Shiplap + Painted Fireplace in the Living Room
You guys!! I finally got to do a project I’ve been dreaming about since early June. Seriously, from the very first time we came into this house on a rainy Sunday afternoon I knew I wanted to shiplap on the tall wall in the living room. Since then I’ve been basically counting down the days until we could make it happen. And I’m so happy to say it finally happened! And it’s even better than I imagined. We also painted the tile around our fireplace black, which made a huge difference in how this space looks now! Ok, let’s start with a before photo of the living room:
And here’s how it looks now:
Eeeeek I love it so much!! And I know it’s not for everyone, but I’m a huge fan of shiplap. I just love the simple way it makes a room feel cozy and warm. Now this room definitely feels more like me. I can’t get over how different it looks!
I’m so happy the navy blue tile is gone!! We used Behr Scuff Defense Stain Blocking Paint + Primer in one. The color was “black” and we got a matte finish. It looks a zillion times better and such a simple fix too. Painting the tile only took about thirty minutes.
I still haven’t decided what I want to do with those cutouts by the fireplace yet, but I’m thinking either open shelves or some kind of built-in cabinet to help disguise all the cables from our tv. Or maybe both! For now I’m using those large baskets to help hide everything–I actually cut a small circle on the back of each one to run the cables through! We also plan to move this huge TV down to the basement when it’s finished in a couple weeks. I have a smaller frame TV coming this week!
Well thank you so much for stopping by the blog to see our little living room transformation. I hope this gives you a few ideas for your own home!
Wall + shiplap paint color: Alabaster by Sherwin Williams
Fireplace paint: Black by Behr in matte
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The Comments
AnnTN
Love!!!
Heather
Looks fabulous and welcoming!
Sophie Whitworth
> HeatherLove it!
Sarah
> Sophie Whitworththank you Sophie!
Donna J Ryan
> SarahLove the shiplap. My suggestion is to put bookshelves in the openings and one of those Samsung ART TV. Just even with the tops of those windows. A beautiful photo that will disguise the TV would be gorgeous in that room.
Looking great
And also commented a week ago about your dining room. We viewers were waiting for you to make that change!
Sarah
> Donna J RyanThat’s a great idea Donna! We actually ordered a frame TV several days ago and it should be here soon. I can’t wait to get that ginormous TV off the mantel 🙂
Candy
Sarah, you have done another beautiful job! It certainly is your style and I love it. I know you told us before, but where can I find the link for doing ship lap? Please, thanks so much
Sarah
> CandyHi Candy! The shiplap is from Home Depot.
Betty White
The room looks so much better and very relaxing.
Kristine
Fantastic, how brave you were to paint the tile. Shiplap is a love and you chose the perfect wall for it.
The Arhaus sofa is something I am considering. What upholstery did you chose and are you happy with it?
DanYelle
> Kristine❤️❤️ Absolutely stunning ! Did u have to do any special prep on the tile before painting ? Which Behr paint did you use ? I want to paint ours around our electric FP but it is marble tile ? Keep doing what YOU love and thanks for sharing !
Sarah
> DanYelleNo primer before hand! The tile was really porous and rough to the touch, so I didn’t think it needed primer. And it worked fine! We used Behr Scuff Defense Stain Blocking Paint + Primer in one. The color was “black” and we got a matte finish.
Sarah
> KristineWe love the Arhaus sofa! The upholstery is a weave pattern I believe–it’s held up really well so far.
Patti
I’m not sure about this one.
I liked the pattern/original tiles because now with the TV it’s too black…doesn’t work for me.
I also wouldn’t have done the ship lap in the smaller cubbies I’d have left them clear walls. I understand maybe you thought it would blend but I think it exaggerates them.
I’d make larger windows or open shelving with same wall colour paint may balance out all that black with whatever you out on the shelves.
Sarah
> PattiWe will be doing open shelves and cabinets in those spots eventually. Sorry Patti, can’t do it all at once! And we are getting a smaller TV for that spot this week. Thanks for sharing your negative opinions!
Patti
> SarahIt wasn’t meant to be a negative comment. Just saying what I would have done. Isn’t this a comment area?
I’ve always learned from what others think for my consideration. Not allowed I guess unless we love it.
Don’t worry I won’t ever write anything again.
Wasn’t meant the way it was taken.
I’ll unsubscribe today
Kathy Squires
> PattiPatti, I didn’t see what you wrote as negative at all. I, too, am not sure I’d have painted the tile, but commenting is not negative. I think all thoughts should be welcomed.
Sarah
> Kathy SquiresI am more than happy to hear a difference of opinion. If you don’t like the black tile, that is perfectly ok with me and there’s a polite way to say that! However, I just felt that her comment was attacking several of the decisions I made in this room and it came across as very critical. That’s all! I have a right to say it felt negative.
Dominique
> PattiI am sure Sarah’s comment was not meant to be negative, but you took it as such… Words need to be carefully measured, as you have just learned.
Diane
> DominiqueWhen she said “thanks for your negative opinion” that’s seems negative to me! I’m not crazy about the black tiles either, but to each their own! As long as she likes it, that’s all that counts! But she should be able to handle negative comments too, not everyone will like everything she does.
Sarah
> DianeI’m perfectly capable of handling negative comments, Diane. I know my worth is found in God alone and not in the comments on my blog posts.
Lorrie Gasses
> PattiPatti,
Your comment wasn’t negative. I’m surprised by the response you received from Sarah and her responses to some other post. I need to rethink my time reading this blog as well.
Lorrie
> PattiWondering where my comment went, waiting for “moderation”….
Patti,
I didn’t think your comment was negative. Like you, I need to rethink my time reading this blog when I see negative comments from Sarah about innocent opinions.
Patti
> LorrieI agree Sarah’s words were
“Thanks for your negative comment.
How else should o take it!
Anyway I’ve unsubscribed after this.
Sarah
> SarahPatti, I appreciate your opinion and I’ve always welcomed comments here that kindly express a difference in opinion. I am happy to get input and I regularly ask for it! However, I found your comment to be rude. Trust me, I don’t like those cutouts. I would happily do built-in cabinets if I could. But like I mentioned, I can’t do it all at once. I added the shiplap for now because it makes me happy and I love how it looks.
Stacey
Love it!!! Good job.
Sarah
> Staceythanks Stacey! xo
Sheila
Love the shiplap and the fireplace but throwing pillows into baskets all over the the room doesn’t make sense to me. Sorry!🤷🏼♀️
Dominique
> SheilaDoes it need to make “sense?” It is an artistic touch as well as a storage place for pillows. Why do people have to put negative comments? That is what makes no “sense” to me…
Sarah
> DominiqueThanks Dominique. I appreciate your kindness!
Sarah
> SheilaThat’s ok, doesn’t have to make sense to you. I love it and thankfully it’s my house.
Lisa
Absolutely beautiful! Love it!!
Sarah
> Lisathank you Lisa! xo
Den
Well done!
Sarah
> Denthank you! xo
Katy
So cute! We started demo on the fireplace in our master bedroom but ran into some issues, now I’m wishing we just painted the old tile like you did – what a great idea!
Sarah
> KatyOh dang! Seems like there are always issues with just about any project–no matter how small!
Wendy Gish
I LOVE IT!! If I didn’t know this was your house then I would guess that it was. It is taking on your “personality” and special touches. As far as next to the fireplace, of course I don’t know the dimensions, but is it too small for a built in seat that you would have storage inside the seat and some fluffy pillows on both sides.
Sarah
> Wendy GishWe are thinking about doing floating shelves and either a seat or built in cabinet. Just have to take time to do it! SO many projects at once.
Marie
Sarah, it is so beautiful! You are so good at what you do. Thanx for sharing!
Sarah
> Mariethanks for the kind comment, Marie!
Chris
LOVE the shiplap!
Terry Arnot
This looks terrific! Inspiration for my family room.
Krystina McCarthy
I love the ship lap and the black accents you are putting in the room. I wish you could come to my house and give me ideas of what to do with my ugly fireplace!
It’s just a propane unit stuck in the wall, no mantel no stone! Ugg!
Sarah
> Krystina McCarthyOh I’ve seen those before! Can you build a mantel up around it? Or a faux mantel maybe?!
Miriam
Absolutely stunning. Can’t wait to see more of your amazing journey at your new place.
Sarah
> MiriamThanks Miriam, can’t wait to share more of it 🙂
Anna Lancaster
I love it.And ship lap is something I’ve always wanted.Your home is so homey and comfortable looking.Enjoy
Sarah
> Anna Lancasterthank you sweet Anna! xo
Jan
Looks great. I love the look. How do you keep white furniture w children, I don’t think I could do it w me n my husband n 4 kitties!
Sarah
> Janhaha well it’s not ideal, I will say that! I do a lot of spot cleaning and I’m trying to be better about not letting the kids eat food in the living room. Thankfully our couch has a lot of texture in it, so it hides dirty pretty well!
Christy Ingersoll
Where is the white pendant light from in the first picture? Beautiful room!
Sarah
> Christy IngersollOh that light was in the house when we moved in! I’m sorry, I don’t have any info on it but I’ve seen similar ones at Home Depot.
Jenn
It looks great! I love the shiplap! I have a strange question but how high from the ground is it to the top of your tv? We have ours hung above the fireplace too but it seems so high to me? Yours looks better so I was just curious. Thanks 🙂
Sarah
> JennOh dang, that’s a great question! I’d have to measure it to be sure. We actually have a.frame TV coming later this week (this one here will go in our basement) so we’ll be hanging it on the wall–which means it will be even higher. Hopefully not too high! 🙂
Ruth
I love how cozy and inviting your living room looks, its very pretty
Sarah
> Ruththank you Ruth!
Vicki
Yay, Sarah, it’s looking so good! Great call on the black tile, much better! It’s really starting to feel cozy like your main living spaces in your old home. I was curious how you would use those niches as well, I like the idea of a closed cabinet with maybe a floating shelf above, or not, depending on how tall the cabinet is. It would be cool to use some kind of screen in the doors that would hide electronics yet still allow remote control access. I’m sure whatever you decide will be awesome! Glad things are coming together for you, the shiplap is gorgeous! Considering shiplap, planked walls, etc. are age old techniques, I think it’s classic and definitely adds nice texture and interest to a really large wall.
Sarah
> VickiThanks for the suggestions Vicki! Those cutouts by the fireplace have been a thorn in my side since we moved in. I can’t stand them! I am thinking shelves for sure and either a cabinet or bench seat of some kind to hide cables. Hopefully we can do that soon!
Teri
Love it all, sooo beautiful!
Sarah
> Terithank you Teri!
Jan
> SarahThe house is starting to feel & look like you!
Karen
We have a cedar lined bench w hinged top on bottom and shelves above. Just an idea . Looks pretty !!!
Sarah
> KarenWe talked about a bench like that! We had a reading nook at our old house with the same kind of design. It was such great storage!
Sheila
Love the shiplap!!! Huge difference and definitely a visual boast. For the space on either side of the fireplace, have you considered something like the plant shelves you have on the other wall so you won’t totally loose the shiplap in the background. Make them a combination of bookshelf, display, and baskets to hide unsightly cords? They would look nice with the mantle and then maybe a black plant stand which would definitely allow your white plant pots to shine? But who am I to tell you — your style is wonderful and I know you’ll find the perfect solution. Can’t wait to see what you do!
Sarah
> SheilaI love that idea Sheila! I’m thinking we will definitely do floating shelves in those spots and maybe a cabinet on the lower half to hide all the cables for our TV. I honestly hate those cutouts–I don’t know what the builder was thinking with leaving those empty!
Sylvia
> SarahWhat is the purpose of those alcoves anyway? Or is it just an architect that was let loose with his imagination??? 😄 Now it is too late but you could have shiplapped over them… I think like others suggested already, blanket boxes and floating shelves will be fab. And you will do a smashing job styling them. I LOVED YOUR floating shelves in the dining nook at your old house. They were always styled to perfection in my opinion, very homely. I love your current dining room!!!! Every room so far is beautiful (bar the few boohoo pieces I mentioned in my earlier post😉)
Margaret E King-Porter
You are so talented!!!
I enjoy seeing everything you do.
Shiplap is a favorite of mine but have not yet got some on my walls.
You have given me some inspiration to get going.
Sarah
> Margaret E King-PorterThank you Margaret. Give the shiplap a try, you will love it!
Donna J Ryan
Love the shiplap. My suggestion is to put bookshelves in the openings and one of those Samsung ART TV. Just even with the tops of those windows. A beautiful photo that will disguise the TV would be gorgeous in that room.
Looking great
And also commented a week ago about your dining room. We viewers were waiting for you to make that change!
Sharon Neighoff
Beautiful!! I love your new house! So happy for you and your family! Enjoy!
Brenda Johnson
I just knew you would do something with the fireplace, and the black paint is perfect! The shiplap looks amazing too! That wall had to be a little bit of a challenge with so many cuts, and y’all did a good job!
Izamar Velazquez
OMG,I’m in love with your place and ideas looking forward to more posts and ideas from you I’ve tried several items you’ve listed thanks so much and God bless u all.
Sylvia
Your house looks lovely, though I have noticed you are drifting towards this boohoo (?) style a bit (the little stools and bookcase in the sitting room, the cube footstools)… I don’t think they fit there. Your style was always more of a farmhouse/traditional/simple/painted and it was you. I would say stay clear of that trend 🙂
Sarah
> SylviaHi Sylvia, I’m simply trying to fill those spots temporarily until we can get cabinets made. Trust me, I don’t love the way the little stools look there either.
Dianne G
Looks fabulous!
Rhonda Cesana
Love love love the shiplap!! I actually put it in my great room on a similar tall wall – what a huge difference it makes to a room! Great project results!
Sarah
> Rhonda CesanaIt really does make a huge difference, Rhonda! I’d shiplap my whole house if I could 🙂
Desiré
LOVE your style! Your home just looks so cozy and the way you put things together is just perfect! I don’t normally comment but was totally blown away by the negative comments- and the fact that you were unfollowed and chastised because you weren’t “appreciative” enough of them. 🙄 not sure how it’s any of our business to tell you how to decorate since you’re clearly doing just fine on your own!! I only wish I could decorate half as well as you. 😊 Anyway, just wanted to say thanks for all the inspiration! I appreciate you!
Mia Klasson
It all looks very nice.
Julee
Love the shiplap and the darker fireplace tile! I think built in shelves would be a great idea on either side; a la craftsman in a way!
Teresa
Your home is warm and inviting
Thanks for sharing another design idea of painting the fireplace tiles and adding the ship lap.!
Cathy Davis
Hi Sarah,
I love living shiplap through your eyes. Your home is amazing. I just love it. Have you posted pictures of the outside of your new home? I would love to see them. You are so inspiring and you let us know how we can decorate on a dime. Have a blessed day.
Pat
Love the poofs, where did you get them?
I have a similar style
Maryellen
Love it! The shiplap definitely gives a warm and cozy feel! We are getting ready to do shiplap in our entry hall and great room. What size boards did you use? Looks like Home Depot sells 5 1/4″ and 7 1/4″. I’m torn.
Sheilah Perry-Rosales
Wow 100% better! Was the paint you used a high heat one?
Bee
Wow–what a difference!!! LOVE IT so much I want to copy the look.
Do you have a link for the window shades?
Thanks for sharing your ideas. I always look forward to your posts.
Linda
Did you bleach your floors?
Sherry
So glad you did the shiplap!!! It makes the room so much more warm and inviting and breaks up the space. I agree that open bookshelves would look great in the openings and maybe a closed cabinet on bottom to hide cables, etc.
your home is really coming along!! Just take your time and focus on what you really like!!
kim Craythorn
where did you find your couch? Is it linen??
Tina Brown
I love your style. I have a wall just like that. I’ve wanted to shiplap the heck out of things. 😀
I think long windows like the others would be great in those cubbies by fireplace.
Kyla
I am loving how this room is coming together, Sarah! This room reads as “Sarah” now with the shiplap and the painted fireplace! 🙂 I see your vision for the cut outs in this room, and since good things take time and money—I love that you are working with it for now! I think those cut outs may be the perfect spot for some cute little prelit Christmas trees in the meantime! 🙂
Emily
Loving the color scheme in here! Question, did you paint your trim in Alabaster as well, or a different color?
Meesh
I love it it’s just beautiful ❤️