Ceiling Ideas
I haven’t added our dining room tour to the Our House tab in our menu bar yet because it’s still a bit of a work in progress. That being said, the room has changed a lot since we bought the pumpkin-colored place in 2007…
And boy have we had a lot of fun working on playing with it over the past few years!
We had fun creating the “wonder wall“…
…and even more fun decorating it for Christmas last year…
We even had fun using the room as a bedroom, while ours was under construction…
But at some point, we ran out of steam and never really finished the ceiling or the floor in there, so we took advantage of another burst of DIY energy a couple weeks ago, and went back to work on Project: Dining Room.
Kev started by taping himself in there one day and sanding back the original hardwood floor (that was originally covered up by laminate flooring)…
(That awful old kitchen tile is gettin’ the boot at some point too!)
Unfortunately, he sanded his palms back a bit that day too. Zoinks!
So while Kev’s pummeled palms healed up, I got down to business and sealed the floor with three coats of semi-gloss Varathane from Lowes, and after that, we turned our attention up to the ceiling.
Unlike the planks in our guest bathroom and reading room, the wood we uncovered up there was always just a liiiiiiittle too rustic for our taste.
We didn’t have the funds or energy to deal with it when we originally uncovered it, so we just slapped on some primer and leftover blue paint (Sea Salt by SW).
It did the (temporary) trick, but last month I had one of those infamous “I can’t take it anymore” moments, so Kev and I put our heads together to figure out how we could fix it… for around a hundred bucks.
Our first idea involved attaching big sheets of something called eucaboard (from Home Depot) to the ceiling. It was thin, it was inexpensive, and it seemed like a great idea. Keyword: seemed. I thought we could attach them in a big grid-like pattern, and cover up all the seams with some kind of thin, wood trim. Keyword: thought.
Let’s just say that little project didn’t go quiiiiite as easily as planned, and that there may or may not have been some uncomfortably intense moments at the Palmer household as we tried to hoist and hold up the first 4′ x 8′ sheet of eucaboard while one of us nailed it into place. And let’s just say the intensity may or may not have intensified when said nails proceeded to slide right up on through that first 4′ x 8′ sheet of eucaboard at the exact moment someone’s arms turned to wet spaghetti.
Oh yeah….that was a real good time.
Anywho, our (intense) adventure ended with a 4′ x 8′ sheet of eucaboard out by the curb, and a trip to Lowes to see what else we could cover the ceiling with.
Here’s what we decided to try (the second time around)…
It’s a V-groove, wood plank product by EverTrue, and there’s six 8-foot long planks in each pack.
Each pack costs $10.93, and we figured we’d need about 10 of them to cover our entire dining room ceiling. (Much cheaper than any other ceiling plank option that we looked at.)
The planks are super thin, and very light weight. Keyword: light.
We didn’t buy all eight packs right away, because after the whole eucaboard debacle, we weren’t sure if anything was going to work and we were skeered. We took home one pack of planks that day, and I promptly laid them out on a drop cloth and gave them two coats and primer, and two coats of leftover Moonlight White (BM) paint.
Our dining room ceiling is 9′ – 7″ wide, and the planks are only 8 feet long, so we decided to do a little staggering of the seams.
Using our nail gun, we attached one full-length board to the ceiling, and then cut a smaller one to finish off that “row”. Then on the next row, we did it the opposite way, so the “pattern” will look sort of like this when we’re done:
Turns out you can barely see the seams after all, but we just thought it would be weird to have all the shorter planks on one side of the room.
Here’s where we’re at today…
(You can still see some Liquid nails up there from the eucaboard experience…grrrr.)
We’re not quite halfway across the room, and there’s still LOTS of nail hole filling, touch up painting, crown & trim molding attaching, and wall trimming, painting or papering to do- but we’re okay with that. It’s the 4′ x 8′ sheets of eucaboard we have issues with.
PS- We’re hoping to finish the ceiling up soon so we can turn our attention back to the drywalled walls. We want to do something really different there too! (Just have to figure out what that is- LOL!)
tagged with: Dining Room, wood ceiling.
Leave a Reply
177 Responses to Ceiling Ideas
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Bernie says:
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Pine Tree Home says:
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leanne says:
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Layla says:
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Suzan says:
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Layla says:Aug 29, 2011 at 9:44 am
Yes! A nail gun is a must-have for this project!
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Dana says:
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Layla says:Aug 29, 2011 at 10:00 am
Oops! LOL! A nail gun wielding rocker boy is always a plus around here, too!
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kit @ DIYdiva says:Aug 29, 2011 at 11:54 am
It might have been an unintentional omission but I have to say I agree … no man necessary, but you definitely need the right tools!
If you don’t have a nail gun yet, I would suggest looking at the cordless versions. They use little fuel cartridges instead of an compressor and they’re super easy to use (especially if you’re doing something like a ceiling).
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Steve says:
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Layla says:Aug 29, 2011 at 9:48 am
Yes! The planks are only about 1/4″ thick, so I think they’d work great on walls that have casing and molding you don’t want to take off!
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Jill says:
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Barbara says:
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terrillr says:
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Layla says:Aug 29, 2011 at 9:52 am
Thanks! Working with a limited budget is definitely challenging, but where there’s a will, there’s a way!
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Luciane At HomeBunch.com says:
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Dana says:
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Debbie says:
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CherylK says:
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Kay Pflueger says:
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Leah says:
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liz says:
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Melissa says:
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Layla says:Aug 29, 2011 at 10:03 am
Oh boy, that finger pinching stuff is for the birds, isn’t it!?
I hope you’re landlord is open to this easier-to-install solution! Good luck!
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Michelle@Make 5dinners in 1 hour says:Aug 29, 2011 at 10:02 am
I love it! How much does a pack cost? I think my half bath needs this!! We have popcorn ceilings Gross, I know!
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Layla says:Aug 29, 2011 at 10:03 am
$10.93.
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andi says:
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Layla says:Aug 29, 2011 at 10:10 am
Hey Andi!
Just make sure you prime it really good and use a semi or high-gloss paint and it should be fine!
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Sara @The Fat Hydrangea says:
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Layla says:Aug 29, 2011 at 10:11 am
Yay! Good luck and have fun with your sunroom, Sara!
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Layla says:Aug 29, 2011 at 10:14 am
Thanks Jess! And I hope your hubs is on board too! I promise he’ll love the look…and the bottom line!
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Sherri says:
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Layla says:Aug 29, 2011 at 10:17 am
Thanks Sherri! Since our ceiling was already wood, we’re just nail-gunning it directly to the existing ceiling.
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Nathan RK says:
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Layla says:Aug 29, 2011 at 10:20 am
Hey Nathan! Since our existing ceiling was wood, and the new planks are super lightweight, we’re just nail-gunning the planks directly to the old planks.
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Nathan RK says:
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Elisa says:
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Ricki Jill Treleaven says:Aug 29, 2011 at 10:30 am
Layla, your ceiling is looking great, but you are getting rid of your Wall of Wonder? I like it because of the way you accessorize it
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Layla says:Aug 29, 2011 at 10:35 am
No way, Jose! We’re just sprucing up the other walls in the room!
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Deidra Dunbar says:
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Patti says:
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Lisa sraders says:
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Kevin says:Aug 29, 2011 at 11:00 am
Hi Lisa! I’m just kind of winging it when comes to cutting around our recessed lights. I used a jigsaw to make the cuts, and it did take some time to figure out. I measured over to the hole to get a starting point, then measured across to mark the width of the opening. I measured every which way I could, then used a string attached to a pencil as a way to draw my circle radius (caveman compass style). Probably not the most professional way, but it worked. You also have a little room to play with because the lights have a little metal collar around the bottom that will cover up any less than perfect cut lines. I hope that wasn’t too confusing!
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Amy Johnson says:
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Kelly says:
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Layla says:Jul 12, 2012 at 9:30 am
Hi Kelly!
Here’s a post we did about “popcorn to planking”:
http://theletteredcottage.net/popcorn-ceiling-to-plank-ceiling/ -
Kelly says:
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Ellen says:Aug 29, 2011 at 11:11 am
It’s looking good! I know the stuff you started with…. glad you didn’t finish up with it… the planks you ended up using will definitely give you the look you are after. We’ve used that on a ceiling and as wainscotting in a room too. It’s wonderful stuff!
Can’t wait to see the ceiling finished!! -
Allyson says:
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Joyce says:
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peggy says:
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Elizabeth says:
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Kevin says:Aug 29, 2011 at 7:28 pm
Hi Elizabeth! The barn picture in our dining room was taken by Layla’s aunt. It is Layla’s grandmothers barn and was shot on film, so we don’t have it in our shop. Thanks for the kind words!
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Monique says:
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Frances says:
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maria costello says:
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Susan says:
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kit @ DIYdiva says:
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Sherri Langford-Farrell says:
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Wendi says:Aug 29, 2011 at 12:05 pm
I am luvin’ EVERYTHING you do! So here’s my question….My cozy, cottage decor guest room is available and I live 1.5 miles from the beach….When are you, Kevin and the nail gun coming for a visit?
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Skuba says:
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Heather says:
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Leen Curinga says:
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Kevin says:Aug 29, 2011 at 7:55 pm
Hi Leen! We did have a few tense moments! haha I actually held a piece of the planking up onto some of our popcorn ceilings to see if it felt like it would work, and I think it would! We are going to give it a shot in one of our “popcorn” rooms, we will probably use a little liquid nails on the bottom side of each plank, along with the brad nailer, just to make sure it holds good. I think it will work because it’s so light weight. Hope you and the family are doing well!!!
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Leen Curinga says:Aug 31, 2011 at 6:20 pm
awesome, I will let you try it first and you can let me know how it works
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kathy h says:
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kathy h says:
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Sara says:
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Layla says:Aug 29, 2011 at 3:11 pm
Well, I guess you could either scrape them first, and then attach the planks, or if it’s level enough, you could just apply Liquid Nails to the back of a few planks and nail them into place to see if you’re happy with the look.
Fortunately one pack is pretty cheap, so it doesn’t cost too much to experiement! -
kathy h says:
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Suzanne C. says:
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Roy Merideth says:Aug 29, 2011 at 12:58 pm
I’ve been reading your blog for a while now. I wish we would have had more of your creativity when we lived in our old 960 square foot home. I would have used some of your ideas to update the place. We did plenty of restoring and reworking, I just like some of your ideas much better.
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Layla says:Aug 29, 2011 at 3:00 pm
Exactly! Beadboard minus the bed!
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Nicole Heath says:
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Deborah says:
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wendy says:
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Kevin says:Aug 29, 2011 at 4:07 pm
Hi Wendy! We did have laminate flooring in our kitchen, but it was laid right on top of the old ugly tile. So when we ripped out all the laminate in the house we were left with that tile again.
Next up is “Project Kitchen Floors!” Thanks for stopping by!
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debbie r says:
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Layla says:Aug 29, 2011 at 2:59 pm
Thank you Debbie!
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TORCHONenCAVALE says:
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Judy says:
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Layla says:Aug 29, 2011 at 2:59 pm
Judy!
It was so great meeting you today too! I’m so glad we bumped into each other, and I can’t wait to see your pics! -
Judy says:
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Linda says:Aug 29, 2011 at 3:19 pm
That looks fabulous!! Sorry you had a run in with the eucaboard
I am SO going to do this in my 1941 Saltbox house with the corridor kitchen. Had a water leak last year upstairs and since the bathroom is right above the kitchen and since the kitchen ceiling is wall papered… well, you get the idea. The ceiling is minus some wall paper. This will look fantastic in there. Can’t wait to see your finished product! -
Diana @ Our Vintage Home Love says:Aug 29, 2011 at 4:12 pm
Love it so far! Ceiling work is the pits. Not a fan of the neck and shoulder ache that always accompany it. Lookin’ forward to seeing the finished product! It will be beautiful, as always! Take care!
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Trixi says:
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Erin says:
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Kevin says:Aug 29, 2011 at 7:43 pm
Hey Cathryn! I think it would work over popcorn ceilings, we’re actually going to try it over some popcorn ceilings too. We may use some liquid nails on the underside of each plank (in addition to the brad nailer) to make sure it holds since we won’t be nailing into wood. We’ll let you know how it turns out!
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Cathryn ~ The Farmer's Trophy Wife says:Aug 30, 2011 at 1:58 pm
Thanks!! I might wait to see what happens with you guys…I don’t want to start a project and regret it!! (my husband might not let me near a nail gun again!)
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Heidi @ Show Some Decor says:
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Denise says:
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lizzie beth says:
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Kevin says:Aug 29, 2011 at 7:37 pm
Hi Lizzie! Layla and I have actually talked about putting this over some of the popcorn type ceilings in some other rooms in our house. The planks are so light weight that I think they would hold when we use our brad nailer to put them up, but we talked about maybe using liquid nails on the underside of each plank so when it dries it will really hold. We’re going to try it out and see what happens. Our popcorn ceilings are so ugly that I’m not worried about messing them up, they’re already messed up! Ha ha Thanks for dropping by today!!!!
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lizzie beth says:Aug 29, 2011 at 8:10 pm
Thank you Kevin! I so appreciate you took the time to respond. I can assure you if we’d thought there was some other alternative we would have left the popcorn alone and covered it up! I’m sure you’ve got a good idea what a tremendous nasty mess that was!
However, at the time, we thought redoing the rock was our only solution. I’m thrilled at learning about this. Thanks so much.
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Dorothy Brown says:
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jessica says:
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Jane says:
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Kelsey @aslolife says:
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Ilke says:
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S says:
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SandRa says:
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Tracey Hewison says:Aug 29, 2011 at 9:32 pm
Cannot wait to hear back on the ‘popcorn’ experiment, if anyone gets it done before you guys and finds out it does indeed work, would LOVE to hear about it. Looks fabulous! Thanks for the great idea and post
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Lisa W. says:
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Rhonda says:
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Karen says:
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karen says:
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Sawdust and Paper Scraps says:
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Beverly Palmer says:
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Jessica says:
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Layla says:Aug 30, 2011 at 9:21 am
Yes! And we’re totally happy with them!
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Janita Gaulzetti says:Aug 30, 2011 at 11:15 am
This is the perfect solution for my super old/super tiny cottage that got a ceiling redo somewhere along the way. It may have been an improvement at the time but now doesn’t really match the beadboard I’ve used to cover fiberboard walls. The ceiling is that weird stucco-like texture that’s not very pretty and hard to paint. I like your idea WAY better.
Thanks for solving yet another problem for cottage lovers!
Janita -
Bonnie says:
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maria says:
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Kevin says:Aug 30, 2011 at 5:28 pm
Hi Maria!
I use a dewalt nail gun. I bought a kit that came with everything including a brad nailer, and a nail gun. It was a little intimidating at first, but it has been such a wonderful purchase! Projects are sooooo much easier and faster! Here is a link to a video tutorial I did when I first got it!
http://theletteredcottage.net/how-to-use-a-nail-gun-a-video-tutorial-sort-of
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Calico Child says:Aug 30, 2011 at 4:22 pm
Ouch on the hands will be worth it once finished though!! Love the walls how you have the different shelving you have just given me some Inspirations for my lounge thanks heaps
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suzyhomemaker says:
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Tina says:
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Christina says:
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Christina says:Aug 31, 2011 at 12:57 pm
Oh yeah, and duh- I know yours aren’t beadboard sheets- they are the wood plank things, just thought if anyone would know the answer, you guys would
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Erin Meerzaman says:
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Christina says:Sep 1, 2011 at 7:09 am
Thanks, Erin for your reply!!! I was tossing around the idea of the beadboard wallpaper as well. I hadn’t seen it used in person so I wasn’t sure if it looked “real” or not. I’m thinking this would probably be my best option for now. Thanks again- it’s always good to know the good, bad, and ugly of a DIY adventure
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Zsa Zsa says:
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Kristen says:
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Layla says:Sep 1, 2011 at 9:04 am
Sure! I think it would work great!
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Tina says:
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Priscilla says:
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Priscilla says:
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Laura says:
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Shirley says:
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Kathy says:
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Layla says:Sep 5, 2011 at 7:56 am
Yay! So glad to hear you’re happy with the finished product!
Did you hang it over a wood or drywall ceiling…or perhaps a popcorn ceiling? Inquiring minds want to know! -
Kathy says:
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traci says:
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Layla says:Sep 6, 2011 at 9:21 pm
Hey Traci!
Those planks would definitely look good on walls! I think that’s actually what they’re made for!
As for the reclaimed gym flooring- click on the Our House tab at the top of our blog and it’ll take you over to the post we did about the reading room. You’ll find a link to Southern Accents there…that’s where we got the gym flooring!Love you!
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The OutPost says:
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The OutPost says:
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Tina says:
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Erin says:
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Kevin says:Oct 25, 2011 at 11:38 am
Hi Erin!
We used an 18 gauge brad nailer with 1 1/4″ brad nails (32mm) we were shooting into a wood ceiling and it held wonderfully! Thanks for the comment!
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Wanda says:
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Rhonda Vaudt1 says:
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Lindsay says:
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Tracy says:
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Brandi says:
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Sandy says:
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Nicole Beverly says:Oct 21, 2012 at 8:46 pm
Did you find another soloution? I’m not finding them at our Lowes either!
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Ann H says:
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Kaye Chastain says:
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Sandra says:
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Flower Patch Farmgirl says:Jun 8, 2012 at 8:57 pm
Cory just sent me a link to this post. Ha ha! My man is stalking your blog.
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Claire says:
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Anne says:Jun 21, 2012 at 10:44 pm
I’m planning a coastal rental reno and I think I might have a good option instead of the panel product you used. I really want a wider plank and to avoid the beveled edge, trying for a more rustic look. I order milwork from this company. Check out page 49, they have a lattice that is 1/4″ x 5-1/2″. The thin profile should keep down cost and make installation easier than using regular dimensional lumber.
http://www.mouldingandmillwork.com/pdf/IND6838_Chicago_Profile_Guide.pdf
Hope this helps you or your readers. Your work is very inspiring. Thanks
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Wendy B. says:
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Layla says:Jul 27, 2012 at 9:12 am
Hi Wendy!
I’m not sure why the seams would look wavy, but I will say that caulk hides a multitude of imperfectness! I’d press on!
Just make sure you use a non-cracking, paintable caulk on everything and you’ll be good to go! (We didn’t use wood putty…just the caulk.)
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joan says:Aug 24, 2012 at 9:22 am
I love that you show such creative ways to remodel – on a BUDGET. We are retired and most remodeling is so expensive. Thank you for all your clear instructions (even showing the oops!), while including details like where to buy, brand names and colors, etc. SO helpful. I LOVE your blog and so thankful that I found you.
You are both an inspiration. When can you come over for tea?
~ joan-
Layla says:Aug 24, 2012 at 9:27 am
Thank you so much, Joan!
I just did a bunch of landscaping this morning, so you probably wouldn’t want me to come over right now- ha! #PU #ShowerTime
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Lee Wallace says:
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Nicole Beverly says:
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Layla says:Oct 21, 2012 at 9:32 pm
Hi Nicole! I don’t think they’re discontinued. They’re always on an end cap at our Lowes.
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Heather says:
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Layla says:Dec 9, 2012 at 12:11 pm
Hi! We just wing it around these parts. We just used whatever nails came with the gun and just popped em randomly wherever it felt right- ha!
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Angeline says:
I bet you are in person just like you write … so fun(ny)!
glad that even the best out there run into intense moments and bad ideas. thanks for sharing.