Even though we now know the names of a lot of the rooms in the house, there is a room we simply call the “Pink Room.” You can guess why. For those of you who have been in the house, it’s the one with the tin ceiling that was apparently split into two rooms (you can see where the tin ceiling pattern doesn’t come to a finished edge and if you walk into the adjoining room, the tin ceiling continues). Even after we reviewed an architect’s plans of the house, we’re still not sure what it’s original intent was. It could fit many options but for now, it’s the “Pink Room.”

Unfortunately, the Pink room has had a leak in it for some time now. Even with the new roof, we’re still trying to track down exactly where it’s coming in. I think I posted earlier about it, and alas, it continues with the mysterious water leak. You’d think since there it’s in the single story portion of the house, all it has is a roof above it that we could find it, but nada.

Thankfully the original roofer has been contacted and is working to setup a time for his team to come help find the leak. In the meantime, that ceiling was far beyond repair and needed to go. As you can see below. The plaster had long since fallen in many areas and was chipped and dropping in others.

Paul has worked and it took almost 2 days to pull down all the plaster from the lathes. The ceiling came down easily enough but in 2 inches pieces. So piece by piece, section by section, every inch he scraped and pulled away from the lathe. The plaster was so thin that he had to be careful not to strike and damage the lathe. After 2 days though, he got it! We still have the walls to do but the ceiling was its own project.

We’ll hang drywall in its place (once the roof leak is fixed. 😉

We’re saying goodbye to pink walls and pink ceilings throughout. While Paul was doing this, I began working in the entry way pulling down the wallpaper. There were at least 3 layers of paper and it had been painted over, maybe twice. In some sections, it pulled off with ease but in others, it was a slow process but I’m getting it, a section at a time. Luckily my mom was in town visiting for a few days and with her help, we got the first wall done.

And as I was pulling off the old coat hanger board, apparently it had been there for a very long time because I found what I believe to be the first wallpaper.

Look at the pattern I was able to see underneath. I want to find this pattern again!

It matches the stairs leading to the attic. I don’t care how dirty it is, I’ll clean it, but this paper stays!

As I removed the wallpaper, the bottom layer of wallpaper backing pulled off the skim coat of the plaster in many instances. I guess we get to learn a new trade (again). LOL. it’s time to learn how to apply a skim coat. Videos online are amazing, aren’t they?

This past week, with a little practice and a little experimentation, I think we’ve got it now. I equate this (as I did with mortaring) like frosting a cake. You know how you do the crumb layer and then apply a second smooth coat, moistening as you go to keep it smooth? That’s it. That’s all you do. Once I got my brain around the process, it came easier. Oh I still have a lot to learn but I’m getting it. And it’s so nice after all of the hanging pieces, peeling paint and damaged walls to see something NEW go up.

I’m now working my way around the entry way to the left. As you can see, it’s a work in progress but I’ll keep removing the wallpaper, applying more skim coat and will post pics soon. Paul is working on tracking more of the electrical wiring so we can remove the old wires no longer connected to anything. Progress!

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