Entry Wainscoting
I wanted to brighten up this house and get rid of all of that awful orange wood. I created this wainscoting by routering a bunch of MDF and nailing it onto the wall. It was actually a lot of work but well worth it!
I don’t have enough before pictures but you can let your imagination fill in the blanks. The whole house was the same kind of ugly, entry and stairs included!
BEFORE
*Tearing out the carpet involved 2 pairs of big pliers and a lot of elbow grease. Just grab the carpet and pull with all your might. Probably a good job to wait for a big, strong man to take on. If you’re impatient like me and want it done RIGHT NOW! Just get ready for a GOOD workout and be mindful of your back.
Sandra,
I know that this post is old, but I have read soooo many blogs in reference to putting wainscotting. Your work is very impressive and your experience speaks for itself. I have plans on tackling builtins and will contact you in the near future. But in reference to this project. I keep hearing 3/4 and/or 36 inches from the floor. Is it personal prefence? What is the the correct height? What height are you using?
I used 3/4″ wood but lots of people do 1/2″ or 5/8″. It’s a matter of what material you find that will work with your budget and for the look you are going for. As far as height goes, it’s a design choice. Do what makes your eyes happy.
Hi Sandra,
I have been following you for a while and absolutely love all your projects…wish I had the space for a workshop. In any event, I am getting ready to finally tackle my small entry hallway by placing batten and board, all by myself! So wish me luck!
I do have a question about the baseboard…I noticed yours is about 2 1/2 inches to maybe 3 inch baseboards and then you placed the bottom horizontal board that is a 5 inch width resting upon your baseboard, which I really like, because I won’t have to deal with removing my baseboards. My particular baseboards are 5 inches wide and I had planned on using a 3 1/2 width boards for the horizontal. Since you have probably seen all sorts of batten and board jobs, do you think it would look odd that I have a 3 1/2 width board resting on top of my 5 inch baseboards?
Also, my walls are not smooth, kind of cottage cheese texture, so the bulk of my work will be sanding down the portion of the walls where I place batten and boards…that will not be a fun job. 🙁 Okay, Thanks in advance!
My baseboards are on top of my wainscot. It would not work to put the wainscot on top of the baseboard because the base is less than 1/2″ thick and my wainscot boards are 3/4″ thick. You have to remove your baseboards and do it right. More work but it will pay off!
Thanks for the clarification on that…I will definitely remove the baseboards…I don’t own or know how to use a router, so my project will end up having less detail…but the pictures of your work are my inspiration. I just purchased all my boards and will be tackling this project over the weekend…
Paint colors are on my FAQ’s page. 🙂
So, if I followed correctly, you routed the mdf to get the mullion look without applying in a traditional flat panel manner?? If so, you are my hero and I wish I would have seen this before I did my flat panel wainscoting. All the nail holes and joints that I had to fill and refill and sand and refill and sand…..
I don’t have a router yet. You are filling my tool box faster than I can get my projects done. 🙂
Your house is fabulous and inspiring big plans in my head for when I don’t have 3 boys and a dog knocking stuff into my doors and moldings.
That is correct. Routed the MDF, it fit together like puzzle pieces, I didn’t add a panel. Just painted the wall. 🙂
Sandra,
The new look is fantastic. I really like how your project turned out. It’s definitely more modern. Thanks for sharing.
Um…..A-freakin-mazing! That is absolutely beautiful! Funny thing…I have been seeing that pic of your entry ALL OVER Pinterest for weeks…then today I stumbled onto your blog by seraching Google images for beadboard. Now, the two worlds meet. Can’t wait to scour your blog! You are a very, very talented lady! =)
Hi Mandy! That’s funny about Pinterest. I haven’t seen it once! LOL I guess it would make it easier to find the source if I actually stamped my name on my pics…but I’m too lazy! 🙂 I just bought a new house and am getting ready to start a whole new list of projects. Welcome!