DIY Framed Shiplap Tutorial

I've been toying around with some ideas of what to do with our wall around our fireplace...and well, our fireplace. The tile around it is horrible; I just threw up some scrap wood pieces to hide it a few years ago. It's definitely not a permanent fix. The problem is what to do with the mantel and the whole wall above and around it. If I had a single story living room, I would have figured this out years ago. But, with our 20 foot ceiling, it makes things daunting for some reason.

Before we moved in.

So, that was the back story. I've thought a bit about wrapping this thing with stacked stone or planks/shiplap. I decided that shiplap would be the cheapest and easiest. But, I didn't want to commit until I got a good idea of what it may look like. So, I made some framed shiplap to sit above my mantel for awhile to get a good idea how I would like it :) It's great, because I get the shiplap look without the commitment. 

This project is also just a great way to add some character and texture. To make this, I decided to mimic the shiplap/planks in our dining room and use cedar planks. I cut the planks to be 10" shorter than my mantel, and a little below the same height as the shelves flanking the fireplace. I ended up using 9 cedar planks. 

For the first step, I cut them all to the same size and stacked them up.

 I then painted the planks with one really thick coat of white paint.

 After they were dried, I flipped them over, and placed them on top of two 1x3 pieces of wood. Doing this helped with adding the framing in the next few steps.

 I then measured the two sides and cut a 1x2 that length.

 At this point, you would want to paint the 1x2 or stain it. I decided to keep it natural since it matched my mantel. I may end up painting it white just to see what it looks like :)

Next, I secured the 1x2 to the side use 1" nails and a nail gun.

 I then secured the other side.

 I then measured the the bottom and top, and cut 1x2s to fit.

 Once again securing them with the nail gun.

 And here's the finished piece. To hang this, I just placed a screw right through one of the planks into the wall.

 Even if I decide to not plank my surround on the fireplace, I still love this look for now. It gives me the shiplap in here that I want, and completely brightens up the space.

 I also love how the color of the trim ties into the mantel and the wood on the side.

 Now, if I ever get around to doing it, I'll be adding some board and batten the height of the mantel over on the wall by the mirrors. What do you think? Do you think it will be too busy? I'm just not sure yet!

 Here's the whole living room. I like how it tied everything together. Plus, from far away like this, it gives me a good idea of what this fireplace wall would look like all white...let it be stack stone or shiplap.

What do you think I should do with the fireplace and the wall around it? I'm up for ideas! I'm been stuck on this for years :)

I DIYed That Link Party #21

 It's time to show us how you "I DIYed That" again- not just for bloggers, but for non-bloggers too! You can share your blog post here, showing off a DIY creation you made, or if you are a non-blogger, you can link up your DIY on Instagram using the hashtag #iDIYedthat. Every week, each blogger will pick our favorites and share them on our blogs, on Pinterest, as well as throughout our social media channels! We want to show you off!

First Let's meet the Hostesses:

 Alicia: Thrify and Chic, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest 
Jen: Noting Grace, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest 
Laura: Junque Cottage, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest 
Leigh: Little by Little Farmhouse, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest 
Lindsey: Repurpose and Upcycle, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest

Let's start by sharing what we've been up to this week:

Jen shared how she created her Farmhouse Kitchen for just over $5000.
 

L
indsey shares six steps to making a new house a home, right away.

Leigh made over her front entry {again} into a farmhouse style that reflects her homes character better.

Laura shares how she used milk paint to makeover a vintage clock. 

Alicia shares before and after photos from her 8 year blog anniversary.
 

And here are the features for this week;

The first feature is from the Instagram account @ourfamilyfarmhouse. Bryanna shared how they "DIYed" their kitchen from the countertops to the cute light fixtures. It looks perfect now!

A post shared by Bryanna (@ourfamilyfarmhouse) on Jul 13, 2017 at 5:07am PDT

The second feature is from the blog A Fresh Squeezed Life and she shares how to use reclaimed wood and greenery to makeover her farmhouse kitchen! It looks amazing. Go check her out.

 Now for the fun stuff - I DIYed That - Week 21! So, how do you link up? It's super easy! Share UP TO THREE (3) of your original posts from your blog with something you DIYed (no shops or giveaways please) Follow your hosts of your favorite form of social media. It's not necessary to visit other blogs, but if you see something that inspires you, go to the original source and let them know! Let's share the love! Also, be sure to check out our features on our Pinterest Board! And visit the other bloggers to see who they have featured this week! By linking up, you are confirming that these are your photos and that you are giving the hosts permission to share your images and links on their blogs and social media.

My 8 Year Blog Anniversary -With Tons of Before and Afters

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I can't believe that I'm about to write this next sentence. I have been blogging for 8 years today! Holy moly, batman! When I started this blog, I never ever thought that I would still be doing it this many years later, nor what it would become. Or better yet, what my house would become. Blogging has changed a lot since then. Everything from picture quality to how you market your blog. If you look back in my older posts, you'll definitely notice the difference in picture quality. You'll even notice the difference in the pictures below. I have learned so much since then. When I started, I didn't own a single tool, now I have more than my husband...way more than my husband. Not only has my house changed a lot since when I started, but I feel that I have as a person. 

I started this blog because I was always doing crafty things, and I loved to show them off to family and friends. But then I moved to the middle of nowhere in farm country and lost the opportunity to invite friends and family over on a whim...and actually have them show up :) So, this became my creative outlet. 

When we bought our house 8 years ago, it was brand spankin' new. Which I hated. I wanted an older vintage home with tons of character. I wanted projects to do, things to rip up, walls to paint. I didn't get that in this house, but I fell in love with it the minute we stepped through the doors. I love the 20 foot ceilings in our entry way and living room. Love the layout of our great room. I even adore the french doors in our front room...even if it does make us have 2 front doors 10 feet apart :) I love all the light that shines through the house, and have come to love the natural knotty alder wood that adorns most rooms. Well, I can deal without it in the kitchen just because it makes it look like a peach exploded in there :) You'll see what I mean and why I say that. And best of all, I love the arches that 'separate' our kitchen, dining room, and living room. 

Even though it didn't have the charm I was initially looking for, I was able to add some older character here and there and am always imaging new fun things to do to add more. 

As with every year, I like to take a stroll down memory lane and show my before and afters of the house. All of these before pictures appeared on my blog in the first few years for some reason or another, so it's a true depiction of how easy it is to change as space on a budget :) It's also good to look back to see how much can change in even a year. The biggest changes this past year was the master bedroom and my new flooring. Enjoy!

Entry way before:

Entry way after: 

Board and Batten: Tutorial

Entry before, again:

And after: 

Front room entry before:

And after:

Barn door: tutorial

Front room before:

Front room after:

Console Table: Target     Sofa Bed: Ikea      Bench: Target     Rug: Rugs USA

Before:

After:

Faux fireplace DIY: Tutorial      Wire Hamper: Amazon    Bench: Target   Plank/Shiplap wall; Tutorial

Living room before:

Living room after:

Before:

After:

(Rug: Amazon      Clock: Gordmans     Card Catalog: Hobby Lobby)

Fireplace and (lack of) built ins before:

Afters:

Built ins: Tutorial      Sliding Barn Door Console/Media Cabinet: Tutorial

Before:

After:

Dining room before:

Dining room after:

Jute rug: Amazon    Farmhouse Chairs: Amazon     Striped Turkish Towel/Blanket: Amazon   Sun Burst Mirror tutorial here    Shiplap wall: Tutorial

Master bedroom before:

Master bedroom after:

White Ruffle Bedding: Crane and Canopy      Striped Pillows (plus quilt) HERE    Square board and batten: Tutorial     Night Stands: Tutorial

Master bathroom before:

Master bathroom after:

Farmhouse Wood Shelves: Tutorial

Guest bathroom before:

Guest bathroom after:

$60 bathroom makeover

Powder bath before:

Powder bath after:

Painted wall: Tutorial

Guest room before ( a few years into blogging. This actually used to be a craft storage room full of crap :) )

Now nursery:

Full Nursery Tour: Here

Guest bedroom before:

Guest bedroom, now little girls room after:

Full Tour: Here

And I never like to share my kitchen, but it is what it is. A peach bomb. The cabinets match the floors which used to match the walls. I did paint the walls white, so that helped. Now, until I can get through the husband red tape to paint these cabinets, this is how it still looks :/
Before:

Still:

I have plans for this island though, just need to find time to do it! Plus, I'll be adding some backsplash, so hopefully that will make a little different in here :)

Hope you enjoyed the tour! If you want to view more pictures of each room, just click on my "Home Tour" link in the menu :)

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”