Then there was the wallpaper removal, which turned out to be considerably more challenging than we had expected. First we scored the crummy painted-over-NUMEROUS-times wallpaper with a little device that shrieked like metal nails on a chalkboard. Then we scrubbed the wall down with a toxic wallpaper removal fluid -- its effectiveness debatable. Then we peeled the wallpaper off. Then we scrubbed the wall again with the remover. Then we scraped off the wallpaper adhesive. Then Kristen hit the considerable mold growths with a bleach tincture. Twice.
The previous owner had painstakingly wrapped the INSIDE of the vent cover in wallpaper. With the outside of the cover encrusted in multiple poor paint jobs and the inside smothered in this homely blind-grandmother-from-the-1950s schlock, it went in the garbage. I can't wait to see what awaits us when we remove our home's other vents.
Teamwork! Wherein "Michael painting" ∉ "Teamwork". Math joke.
This room's transformation from mildewed disaster to cozy living space has gone a long way towards making our condo feel like a home. Thank you, Kristen!