SHIPLAP FIREPLACE DIY

Our first Farmhouse DIY for 2018 is 100% finished! And, I know that you were probably all shocked to find that I used my favorite type of wood…shiplap!  I just love shiplap (well, my version of shiplap which is actually a thin SurePly birch board) and the fact that it is inexpensive and easy to install is an added bonus.

“Shiplap” is the building material that everyone is talking about and pinning to their Pinterest boards in hopes of one day finally attempting…but folks you can totally do this! I mean it – YOU can make this project happen in just a few short hours spending very little $$! I am going to share some tips I learned to help you complete your very own DIY project. You’ll also find that Pinterest is full of tutorials and YouTube has video footage that will also show you step-by-step install.  Check them out and get started!

MATERIALS:  Birch SurePly (cut into 6 inch wide strips), tubes of liquid nail, paintable wood filler, level, cut saw, measuring tape, pencil, paint, nickles (for spacing) and a finish nailer.

STEP ONE:  Visit your local Lowe’s Home Improvement store. Lowe’s sells a 4 foot by 8 foot sheet of SurePly birch board that is primed on one side and under $20 a sheet.  This stuff is thin so its flexible and easy to work with.  Ask the lumber guys to cut you 6 inch wide strips that are 8 foot long.  Tip: cut with the primer side facing down.  This will ensure even and smooth cuts.  Pick up your other supplies and head home to begin painting.

STEP TWO:  Paint the face of your boards and the sides too.  I used a Sherwin Williams paint color called “Snowbound”.  I love the crisp white color of shiplap but I am also a fan of grays too!  Whichever you choose, apply a few coats and let dry.

STEP THREE:  Always begin applying the shiplap from the top and work your way down.  Use a level to line up your first piece.  Apply liquid nail to the back of the board and stick on wall. Hold in place for a few seconds and shoot a few finish nails, preferably in studs.  Follow the same steps to apply the next piece.  Use a few nickles as spacers in between the boards.  This is the perfect amount of space to give clear definition.  Keep repeating until you have applied all of the boards.

STEP FOUR:  Apply a paintable wood filler (that can be sanded) to the nail holes.  Allow to dry then add a final coat to your shiplap.  Make sure you sand off an excess wood filler.

STEP FIVE:  Stand back and admire your work! You just completed your first shiplap wall!  How does it feel?  Ready for another project??!!

Below is our fireplace in the kitchen that we added shiplap to last week.  Before the shiplap, the wall was so plain and so BIG! The wall is over 9 ft wide and just needed some texture (Fixer Upper style!!!).  The shiplap was an easy fix and really highlights the old wood beam we turned into a mantel. I found this cute sign on clearance at Hobby Lobby and the buckets and grass at Rose & Remington Home in Lebanon, Ohio.  I seriously love that place!!!