old 1970's wallpaper/cardboard ???

[Micki]

Does anyone know what I have in my kitchen? Just bought the house and there is an old wall coverning in the kitchen. It isn't wall paper, because it is about 1/2" thick. I think it is some type of cardboard. It isn't paneling either. It looks like wallpaper in that it is a repeated pattern. It is nailed to the wall (plywood underneath?) I can see the tiny nails. It has a textured surface. I'm hoping I can use a textured paint over it, like sand paint, because it looks like it is on the walls permanently. I don't think I can tear this off without tearing up the whole wall down to the studs. I might just put up some wainscotting or ceramic tiles over it. It's pretty ugly, but was probably in style in 1973. Any ideas?

[Todd]

It might be a type of linoleum. I had something like it in my kitchen at my last house. I ripped it down and put sheetrock over the damaged plaster walls.

Todd