Walls and Ceilings - removing old plastic "paneling" in bathroom

I have recently bought a 1925 plain bungalow ( no wainscoting or tapered pillars and bookcases unfortunately). In the bathroom they I took out orig cabinetry and also placed these hideous plastic sheets of "paneling" all over the walls and ceilings. It is very cheap looking and I would like to take them down to the original walls. The rest of the house has lovely window and door trim "picture rail" ( if thats what its called)and coved ceilings in living and dining room
I have sent away for the pacific ready cut catalogue to get a look at what the bathroom cupboards may have looked like
Any advice on the walls

thanks so much

The ugly paneling was put up probably to hide some bad walls. I would take down the paneling with the expectation to do some heavy repairs. But you never know until you do it. Take down the paneling and report back what you find.

I am moving into a older home and want to update the bathroom with wainscotting. It has this ugly gray/white marble looking plastic covering, i guess paneling. I want to know if i can apply the wainscotting directly onto the plastic wallcovering? This wallcovering goes from floor to ceiling.
Thanks

@DONNALEE

Are the walls fiberglass/pvc or masonite tile board? if they are fiberglass/pvc I would be worried that previous home owners may have covered up some serious damage in the bathroom ,but if it's just that crappy looking faux masonite tile paneling you can apply your wainscot over it.

I would suggest against using wood wainscot in a bathroom environment though as wood and moisture don't mix well instead I would recommend using is a tongue and groove pvc waintscot. I know home depot carries a brand as I used it in my bath remodel last year it comes in 8 ft lengths I cut them in half and covered the bottom 4ft of the walls caulked did two coats of a quality primer and paint any color you wish I recommend two coats primer and paint though....

oh and brush it on don't roll it as the pvc does not take a roller well at all and the brush strokes add some charm :) .