Chevron Wood Wall- What should we do with it?

We have a chevron wood wall in our family room. I have no idea what to do with it. Right now it is stained an orangeish brown color.... very dated and dark. Same thing with the fireplace, the brick is dark red and just dated looking. What do you think? What would you do? We installed dark hardwood floors throughout the entire home and the walls in here are painted French Gray- a Blue/Gray. Help!! Here is a link to my pinterest board to kind of show my style and what I like: http://pinterest.com/ashopaholicmom/for-the-...

61 Comments Displaying 25 of 61 comments | See Previous

Teresa Guerrero Impson Wolfforth, TX

I've distressed wall sconces by lightly sanding them and then painting with light grey paint that's watered down. Rub with a clean lint-free cloth before it's completely dry, or lightly sand, and it allows some of the dark wood to show through, giving you that old barn look. Good Luck! ;-)

on Aug 29, 2012 · Like 0
Mary Jeanne Botteon Severn, MD

like the whitewash idea but would tint the paint just ever so slightly with blue, make it almost an illusion,

on Aug 29, 2012 · Like 2
Debbi W

Jennifer from your pictures of the things and the looks you like, I say white wash or even use the same paint as the rest of the room only lighten it up with a little white added to it. the picture of the painted old dresser, should give you the right direction. You will love it when it is finished, go for it and just have fun making it your own.

on Aug 29, 2012 · Like 0
KMS Woodworks Nederland, CO

I would run shoulder high bookcases along the whole wall...this way you could have a lighter color functional piece..but still retain some of the rustic charm.

on Aug 29, 2012 · Like 2
Pegi Springboro, OH

If you like vintage touches, you might paint the individual boards of the chevron various shades and distress them, looking like reclaimed wood. This would update the wall and capitalize on the chevron, which is very cool! If you streak the planks with wax first, then paint, it is easier to remove the paint to make them look distressed. If you choose pastel shades it will lighten up the room.

on Aug 29, 2012 · Like 1
Donna Reno, NV

I agree with alot of the posts. A light light tan or nearly white, distressed like an old farmhouse. Same for the bricks. It would go with your brown leather sofa and floor. You could also do your cute little coffee table. Some simple colorful curtains. I wish I was there to help you.

on Aug 29, 2012 · Like 2
Leslie D Las Vegas, NV

Couldn't get a great rendering, and I doubt you want an overalls sign in your living room, but this was kinda-sorta the idea I had for the wall. There are a lot of aging techniques for wood online using vinegar and tea and some great stains in colors like the faded blue that I think could make a really cool wall feature.
on Aug 29, 2012 · Like 3
Vicki R

I'd paint the wood wall a lighter shade than your blue gray walls then add 3 large planters and large cascading plants.. To the fireplace I would add a substantial mantel and custom floor to ceiling shelving on each side then add books or assemble your favorite collectibles.

on Aug 29, 2012 · Like 1
Ellen H Cullman, AL

One option would be to go with the wood (love the barn wood idea) and actually add a little more - some "exposed" beams (faux?) would be nice, then a nice rustic wood mantel. Then you can go crazy with the signs and vintage stuff.

on Aug 29, 2012 · Like 0
Sharron W Memphis, TN

Leslie as always you've got a great idea there....and I love the picture....But I think it would be hard to read a sign if the texture of the chevron is not changed....it's just kind of so busy...it's really distracting to me.. Do you think that will change if it's not so "shiny"? cause I'm just havin some doubts....I love the distressed barn wood look...just not sure about the sign part....
Also there is a "grey-blue" stain made by dropping copper pennies in vinigar for a week that might be a nice addition to her color scheme....

on Aug 29, 2012 · Like 1
Jennifer Pacheco Abilene, TX

Leslie D- First- How did you do that?! (the rendering). I literally stayed awake for hours last night thinking about this idea. LOVE it! I've been googling all morning looking for old sign or ads for different things that have a meaning to us as a family. This is going to be fantastic, Thank You!!!!!

on Aug 29, 2012 · Like 0
Becky Blair, NE

Though I love it as is with your framed pieces I have to say I love the idea of adding wording as on an old building/barn to it.

on Aug 29, 2012 · Like 1
Leslie D Las Vegas, NV

I used google sketchup (free program you can download), found some old wood with an advertisement and added it was a "material texture". You can then choose the area to "fill" with that texture. It's not the easiest program to learn, but if you're willing to spend some time messing around, you can do it! I use it for everything from deciding paint color schemes to designing landscape projects.

on Aug 29, 2012 · Like 3
Leslie D Las Vegas, NV

I also agree with Sharron that the "shine" needs to be stripped and the background can't have too many variations of color, or it will be very busy with the existing color. I think if you stick with an overall light tone to the wood (with just a few spots of color variation), that your results will be beter. Then, when stenciling, just dab on the color, so that you don't get a solid stencil...like it's worn off with time.

on Aug 29, 2012 · Like 2
Leslie D Las Vegas, NV

Just to give you an idea of what google sketch up can do (and I am a novice user of the program myself), this is a concept for the East wall of our living room, for a custom entertainment center to be built. The center will be two art panels that will slide open to reveal the television. I can then give this to my cabinet guy for him to build and he doesn't have to go through the process of trying to design what I want, which saves money.
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on Aug 29, 2012 · Like 1
Jennifer Pacheco Abilene, TX

I have a plan! I'm going to start with painting it the wall color, then white on top of that. Then I'm going to project an image like this onto the wall with a projector and paint it on with black. A light whitewash on top of it all and very light distressing over the entire wall. Very monochromatic :) Colors inspired by this dresser makeover: http://pinterest.com/pin/159385274283380070... ...»

What do you think?
Leslie- I seriously can't thank you enough for all your help!! I'm so excited and can't wait to tackle this project. Your idea has not only sparked my excitement for this room again, but also gave me the direction and jumping off point for the vision of the entire room. If I could kiss you I would :P LOL
on Aug 30, 2012 · Like 6
Becky Blair, NE

Great idea, but are you sure you want to paint over the wood? That will take away from the old building feel.

on Aug 30, 2012 · Like 3
Leslie D Las Vegas, NV

Can't wait to see the results, Jennifer! Our motto in our house is that "there is nothing that we can screw up so bad that it can't be fixed"! That motto was evidenced in the past by a bathroom that I painted so many times, I swear the size of it shrunk by an inch! LOL *kiss* back atcha, Jenn!

on Aug 30, 2012 · Like 5
Becky H Tampa, FL

Too funny Leslie!! I have often wondered myself if we shouldn't redrywall. Our walls have had so many different colors on them since it was built, I felt we might pick up more sq. footage of living space if we ripped out the old and put up new.

on Aug 30, 2012 · Like 4
Jennifer Pacheco Abilene, TX

I feel like the light distressing will keep the old building feel :) I'm thinking chalk paint or milk paint (doing my research now). I think too much distressing will be too busy. So just very lightly on the edges and grooves to accent the chevron pattern, give that hint of blue/gray in a few places, and to dull the black of the graphic against the white.
Leslie- LOVE that motto :D

on Aug 30, 2012 · Like 4
Lori J Broken Bow, NE

Jennifer, it sounds like a great plan. Please share after pictures when you are done.

on Aug 30, 2012 · Like 2
Essie Issaquah, WA

Oh my gosh! Its sounds wonderful! Make sure you post pics!

on Aug 31, 2012 · Like 1
Janet D Raleigh, NC

I would paint the other walls white or at least a bright color and hang a picture on the wood wall that would bring it out.

on Sep 01, 2012 · Like 0
Marg C Middletown, NY

Jennifer, that's a great plan! Love love love it! Please post pictures when you're finished. Now I wish I had a wooden wall to play with!

on Sep 18, 2012 · Like 0
Melissa B Forney, TX

How did it turn out?

on Mar 23, 2013 · Like 0