there was really nothing wrong with my bonus/family room. however, for the past 5 years i've had the idea of grid panelling, and wanting to do it somewhere. i just had never got around to doing it, or more appropriately.....had never got around to convincing my husband to do it with me!
but, last week, he had a couple of days off....i threw the idea out there, and he actually said, 'yeah, ok'........say what?! it was an easy sell! so a day and a half later, it was done and i/we couldn't be happier!!
here's a pic of my family room before the panelling:
and now......
i'm seriously sooooo happy with it!
our house is about 11 years old, so certainly not old enough to have any architectural interest. we thought this was a great way to add a little visual somethin' - somethin'!
so how did we do it you ask?
well, let me tell you....
ripped off the baseboards, didn't bother to paint the wall first....
bought 2 pieces of mdf and had The Home Depot cut it into 6 inch strips
we did the math before we left to buy the mdf. figured out the size of the squares we wanted. we made our squares 24 inches by 27 1/2 inches. the wall didn't allow for 'perfect' squares, but i think it's close enough to fool the eye
filled the seams and nail holes with drywall mud. used dap to caulk the inside of each square so no big gaps were showing....
because we had dark grey before, the white didn't cover well......so 3 thick coats later, we felt it finally looked 'covered'
ta-daa....
i think it's clean, bright and classic....
this project was inexpensive! 2 sheets of mdf, costing about $60, a can of paint, and a little wood filler/dap. we do have a saw and air nailer that made the job much easier!
fyi, i just use behr's semi gloss, interior, ultra pure white, right off the shelf.
we also framed out the top and sides with quarter round, b/c our walls aren't perfectly straight....and there were wierd gaps.....so an easy fix.
all in all, it was easy.....but i won't lie, it's not the fastest project....it's a little time consuming!
however, well worth it, i think!
Looks fantastic! Lots more interest and it looks so much richer.
ReplyDeleteLooks fantastic! I love paneling, it adds so much to a space and I find it easier to keep clean with the 2 little boys I have running around our home!
ReplyDeleteHey Natalie!
ReplyDeleteI just discovered your blog (through Nate of course!) and Im in LOVE with your home. Im also in Canada (Ontario) and it was so neat to see a fellow Canadian featured on Nate! Your home is honestly my dream and what I am striving to achieve in my home! My husband and I recently acquired a home and are renovating and updating it top to bottom. Im obsessed with turquoise and the idea of a beach/cottage theme-I would incorporate turquoise in every room, if my husband would let me-lol!
Ive been blogging about what we do as well, and slowly we are achieving our dream home :)
Thank you for being a HUGE inspiration to me. You have done an incredible job with your home, and Im excited to follow your blog and what you do next!! :) Melissa :)
I have been looking for some great designs for panelling for a big ole' nothing of a wall that I have. This looks awesome!
ReplyDeleteI am a big fan of this grid paneling and it looks like it wouldn't be to hard to do. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLOVE IT!!!!! It looks amazing! Good idea using MDF instead of wood trim. Much more economical. Thanks for sharing your how to.
ReplyDeleteOh Natalie- I'm totally "borrowing" this idea now for clients projects. You always keep the imagination rolling- LOVE the final outcome. Just gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteOMG I love it!!!!!! It looks amazing on your wall! What a difference it makes!! I so enjoy looking at your ideas!!! you rock girl!
ReplyDeleteOh WOW! This completley transformed your room! LOVE LOVE LOVE it! It made those cute blue lamps and your kiddos pictures POP! Great Job and thanks for sharing :) I have plan's for this in a clients home.... I'll refer her to your tutorial!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE it! And I recently vowed to stop lamenting how not-handy my husband is and learn how to do this stuff myself.
ReplyDeleteNow to find time to do it...
Natalie,
ReplyDeleteI think your grid paneling is wonderful and such a clever way to get the wood strips ... having the store cut MDF to size! Brilliant! The paneling adds the missing architectural interest you were after. Within this past month we actually added grid panels above our fireplace; a much smaller scale project than yours, and we are not finished with the room by any means (love your colors by the way), but the paneling has set us off on an upscale beach inspired space that I've blogged about. Looking forward to reading more of your blog; found you by way of A Bowl Full of Lemons.
Robin
happilyhomeafter.blogspot.com
I love it! You have such clean-looking beautiful style.
ReplyDeleteLooks great....and I love love love the big black and white prints!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Lol, our walls aren't straight either. So glad we're not the only ones.:)
ReplyDeletelove it. it looks really nice and fresh!
ReplyDeleteHoly Fabulous!
ReplyDeleteI'm in awe...and totally want to do this!!!
Maureen
www.releasemecreations.com
Wow, it looks great! I love it!
ReplyDeleteStunning! I love it! You did a great job!
ReplyDeleteWow- This is a beauty-love what you did-the whole room looks reborn!!
ReplyDeleteI love the transformation! I'm busy trying to convince my hubby to help me add some panels to our master bedroom's walls - you've inspired me to keep being persistent. One day those panels will be mine; oh yes, they will be mine!
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Christina
designingbynumbers.blogspot.com
Wow!!! I love this! I mean...what's not to like? You did a great job! It really makes a huge difference in the space. Makes it look more upscale. I'm following you now, can't wait to see more:) Hope you'll visit The Corson Cottage sometime. Carrie
ReplyDeleteThe panelling has given the room a lot of character! and the black and white prints are gorgeous. Thanks so much for dropping by and sharing at Beach Cottage Good Life Wednesdays.
ReplyDeleteIt's perfect! Well worth the time for sure. Love the decor as well. :)
ReplyDeleteGabby
The...Late, Young Family
Love it! Come do my master bedroom...please! :)
ReplyDeleteLove it, great job, looks stunning !!
ReplyDeleteI featured you today at my Hookin Up with HoH Party!
ReplyDeleteCongrats!! Feel free to stop on by and grab a button if you'd like.
xoxo
Allison @ House of Hepworths
This is absolutely fantastic! Great job! Visiting from HOH. New follower.
ReplyDeleteFANTASTIC!
ReplyDeleteI am featuring you tomorrow during STICKER time!
Your post is amazing and full of knowledge. I was finding this type of information from long time and I got all things from this blog everything is defined by great thought. I think you should continue do this type of blog.
ReplyDeleteYou have such a gorgeous home! I love the grid paneling on your walls! Looks so clean! Beautiful job!
ReplyDeletei love your home,been following you for a while now, and finally decided to do a turquoise accent wall, with accent lamp in turquoise, pillows,and a touch of zebra prints in the rug and throw pillows, whadya think?
ReplyDelete