturing and texture over the wallpaper parts then paint it a flat color? Or do I have to somehow remove all of that? Any suggestions would be much appreciated!

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PRO

ASVInteriors

10 years ago

Wow there is a thread going on right now for crazy ideas where this might go! Definitely love the term " brothel chic"! All depends what you have behind and what costs more.In Europe this will likely be on a brick or concrete wall, in which case you could drill it out. It is only plaster. Don't know how drywall in the us would reactIf you plaster over, you need to see how much thickness you take up as it may impede door frames etc.So three factors: what is behind it? What will you lose space wise if you plaster over it? Cost of plastering over vs drilling out.Next phase is designing :-)

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Comments (15)

Sarah
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks for your response ASVInteriors! I will have to look for that thread you speak of!

Well I am honestly not sure what is behind it...could check with my husband. The house was build in 2002. But the texturing is actually protruding further than the wallpaper. It seems they wallpapered the whole thing then textured some, leaving certain areas to "peep through". So I was wondering if I could just continue the texturing to cover the wall paper then paint it all.

Does this seem feasible? If so, any idea what products would be best?

Thanks again! Sarah
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PRO
ASVInteriors
10 years ago
HI sarahThis is the thread https://www.houzz.com/discussions/random-craziness-dsvw-vd~689519 us know what you find behind the wall? After all, we are approaching halloween ;-)
kadodi
10 years ago
I can't believe someone would do this... Crazy!! I would try my best to remove. Start with the wallpaper that is visible. Try and scrape off the plaster.
apple_pie_order
10 years ago
I'd pick an area with the wallpaper to try to put a putty knife or single-bladed wallpaper scraper under the texturing. See if the plaster pops off or is stuck tight. If it does not come off, try wetting a small area the size of your hand and keeping it wet for a day to see if comes off as a glop. Get a paper towel soaking wet, slap it on the wall, and tape a plastic bag over it. Wait 12-24 hours.

You might get an estimate for professional plastering over it with a smooth finish this time.
Sasha Retana
10 years ago
You might have to pay someone to scrape or sand the plaster off. However, I kinda dig that mirror, even if the rest is crazy
User
10 years ago
Get a professional plasterer. The smoother the better to not harbour germs.
PRO
Supreme Floor Company
10 years ago
You poor thing.. did some one sctually like that..? Agree with chook chook2
penelopesdreamydesigns
10 years ago
I love the mirror! : )
Lori
10 years ago
Eeewwww lol but I would keep the fixtures, I think they are unique and kind of whimsical or magical. That being said the textured walls have to go along with the floral print. I suggest a nice clean, smooth finish on the walls. What type of style are you leaning towards?
Lori
10 years ago
You may like the fixtures/mirror once the walls get a makeover and this would be helpful of money is a concern
Lori
10 years ago
If... I can type better than I text lol
Lori
10 years ago
However I would move the mirror up a tad if there is room. It seems too close to the faucet. Okay I'm done with suggestions lol best of luck
PRO
Sustainable Dwellings
10 years ago
Brothel Chic is one step up from French Country Cowgirl On Crack.... What made you buy it? I think it breaks the chic monotony of what we see every day.
nwduck
10 years ago
I believe I saw this bathroom in a Paris bistro once. Since the house is so new, I'd remove the wallpaper (as DIY sites suggest). See what kind of base wall/texture was there originally. It may actually be something kind of normal. I'd contact a good drywall finisher to sand off the outstanding texture, and spray all the walls with new finish texture. Then you can paint.