Is This A Project You Would Tackle?While writing this week's Ideabook for Houzz on wainscoting and paneled walls, I was reminded of all the great DIY board and batten projects I have seen over the last several months on blogs. This project does seem to be all the rage, though I have to say, this is one DIY job I would probably take a pass on and call in the carpenter.
However, not this great group of ladies, look at what they have done!
Centsational Girl just posted about her new board and batten project this past week, which not only adds functionality along an underutilized wall, but also provides a place to feature family photographs. Smart thinking!
The Nester's board and batten project added to the welcoming feel of her home office.
Melissa from 320*Sycamore installed board and batten to her children's playroom for around $60, you can't beat that!
Karla, of It's the Little Things That Make a House a Home, got very ambitious and added classic charm by installing board and batten to her family room and kitchen with the help of her talented husband.
And finally Chris, from Just A Girl, beautifully transformed her dining room by lining the walls with yet another board and batten project.
Is this a DIY project you would tackle? If so, check out these wonderful blogger's posts for tips and tutorials. And if you are looking for more inspiration on where to add this detail, read my latest Ideabook on Houzz to see a collection of rooms featuring spaces wrapped in millwork. Be careful though, you just may get bitten by the board and batten trend!
37 comments:
I have actually just tackled it. On my ceiling in the master bedroom. I posted on it 2 posts ago if you want to see it.
http://razmatazblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/master-bedroom-and-bathroom.html
And it was quite tricky. I hired a carpenter.
Board and batten is on my list this of DIY projects this year!
It's beautiful!
OMgosh Janell, You must have heard the conversation I had with my husband just yesterday about this very subject. Needless to say he is less enthused about it as I am, but he is the one that does all the work, I just dream up the design. I like my job much better, It works for me!!! I will have to show him your post at Houzz, your timing could not be more perfect,Kathysue
I have been going back and forht on this idea all week. I particualarly like the last photo you posted. Nice and clean and modern. *sigh* I might have to add this to my ever-growing project list. I do love the architectural detail it adds to cookie cutter homes.
Ooooh. I love the idea of it on a ceiling! Yep. I would do it....and am thinking about it as I contemplate re-doing our small barn into a cottage.
I did the board and batten to my living room and LOVE it, it adds so much to the space and it suits our older house!
My father offered to do moulding in my office and dining room, and a higher board and batten is something I'm seriously considering. Our walls, however, are textured; I think to get the look I'd want, I'd have to sand down the texture.
I love the difference board and batten makes to a room. I have been thinking about adding it to our house myself but would like your two cents: Would board and batten in different heights in different rooms work?
I've already been bitten! It's on my list of things to do in my basement family room this year!
Heather, yes, that would be the issue in my house as well, I wouldn't be able to just paint the drywall, or would have to sand down the texture. I've seen this application done over textured walls and it isn't the best approach to my eye.
Mum, are the rooms visible to one another? If not I don't see a problem with this, varying the height. I would however make certain the design is the same so there is an element of consistency between the two applications.
Janell
Janell,
This comment replies to yesterday and today's post: I'm a mom of 2 (that's me, up there, looking thoughtful :)) and wife to a very handy man, who actually would install board and batten for me - if he wasn't so busy building his "dream shop".
We live in Wisconsin (brr but beautiful), and grew up a "dairy farm girl"- (I don't drink milk, but love cheese:)) -who loves to dream about making my home as beautiful as yours and other bloggers.
I "tune in" to your site because YOU actually DO the work - I admire and respect that! (Your articles on Houzz are some of my favorites: thoughtful, precise, straightforward- realistically beautiful!) Thanks for your interest and keep doing what you're doing! We love it!
I LOVE custom trim treatments. We have trim in almost every room in our house and no two are the same. I think as long as they are the same color, you can get away with it. You can see pictures in our house tour here:
http://ourhumbleabowed.wordpress.com/the-grand-tour/
I LOVE custom trim treatments. We have trim in almost every room in our house and no two are the same. I think as long as they are the same color, you can get away with it. You can see pictures in our house tour here:
http://ourhumbleabowed.wordpress.com/the-grand-tour/
I guess you didn't see mine ...it really is an easy DIY project, my one tip would be remove the baseboard first and put in flat stock to get a professional look when tackling this project.
http://chriskauffman.blogspot.com/2009/09/it-is-complete.html
:)
I take that back I see you included mine how nice ...
My husband and I are all about the millwork. I can't get enough of it. It's amazing what millwork can do to transform a space. I think it elevates any space. We have the texture as well so it would be more involved. Excited to check out your idea book.
how funny I just posted on how this is a project I want to tackle in my dining. I love it!
This is a project I am going to attempt in the next month. It's going to be part of the mud room update. I think it will be a perfect first project to use my new nail gun I got for Christmas. Although you scare me when you say you would hire a contractor. Hopefully I won't regret trying it. I'll be sure to post about it when I do. Thanks for sharing all of the tutorials. I'll be studying them before I start.
Janell!
What do you mean "leave this one to the carpenter..."? The projects you have diy'd so far, are way more tedious than putting up board and batten! Yes, it takes time, planning and perserverence - but, oh my, you seem to exhibit those things with every project you undertake! Save the money and buy more for your kiddos - I don't see, based on your pics, if represented honestly, you could go wrong with undertaking some basic millwork on your own!! Go girl!
Nikki
Actually we are doing it this weekend! Well...my father-in-law is. He's handy and that was his Christmas gift to us. Otherwise I was going to try it myself. But now I have a pro doing it. I just had to pay for the supplies. Can't wait!!!
HI Janell! What a great roundup, aren't these gals an inspiration? Re: Heather's concern, I used 1/5 inch thick flat panels down below (they come in 4' x 8' at Lowes for $12 each) to hide the textured wall and they work perfectly! Plus you can hide the skinny seams between with a batten.
Loving your new header, it's so YOU!
xo
Kate
I really do love this look and admire it wherever I see it. But would I make the time to try it, when there is so much more in our house that is still just plain awful? Probably not :)
I had seen a couple of those pics before, and thought how much I would love to do the same thing in my back entry hall...hooks for coats, backpacks, etc...love the idea!!!
Would I try it myself? Ummm..no! :)
Hi Janell,
I was going to mention the board that Kate of Centsational Girl put up on her textured wall to get a smooth finish, but I see she's already done so... I do have one question for you that I've been meaning to ask some bloggers, and so the timing of this post is perfect. What is your take on picture frame molding vs. board and batten? I love both and can't decide which to use. I feel like picture frame (like what Kate did in her living room) might be more formal, while board and batten might be more casual/cottage. Would the two be odd to see in the same home? For example if I used picture frame in the foyer, and board and batten in the family room? Interestingly, the 6th photo on your Houzz ideabook has the battens placed farther apart so that the overall effect looks like picture frame molding which is visible in the 12th photo. Sorry for the long post. I look forward to hearing your thoughts. Thanks so much!
- Michiganhome
I must agree it is beautiful! If I try it I will keep you updated with my outcome!
It's so pretty and I love it!!
I'll save the thought for renovating my grandmother's house in the country one day.
Wow, this is perfect. We are designing our first mudroom so this is great for our inspiration. They all did a wonderful job in transforming their spaces.
michiganhome: You are right, picture frame molding does have a more formal look than board and batten. Are the two rooms you are considering adding this detail to visible to one another? I personally would probably stick with one style and use it both places, however, it do think it just comes down to personal preference. If you do mix two styles in the home I would make sure every other aspect of the two treatments were the same so they still relate well to one another, creating a sense of consistency.
Hope this helps you make your decision! Janell
And Nikki, just say your comment, you crack me up. I guess I could...maybe I'll try, someday!
Janell
Yes. I do love this treatment and would like to try it. Will I? Hmmm... it's on the list of many, so I guess only time will tell!
And I agree that you could totally do it. You've already proven that there's not much you won't take on, and everything you do turns out perfect so... :-)
I love board and batten, and I am having it installed in our master bathroom, which is currently being remodeled. I have been getting all the details from our contractor on how exactly he plans to do it. I intend to watch him closely, so that I can duplicate it somewhere else in my house.
As for your textured walls... my contractor said that he would be using very thin, smooth plywood on top of the wall... not just painting the wall.
Love reading your blog!
yes!!! i plan on having this in my next house. i would put it in this one, but i figure not for the renters to enjoy!!! lol
I've not considered it until I began seeing it everywhere, and now, I guess I have to think about it! I don't really have too many stopping points in my house, and it may be a bit more traditional than I want to go, but I love the way it brings lightness and interest to the wall. I think you have to consider what line you are creating around the room....gotta work with what's already there. Can't wait to see what you do....and you CAN do it too!
I agree with you as I would probably call in a carpenter also. First because I don't have a handy husband and second because I would just be too nervous to try it myself. I do however love all the pictures.
www.mysouthernlife.blogspot.com
I would need my husband home from deployment or a couple of willing girlfriends to tackle this project which I want to do down my hallway.
It's actually on my running list. Either in our bedroom or our back room (living and dining). But I wouldn't be the one tackling it - handy hubby would be actually doing it. I would just assist and paint. Lots of paint. Lol.
Shannon
www.akadesign.ca
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