I wanted to add some character and warmth to my guest room, so I decided to add shiplap and create an accent wall. I started out by going to a home improvement store looking for a ship lap I liked. Shiplap was originally used to waterproof ships. Shiplap is a type of wood paneling with a rabbet (groove) cut at the top and bottom of each board so that they overlap to form a tight seal. I learned that it…
When you tour a historic home, the staircase is often an elaborate focal point, providing visual drama. Many staircases today are minimal. That’s not my style. I prefer more detail. I decided it was time to embellish! I started by looking around online for a piece I liked. I measured the width of the step to make sure I got a piece that wasn’t too small or too large. I ended up finding this one at ArchitecturalDepot.com. I also got…
I have a large open entryway between my kitchen and family room. I felt there was an opportunity here to add some detail. I began a search online for a corbel. Since it’s a large opening, I felt that it needed a larger corbel. A smaller corbel wouldn’t look balanced. There are many choices from restored pieces, to pre made standard sizes, or custom made. After a long search online, and a lot of thought, I found this one on…
Recently we had our wood floors refinished. While admiring my floors, I started noticing my baseboards. After 20 years, they were looking pretty beat up. I also realized that I had the cheapest and plainest boards. There are so many options out there for upgrading your boards. I was ready for a change. I started out by looking for different designs online at home improvement store sites. Although stores offer a variety of baseboards in the store, I wanted something…
So here we are with the original honey oak fireplace mantel and bookcases. After 20 years, it was time for a change. We had scheduled a professional painter for the wood, but first, I wanted to embellish the fireplace with something extravagant. We started by removing the existing crown molding. I wanted to add crown molding with more detail. As usual, that required a trip to a home improvement store to select crown molding. I selected three different styles. Next…
I have always admired wainscoting. I think it adds character to walls, and works well with any decorating style. While watching an episode of Fixer Upper, I saw this style of wainscoting added to a home office area. I decided it would look great on the accent walls in my dining room. I have two narrow walls on either side of the china cabinet niche. I wanted something vertical that would enhance and fill in the wall. I chose two…
When we built our home in 2000, honey oak was in style. I thought it looked great. Now I’m completely over it and ready for an update. So instead of buying a new door, I added crown molding touches with pleasing results. I started by removing the door. It’s not necessary to take it off, but I think it’s easier to work with. I sanded the door by hand. Not much sanding is needed, you just want to rough up…
I could never decide what to put above my kitchen window. It is a focal point, and I wanted something unique. Then one day, while browsing around Hobby Lobby, I spotted this wooden accent piece. Something about the shape and design appealed to me. I loved the look, but the piece needed some work. First, I painted and stained it to match the window frame. I wanted it to look like it was part of the frame. Next, I extended…
I recently had my kitchen cabinets professionally repainted. Fortunately, the painter left me some of the base paint and stain. Now it was time to add the bun feet. You can buy the bun feet at home improvement stores or online. The feet I chose were priced at about $3.00 a piece. After painting and staining, I removed the screw with pliers (just to be safe when cutting). I measured the height from floor to cabinet bottom and marked the…