The Lettered Cottage

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Plank Ceiling

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The bottom half of the dining room currently looks like a bomb went off in it because of what’s going on it the kitchen, but we finally finished working on the top half of the room last week- so I thought I’d document that big ol’ project, start to finish-style, here on our blog today. It’s been a bit of a work in progress over the past four years, so we’re excited to finally be able to check that sucker off our list, once and for all!

We started with a popcorn-esque ceiling back in 2007…

I say “popcorn-esque” because it was actually swirls of stuff…not little bumps, like popcorn ceilings have.

Then, at some point, we realized there was wood underneath it, so Kev went all Tasmanian Devil on it one day…

After we got that mess cleaned up, we primed and painted the wood planks (Sea Salt) blue. We hung a light fixture up in the middle of the room for a couple of years, but we were never 100% happy with the condition of the planks…

(The white rectangle was up there for quite a while too, for an article we worked on for HGTV.com)

But since it’s easier to rip down that it is to put up, we spent waaaay too long staring at the beyond-rustic planks and the hole in the ceiling where the light once was.

We discovered an inexpensive solution to our problem a couple of months ago though, and once we had the new ceiling planks installed, we fired up our True Value gift card again, and picked up some 1″ x 4″ MDF boards, and some 3/4″ round wood molding to finish off the edges of the ceiling…

We used the 3/4″ round molding because there were still some pretty big gaps around the edges of the room after we put the 1 x 4’s up. The 3/4″ round sealed everything off, nice and neat. Well, after Kevin caulked for about four hours, of course.

Our True Value carries traditional-style crown molding too, but we actually like the way the straight 1×4’s look in this house, and they’re a lot less expensive then the traditional stuff, so that was good for the ol’ boo-jwah, too. (Note: That’s how I say the word, “budget”. It’s like saying Tar-jhay instead of “Target”. Try it sometime…it’s fun.)

We saved up for (and put a 20% off coupon to good use on) a new light fixture this year, too…

And thanks to our super sweet and electrically-saavy neighbors, we were able to get that hung up this past week. (Thank you again, neighbors!)

Our dining room is a lot longer than it is wide, so I wanted something more linear in shape than the round fixture we had up there before. I really dig the way the new fixture looks at night, too. I’ll have to snap a pic of it sometime. Ya know…when the dust settles and there isn’t a room full of kitchen stuff sitting underneath it.

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This post is a part of our True Value DIY Blog Squad series!

PS- You can find more info True Value (and the entire DIY blog squad!) on Facebook and Twitter!

Disclaimer: We were selected by True Value to work on the DIY Blog Squad and have been compensated for our time commitment to True Value-related blog posts. We’ve also been given a gift card to purchase the materials needed for our True Value-related projects, however, our opinions are entirely our own and we have not been paid to publish positive reviews!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ruth

    LOVE the curtains! I’m planning on putting up some boards in our master bedroom (in the next million years hopefully); you make it look so easy!

    • Layla

      I think we’re going to take it on into our kitchen too, Heidi. Why not- right? 😉

    • Layla

      Thank you…but don’t be jealous, Tanya! 😀
      PS- Did you connect with Tereasa yet?

  9. wendy

    Oh Layla and Kev, I LOVE it! My husband however shutters everytime I peek at your blog! I will never forget the time about a year ago when I told him I wanted to nail 1×5’s to our walls. Luckily I had the handy dandy internet to show him I wasn’t crazy. Wait till I tell him I want them on the ceilings too! You guys might want to hide, he may be going on a man hunt:) Thanks for always inspiring me.

    PS
    I also prefer 1×4 to traditional moldings.

    • Layla

      Uh oh! We’ll go clean out some room in our closets now! (That’s a good place to hide, right?) 😉

    • Layla

      Thank Linsey! It is the same room…although it smells much better than it did when we moved in- LOL! 🙂

  12. Tami

    I actually prefer the 1×4’s as well. My house was built in the mid 1800’s…was a farmhouse…and I have 1×4 & 1x6trim through out. Farmers couldn’t afford the fancy trim…this is a more humble way to do it…looks great!

    Tami

  14. Pine Tree Home

    I’ve been carrying around a picture from BHG from many years ago with 1×4 at the ceiling instead of crown. Love it. And love how yours looks. Great job!

    • Layla

      Thanks so much! 🙂 Glad to know I’m not the only one who carries around inspiration pictures for many years! 😀

  15. Jessica @ fourgenerationsoneroof

    Hey! LOVE the light fixture and how you went with the rectangular look! Your curtains are pretty cool to! You make those? I like the fabric 🙂 Jessica (aka Nuchey’s Mommy ~ got a new name & blog design 🙂 )

    • Layla

      Hey Jessica!
      I didn’t make the curtains. They’re made by Pottery Barn and the pattern is called Medici. I got them on eBay last year. 🙂

  16. Leslie

    Nice job! Love the new light fixture, too…a perfect choice (of course). Can’t wait to see the whole room when it’s ready to be shown.

  17. Lorretta

    Layla, please pretty please could you tell me where you got the curtain material for this dining room. Love them!
    Lorretta

    • Layla

      Sure thing, Loretta! They’re made by Pottery Barn and the pattern is called, Medici. I got them on eBay last year! 🙂

  19. Alyssa

    Looks great!! Love that light and curtains too! WE had wallpaper like that when we moved into our home, but it didn’t look as nice as those curtains do!

    • Layla

      Thank you, Alyssa! The curtains are made by Pottery Barn and the pattern is called Medici. I got them on eBay last year! 🙂

  20. erin

    that top pic of the tazmanian devil and all the debris looks frighteningly familiar!! 😉 (beach cottage ceiling demo madness)

    another job beautifully done! beautiful lantern, just love!

    • Layla

      Yay for beach cottage demo madness!!!!!!!!!! 😀
      And thank you for the kind words about our lantern…we’re lovin’ it too!

  21. SheilaG

    Love the ceiling! My dad’s ceiling has boards, but they were white-washed (30+ years ago), would love to see him do this- it would so lighten up his house. But he’s a “don’t paint the wood” guy, no matter what it is.

  23. Lauri McIntosh

    Oh my gosh, Layla. I just got the same fixture for my dining room and had an electrician install it last week!!! I told you I loved your style 🙂 That ‘bad boy’ is heavy, isn’t it. I had to help the electrician when he installed it. Did you connect it to a dimmer switch? We did, and I love the way I can adjust the light at night. Your room turned out beautifully.

    • Layla

      Thank you Lauri! And, yes! It is heavy, and we did install it on a dimmer switch. I LOVE how it can be adjusted at night too…so pretty! 😀

  24. Judy

    i would love some plank walls and/or ceilings…would also love some rustic beams in my den….but unless you and kevin are willing to come to my house and get that started for me, i’ll just have to dream on! (just remember i’m not too far from Eastbook plus I’ll fix lunch and give Kevin his very own styrofoam cup!).

    can’t wait to see your full reveal…
    judy

  25. Sherry Ann

    Love the 1×4’s with the quarter round for faux crown moulding ! We have an older house with 8′ ceilings and I am doing this ! YAY ! Thanks for the idea and the picture so I can show my husband and personal handy man ! ! !

    • Layla

      Why thank you, my friend! Took three guys to put it up, but I’m really happy with the way it turned out! 😀

  27. Ann

    That is quite an interesting light fixture! I kind of love it. Very unique. You two are so creative in your designing.

  29. Laurie

    Love that light fixture. Was thinking of getting it myself for over my kitchen table which is currently in my sunroom. Need light at night for the kids doing homework there. How do feel about the amount of light it shines? Thanks

    • Layla

      Definitely put in on a dimmer switch. I think it’s too bright when it’s turned all the way up, but it’s AWESOME if you turn it down just a little! 😀

      • Sandy

        Hi Layla, do you know the total wattage on your lovely lantern fixture?
        Thanks!

        Sandy

  30. Sandra

    Love the ceiling and the new light fixture! I can’t wait to see the room when the kitchen is complete. How is that coming along?

    • Layla

      Kevin and Jason are grinding down the old tile adhesive right…it’s going to be a dusty day around here today!
      New floors go in on Wednesday- WOO HOO! 😀

  31. teryn yancey

    Your house is amazing and your ideas are so inspiring! Every thing you guys do turns to gold! =) Now if only you could could come to my house! I think I shall send you photos for pick my presto. I’m in a frump for my kitchen. This is our first home and we have the same cabinets you have. I also have the weirdest thing that takes up a lot of room in the center of my livingroom/kitchen. God bless every you do!

    • Layla

      Thank you Teryn! I’ll be on the lookout for your pics…I love a tricky design dilemma! 😀

  32. {darlene}

    yay, yay, yay! gorgeousness!

    I adore the contrast of the black lines in the light with the white planking.

    fantastic work, guys!

    – {darlene}
    @ fieldstonehilldesign

    • Layla

      It’s called November Rain and it’s a Benjamin Moore color, but we had ours mixed at True Value! 😀

  35. Melissa

    I am in the market for a new light fixture over our table, and have had a hard time deciding what I want. Just the other day I thought to myself, “Self, what would Layla hang over her table?” Now I know. This exact fixture was at the top of the list. I’m off to find a 20% off coupon now. Thanks for saving me from my crippling indecision!

    • Layla

      That is so funny, Melissa! 😀
      Definitely hang in there for a coupon if you can…it saved us almost $100!

  36. mariah bohannon

    Loving the light fixture. Looks subtantial and rich in the room. Of course, that ceiling screams for it’s own attention. You know how sometimes you look at a room and you wonder what makes it so special but you can’t put your finger on it? That’s what that ceiling does 🙂

    • Layla

      Thank you, Mariah! I agree…it’s just one of those things that makes you go, “hmmm?” 😀

  38. Heidi

    Love, love, love the dining room!! Just purchased an older home and hope to use a lot of your inspirational designs! Could you please let me know what the color of the ceiling is in the dining room….the entire room is beautiful! Thanks

  40. Kim in MD

    Love, love, love your new ceiling! And the light fixture! And the curtains! I love everything you do! 🙂

  41. Ginger

    Love it! Just this weekend we FINALLY tore down a wall between our kitchen and a windowless bedroom to create a dining room and I was so happy to see this post because I was trying to describe it to hubby and as soon as he saw it, he was on board! Now just getting it done….yikes we have a lot left to do. The light fixture is perfect btw. Can’t wait to see it all done or at least the next step, you two are never done.

  42. Sally Lee by the Sea

    We currently have the most beautiful {LOL!} popcorn ceilings you’ve ever seen…seriously, they are awful and have been trying to figure out an economical way to cover them. Thanks for the suggestion of MDF. Your new ceilings and light fixture look superb. Great job guys!

    Marie
    xoxo

  44. Kim

    Love the new light fixture but actually prefer the last one. I think it fits your home better…Everything you do looks great though! Thanks for ALL the inspiration.

    • Layla

      Thanks, Kim! We like both lights too, but this one works better with the shape of the room and the design direction we’re going in. Ya know…when it’s all done, in 2031- LOL! 😀

  45. Jenna

    I really LOVE the rounded 1″ and 1 x 4’s you used for crown molding. I’ve never thought about that before, But the look is really clean and slightly more casual and all-around great! I’ll have to look into it next time we tackle some molding!

    • Layla

      Thanks, Jenna! The 1×4’s are easy to put up because there’s no mitering! 😀

  46. tracyo

    Thank you for the constant supply of inspiration! I really love everything you two do! It’s so much fun to see what you’ll come up with next!!

  47. Rhonda Irizarry @countrymansvillage.com

    I just find this space so inspiring.. everything is true to you both and fits your awesome design sensibilities.. I’m loving the paint color, ceiling, light fixture goodness.. and those curtains.. it all makes me happy just looking at it. Once again, awesome! 🙂

  48. Jana

    Layla,

    Where did you buy the beige/cream curtains in your dining room? They are gorgeous! I love the print!

    • Layla

      Thanks, Jana! They’re made by Pottery Barn and the pattern is called Medici. I got them on eBay last year! 😀

  49. Michelle

    Hi Layla, love how the ceiling turned out! We had a white bead board plank ceiling in our kitchen years ago, but since remodeling it’s gone and I miss it, although I love our new kitchen! Love the light fixture too and I’m always so impressed that you and your husband can actually decide on something. My husband and I are looking for a light fixture for above our table, nautical but not too much, not to formal and we have yet to find one we both love. Guess the search continues. Love all you guys do, so inspiring !!

  50. Shar Yates

    Love this room! It is just the look that I love and plan to sort of duplicate. You guys are awesome!