Hi everyone! So sorry for the long gap between posts. But, I’m here today to share what has been keeping me busy here – a DIY Wood Plank Feature Wall that was my Valentine’s Day gift from my sweet Hubs! We’ve been married 30 years and he knows me so well – no chocolate or bouquet of flowers can compare to a DIY project that we work on together!!
There are so many wonderful tutorials you can find on Pinterest for DIY wood plank walls that give you that old shiplap look. We ended up using three sheets of luan, a flooring underlayment product, from Lowes.
We had Lowes cut down the luan wood into 6 inch planks. I would recommend sanding the edges of the planks before hanging them. There are many tutorials where an adhesive is used to apply the boards, as well as, nails. Because we aren’t sure we wanted this to be a “forever” wall, we opted to just use a pneumatic nailgun to attach the thin planks. If using a liquid nails type product, you are going to have a real mess when you decide you no longer want a planked wall – and I’m known to tire of things over time.
To create the spaces, Mark lightly tacked a nail directly underneath (touching) the board above and then placed the next board up against the nail. Once that board was attached, he pulled out the nail spacer. We started at the top and worked our way down the wall, but I’ve seen others who have done the opposite – starting at the bottom and working up.
I painted the planked wall with Benjamin Moore Simply White. My fireplace mantel was also a white – but a different shade and I didn’t like the way it looked. So, I gave it a little makeover too. I mixed up some custom chalk paint with Webster’s chalk paint powder. I used Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter (which is my wall color) and added some Simply White to create a custom lighter gray shade. It’s hard to notice in the pictures, but the mantel is a soft gray.
I’m pretty happy with how this plank feature wall turned out. It’s definitely a doable weekend project. I’d love to hear your thoughts on plank walls – do you like this look? And, do you think plank walls are a trend or here to stay?
Dear Doreen, What a charming…cozy and fresh look you two have achieved !! I do think it is here to stay…. I have always loved bead board… painted white, and this look truly makes my heart happy when I look at it too! We shall be doing a wall this Spring I hope . I really enjoy your blog very much! Blessings on your day, Judy
I think that looks great. I love planked walls but my husband and I are not DIYers. I am getting ready to have most of my house painted inside. I want to use different gray tones. I think I’ll look at your Revere Pewter.
Love this! Do you also have the tutorial for the wooden frame on your mantel?
I used this Dear Lillie tutorial for the frame: http://dearlillieblog.blogspot.com/2012/12/how-to-make-your-own-chalkboard-with.html?m=1 Hope this helps!!!
I was really interested in reading about your Wood plank wall (love it) but what really caught my eye was the fireplace. If it has faux logs and uses the cans of gel that you light to produce the ‘flames’, I’m pretty sure I have that exact one in my bedroom! So excited to get a double DIY treat. Directions for your wall technique and a picture of the fireplace when painted. A big thank you!
Doreen!! I love what you did with your wall! Now I wonder what you will hang??
Linda
Oh wow!!! I love how you’ve pulled your living room together!!! I think you did it a wise way: air gun nails. Oh I’m so silly. I read you cut it to six inches and I thought my those are small pieces. Oh dear. I see you mean 6″ wide!! Whew. But this must have been a less pricey way to achieve this look. Yes I see now the subtle color of your fireplace. You are sooo creative!! I’ve stuck with my same old look!!
I’d say I don’t know if it’s a trend or not. I think it will stay longer because people that do it may not be so quick to rip it out. Paneling was in style for a long time. So I think this too won’t fade quickly. There’s so many variations too which help the “trend”. Modern look of natural stained wood or bamboo, shiplap, barn siding, etc. yours is truly a sweet ❤️ Day gift!!