OUR MODERN FARMHOUSE KITCHEN MAKEOVER

Dean and I are doing something we have NEVER done before. We are joining the exciting craziness that is the One Room Challenge™ to make over our modern farmhouse kitchen!

The weeks are just flying by in this One Room Challenge and we are now finished with week 4!

This week we tackled all things shiplap backsplash.

But let’s back up a bit and take a look at what’s been accomplished thus far:

~~remove most of the upper cabinets~~
~~remove existing tile backsplash~~
~~remove existing island~~
~~install shiplap backsplash/wall treatment~~
paint shiplap backsplash <—started but not yet complete
~~build a larger island~~
install farmhouse/apron front sink <—started but not yet complete
~~‘wrap’ island and paint~~
~~add some lower cabinets~~ and a desk space
~~prime and paint lower and upper cabinets that stay~~
change out some hardware
install countertops <—started but not yet complete
install new range hood and custom range hood cover
install open shelving

And how about we look at the inspiration board again…cause when it’s messy it sure helps to have something pretty to look at to give one hope! Ha!

So about the shiplap backsplash. If you know me, truth be told I don’t normally follow trends – especially with something as long-term as a kitchen backsplash. BUT I have loved the so-called ‘shiplap’ look for ages. Since before it was a thing. I was plotting where to put it in our old house for months before we decided to move – and alas it didn’t get done there.

BUT when we moved here I decided it needed to be done somewhere. And lo and behold it came up as an inexpensive option when Dean and I were discussing the kitchen reno and how to do a very large backsplash – think counter to ceiling height for a run of about 18+ feet!

Plus Dean isn’t a big fan of tiling. But don’t tell him I said that.

In the end we decided shiplap would make a great backsplash – with just enough visual texture to add character but not so much that it overwhelmed the space.

We chose to use 1/4″ plywood, ripped to 7 7/8 inch by 8 foot pieces by the lovely staff at our local Home Depot. To get the ‘gap’ Dean used the side of his square as a spacer just like he did for the island shiplap, but I’ve see people use coins too.

To install the shiplap backsplash, Dean marked the studs with a pencil and a stud finder. Then he just started in the top left corner (checking for level, of course) and using his brad nailer, started nailing the pieces to the wall being sure to hit as many studs as possible. Since the wall is about 18 feet long, Dean used whole pieces when possible, leaving a gap between pieces on the horizontal side, but butting right against the pieces beside each other on the vertical ends. He varied where he started each row so that the seams weren’t all in a row (see photos).

He actually still has to caulk the edges where the shiplap meets the wall and bulkhead, but I wanted to get a jump start on painting while he was at work, so I started to paint the wall keeping away from the edges. That way he can caulk the seam and I’ll paint over it afterwards. (Man, will it ever be good to be rid of all that brown paint once and for all!)

Rather than lugging a heavy pail up and down the ladder and all around the cabinets and other obstacles, I poured some paint into my HANDy Paint Cup – which I have to say made this paint job SO much easier!

With the built-in magnetic brush holder (freaking genius idea!) and comfortable handle, it’s perfect for smaller painting projects like trim work and craft projects. And even for bigger, but somewhat awkward projects like our kitchen shiplap backsplash!

I even cheated and used a wee roller brush in the HANDy Paint Cup too! But shhh, that’s our little secret.