Lets talk about beadboard. Oh how I love beadboard, usually slathered up with white paint BUT I must admit I love the look above painted a with color!
One of my bedrooms growing up (we lived in several different homes) had it on the ceiling..the old kind with the gaps and cracks (which I actually love..don’t like it too perfect..more about that in a bit)…However, I must say, beadboard is not a good floor treatment..yes I am serious, we lived in a historic home when we were newlyweds and it had beadboard on the bathroom floor..not a nice feeling on the feet!and just a weird use of beadboard. Not to mention the cleaning! ha!
{Image from Meredith Corporation}
So with the exception of floors, I think beadboard is perfection in many different areas..obviously ceilings, mudrooms, kitchen backsplash, nursery, entry, mudroom, ceilings and of course bathrooms. I think some of the tile companies even market a ceramic tile beadboard look if humidity is a concern.
Here it is below in classic white. I love it in hallways and entryways where there is not a lot of room for artwork or even a bench.
And everyone is talking about beadboard..read what The Remodeling Guy says here and even the NYTimes did this article..because beadboard is not just for cottage anymore..its popping up in newer homes and even the city!
No matter how popular and widely loved it has become, there is still nothing to me like seeing it on an old porch ceiling…in that great Southern tradition of haint blue..great combo!
… or inside a piece of authentic utilitarian furniture. LOVE.
Yes, old beadboard surely makes me swoon whether on a porch, inside an old cabinet or on a ceiling!
So we know beadboard is great in many places but my question is..which type of product do you prefer for current projects:
- vintage style strips or planks, installed the old school way… I like this method, the history major part of me feels this is “authentic” and most accurate..ha! It is also probably the most expensive and most trouble..so unless you live in an historic home and really care about details…this may not be the way to go..it also can shift and show gaps over the years..I like this but it might drive some people crazy!
- beadboard “panels” or sheets they come in various grades and price points but I know for a fact you can buy the sheets really inexpensively at big box home improvement stores…This is a great solution if you are trying to cover an ugly or scarred wall in a bath or on a ceiling..you do have to consider seams, perhaps add a strip of molding/trim over the seams but not the gaps and cracks like the old stuff.
- beadboard wallpaper. Correct me if I am wrong but I think this has been in the home improvement stores for a while..along with other “paintable” heavy wallpapers. Recently, however it has stormed the Internet. Rhoda at Southern Hospitality did a great post on it complete with fab pictures and links to others who have used the product. Very easy and like Rhoda says, if you don’t want to mess with removing molding and cutting trim, nails etc.., this is a great way to go.and it is inexpensive! I have even seen this product in Ballard’s catalog!
SO WHICH HAVE YOU USED for your projects?? Where in your home? Which look do you prefer?? Is there really even a difference visually unless you really take note and are a beadboard snob ..ha!??? I can’t wait to hear what y’all think, share links and leave comments!
