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After, I started getting back into redoing furniture I wanted to expand my skill-set and learn how to implement my favorite design features on my own. So I looked up some inspiration on pinterest and I got to planning (or winging it) on my own!
Our spare bedroom used to be used for our playroom/office but since I was pregnant with our daughter it was time to update it into a nursery! The room was a great size but it had these awful textured walls and it was just a light gray and I really wanted to dress it up and give it a more feminine touch. I borrowed a nail gun and caulk gun from my neighbor and got to work If you are new to DIY and looking for more information on tools and what you need to get started download my free DIY Started Guide! I had some lovely helpers as you can see in the pictures for a couple of steps below!
Since I had minimal tools while doing this project I utilized Home Depot’s saw and assistance! They will most likely help you get your wood cut on their saws. Some stores charge and some do it free so just ask before! I got the measurements of the wall and how far apart I wanted the boards. Did the math and headed to get my materials.
Since I wanted to cover the textured walls I opted to get thin sheets of plywood (4 by 8 – I used 1 and a half sheets) to cover the wall. That is how I decided how high to bring up the board and batten, I was going for the easiest and cheapest options so I had it go up 4ft so I didn’t have to add any extra plywood panels or get them cut. Then I counted the distance between each square and got the boards cut. I used 1 X 3 X 8 and then had them cut in half to 4ft lengths. Then I had two 1 X 4 X 8ft boards cut to size for the length of the room. I used these two pieces for the top of the panels going across the room. Then I bought some caulk, liquid nails and paint and I was ready to go!
My materials List:
- 2 sheets of plywood 2x4x8
- 4 1x3x8’s (cut in half for a total of 8 boards)
- 2 1x4x8’s
- Liquid nails (2)
- Paintable Caulk (2)
- Wood Filler
- Sanding Block
- 1.5 qt of Paint
- Later: I also bought 2 rolls of the Wallpaper for the top part of the wall ( I got this one from Target)
My Tool List:
Steps:
- Use liquid nails to coat the back of the plywood
- Nail (using a nail gun) the sheets to the wall
- Liquid nail and use a nail gun to nail the 1×3’s to the wall starting in the corner and measuring how far apart you want them
- I used a measuring tape and a level to make sure they were the correct distance and level each time. I like to put my first nail in the middle and that way I can straighten it out as I nail it down.
- Then I nailed (using both liquid nails and a nail gun) in the 1×4 across the top of the 1×3’s going across the wall
- I then used wood filler to fill in all the nail holes and any seams along the wall from the boards
- Use a sanding block to sand down wood filler (once it is completely dry) and to smooth out any rough parts of the wood.
- Then I cleaned the area using a vacuum and a duster.
- Then I caulked along the edge of every board *I like to have lots of paper towels and baby wipes by because once it is dry it is a pain to take off and perfect again. * I apply it using a caulk gun, with the tip of the caulk can cut at a small 45 degree angle and then applying it to the edge of the wood, then using a baby wipe and the tip of your finger to run over the line to smooth it out. The dampness helps keep your line smooth. If you have an excess of caulk then use a paper towel to clean up your wipe and hand and then start again with a fresh baby wipe. You want to make sure you don’t get ahead of yourself and can’t keep up because you don’t want it to dry before you smooth it over.
- Once that is dry then you can PAINT! -I did one coat of primer and two coats of paint (but three if you don’t prime) Even if you do prime always do at least two!!
- The to apply the top wallpaper I used this wallpaper from Target it is peel and stick but since our walls our textured I used a little dab of liquid nails ( don’t know if that is the professional thing to use but I had extra laying around and I wanted the wallpaper to really stick) Then I applied the wallpaper and it was done!
The only thing I didn’t do to make it perfect was remove our old baseboards and replace it with like a 1×6 to keep everything flush. So ours has a little bit of overhang but I have so much furniture in front of it you can hardly noticed so I didn’t mind! If you don’t want to take off your old baseboards you could also just cut the 1 X 3’s at a bevel cut on the miter saw to create smoother transition.
Below I added some pictures of all the steps to give you a better visual!





























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I was curious what green paint you used! We are painting our nursery green and I love that color but didn’t see it listed on the blog!
Hi, Stacy! I unfortunately do not remember the color! I have actually been on the hunt to try to color match it. I did this project 2 years ago and didn’t save it. I got it from Home Depot’s Behr collection. You might be able to look for something similar there. If I find it I will definitely get back to you- I love this green!! Hope your nursery turns out amazing, congratulations!