TL;DR
Homeowner Alexis Moore redesigned her unchanged 1980s dining room in eight weeks as part of the One Room Challenge, painting over the original red wallpaper and layering in secondhand furniture. The project, featured by Apartment Therapy, relied on heavy prep work and thrifting rather than a full renovation.
A homeowner has turned an untouched 1980s dining room into a vintage-inspired space in just eight weeks, according to a before-and-after feature published by Apartment Therapy. Alexis Moore, who documents her projects as @alexisnicolemakes, completed the makeover as part of the One Room Challenge, painting directly over the room’s original dark red wallpaper and furnishing the space almost entirely with secondhand pieces.
Moore told Apartment Therapy that the dining room hadn’t been updated since the house was built and that the overall effect was drab. “It felt super outdated and lacked my personal style,” she said. She cited the hardwood floors, natural light, and openness as existing strengths, but said she had no affection for the red wallpaper that dominated the walls.
Removing the wallpaper proved impractical because it appeared to have been pasted directly onto the drywall, according to the report. Moore instead painted over it using Sherwin-Williams’ “Hardware,” a color she described as between tan and gray. The success of the cover-up, she said, depended on extensive preparation: filling holes, skim coating the walls, and priming. “It was scary, but with lots of prep work, you’d never even know!” she said.
Above the chair rail, Moore installed a vintage-inspired forest-pattern wallpaper, Wall Blush’s “Wedded Woodlands.” She said it was the largest space she had ever wallpapered and that a more experienced friend helped with the first few panels before she finished the job alone. The furniture was largely secondhand: the table and chairs came from Facebook Marketplace, and the buffet came from a Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Moore offset costs by selling her old dining set on Facebook Marketplace. Decor followed the same approach, including an oversized antique-style mirror bought used and a $30 lamp from HomeGoods.
Why This Makeover Resonates
The project illustrates a budget-conscious approach to renovation that skips demolition in favor of surface treatments and secondhand sourcing. For homeowners facing costly or difficult wallpaper removal — particularly in older homes where wallpaper may be bonded directly to drywall — Moore’s approach offers a documented example of painting over wallpaper successfully, provided prep work is thorough. Painting over wallcoverings is a cosmetic fix, and readers considering similar work on damaged or water-stained walls may want to consult a painting professional to assess whether the underlying surface is sound.
The feature also reflects sustained reader interest in thrifting and resale platforms as furnishing sources. Moore’s use of Facebook Marketplace and a Habitat ReStore, combined with reselling her old furniture, models a near-circular approach that reduced the project’s net cost, though Apartment Therapy did not publish a total figure for the makeover.
The One Room Challenge Backdrop
The makeover was completed as part of the One Room Challenge, an recurring design event in which participants redesign a single room within a set timeframe — eight weeks in Moore’s case. The format is a staple of design blogs and publications, and Apartment Therapy regularly features participant results in its Before & Afters vertical.
The feature was written by Megan Baker Detloff, an Apartment Therapy editor who previously worked at HGTV Magazine and This Old House Magazine. The room’s original features — hardwood floors and natural light — were preserved rather than replaced, keeping the project focused on wall finishes and furnishings rather than structural changes.
“It felt super outdated and lacked my personal style.”
— Alexis Moore, homeowner
What the Feature Doesn’t Detail
No total project cost was disclosed; Apartment Therapy listed the cost field as “N/A.” The report also does not specify how the original wallpaper has performed long-term under paint — Moore’s account covers only the immediate result. The exact age of the house beyond its 1980s construction, and whether the painted wallpaper required any repairs after installation of the new wallcovering, were not addressed. Readers considering the paint-over method on their own walls should note that results vary depending on wall condition and wallpaper type.
Where Moore’s Project Goes From Here
Moore’s finished room is now featured on Apartment Therapy and on her own channel, @alexisnicolemakes, where she documents ongoing DIY work. Her stated takeaway — pride in a self-completed, largely secondhand room — suggests continued thrift-based projects, though no specific next renovation has been announced. Readers can find the shopping sources for featured items linked in the original Apartment Therapy article.
Key Questions
Can you paint directly over wallpaper?
Moore did, after filling holes, skim coating, and priming — a process she credits for the seamless result. However, painting over wallpaper is generally considered situational; loose or damaged paper typically needs removal, and consulting a painting professional is advisable for uncertain wall conditions.
How long did the dining room makeover take?
Eight weeks, completed as part of the One Room Challenge design event, according to Apartment Therapy.
Where did the furniture in the finished room come from?
The table and chairs were bought on Facebook Marketplace, the buffet came from a Habitat for Humanity ReStore, and much of the decor was secondhand or discounted, including a $30 HomeGoods lamp.
What paint color was used over the red wallpaper?
Sherwin-Williams’ “Hardware,” a shade the homeowner described as between tan and gray.
How much did the makeover cost?
A total cost was not disclosed; Apartment Therapy listed the project cost as not available. Moore partially offset expenses by selling her old dining furniture on Facebook Marketplace.
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