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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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August 30, 2011

DIY Faux Wainscoting in the Dining Room

Ok. So, we all know that “faux” is just a fancy word for “fake”, right?
But I gotta tell ya, there is nothing fake about my love for my dining room walls now.
Faux Sho’!

Here is where it all began…
Sigh…green carpet…’nuff said.
I might not be able to do anything about that carpet right now, but I could do something with the walls!
Once I got my feet wet adding a chair rail and picture frame molding to our powder room, I knew my miter saw and I were going to be inseperable as we tackled the dining room.
I never thought I would get so much satisfaction out of seeing 2 corners match up!
Once I added the chair rail I was all set to start cutting the trim for the picture frame molding.
And then I spotted these on Clearance at Lowes!
There may or may not be a nice couple in our city who are still talking about the crazy, desheveled lady covered in saw dust and caulk they met in the wood trim aisle at Lowes who went on and on all about how excited she was to find these premade picture frames on Clearance and
how much time and energy that was going to save her.
 Just sayin’!
Here we are with the chair rail and the frames installed.

And after 2 coats of paint (make sure it matches your existing trim!), my faux wainscoting came to life!
Heather’s in love with her farmhouse sink and I’m in love with my walls.
We are deep like that here at the Fence!
My sweet hubby changed out the light sockets and switch plates from cream to white so they would blend in.

Looking back towards the living room, you can see that it isn’t truly an enclosed room. Which meant that the wainscoting had to have a point at which it came to a stop.
The walls are slightly rounded and my plan is to eventually put a chair rail in the living room as well. But to create the look of true wainscoting, I needed to have a “line” to define where it ends.

This was easily accomplished by taping off the wall in a straight line from the point where the chair rail ends.

Now, I really did love how the wainscoting turned out but what I wasn’t lovin’ so much was how stark this black table now looked against it.
I’ve been on the hunt for awhile now trying to find just the right sideboard for this space but haven’t had any luck yet. It can’t be very deep because there needs to be room for the chair to be pulled out so it has been a bit tricky to find something that will work.
Hmmmm….
What if I just switched it out for this one in the family room?
Definitely an improvement! Lighter, brighter and free!

I had my eye on this chicken wire cloche forever but the price tag kept me walking away from it every time.
Until a few weeks ago when it was 75% off!

My next challenge? This chandelier. You can see how it isn’t an easy one to switch out since the ceiling angles up to meet the 2nd story of our house. Even painting it would require renting scaffolding or teetering on a very tall ladder. Neither option thrills my heights-fearing hubby!

I do love how the wainscoting helps to ground and define the space now
and helps it to not feel so cavernous.
Until I figure out what to do with that light, I will just continue to admire my handiwork in the dining room and walk around the rest of the house trying to decide which space will be the next victim of my miter saw!
I think I just saw these walls raise their hands! Didn’t you?
Thanks so much for joining me at the Fence today!
This post will be partying at the following places:
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia: Tuesday’s Treasures
Savvy Southern Style: Wow Us Wednesday
DIY By Design: Sizzle into Summer
Guest host On Sutton Place: Open House Party
A Stroll Thru Life: Tabletop Tuesday
French Country Cottage: Feathered Nest Friday
Common Ground: Vintage Inspiration Friday
Stuff and Nonsense: Friday’s Unfolded
The Charm of Home: Home Sweet Home Party
DIY Showoff: DIY Project Parade
Roomspiration



40 Comments Filed Under: Decorating, Good Ideas

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Katie says

    August 30, 2011 at 5:15 PM

    Love the wainscoting, and those panel frames are such an awesome find!

    Reply
  2. Michelle Paige says

    August 30, 2011 at 5:21 PM

    Wow! Your home is so beautiful! I love how you made your own wainscoting and learned how to use a miter saw! You are an inspiration!

    Reply
  3. Pam@OurAdventuresInHomeImprovement says

    August 30, 2011 at 5:28 PM

    The wainscoting looks fabulous! And I love that you got it on clearance! Great job!

    Pam

    Reply
  4. Carolyn@SweetChaos says

    August 30, 2011 at 5:29 PM

    It looks fantastic! And how awesome is it that someone thought to make the premade panels?? I have a serious weakness for wainscoting. It just gives everything a more custom look. Way to rock the miter saw!! 🙂

    Reply
  5. Jamie says

    August 30, 2011 at 5:44 PM

    GREAT work! And we’ve all been “that crazy lady at Lowes” at some point in our lives, right? hahaha!

    Reply
  6. ⚜ ↁℯℬℬᴵℰ⚜@ Debbiedoos blogging and blabbing says

    August 30, 2011 at 5:45 PM

    That is unbelievable Vanessa! What a HUGE difference that makes in the room. Who will even notice the green carpet? Only you, believe me, this looks gorgeous!

    Reply
  7. Leslie says

    August 30, 2011 at 6:12 PM

    Your home is beautiful!! Great job in your dining room.

    Reply
  8. Rachel says

    August 30, 2011 at 6:20 PM

    I absolutely love that you got those frames for a steal – save TIME AND MONEY! (Let alone stress!) 🙂 Looks great! 🙂

    Reply
  9. Debra @ Common Ground says

    August 30, 2011 at 6:27 PM

    Oh Vanessa, I’m lovin’ your space! That wainscotting real or not is amazing! You did such a wonderful job! My monster light fixture is just like yours except more “monster-y”. I’m thinking that chalk paint might work, little nervous about trying it though…
    If you get a minute come help out Dianne at Design Challenge. xoxo

    Reply
  10. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says

    August 30, 2011 at 6:28 PM

    WOW Vanessa you are goooood!! I’m lovin your walls too, and I love how you brought in the white table. Looks beautiful! We did the same thing in our dining room and hallway a few months ago and I couldn’t be happier! Martina

    Reply
  11. FABBY'S LIVING says

    August 30, 2011 at 7:20 PM

    Fabulous wainscoting Vanessa! I love the way it turned out, your dining room looks beautiful and elegant, I love it as I have it around our living and dining room too. Your house is very pretty, I love the photos you took of it. Nice chandy too! Thanks for sharing.
    Lots of hugs. FABBY

    Reply
  12. marina {yummy mummy} says

    August 30, 2011 at 8:18 PM

    You are so creative! And I love the chicken wire cloche! I may have a go at making a diy version 🙂

    Reply
  13. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    August 30, 2011 at 8:20 PM

    Vanessa, you did a great job on that trim. I let the mr. do those kind of jobs here. I do like the furniture switch you made to. Thanks in advance for joining the party.

    Reply
  14. housedressingblog.blogspot.com says

    August 30, 2011 at 9:45 PM

    Love the walls, you done good!… and where did you get those plaid panels? I am in deep lust over them!

    Reply
  15. Ann from On Sutton Place says

    August 30, 2011 at 10:54 PM

    Really wonderful transformation. It’s great that you even changed out the switchplates. Details like that make all the difference. Love the white too!

    Reply
  16. Pamela says

    August 30, 2011 at 11:05 PM

    Looks amazing Vanessa!! I really do need to go back to Lowes and get them again. You have shown me I CAN do this project!

    Reply
  17. Graces Goodies says

    August 30, 2011 at 11:25 PM

    It turned out so well! Love the white table in there:)

    Bianca

    Reply
  18. marty (A Stroll Thru Life) says

    August 30, 2011 at 11:31 PM

    Your diningroom looks amazing. I totally love your wainscoting. It is just fabulous and it turned out sooooooooooo good. I really like the white buffet in there also. It is perfect and your vignette and wall collage is gorgeous. So pretty. Such a huge difference. Thanks for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty

    Reply
  19. NanaDiana says

    August 31, 2011 at 12:42 AM

    You did a wonderful job on those walls! LOVE that you found that framing and that it was just perfect for the job. What a time saver. Hmmm…I think those wall are quaking to see if they are gonna get nailed next! xo Diana

    Reply
  20. Refresh restyle says

    August 31, 2011 at 1:41 AM

    I think your faux looks fabulous ! And the white buffet was the perfect move!!! This post is full of eye candy, love the new cloche!
    Debbie

    Reply
  21. Debbie says

    August 31, 2011 at 2:14 AM

    Faux Sho? You make me laugh.

    I also admire the dining room. It looks great!

    Reply
  22. Michele Smith says

    August 31, 2011 at 2:48 AM

    Beautiful! You did a fantastic job. Your home looks some cozy and inviting!

    Reply
  23. Christie says

    August 30, 2011 at 8:49 PM

    It looks amazing! I think it does create such a warm space! Your entire home is so inviting! Love to you! Christie

    Reply
  24. FiliGrace says

    August 31, 2011 at 8:06 AM

    Wow, nice job! 🙂 Congrants!

    Found your post via DIY by Design blog. 🙂 I joined the party, too. 🙂

    xoxo
    Grace.

    Reply
  25. Anonymous says

    August 31, 2011 at 12:37 PM

    on the light change the shades. love what you did to your room.

    Reply
  26. Shelia says

    August 31, 2011 at 2:54 PM

    Woo Hooness! I love it! What a great job you did! So so pretty and I know you’re enjoying it so much!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia 😉

    Reply
  27. tableandtop.com says

    August 31, 2011 at 4:18 PM

    Your home is very pretty. Love the post!

    ‘Please visit our new website http://www.tableandtop.com‘

    Reply
  28. Youaretalkingtoomuch.com says

    August 31, 2011 at 5:33 PM

    Love.Love.Love! I have got to get my rear in gear on doing this! Love, Me

    Reply
  29. Toni says

    September 1, 2011 at 10:19 AM

    You did an amazing job. I am scared of saws so I would never attempt this. Yea for you!! The white table is perfect. Your home has so many interesting details. Love it.

    Reply
  30. Honey at 2805 says

    September 1, 2011 at 1:14 PM

    The changes made such a difference. It’s absolutely beautiful!

    Reply
  31. Poppy says

    September 1, 2011 at 9:07 PM

    Absolutely fantastic job! what a difference the picture frame moldings and the chair rail made… it gives such a beautifully custom look to your dining room. I like how you placed the white console table and the wire cloche is such a darling… pretty vingette with the lamps and silver teaset. You have a gorgeous house! Thanks for having us over every Thursday. Have a safe Labor Day!~Poppy

    https://withadashofcolor.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  32. Honey at 2805 says

    September 1, 2011 at 9:12 PM

    Your really did a fabulous job-it looks so custom. Custom by Vanessa!

    Thanks so much for participating in the first Potpourri Friday Party!

    Reply
  33. Karen says

    September 1, 2011 at 9:40 PM

    You did a fabulous job, it looks just like custom wainscoting.

    Reply
  34. Tracy Suzanne says

    September 2, 2011 at 9:57 PM

    Trim and molding makes the biggest difference. You did a great job Vanessa! I’m know you’re lovin’ it.

    Hugs…Tracy 🙂

    Reply
  35. Ann from On Sutton Place says

    September 3, 2011 at 12:05 AM

    You are such a worker bee. This looks like it was professionally done. Those frames are amazing. So glad you came to the party!

    Reply
  36. Ricki Jill Treleaven says

    September 3, 2011 at 10:39 PM

    Linking over from 2805! I like your dining room and the shadow box molding and chair rail. Nicely done! I think your light fixture and my dining room light fixture were separated at birth. I would like a new light, too, but I probably won’t be getting one any time soon 🙁

    Reply
  37. Ellen says

    September 5, 2011 at 7:27 PM

    Love the new look, so crisp and clean. Just in time for the holidays. Sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Linking up from 2805.
    Hugs,
    Ellen

    Reply
  38. Sherry says

    September 6, 2011 at 5:17 PM

    Vanessa,
    What a great idea that trim was. It looks wonderful! I love the furniture switch too! I liked the “walls raised their hands.” That was cute!
    Thanks for joining HSH!
    Sherry

    Reply
  39. Ange says

    September 23, 2011 at 9:49 PM

    I recognized your dining room right away! Isn’t the moulding such a fun touch to add to any room? 🙂 Looks great, as always!

    Reply
  40. Jena @ Involving Color says

    September 25, 2011 at 10:58 PM

    Vanessa, the new molding looks great! We did picture frame molding in our dining room, but the hard way. That was such a great idea to get the premade kind. It really adds a nice touch to your room. Thanks so much for linking up to Roomspiration!

    Reply

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Matthew 7:13-14 says, “Enter through the narrow Matthew 7:13-14 says, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.”.
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When I was a little girl we took a trip to Silver Dollar City theme park in Branson, MO. One of the attractions there is the Marvel Cave. The whole theme park was actually built right around the cave! I will never forget the feeling of descending into the darkness. We had to walk down a steep, narrow path and I could feel the rocky walls beginning to close in on me. From time to time, our guide would even have to call out for us to duck our heads so as not to whack them on rocks that were jutting out. And just when it felt like we had been walking forever; just when it felt the most narrow and the most dark; just when we were starting to get really weary from navigating this path, we turned the corner and found ourselves awestruck as we gazed at this enormous room. Everywhere we looked there were stalactites and stalagmites. Lights had been installed and they reflected off of these formations creating the most beautiful colors on the walls. There were pools of water in a shade of aquamarine I had never seen before and waterfalls flowing from upper levels. That long, winding, damp trek had been so very worth it. The descent into darkness had revealed light…and life!

My prayer for you friends, is that you will look at that narrow path with the small gate as an opportunity. It’s an opportunity to experience the kind of freedom that our souls are longing for. The wide and broad path of the world promises us a freedom that is fleeting and temporary. But at the end of the narrow path, there is hope and peace and life everlasting.

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