Chevron Wood Wall- What should we do with it?

by Jennifer Pacheco

+62

Answered

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-home/

This is the chevron wood wall.

On the opposite end is the fireplace wall.

Here you can kind of see the dark wood floors we installed.

65 answers

Diane Kaul on Aug 28, 2012
I would white wash both the brick and Chevron wall. The room seems dark and that would lighten it up. I looked at your Pinterest board (and started following you) looks like you already know what you like!!

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Carroll A on Aug 28, 2012
I am a brick kinda of girl, I would leave the brick alone and built bookshelves (open back) to the sides of the fireplace and a mantle, painted white or light in color. As for the chevron wall I would remove it, I agree it makes the room feel dark, if that is not an option, I think as Diane Kaul said white wash would look really good and highlight the vaulted ceiling.

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Cynthia Baldwin on Aug 28, 2012
Definitely whitewash the brick fireplace. Paint the chevron wood walls to match the rest of the walls and then build shelving/storage system w/ painted white wood. Fresh and crisp....and you can display collections of things that you love; books, china, baskets holding CD's, game shelf, plants, well chosen pieces of framed art hung w/in a shelf area, pillared candles. Build a little section to house a mini bar w/ a shallow pull out shelf to use when making drinks & a another section to hang the wine glasses, etc. The sky is your limit. You can even have lighting in designated sections, i.e. for the framed art! Good luck. Let us see a photo of the finished projects!

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Redheadcandecorate.com on Aug 28, 2012
I actually LOVE the wood. What type of furniture will you be putting there? I can picture quite few things on that wall. Maybe switch the fan to a cool light fixture. I love these mirrors from Pottery Barn but they are expensive. It would look so cool on that wall over a sofa or console table. http://www.potterybarn.com/products/eagan-multipanel-mirror/?cm_src=SEARCH_TOPPRODUCT||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-Sku_Top_Marketing_Rule|Mirror%20Search%20Term-_-&cm_re=OnsiteSearch-_-SCHBillboard-_-SEARCH_TOPPRODUCT||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-Sku_Top_Marketing_Rule|Mirror%20Search%20Term-_-

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Sharron W on Aug 28, 2012
I would definately Build bookcases on either side of the fireplace, and maybe include a little bench on the bottom of one side....a place to sit and warm up as well as a place to put some firewood....That being said, I think the texture of the brick and floor is enough and the cevron wood is just too much, so I would either take it down and paint the wall one shade lighter than the other walls, Or I would mud it to replicate a venitian plaster going with the golden peachy colors....either one of those should make the ceilings soar and the entire room feel more expansive....

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Lori J on Aug 28, 2012
I would whitewash it. I love the whitewashed look and it would really lighten up the room and showcase any artwork or photography you hang there. I am a big fan of framed children's artwork. WalMart is a good sorce for affordable poster frames. Our kids are grown, but I still have a few pieces by each son hanging in my office. I intend to keep them until I have grandchildren making me new art.

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Val L on Aug 28, 2012
I'd leave it and white was every thing around it, put up some funky shelves with then get some light catching art

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Brenda S on Aug 28, 2012
Needs a mountain stone fireplace

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Missy on Aug 28, 2012
If the wall is an outside wall I would put in a wall length window. As for the fire place I had one in my dinning room and painted the walls to look like the fireplace. However the room is filled with large windows.

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Joan A on Aug 28, 2012
If you don't want to tear out the wood and sheet rock it mud and tape it. Then paint it. I'd take a belt sander to it. Sand it down and then stain it lighter. Put a mat finish varnish on it. The chevron pattern is really in right now. It would be cool stained a couple different shades of wood.

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DEB S on Aug 28, 2012
I love it and it's worth some money. If you most get rude of it put it on a small ceiling. Dark wood is in style.

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Jamie D on Aug 28, 2012
remove the wood....and the brick... or you could use a plaster over the brick and then paint accordingly...

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Kathleen B on Aug 28, 2012
I would spackle over the grooves in the chevron wall and make it smooth...or cover over the wall with drywall and paint. Even if you decide to put shelves on that wall...cover the chevron design and lighten it up. That is one fugly wall (to me that is--no offense). I agree...it seems your Pinterest board identifies well what you like...go with that. The fireplace can be brightened up with a dry brush of brick colored paint.

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Ellen B on Aug 28, 2012
My first thought was to incorporate lighting. Then I checked your page and saw lots of lights!! I'd add crown molding with rope lighting underneath to accentuate the wood. Then maybe add lots of nature (all cool colors)... succulant shadow boxes/ linen matted pics/etc. Uplighting from below can also "lighten" things up, no pun intended.

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Dretha on Aug 28, 2012
Yes white wash would look great on both.If you want to keep the dark ,varnish it with clear to make it pop then get a very large rustic star and white wash it to hang in the center of the room..

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Joyce M on Aug 28, 2012
white wash distressed look the chevron wall. install recessed lighting with 2 switches and make them dimmer switches. put the lights at each end of the room on 1 switch and the length of the room on another this way you can have some or all of the lights on. the fireplace I assume you are going to do the dark hardwood floor..? I would keep the brick, put in recessed lights above the fireplace and the brick walls. add nice shelving to the brick walls, keep the walls in the room a nice off white and do the wood trim in a nice colonial red to make the room pop.

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Melissa B on Aug 28, 2012
It's possible to bleach old stained wood... might help with the final product if you choose to white wash it later. I'd probably take it down... it's dated, but would look better lighter. If it's a rough finish then paint might not work. Joan A. had some good ideas.

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ProSource on Aug 28, 2012
I might suggest a few small, randomly placed shelves for decorative pieces and some hanging art. And I would create a 2" thick shelf on either side above 6 feet high that had up lighting and down lighting to highlight the vaulted ceiling and washing the wood wall texture highlighting the warmness of the wood while lighting up that dark end of the room. You can spear a less orange translucent stain over the orangey walls to get just the shades you want too. around the fireplace, a popular way to go is to paint the brick with a similar brick colored enamel and accent a few individual bricks with you other themes colors in the room.

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Sondra on Aug 28, 2012
It depends if you like the natural wood and brick. I do and wouldnt do anything to hide it. But it appears that you like light and airy decor so I would go with lightening up the walls, perhaps a light blue drape on the sliding glass door, a large piece of artwork over the mantle. White bookshelves beside the fireplace and if you could find an area rug with a touch of the colors from the wall, fireplace and drapes. Artwork on the chevron wall could be simple like white (or light colored) stars (3 to 5 fair sized ones). Ceiling fan blades could be painted white or to match the drapes.

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Tina C on Aug 28, 2012
Change the wood to appear to be "barn wood" -- personally I think it's too dark parhaps go with a grey milk wash ... lighten it up a little then find something really really cool to hang on it that is to scale... I noticed you were in Texas.... maybe something that really iconifies the area you live in. .. or a fun big old sign from the past..

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Melissa W on Aug 28, 2012
I would paint the wood wall as close to the color of you new floor as possible. Drop some interesting lighting from the ceiling as close to the wall for effect and depth of the wood. Remove ceiling fan. Then find something very large to hand in the center of the wall towards the upper portion of the peek.. perhaps a large rustic monogram Letter or super large clock with Romain Numerals. I would complement the wood wall with tree limbs painted cottage white and bundled with jute rope or twine of some kind and stand in opposite corners of this wall. The brick I would go over the brick with bead board on each side of the fireplace. Paint the breadboard the same color as the wood wall - floor color. Add a deep shelf like wainscoting from one side all the way over the top of fireplace opening to the other side of the fireplace. Add a DIY bench on the right side of FP and on the left I would find a huge basket and fill it with pillows and throws. Paint the brick a deep brown and white wash over top that. Add dimmer lights under the wainscoting and something large in the middle of the fireplace. Try to find old beat up house shutters to place near or next to your windows. And or make a bench or hearth with them. :-)

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Leslie D on Aug 28, 2012
Distress the wood, make it look like it's old, old barn wood with a couple of different colors showing through (like it's been painted and worn through many times). Then stencil something on it to make it look like it's part of an old side of a wood building that had advertising painted on it and was reused in your room. It will take a bit of artistic talent to pull off making it look authentic, but it looks like from your pinterest passion, and the fact that you're on this site, that you would be more than capable of figuring out how to do it. I wanted to try to do a rendering. If I can figure out how to visualize what I mean, I'll post it later.

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Leslie D on Aug 28, 2012
Tina C....great minds!

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Deb Higgins on Aug 28, 2012
make the whole wall a shadow box of shelving. Add some lighting with beam pendant lamps aimed at the shelving. Paint the shelving an off white, light color and leave the back and surrounding wall as is (or paint it to your preference). I think the wall gives a 'different' kind of look to the room. Put picture frames of off white color here and there and other things that you like or collect. Make it a showcase.

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Cindy Luminoso on Aug 28, 2012
I would probably paint the chevron wall with a primer then either go for a grey washed barnsiding look or maybe a few shades of your existing grey color going up the wall like ombre.....I think the fireplace I would paint black and the sides of the fireplace sheetrock and paint with your wall color add floating shelves and paint in the same color you decided to put on the chevron wall....it's a great room...and I am sure whatever you decide you will love it! :-)

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Kate S on Aug 28, 2012
I think it is awesome personally, but if you really dislike it, then tear it down and reuse the wood for another project so it does not get wasted. If that is not an option, I do not think whitewashing it will help - I think it will draw attention to the cracks between the boards and make it stand out even more. Muting the color by stripping it may work, but would be hard work.

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Cheryl A on Aug 28, 2012
I personally would paint it to match the other walls to make it disappear... then decorate your way...

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Robin on Aug 28, 2012
Lose the fan and get some awesome rustic track lighting. Then focus the light on the wood and get some rustic "branches" type shelves and put pictures of family with spot lights on the pictures. Use birch or light wood. Use black supports so they don't show. Possibly border the entire chevron in light wood or more birch "branch"..

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John on Aug 28, 2012
You could probably drywall right over it if you don't like it.

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Becky H on Aug 28, 2012
I would hate to see you lose the texture that wall provides, so would look at white washing or using a lighter stain.

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Bernice Westover on Aug 28, 2012
Brighten it up with mirrors, brass and lighting. Pics & shelves

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Kimberly L on Aug 28, 2012
white wash it, the distress it randomly with a metallic bronzer...bring it into the 21st century. Then build out a cozy reading nook with the wall as a back drop

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Rhonda W on Aug 28, 2012
whitewash it.

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Essie on Aug 28, 2012
Make this your "western room" Decorate with Cowboy theme, add cactuses, birdhouses, Elkhorn/deerhorn, tackroom things. If that is not your style, put some hanging garden boxes with philodendron's, rustic picture frames and tasteful mirrors.

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Jennifer Pacheco on Aug 28, 2012
Thank you all so much for the fantastic ideas! My husband and I already replaced the sliding door with french doors and as mentioned the dark handscraped hardwoods on the floor. As far as furniture, I haven't decided on a floor plan or what I want. Something comfy and durable. I have two children and a yorkie, and this room is the place we spend all our family time. Leslie D and Tina C-- LOVE these ideas!!!! I would love to see a rendering, if you have the time of course:) I seriously love the idea of mimicking an advertisement painted on the side of an old barn or building. Amazing idea!!

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Frances S on Aug 28, 2012
White washing it is a good idea. then paint it to match the other walls. you could build in some book shelves half way up and cabinets down below for the kids toys. we did this on a long wall and it has been very useful. we built in a stereo system too. good luck.

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Teresa Guerrero Impson on Aug 29, 2012
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! ;-)

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Mary Jeanne Botteon on Aug 29, 2012
like the whitewash idea but would tint the paint just ever so slightly with blue, make it almost an illusion,

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Debbi W on Aug 29, 2012
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.

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KMS Woodworks on Aug 29, 2012
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.

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Pegi on Aug 29, 2012
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.

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Donna on Aug 29, 2012
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.

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Leslie D on Aug 29, 2012
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.

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Vicki R on Aug 29, 2012
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.

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Ellen H on Aug 29, 2012
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.

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Sharron W on Aug 29, 2012
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....

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Jennifer Pacheco on Aug 29, 2012
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!!!!!

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Z on Aug 29, 2012
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.

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Leslie D on Aug 29, 2012
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.

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Leslie D on Aug 29, 2012
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.

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Leslie D on Aug 29, 2012
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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Jennifer Pacheco on Aug 30, 2012
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

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Z on Aug 30, 2012
Great idea, but are you sure you want to paint over the wood? That will take away from the old building feel.

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Leslie D on Aug 30, 2012
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!

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Becky H on Aug 30, 2012
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.

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Jennifer Pacheco on Aug 30, 2012
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

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Lori J on Aug 30, 2012
Jennifer, it sounds like a great plan. Please share after pictures when you are done.

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Essie on Aug 31, 2012
Oh my gosh! Its sounds wonderful! Make sure you post pics!

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Janet D on Sep 01, 2012
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.

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Marg C on Sep 18, 2012
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!

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Melissa B on Mar 23, 2013
How did it turn out?

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Sue Ryan on Aug 29, 2016
I would reface the fireplace with a nice tile,maybe in a grey color. Then I would do a light sanding on the wood wall and apply a light grey stain leaving some brown. It would end up looking like barn boards.

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Sue Ryan on Aug 29, 2016
I would only reface the main part of the fireplace, add a mantel that would match the wood wall. I would drywall over the remaining brick and possibly add built in shelving on either sides

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Helen on Aug 29, 2016
I would simply paint the chevron wood wall. My next door neighbor had the same problem in their family room. It really brightened up the room and brought a big wall for decorating. Shelving with things you like would be great there. Or hang your TV there too. Whatever, just take a good look at it and think of things you'd like there.

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Michelle on Mar 15, 2017

Did you paint? If so, how did you prep? I have something similar I'm trying get rid of? All diagonal wood, 3 walls. I like the look of painted wood walls, just wasn't sure about how diagonal would look.

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