Walllpaper Love & Wallpaper Hate

Oh, wallpaper.  How I doth love and hate thee.  I'll admit it....  I heart wallpaper.  I think it is one of the best ways to bring individuality to a space and can also help define an area.  I think it is beautiful and have many (yes, many) plans for it in our new house. 

However, with that being said.....  I hate wallpaper.  I hate taking old, not beautiful wallpaper down.  I have tried every way suggested and nothing seems to work easily.  It is always a disaster.  Wallpaper that looks like this for instance:



Because who doesn't want to stare at moths when they are in the john?

Our first wallpaper removal attempt was in the old dining room (the new purpose of which is yet to be revealed).  We tried the old standby of scoring, spraying with DIF and removing.  Not only did the scorer penetrate the drywall but the wallpaper peeled off the backing as well. 

Next we tried steaming.  I think this technique did work a little better but we still had peeling issues.  So far I have heard hot water, vinegar, fabric softener, powder dishwashing detergent and magic spells as possible solutions.  Let me tell you....  I have tried them all and so far no luck!

The man at Sherwin Williams did say that wallpaper before 1995 had a different kind of backing on it which makes it more difficult to remove.  Great.  Anyone have a tried and true method of removal? 

On a cheerier note, I mentioned that I have many plans for wallpaper in the house now.  (Next owner be damned).  This one is by Amy Butler a fabric designer who has produced a new line of wallpaper through Graham and Brown which you can find here.
I'm going to use it in the master closet. Love!