One of my favorite architectural details is chunky wood paneling — often called shiplap or tongue-and-groove paneling. It brings a comforting, handmade feel to a room and always makes me smile.
When we remodeled our kitchen, I was eager to reintroduce those warm wood details that I missed from our older homes. Adding chunky trim and paneling slowly has helped this house feel more like home. I still plan to add more when the budget allows, but I love the changes we’ve made so far.
I dream of painted wood walls and ceilings throughout the house, but for now I’m happy with the paneling running through the small hallway and the front entry.
Our tongue-and-groove planks looked like the photo above before installation. You can buy them from a lumber yard or have your contractor order them. They are long pine boards with grooves that interlock so the planks fit tightly together. The boards we used had beadboard notches on the face, and we chose to install them reversed so the faces between the grooves were flat — a personal preference that gave a cleaner look.
The paneling can be installed horizontally or vertically, and can be painted or left natural. I love the solidity and craftsmanship of these chunky boards; they add instant character and warmth.
Below are a few of my favorite shiplap rooms that inspired our project. If you love shiplap, too, these images are great examples of how versatile and timeless the look can be.
Markalunas Architecture Group
Joanna Gaines – Magnolia Home
William B. Litchfield Architecture – Photo by Erica George Dines
The White House – Daylesford – Garden Room
Better Homes & Gardens inspiration
Atlanta Homes – Photo by Erica George Dines
Muskoka Living interiors
Related Posts:
Love This Style {White and Wood Cottage}
Inspiration: Adding Character with Wood Plank Walls
6 Ways to Warm Up Your Home with Wood
DIY Plank Wall Paneling — a before-and-after project
For more details about our remodeling process and how we installed our plank walls, see the project update on our blog covering the step-by-step transformation during the remodel.