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To Shiplap Or Not to Shiplap...That is the Question!

If you have ears, you have heard the term shiplap.  A few years ago, I would have thought it was the distance required for a ship to leave harbor.  Now we hear the term in everyday conversation.

Friend-       "I'm going to shiplap our entire house!!"
Me-            "Really??"
Friend-        "Yes! Where have you been?  It's the IN thing"
Me-            "I know, but don't you think you might get tired of it after awhile?"
Friend-        "Well, I haven't really thought about it.  I just love the way it looks"
Me-             "So do I... (sigh)"

(Photo Credit: Fixer Upper The Gorman Story Season 1)
 I do love the way it looks.  Geez Louise..I have a farmhouse!  It would look perfect here, but do I want to embark on the shiplap frenzy?  Could it be the horizontal equivalent of the paneling frenzy of the 1970's?
(Photo Credit:  Fixer Upper  The Nut House Season 6)
I have always been a "sit back and observe" type of person.  It's not easy for me to jump on the current decorating bandwagon.  I am also a "stand out in the crowd" kinda girl.  I credit/blame my momma for that!  She always told us to be different...don't follow the crowd.  I think she meant, don't do things I shouldn't be doing and to stand up for what the Lord would want me to do, but the message transferred to everything!

(Photo Credit:  Fixer Upper)
While everyone was selecting stainless steel appliances, I opted for black with stainless trim. While people are happily slapping chalk paint on everything in sight, the rebel in me cries "no".   After all, I enjoy the character of old wood.  I am happiest in a world of moderation.  A little of this and a little of that yields contentment.  BUT and that is a big but...I would love to incorporate a little shiplap in our home ... somewhere ... somehow ... probably while Mr. Still Woods is on a work related trip.  I'm good with power tools!
(Photo Credit:  Fixer Upper Season 3 Beanstalk Bungalow)
Joanna Gaines (Love Her!) of Fixer Upper  and Magnolia Market is the queen of shiplap and she does it extremely well.  There is nothing better to me than sitting in my jammies on Tuesday nights watching Chip and Joanna Gaines work their magic.  Some of their renovations have shiplap in several of the rooms, while others have an accent of shiplap.  I also like the way Joanna mixes painted wood with stained wood.  And Chip Gaines...you can't get any better than that fella.  He is talented and hilarious!  More importantly, they are a Christian couple who love the Lord and proclaim it!
(Photo Credit:  Fixer Upper Season 2 The Little House on the Prairie)
So if you were to shiplap one room, one wall, an entry, or your entire house, what would you do?  Do you already have shiplap in your home?  Please leave me a comment and tell me how you have incorporated it into your own home  Maybe in the distant future, I will be able to share my shiplap adventure with you!  For now, I will dream of that rough-sawn pine paneling commonly used in old farmhouse insulation ...shiplap!

Update...between the time I wrote this post and prior to publishing, I have decided how to incorporate shiplap in our home...and Mr. Still Woods is on board!!  Woo Hoo!  Can't wait to show you my results!!

Blessings from Lynda at Still Woods Farmhouse
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Comments

  1. I'm new to your blog and yes I do love the shiplap look, but in moderation. I have a friend who did it using old barn wood. What a mistake, if there's any humidity at all the boards stink even after sealing them. So be cautious and use new wood. I live in a log home so I have the shiplap look all the time whether it's in or not. Beautiful photos you shared!

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    1. Thank you Dawn for the information regarding using old wood. I imagine your friends were so disappointed. I must say that I have always loved the look of a log home. I have a friend from high school that moved into an older log home and her photos of her home are just beautiful. I am excited to get my little project finished so I can enjoy it and share. Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment! Have a wonderful week!
      Blessings from Lynda at Still Woods Farmhouse

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  2. Hi Lynda! I do love the look of shiplap and also bead board. My hubby and I are planning to retire in TN at our youngest son's place. He's got about 30 acres in rural middle TN and want to help us build a place in his meadow. We are beyond excited and are already starting to plan our dream farmhouse. What you described as your taste seems to reflect a lot of my own...I personally still love the look of wallpaper and plan to incorporate a little of it in some rooms. Like you, I do love the look of painted furniture but I also love the wood tones so I also plan to have little of both. It sounds like our tastes are quite similar. I will be looking forward to your future posts to find out what you do with your shiplap! Blessings!

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    1. Hi Debby Ray! I adore TN and have always told my husband that if we lived anywhere else, it would be there. We both come from military families and have been afforded the opportunity to live all over the world. Together we have lived in England, Germany, Colorado, Michigan, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Maine, California, etc...but I dearly love TN. I do hope you share your photo journey as you build your dream farmhouse. Funny you mentioned wallpaper, I like it as well! Both Joanna Gaines and another popular fixer upper type show incorporated wallpaper in their decor in a recent episode. Have a wonderful week and thanks for stopping by!
      Blessings from Lynda at Still Woods Farmhouse

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  3. I would love to shiplap in some areas of my home and my home would be considered a farm style home. My youngest daughter is addicted to Fixer Uppers. I love how she takes a little of modern and mixes it old stuff. My kind of style. Can't wait to see what you do. And BTW...I might be your sister! (I know we are sisters in the Lord) I have a hard time DOING all the new things out there. I struggle with changing out decor PERIOD! (except for tablescapping) Happy day to you sweet lady. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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    1. Hi Sister!
      I also love how Joanna mixes modern and old items. I recently caved and purchased a sofa and loveseat that my boys love. It is not my style at all, but I am mixing a little vintage in and have my turtle table between the two. It makes me feel a little better. You have me on the tablescapping! I am always amazed at the creativity shown on a table. Thank you for stopping by and I hope you come back soon. I have a few Bible verses on the blog today to start the new school year.
      Blessings from Lynda at Still Woods Farmhouse

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  4. Can't wait to see how you incorporate it into your home, Lynda. I hope to try and use it in the old house we plan on renovating. (I think I added you to the facebook page, The Joe Ware Place?)And I think I'm a little in love with Chip. Happy retirement project planning! - Trisha

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    1. Hi Sweet Friend,
      I love Chip too! He is so funny! I am following you on the Joe Ware Place and would love to come out and see it (hint, hint)! You guys are doing a terrific job. Shiplap would look wonderful in that setting. Saw your adorable kids first day of school pictures. Hope they have a wonderful day!
      Blessings from Lynda at Still Woods Farmhouse

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  5. I do love the look of shiplap and have been thinking of how to do the wall above my fireplace so that I can remove it when yes I do think like you do goes the way of the paneling of the 70's.

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    1. Good Morning Debra,
      I think shiplap above a fireplace would look wonderful. One of the pictures I shared had shiplap in that setting. Just a little focal point. Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. I wish you luck on your upcoming project.
      Blessings from Lynda at Still Woods Farmhouse

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  6. Hi Lynda, I enjoyed your post and thoughts on shiplap. Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by the farmhouse. There were some great posts of Vintage Charm last week...as always! Always something to catch the eye!
      Blessings from Lynda at Still Woods Farmhouse

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  7. We've done a couple of spots in our house and we love it. I'm sure it's a fad but it's not so hard to pop off if/when the time comes.

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    1. Hi Stacey,
      How did you use shiplap in your home? My project will be very easy to remove, but I think I will enjoy it for quite awhile. Can't wait to share the finished project.
      Blessings from Lynda at Still Woods Farmhouse

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  8. We built in the seventies when paneling was king and people used it through out. Thankfully we only did the den. However, ten years later I was weary of the darkness and paint made a wonderful, light improvement. Ship lap reminds me of horizontal paneling and probably best used in one area. I have learned, regardless of how much I initially love a trend it will not age well so used in small measure allows enjoyment without a big commitment.

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    1. Connie,
      I think you hit the nail on the head. Current trends do not always age well. I am a very traditional girl. Love the grain of wood and the look of stained wood. I have a card catalog that I had decided I was going to paint, but the beautiful maple wood is calling my name and begging me to keep it as it is! Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a comment.
      Blessings from Lynda at Still Woods Farmhouse

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  9. This is a great post! I can still hear Chip Gaines doing his high pitched "cheer," ship lap, ship lap. I love the show too. I am a fan of ship lap in moderation. I would not want my whole house done in it. However, I am a huge fan of farmhouse design. I am new to your blog and am looking forward to seeing how you incorporate ship lap in your home. Thank you for sharing this inspiration.

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    1. Hi Sherry! Don't you just love that Chip Gaines?! I haven't heard his shiplap cheer, but have heard Chip call Joanna the "Shiplap Queen". I am so excited about our project. Hope to share it soon. Thank you for visiting and leaving a comment. You are welcome to stop by the farmhouse anytime!
      Blessings from Lynda at Still Woods Farmhouse

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  10. I love the shiplap look and look forward to seeing your project! In the meantime, I completely forgot to pop in and let you know that you are one of the fan favorites at The Sunday Showcase from the Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Here is the link so you can check out your feature. http://www.thededicatedhouse.com/2016/08/sunday-showcase-make-pretty-monday-2.html Have a happy rest of the week. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

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    1. Thank you Kathryn. That's really exciting! I always enjoy Make it Pretty Monday:) Have a wonderful weekend!
      Blessings from Lynda at Still Woods Farmhouse

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