A little bit of progress to show you today… It’s a little overwhelming to make decisions about everything all at once, but everything has to go together, so you have to figure it out before you do it. I thought my biggest worry was going to be what color of white paint I was going to use… but now I have to decide how I want my kitchen walls to look.
When we discovered the shiplap under the soffits, I was super excited, but I wasn’t sure I was ready for the nail holes and heads of the nails showing, screws and cracked boards in some, and the inconsistencies in the cracks between the boards. I guess I always pictured the kitchen nice and neat and everything as perfect as we could get it. Well, I’m having to decide do I want “authentic” looking shiplap or do I want new and neater shiplap? Do I care if there are some glue spots that won’t come off completely? Do I want to keep the “bones” (or boards in this case) of my 126 year old house, or do I want to update them? I’ve been trying to come to terms with what I want today. This is what it looked like this morning…
If you click on any picture, it will enlarge.
We went to Menard’s today to pick up some trim boards to finish our ceiling and they had boards that would work if we took all the boards down; just on the wall over my sink. Those are the ones that are covered with the glue spots from the tile and there are wider cracks in some of them. Some are cracked in half and held in place with screws. The rest of the boards around the top of the kitchen are fine with me.
My hubby is trying to be patient with me so I can figure out what I want, but I just can’t decide. Do I want old and authentic or new and fresh? I had this idea come to me yesterday that maybe we could take the boards off that wall and flip them over… maybe the backsides were in okay shape. SO…when we got home from Menard’s today, my hubby decided to tackle it and see if the boards would come off in one piece. They are 16 feet long, so we had to be very careful. He was on the ladder at one end and I was on a ladder at the other end. He used his pry bar and got them loose from the wall. They were pretty dry and we only had one crack at the end. They had gobs of nails in them and while I made dinner, my hubby was out in the garage taking the nails out.
I was snapping pictures when I should have been working… here’s a little clearer shot…
We decided to take off the dry wall around the window and I will probably put up beadboard to where you see the drywall end. Originally I thought maybe we’d have shiplap all the way around the room at the tops and then on the wall where my window is. The rest of the drywall will come off the wall, but that’s where I think the beadboard will stop. But again, tomorrow I might have a new plan. Who knows…
We have so much stuff in our sitting room; in the back of our house, it looks like a warehouse. I primed the boards that we’ll use on our ceiling and they are drying and out of the way up on boxes and crossing over the door to Rebecca’s room. You should have seen her face when she got home from work tonight. I know she thinks we are crazy! Maybe we are! :o)
I still have a fairly functioning kitchen as I have my sink and cooktop stove and microwave to use. We are going to try and do this in stages…so as not to disrupt things anymore than we have to. Yea…right! :o)
Well, I better go… I hope you have a wonderful Saturday… 3 guesses as to what I’ll be doing! But I’ll be back on Monday with another update! Maybe I’ll know what I want by then… :o)
See you Monday,
Blessings, Jeanne
The best part of all this now, is that you are at the point of no return and you just have to keep plodding though, Jeanne! Oh, yes, the decisions, decisions, decisions that have to be made! Sometimes I think that I just don’t want to make one more decision on what kind of this or that, especially when it’s your own house. I do think though that I would like things nice and neat, and I would either turn the shiplap around to the back part if possible, so that the imperfections would not show, or get newer wood. Could anyone get splinters on the older wood? Of course, that’s wouldn’t happen over the cabinets, but the part by the door with the glue still on it, might be too rough for a room that people live in, and not just look at. I will say the ceiling looks wonderful so far and you certainly did that right!
Sometimes a new day brings fresh perspectives, and let’s hope today and Sunday do just that! Don’t forget to spring forward tonight!!
Hi Linda,
When we pulled those soffits down I realized we were at a point of no return…and I was so glad, because like you said, I knew there was no turning back! The day I had been waiting for!
We just dove in today, starting at the top and I told George we’ll figure it out as we go. I hope I’m right!
Thanks for the encouraging words, Linda,
Blessings, Jeanne
Is there some reason why the glue or paint removal can’t be done with a power sander with very fine grit? I’m sure whatever you decide on will be wonderful. It will come together all of a sudden and surprise everyone. It’s just been a week now, hasn’t it? It’s fun to watch the progress (from a distance), especially after seeing the church kitchen all finished. I almost wrote “Rest up a bit,” but I know that’s not in the cards right now.
Hi Susette,
I was using the heat gun today. Cindy bought us a new one, and it really works well at getting the glue off the wood…not completely off, but probably 90%.
After just a few boards put up today, I think it’s going to be okay. Last night I was terrified at what we had done.
We have to just keep going and I’m sure we’ll figure it out.
Rest? Boy, what I wouldn’t give for some extra of that!
Thanks Susette,
Blessings, Jeanne
Don’t be discouraged Jeanne. It will all come together. Changing your mind or not being sure of what you want is a good thing…why?…because then you will have really thought carefully about what you like and what you will be happy with. So mulling over and re-examining an idea is a good thing. It’s not indecisiveness but careful planning.
The other thing is, your whole house has history in it’s bones, so if you need to get rid of original shiplap covered in glue or nails or cracks, ( or something else in the house bones ) it’s a small sacrifice to the originality of the house.
Can’t wait to see what’s next!
Thanks for your comments, Paula,
I feel better today than I did yesterday. I had to come to terms with what we could use and also the timevfactor. Yes, I could have spent 2 weeks working at cleaning off the glue, but that would have been all I was doing and I decided I didn’t want to spend that long on it. Sure it may have looked neater, but I’ll have to figure something else out.
I’ll keep looking at pictutes and find my style soon!
Thanks Paula,
Blessings, Jeanne
Well, here’s another take. I know the current wood is old. And I personally love old. But, not if it looks like it is leftover and unfinished. I don’t like cracks, wide or narrow unless they are filled. Just a place for dirt and spiders to catch a ride and perhaps a new home. I think you mentioned the beadboard on the walls. However, if it was to be above or near the sink/behind stove, I would prefer tile or something else that could be sealed. I presume you are having a backsplash of some sort to prevent counter water. Guess I am just a splashy person, but I would have water on the beadboard it it came down too low. I do like the idea of the wood wall near the door. However, because of the patches/cracks, I would probably cover it with newer uniform wood that could be sanded and sealed to prevent slivers as someone else mentioned. Maybe even some of that brick board on the accent wall would work. I know whatever you decide will come out beautifully. You have the decorator eye even though you often say it is your sis and not you. Just think how wonderful this will be soon. I’m still seeing those delectable pies on the uncluttered counter.
And I showed some beadboard ceilings and hall walls to other person. He actually liked them. I’m thinking the ceiling would add some interest to a 60’s plain living room at the other house and also cover the cracked sheetrock in our own place. Thanks Jeanne. Maybe there is hope for some remodeling here too.
P.S. I forgot to add, I’m so glad you are priming those ceiling boards before installing. I was so hoping you would do that. 🙂
Hi Joy,
I’m hoping by the time we get to the backsplash area, I’ll know what I want.
Yikes…cracks and spiders? Maybe I’ll do new!!!
I’m trying to figure out some of these things so I can be one step ahead of my hubby before he even asks what’s next.
The trim boards are primed and waiting to be painted…I’m at least THAT smart. :o)
Our ceiling slats were really hard to figure out…some were 14″, some 15″ and some 16″ apart. It wouldn’t take nearly so long on a regular ceiling, but on this old house and with rough sawn oak studs, my hubby had to drill the holes first on most of them, then screw the edges. It took longer than normal, I’m sure.
I hope you give it a try…I’ll try to get our ceiling done soon so you can show your hubby how it looks finished up!
Thanks Joy,
Blessings, Jeanne
I tend to agree with Linda. Using new shiplap still retains the original feeling of the house., just like updating the electrical and plumbing.
You will be able to decorate ti make it look like 126 yo kitchen.
Between looking at Joanna Gsines ideas and your sister, Cindy ‘s, decorating eye..it will be authentic yet up to date in every way.
I would like to see some of the original shiplap repurposed in some way. Whether as picture frames or shelving.. that way you can have both 🙂
Hi Shara,
I want my kitchen to be functional as well as pretty, so I’m hoping I can have both old and new elemen’s mixed together. I’ll do my best to make it spider free, as Joy was worried about, as well as retaining some of the old in it.
Just like you said, what I want is my kitchen to be authentic, but up to date.
Thanks Shara,
Blessings, Jeanne
Dear Jeanne, it will all look wonderful when it’s done. I have it on great authority that your dollies are planning a party for you when it’s over. Ooops, I hope that wasn’t supposed to be a surprise party (smile).
Hi Dorothy,
Oh, good, I could use a party sometime soon. This morning when I woke up and set my feet on the floor, even the soles of my feet hurt.
I’m ready for the “pretty” part to my kitchen now!
Thanks Dorothy,
Blessings, Jeanne
It may be a bit overwhelming, Jeanne, but be of good cheer! You’ve been blessed with wonderful creativity, talent, skills, materials, and assistance to undertake this grand venture. There may be surprises along the way that require some flexibility, but trust in your vision. With a little faith from above, all will end well. The process may be challenging, exciting, confusing, empowering, exhausting and exhilarating all at once, but each day brings you a step closer to your dream kitchen. Blessings for the journey! (And I hope the dollies have added me to the guest list for the party celebration)! 😉
Thank you Anne,
There are always surprises in this house…
we’re used to that by now.
Thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words to me. I needed them…maybe I was just extra tired last night.
And yes, YOU and all my other readers are invited to the party!!! :o) I hope we all have a great time!!!
Thanks so much, Anne,
Blessings, Jeanne
Linda is smart to point out that there’s a difference between “looking at” and “living in.” And then there’s the “keep clean” aspect.
I find that making decisions like this paralyzes me. It helps to know that it happens to you too, and then I’ll get to see how you get through it. You never know what you do that gives someone else courage.
One of my friends works as a movie extra in Hollywood. She and her son need a variety of headshots and just bought some of those Chinese white paper balls that go over lights and soften them to help with their lights and shadows. They found them at a party store. You have mentioned softening light for your pictures to avoid glare. I have no idea if this would work for you, but it might be simple and inexpensive to try.
Coffee filters work over a standard pop-up flash.
Hi Marilyn,
I want the “keep clean” part in my kitchen… and just hope I can incorporate a little authenticity in here too.
A lot of people do a design board and have everything all figured out ahead of time with scraps of this and pictures of what they want. This house doesn’t quite work that way…just like yesterday, we planned to get some new 16′ shiplap boards. I called the lumber yard and they said they had 113. We borrowed our neighbors trailer to haul all our wood home, but when we got there, someone had made a mistake and there wasn’t a single piece of what we needed. So right there in the store we had to change our plan and go with something else…
What an interesting idea using white paper balls to diffuse the light. You’ll have to ask them if it worked!
Thanks Marilyn,
Blessings, Jeanne