Wood-paneled walls. They everywhere right now. Everyone and their dog seems to have tried their hand at making a planked wall, and everywhere you turn there are more ideas for how to make your own wood-paneled wall.
Sometimes I like to be stubborn and avoid trends just for the sake of avoiding them, but when it comes to wood-paneled walls I am hopping right onto that bandwagon.
I’m not ashamed to be a follower.
Especially when the results look like this.
Before this project, our fireplace has always been very, very boring. We have that amazing resin deer head that I occasionally have dreams about love so much, but the rest of it? Snooze-fest.
We knew that it would be fun to make that little inset panel stick out a bit more, but for the longest time we just weren’t sure what to do. We played around with the idea of painting it a different color, or even stenciling it, but it wasn’t until one day when we were sitting around watching television and I suddenly shouted out “WOOD PLANKS” that we knew we had landed on a good idea.
You never know when inspiration will strike.
It’s almost silly how easy this process was. Corey grabbed several 2x4s from Lowe’s (for about $25) and cut them to size for the little nook in the fireplace. Then, I used my favorite stain – Minwax’s dark walnut – to get the wood to a nice, rich color, and we used some nails to toss ’em up on the wall.
We wanted it to look a bit like a wood floor would, with differing seams, so Corey cut down the pieces at random intervals before putting them up – that way it wasn’t just perfectly sized planks all the way across, and it looked a bit more random.
The result? It’s just enough of a change to make the deer head stand out nicely, but it’s nothing so crazy that it competes with anything in the rest of the room. Perfection.
This little quick & easy project completely transformed our fireplace and I’m head over heels in love with the result. It kind of makes me want to wood-panel every room in my house…although, that may be a bit much.
Where do you stand on the planked wall trend? Are you a bandwagoner like me, or are you resisting the call of the wood paneling?
Cassondra K says
Hello,
Did you apply a finish after the stain? I just bought a new home and I want to try a few DIY wood projects to make the place a little more rustic. I love the colour you stained this wall but I wasn’t sure if I need a finish or sealant on the wood when I make projects like shelves etc. I still want the matte look and you didn’t mention a sealant. However, I have been told I need one on wood projects.
Thanks,
Cass
Amanda says
Hey, Cass –
We didn’t apply any sort of sealant. We do on most wood projects, but this is an area that doesn’t really get much direct contact or heavy use and we wanted a more rustic look so we skipped it. We always seal pieces that will see a lot of use and possibly wear & tear (like furniture, etc.) but for something on the wall it’s probably fine to skip. It’s been over 3 years since we did this and it still looks just as good as it did on day 1, so we definitely don’t miss the sealer!
Anne L. says
Haha I have to say, you read my mind when you told us to ignore the peach fireplace. Once I blocked that out I am such a fan of the wood planks backdrop. Such a super cool look. And I would totally second the idea of having white as the border to the fireplace. I’ll look forward to seeing more of your projects.
Amanda says
Where is the deer from? Looks great!
Amanda says
It’s from Z Gallerie!
Challie says
This is probably my favorite project you have ever done. Love it.
Lauren says
I actually haven’t seen anything like that (I’ve been out of the loop lately), but I’m in LOVE with it. That’s gorgeous!
Sara says
I love it! Looks fantastic!
Amy says
Love this! I definitely think it brings in another layer of depth and texture to the room, and it really does make the deer pop!
Katie says
ZOMG this has got to be one of my favorite projects yall have done so far. Such a simple project, but it really brings warmth to your living room and makes the deerhead really pop! Great job!
Jenn(ifer) says
http://www.younghouselove.com/2011/06/fireplace-happenings/
Sarah says
Wow! This has to be the most perfect plank wall I’ve seen! It looks great, and it’s amazing what a difference it makes! This is hands-down my favorite project of yours…well, it may be tied with your dining room chandelier! Good work!
Lauren says
Love it!!
Sandi says
Looks great! It really does make the deer pop. I have been wanting to do this in my linen closet with cedar.
Jenn(ifer) says
LOVE it!
Maybe you could paint the tile white (like YHL – ) to gloss you over.
Greetings from Germany
Jenn(ifer)
Amanda says
Corey and I were just talking about that the other day! I didn’t realize John and Sherry had done it, though – I’ll have to look that up!