Decorating With Shiplap
Had any of us even heard of decorating with shiplap before Fixer Upper and Joanna Gaines came on HGTV? Shiplap has been around for hundreds of years. After homes were built of logs, home interiors were often finished off with shiplap. If you haven’t gotten on the shiplap bandwagon, I will explain (briefly) what it is. Shiplap is boards that have a small rabbet that lets them overlap one another ever so slightly, so that when installed a fine line or gap appears between the boards. I know that Joanna has made shiplap seem like it is a farmhouse style “thing”, but I have always thought of shiplap as the kind of walls used in seasonal buildings, like uninsulated summer cottages. I think this is why I have chosen to use it in my home to add a coastal feel.
Is there anyone who isn’t swooning over this shiplapped foyer? This is traditional shiplap in the traditional horizontal installation with crisp white paint.
Shiplap doesn’t have to be used in a cottage or farmhouse interior, it can also be used in a contemporary decor. Above you can see a vertical installation of shiplap in a contemporary home.
Vertical installations do not have to shout “contemporary” as this blue shiplap staircase showcases. You could get a similar look with beadboard, but I think the shiplap is a more substantial look.
Although shiplap is often painted white, it can be stained, left natural or painted any color. This farmhouse kitchen features a medium stain on horizontal shiplap walls above the subway tile backsplash. If you look to the right of the picture, you can see that stained shiplap has been applied to the lower section of wall. Stained and natural shiplap lend a rustic look to a room.
Did you think you could only use shiplap on walls? Guess again! A lovely shade of blue paint was applied to these walls and the ceiling, both covered in shiplap.
This is the first shiplap project on our home. You can see the entire transformation at: What I Did With the Big Brown Elephant. We used a “faux” shiplap method to install this, which quite a lot of folks are doing these days. This method certainly made the project less expensive, but my husband keeps telling me he is going to “re-do” this differently. I think we have a lot more projects to get done before we begin “re-doing” things we have already completed. I am sure there are a few more shiplap walls in my future.
I will be sharing this at the following link parties: Flaunt It Friday | Make It Pretty Monday |
Hello Chloe, It has been very hard for me to decorate Shiplap in my personal home. My mother use to do better than me but I’m not like my mom. As she had done awesome job. Your decoration for Shiplap is quite interesting and amazing.
Thanks Alina!
When we finally knuckle down and tackle some re-do projects I would love to use shiplap. Love what you have done!
Thanks Sandra. The wall behind my bed in my master bedroom is on my “to do” list.
Love the shiplap! It’s perfect for a coastal feel!
Thanks Jenna, I can’t wait to add a little more to the house!
I think it’s perfect for your coastal home. I remember what your fireplace looked like before. Your husband did a great job. I would love to add it to a bathroom one day!
Thanks Dawn, I am looking forward to a couple of walls being finished in a similar way!
Love the shiplap! it’s perfect for your coastal home. Your husband did a great job.
Thanks Merryjo! I am looking forward to adding a little more to my home!