Monday, March 3, 2014

Fireplace Makeover- DIY Planked Wall

From My Front Porch To Yours Planked Fireplace
Before I get going on the makeover, I have already been asked why we are continuing to complete projects on our home when we are thinking of moving. Well here is the update on our moving- unless our dream home appears or we are transfered with Mr. Front Porch's work we will be staying put and continuing to make our current home our dream home. We had a lot of fun though looking around and finding where one day we hope to move to.

Now on to the makeover!:)
From My Front Porch To Yours Planked Fireplace
Last week I shared the makeover of this mirror. If you missed it you can click here to see it. When I placed the mirror back above the fireplace I felt that something was missing. After touring model homes last month with the fireplaces built up I knew I wanted to do something similar so I began looking for inspiration pics that would fit in with the style of our fireplace.
From My Front Porch To Yours Planked Fireplace Inspiration Pic Southern Living
I came upon this pic over at  Southern Living! As soon as I saw it I knew that planking the wall above the fireplace was the way to go. 
From My Front Porch To Yours Planked Fireplace Birch Plywood
After a little convincing and telling Mr. Front Porch I would pay for the entire project off to Home Depot we went. I purchased two sheets of Birch Plywood 1/4 inch thick. I purchased two sheets because we had to have them cut down to fit in the back of my Flex and we wanted to be sure we would have enough. If we had a truck we probably could have gotten away with just one piece.
From My Front Porch To Yours Planked Fireplace 5 inch x  5 ft strips
We came home and cut the plywood into 5 foot long by 5 inch wide strips. 
From My Front Porch To Yours Planked Fireplace Before
I made sure to measure how far up I had my screws in the wall for wreaths and mirrors so I could be sure to place them back once we were thru.
From My Front Porch To Yours Planked Fireplace
Now planking the fireplace meant that we were committing to adding crown molding all around the living room so I purchased some crown as well as the plywood. The crown was the first thing to go up. Tip for planking the wall is to always start with the planks first and NOT the outside trim pieces. Mr. Front Porch and I drove ourselves mad trying to figure out why our wall looked crooked even though we used a leveler to put up our trim pieces first. We ended up taking it all down and planked first. Lesson learned!
From My Front Porch To Yours Planked Fireplace
Once we figured out planking first was the way to go the rest of the project was very simple. To space each plank we used pennies and then just attached each one with our nail gun. I used some builders adhesive on a few of the boards in the middle knowing that I would be hanging things from them. I then filled in the holes and sanded them down. After sanding them down I got out the vacuum cleaner and vacuumed out in between each plank.
From My Front Porch To Yours Planked Fireplace
Next up I started painting and this part drove me mad a bit because I was having a hard time keeping the paint from going into the slats. I ended up painting each individual plank with a small brush to pretty much prevent this from happening. I used a paper clip to get this mess all out.
From My Front Porch To Yours Planked Fireplace
Here is what we ended up with! Now of course the crown molding portion of the entire living room is not completed yet but if I waited for that to be completed before I shared the planked wall who knows how long it would be!;)
From My Front Porch To Yours Planked Fireplace
I have to say the planked wall makes a wonderful backdrop for pics.
From My Front Porch To Yours Planked Fireplace After- Classic Khaki Olympic One
Mr. Front Porch was opting for me to paint all of the planks white but I felt that it would stand out far too much. I decided to stay in keeping with my inspiration pic and painted the inside planks the same color as our walls- Classic Khaki by Olympic One. Using the same paint as the walls saved me from having to prime the boards since the paint already has primer in it. It took me three coats to cover it all since I was painting with a small brush.
From My Front Porch To Yours Planked Fireplace Before & After Collage
From My Front Porch To Yours Planked Fireplace Before & After Collage
This project cost me approx $76 with some plywood left over for another project I have up my sleeve!;) A lot of wow I think for just $76. If you would like to see the evolution of our fireplace you can click here. It certainly has come a long way in the last 5 years.

Linking up to the following link parties:
Metamorphosis Monday
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Inspire Me Tuesday
Tuesday Treasures
Wow Us Wednesdays
Be Inspired
Feathered Nest Friday

50 comments:

  1. It's beautiful! We put tongue and groove above the fireplace in our sunroom, too, except we installed it vertically. Blessings, Tammy

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  2. Wow!!! Looks fantastic Pamela! Job well done. Your fireplace looks even more beautiful now.

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  3. Love it! Such a great idea to just do it over the Mantel.
    leelee @ paperbagstyling.blogspot.com

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  4. That looks greAt! Added alot of character.: )

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  5. I could not wait to see your fireplace as I have been wanting to add some character above our mantel as well. I just knew your fireplace would look AMAZING, you did such a great job and totally inspired me to get going on mine. I love all of the decor and beautiful mirror too. You are so talented Pamela!

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  6. Dear Pamela,
    it's so absolutely bretty and light now! Wow, wonderful, very good job!
    All the best from Austria
    Elisabeth

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  7. I really love the effect... and what a bargain!

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  8. Oh Pam!!! It's so awesome...come do mine! Love your color choices and mirror makeover too!

    ~Lins

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  9. Stunning, wow what a difference that makes Pamela!

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  10. Looks stunning Pamela and what an awesome price you spent to get this look...HATS OFF TO YOU!!! Thanks for sharing at my party and now I am off to share it on facebook.

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  11. I LOVE this Pamela!!! It looks so, so gorgeous and makes me want to run out and get the supplies to do this for my fireplace! Well done girl!
    Vanessa

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  12. Pamela, that looks so good just like your inspiration pic.

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  13. Pamela that looks awesome...I LOVE the look it gave your fireplace wall and that mirror looks perfect hanging from it!

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  14. Pamela it looks fabulous!!! What a difference that has made.

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  15. Oh I love it, it looks amazing. Such a great idea and I so agree with your paint choices, the white trim is perfect. Hugs, marty

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  16. Pamela, The new look is fabulous....love the planks.
    Hugs,
    Sherry

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  17. Pamela,
    It is so gorgeous. I love the planked wall. Just beautiful.
    Kris

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  18. What a beautiful focal point...if your fireplace wasn't already :)
    I love how you have staged and styled it too...very picture worthy!

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  19. Wow, that really made a huge difference! Funny how small ideas can make a huge impact, I love it! And thank you for the wide shot of the new mirror over the fireplace.........you kinda left me hanging last time! I wanted to see the whole thing:) Looks lovely!

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  20. Oh wow...that looks I N C R E D I B L E!! I love the color and trim, amazing! Such a lovely soft palette and that mirror is such a gorgeous focal point. :)

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  21. That looks wonderful! It adds so much detail to the fireplace and makes your pretty things show up so much more. We've thought of doing the same to our fireplace because our house has very little wood detail. The doorbell and alarm box are both up above though.

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  22. I LOVE it, Pamela! It turned out great and I like that you painted it the same color as the wall. It give some dimension to this area and really adds to the fireplace being the focal point.

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  23. This is fabulous Pamela! I like how you did the paint colors. Your wall looked great before but now it's over the top!~~Angela

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  24. I love it! What a simple way to add so much charm!
    love and blessings~
    Lynda @ Gates of Crystal

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  25. Oh Pamela, It's beautiful! I've been looking for inspiration for my fireplace and I'm pinning so that when the time comes, I can remember. Love your mirror too! xo

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  26. Love the look, I see you like clocks, me too! :)

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  27. Pamela I love what you have done...simply LOVE it!!! The planking and molding seems to make you fireplace wall just scream..."Look at me and how beautiful I am!' Great inspiration great execution and fabulous result!!
    XO Barbara

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  28. I thought the mirror made the mantle! That plank wall is amazing!!! Love it Pamela!

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  29. Wow! It really pulled everything together and the fact that it was only a $75 project is just unreal!!!

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  30. Wow ~ for under $100 and probably a few hours ~ that is a terrific transformation. I love it!! Great inspiration!

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  31. Pamela your fireplace looks amazing! I LOVE it! Love the look as well as the paint treatment. Great job! I Pinned it! :)

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  32. Pamela, this is so stunning! I admire your inspiration and hard work.

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  33. Well, this is really inspiring. Love the idea.

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  34. I love it, Pamela! It makes a huge, huge difference. Love the gray too.

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  35. This is stunning, Pamela!! Love the planked wall you installed…great job!!

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  36. Great job, Pamela! It really cozies up your room. I love it!!

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  37. This is beautiful, Pamela! Wanna come help me do my bathroom? I've been putting it off forever! :)
    Kelly

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  38. Well, I would say that the planked wall makes a great backdrop for photos, too! I'm pinning my favorite one! :)

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  39. It looks so pretty, Pamela. So much character added for not too much $. Love it!

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  40. Beautiful! I love it and the mirror looks perfect! I may have to copy this :)
    Debbie

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  41. Stunning! The transformations is amazing. Love your new fireplace!

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  42. This looks so amazing! It really takes your fireplace to the next level. I did something similar with my mantel and am so glad I did.
    I also love your use of the scrabble letters - I've always been meaning to do something like that but always forget! :)

    Brandi @ Nest of Bliss

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  43. Wow, what a beautiful transformation, Pamela! I really like the color, too!

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  44. I love this! Great work!!! Where did you find that mirror?!

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