Hi Oceanna, LOL - sometimes I get stubborn and don't ask for help! Don't ask me about the time that I thought re-sodding a lawn would be simple (you have no idea how heavy grass can be) Here are my thoughts regarding the paintable wallpaper. I don't think that it would withstand high traffic/heavy use areas where there would be the potential for dents and cuts. I have mine in a guest bathroom and am currently installing it in the adjoining bedroom. These rooms are only used occasionally. However, it is a rather inexpensive experiment - I think that I only paid $25.00 per double roll at Creative Wallcoverings. You could order a sample and play around with it. I also think that the durability would depend on the quality/type of paint that was used. I used a flat wall paint because it was what I had on hand. I would think that in an area such as a kitchen, a satin or semi-gloss would be a better choice. Regarding the installation - I glued/nailed the chair rail right over the wallpaper without any problems. I did not remove the baseboard; just papered the wall with about 2 inches extra hanging at the bottom. Then, using my razor and the wallpaper smoother, I simply cut the paper to fit. I changed the razor after 2 cuts - they get dull very quickly. Just let me know if you have any more questions. I have learned so much from everyone here and I am glad that I can contribute something. Diana

Merry, if your wallpaper is properly applied you really SHOULD NOT see any seams. I'd defy you to find any in my house--I'm pretty fussy about that, and know the tricks to getting paper and borders to match correctly. whoever said they have swirly plaster and can't use wall paper? My new house had textured plaster applied to the walls. It's GORGEOUS with wall paper over it--has so much depth and character than wall applied over flat plaster (and believe me, I've done both in 37 years of marriage! As to removing wall paper? only time I've ever had a problem with removal was in the living room of our first house--but there were TWELVE layers of wallpaper, one on top of the other, many painted over. it was literally as thick as sheet rock, and there was no way to get moisture down to the lowest leve in one shot. Otherwise, I find it's not that difficult to remove--and I will not ever paint or paper over old paper. As a matter of fact, my bathroom? When I decide to change the wallpaper, which I do every year or two, it's only a morning's work to remove the old, clean the walls and put up the new. I really think many have been scared off wallpaper--it's really easy to deal with. As to trends? Totally agree with whoever said that Stainless, granite and 'no' wallpaper will be out in 5 years. Of course, you'll still be able to buy stainless and granite, but they 'experts' will have everyone convinced that they're old-fashioned. That's how they keep selling us more and more expensive stuff. If they can get only a few people to run out and needlessly replace stuff in their homes, it's extremely profitable for them. And, of course, there's the issue that this sort of proclamation makes people doubt their own ability to make good choices--oops--more work for the professional advisors (decorators, personal shoppers, etc).

Maybe someone is listening to the complaints about smashing up and tossing stuff that can be reused. Last weekend on Meg's Great Rooms, she had them carefully remove the oak cabinets from a kitchen because they were going to be donated/sold. Finally! (Did you see the island they made? That was interesting.) I also love Mike Holmes. This is one we watch together - and cry at all the new drywall that ends up in the dumpster because of the fire and structural issues underneath. There's no way to save it, but it is a dreadful waste. Mike's been very educational on all sorts of issues, and we pay attention. Of course, we, who live in the land of 10-12" of rain annually and 2 nights of 30 degree weather a year, now know a lot about weeping tiles and ice dams, neither of which we'd ever heard of before. I comfort myself with the episode where Mike came to LA and had to cope with earthquake requirements. He was a bit out to sea there and we were all, "Well, of course!" Turnabout, you know. mulemom: - And the line that bugs me the most, heard almost every HH, international or US, no matter the size of the closet.... "Well maybe I can fit my clothes and shoes in here, but where are you going to keep yours honey? hahaha" So agree with you!! I know there are people who actually think this sort of thing is cute. Maybe the same people who reel off: "If Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!" I think that is actually a regionalism, but it grates every time I hear it, even in its more grammatically correct form. What's funny is that we are the perfect audience for these kinds of shows, and yet our enthusiasm is severely limited by their presentation. What holds us off? 1. When drama over shadows info (made up anxieties, tantrums, enthusiasms or as rosie summed it up: I imagine the screening process tends to select for good screamers.) 2. Demeaning sexist comments and attitudes 3. Jobs done so they give the appearance of being well done, but we know they skipped the necessary prep steps (mulemom: ...doesn't paint need to dry on TV?) 4. "Guests" who are brats and/or entitled gas bags, or as joaniepoanie said, And don't even get me started on the 22 year olds who thumb their noses at any house that doesnt have a jet tub/double vanities in the bathroom or granite and stainless in the kitchen! Or westsider40: ...who works 9 to five anyway? Move-in ready ? Throw up, you spoiled, lazy, no goodnick.... 5. Vapid reactions: from CEFreeman: That's auh-maaaay-zing and from kompy: Oh - My - God! (with hand over mouth gesture). 6. When you know the job shown was poorly done: from lara: ...the brief little "quick tip" things they show are SO cheap and awful! 7. The ugly (and embarrassing) American: from lori inthenw: I've seen Americans all wacked-out about how they wouldn't have as much room as they are used to and their furniture wouldn't fit and freaking out about washer/dryers being located in either kitchens or bathrooms. Because what 100 year old in-city apartment would dare not come with a laundry room?!

Why can't anyone sell samples in a flat or matte? :/ To me, it does make a difference. I didn't think about waiting till they had sales. I can wait, I'm not in a big hurry. Are you loving the general color now that it's up on four walls lasatx, that's a hard question to answer. I've been thinking about it. In general, I like the color...well, one or two of the colors it can be at any given time. I'm not opposed to the color it's self. I'm opposed to the variety of colors it can turn and with the carpet. It's too bright for the carpet and the ambiance I wanted to project. It COULD look good if I didn't have a preconceived notion of what I expected. It's not the grownup plum I want. If I'm going to stay with purple, I think it's going to have to be a more brown based purple (which was suggested to me in one of my earlier threads on this topic). I originally didn't consider going that dark but I would. The gray based plums are pretty and give that dusky warmth but I don't think the gray base works with the creamy background of the carpet or the reddish brown floral print. I do think it's the magenta that's giving me fits but I've been wrong on ALL counts so far so who knows. When I can get to the SW store (40 miles one way) I'll take the left over paint and see if they'll work with me. I'm also going to test the Soulmate and possibly the Expressive Plum colors. I'm open to suggestions tho!!! I don't see how you can make an educated choice unless you paint all 4 walls since the same paint can be multiple colors at the same time. I never noticed the med chocolate brown color I had before this being that way. I have not tried the Reveal bulbs yet. I looked for them at WM a few days ago and didn't find any. I have to drive 40 miles one way to get to any other stores :o