Bare Plank Floor, Dark Wall Paneling, Broken Fire Brick Pad.
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This 20x20 living area sported dark paneling on the far wall and bare, tongue in groove fir plank flooring that had never been sealed or stained. The wood had shrunk and there were gaps between the planks. It was dark.
Before, a large, dark room....
Much as I disliked the paneling, it did inspire me with ideas for the floor. The darkness cried out for light, too!
First step: staining the wood floor.
After I stained the floor a dark walnut, I sealed the gaps with dark latex caulk. Caulking 900 feet used 58 tubes of caulk. An added bonus is the floor is virtually draft-free!
Stained and sealed with caulk.
Next, we tackled the far wall. My hubby added 2 windows, one on either side of the wood stove. Because of the paneling, I knew I wanted to do more than just paint. I chose to use a textured vinyl wallpaper that didn't have a pattern repeat. After cleaning the wall, I filled in the grooves with a patch product, then primed the whole wall. When I install wallpaper, I don't bother with soaking it in water (messy!) I simply brush wallpaper paste directly on the paper and then hang it. Soooo much easier.
Adding windows changed the whole room!
Next step: addressing the broken fire bricks from the last occupants splitting wood indoors. We couldn't find new bricks that matched. Ugh. Now what? We really didn't want to re-brick the whole pad. Hubby asked me if bricks are paintable. Sure!! He installed the new bricks and painted them a dark brown. After letting them sit for a few minutes, I "ragged" them to get a softer look.
"Ragged" finish on painted brick pad.
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2 of 9 comments
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You and hubby did a beautiful job. Great choice of wallpaper. Looks like a enjoyable room now.
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Thank you Wendy!
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