I’ve got wainscoting on the mind.
Does this ever happen to you? You decide you want to do something and you just cannot think of anything else?
No?
Okay… it’s just me then.
Anyhow…. I’ve wanted to add some sort of decorative woodwork to the dining room and living room for a while. I think adding some white woodwork on the bottom half of the walls will brighten up the space – especially now that we have a black dining room set. It’s really not quite as dark as it looks in the photos, but there is a lot of dark going on here. I actually really like the wall color, but I think it needs some brightening.
The rooms in question –
The contenders –
1. Simple square panels that mimic our original, wide baseboards.
(via Inspiration for Decoration)
(Perhaps with a ledge-shelf instead of a flush-mount chair rail)
2. Beadboard, which may help the rooms seem a little more casual.
(via The Lettered Cottage)
(via Just Beachy)
3. Or finally – just a simple white chair rail with a lighter, contrasting color above or below.
Do you see why I’m torn? They are all gorgeous…
SO – What do you think? What would be best for the NewlyWoodwards?
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Elaine says
You are the coolest person I’ve ever met.
Joi says
I love the square ones!
Centsational Girl says
I vote chair rail, contrasting color in the dining room, and big bold drama in the living room, so I vote #1 there. Oooooooh, I love me some DIY wainscoting.
xoxo
Kate
Jennifer says
I like board and batten, #1. Think it fits the style of your house nicely.
Mrs. McB says
I like all three, but I have always been a fan of chair railing. I also love the beadboard if you want a casual room.
MyRunningJourney says
I like #1 for the dining room, as I think it’s the most formal looking. For the living room, you could get away with #3 to save mega money!
I love the beadboard too. We just put some up on a wall in our foyer (bench in front, so it looks like the back of a bench, and the top has a mirror and some pegs for keys, jackets, etc). I think it was about $18/panel.
Jordan says
Option 1 or 2 are def the best. I’d never seen anything like 1 before. I think 3 is so overdone and boring. No need to go through all the work to get something that’s not super awesome!
Kelly says
I have always loved the “Lettered Cottage” wainscoting. So here is a vote for #2. The texture of the bead board along with the adorable ledge just brightens my day. It is sure to do the same for your dining room 🙂
alexandjess says
I like option 1 or 2. Option 3 seems to builder basic for an older home with character like yours.
I like option 1 the best when it includes the chair rail or ledge at the top. It gives it a little something extra.
Similarly, I like the 2nd, 3rd and 4th photos of option 2, because they include the flat horizontal board at the top of the beadboard but below the chair rail. It seems to give it a very finished look.
Looks like it time for a trip to the hardware store for you to get going! 😉
Mrs. 5C says
I love option #1, but that might be because that’s what I did in my dining room (with a chair rail instead of a ledge). It’s SO EASY and SO MUCH cheaper than beadboard. 🙂
Robin says
I’m crazy about beadboard with a small ledge – Chose that!
Anna says
Option #1!
Britt says
Hey – thanks for showcasing my dining room! 🙂 That totally caught me off guard! I personally like the square panels, but maybe I’m biased. I’m thinking they may be cheaper to do than beadboard, since you can use 1×4’s. I’d love to see what you end up doing!
ashley morgan says
Love it! I am currently designing all the rooms of our new house in my mind, and we’re definitely going for wainscoting in the dining room with a ledge. I think all of those options are beautiful, though!
Allison and Jared says
ohhh I like the penny saved one
Meredith says
I LOVE both of them. I’d go with whichever is cheaper 🙂
I tried to convince the husband to do this in the nursery, and he looked at me like I had three heads. Not even two, but THREE.
Lindsey says
LOVE them all, but option 1 may be my fave!
Jenny @ Words on Wendhurst says
I like option 1. 2 seems so beachy, and overdone right now. 3 is ok, but says “old fashioned” not “beautiful old woodwork” But that’s just me. Oh, and I am totally stuck with my dining room too. 🙁
Jen M says
I totally get that too – usually after I get a brainwave at some unearthly hour in the morning, then I can’t get back to sleep.
I love option 1. Can’t wait to see what you do!
Emily says
Option 1 – with a more traditional board and batten feel. I want to do this in my house – but think it might wait until we need a room for a baby’s room. Here’s a link – http://itsthelittlethingsthatmakeahouseahome.blogspot.com/2009/02/how-to-board-and-batten.html