Planked Accent Wall Tutorial

I have no idea why it took me so long to share this project, because it's really one of my favorites! Last summer we had our entire upstairs painted. I'd been admiring all the planked walls in the Pottery Barn catalogs (especially the bedrooms in the PB Kid's catalogs) and at the very last minute decided that Ryan's room would be the perfect candidate for a planked accent wall.

I've shared this before ... as much as I love painting furniture, I do not enjoy painting walls. No, not even a little bit. And although my husband is very handy, he'd really rather be golfing. So I left this project in the capable hands of our painter, handyman and all around good guy Mark. Mark was already here painting when I showed him the Pottery Barn catalog and this photo in particular. I especially liked the rustic feel of the knots showing through. Just ignore that fact that the room is really cute and girly.

The next day, there was a stack of tongue and groove pine planks in my garage.

Yup, nice and knotty.

Furring strips were placed on the wall horizontally and attached to the studs.

The planks were then attached directly to the furring strips, not to the wall. If for some reason the planks ever need to come down, the wall won't be destroyed in the process.

Mark nailed each plank in through the groove so the nails do not show at all.

A few simple cut-outs were made around the outlets.

And that was it!

Ryan's room is at the end of the hallway, so you notice this wall right away. And I think it's the perfect wall treatment for behind a bed!

After the first coat of paint, my husband was not totally sold on the knotty look, so we just added a second coat of paint. The knots still show through, but they are now a little more subtle.

I am a details kind of girl, so I really appreciated the fact that Mark took the time to make sure the boards on either end of the wall came out perfectly even.

My goal for this room was to give it an update without totally changing everything. Ryan doesn't really live here anymore, but I wanted the room to still feel like home when he comes to visit. I added fresh new bedding - sheets and quilt from Ralph Lauren, comforter from West Elm.

The curtains are from Ikea (love their curtains) and the rod is Martha Stewart from Home Depot.

And with the new carpet installed, I could finally hem the curtains!

When Ryan was home over the holidays, he cleaned out his closet, drawers and book shelves.

I think we kept just enough mementos to know that this is still Ryan's room.

Ryan approves of the new planked accent wall. I still want to paint the bookcase blue to break up all the natural wood in the room. But for the most part, we can call this room done!

Now I think this house just might need a few more planked walls!

I'm sharing with ...

Redoux
French Country Cottage
Common Ground
My Repurposed Life
Jennifer Rizzo
Craftberry Bush
504 Main
Chic on a Shoestring Decorating
The Shabby Nest
That DIY Party
Coastal Charm
Cozy Little House
Savvy Southern Style
The Shabby Creek Cottage