Textured embossed wallpaper

Hi there, I have a living room that has textured raised embossed detailing on it that the previous owners painted over. I do not like the color and I want to be able to change it up. I've been told by a professional painter who came to give me a quote that peeling it off would be a nightmare and that I'm better off leaving it alone. It looks like it's been sponge painted over and I'm wondering if I could sponge paint over this or should I try to prime it with an oil based primer and then latex paint over it? I've even thought of rewallpapering over it I just want some options because it really makes the room sallow and I am wanting to find a solution. Thank you!

 

Welcome to the forums!

The biggest issue with painting over wallpaper is the moisture in latex paint soaking thru the paper and softening up the wallpaper paste. Oil base primer is often used to combat that although with it having already been painted the odds are you can skip the primer. I would inspect the paper well to make sure it's all tight to the wall.