Bathroom Wall Help

I need some help with bathroom walls. I was going to tile the walls half way up. I had some problems pick through all the tiles available. I also hated the prissy and annoying people at the tile store. I have to deal with that and pay their markups?

I decided to paint the walls instead. I also decided to tile just the bathtub area and avoid tiles wherever possible.

so

1. What should I do near the lavatory area backslash? I will be using a pedestal lavatory.
2. How should I go about waterproofing everything as in behind the tiles near the tub behind the painted area and near the pedestal lavatory?
3. I currently have wall paper. What kind of preps should be done before painting?

Thanks for any help!!

Actually I am sick of tile. I think I going with a neater more modern look than tile. I looked at tile all my life in the bathroom.

What type of paint should I use near the lavatory considering it will get splashed with every thing from tooth paste to soap to dirty water?

If you remove tile I am guessing I would have to remove the Sheetrock behind it and replace it.

I am removing the wallpaper.

Regardless... I am sick of tile. I think that was the last straw.

How about paneling, with a smooth melamine surfaced panel?

I did exactly that with my old loft's bathroom and for the same reason: I was fed up with the look of tile. Also it was a huge bathroom (9x18) and I didn't want it to look like an operating room. I used two coats of medium gloss oil on the wall instead.

It worked but I don't recommend this route. While I didn't experience any water damage to the wall, the regular cleaning of toothpaste, soap and (whatever) splatters on the wall caused the paint around the lav and toilet to mismatch with the painted surfaces further away. I don't know if it was because the cleaning chemicals lightened the color and dulled the paint sheen or just because the wall around the lav and toilet got cleaned more often but after a couple of years it looked pretty awful. I had to repaint every couple of years.

Steve Manes Brooklyn, NY

Enamel

You won't know until you try but I suspect so as the damage to wallboard when removing tile generally requires it.

Possible minor drywall repair and priming.

Thanks for the suggestion but I need something more durable around the tub I will probably go with tile around the tub but melamine plastic my be good near the lavatory :

Melamine Plastic

Melamine is a thermosetting plastic. It is strong, lightweight and hard, but can be scratched or broken or cracked. It resists acids and alkalies, and most food stains but can be stained. It also stands fairly warm temperatures, but absorbs heat and softens if it gets too hot so cannot be used in microwave ovens. It's used for dinnerware, mixing bowls, laminated counter tops, and other items. Melmac is a common trade name.

Avoid exposure to hot objects, and prolonged exposure to boiling water.

Stains may be removed with commercial cleaners made for melamine. Never use scouring powder or any other abrasive.

They only have one place to buy tile in your locale?

Wow- I just had a flashback to the slum I lived in in college.... looked like a trailer bathroom, only bigger, with antique fixtures.

aem sends...

White Carrera marble. Either one piece or in one foot square tiles. Glue to the wall with caulk (special type). Cheap, easy to clean, looks good.