At the onset of our foyer makeover, I knew that one of the most important improvements that I wanted to make was to brighten this dark’ish space. The addition of a painted white board and batten wall has accomplished just that! Take a look at how far this wall has come.
This wall has gone from a blank canvas…
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…to the addition of board and batten…
…to a finished, caulked, painted and styled wall!
I always knew that I would put hooks for coats on the left side of the wall, but struggled with what to do on the right. In the end, I realized that there will be times when we need lots of places to hang coats, so I added them to the right side as well.
Pookie helped me build these super simple benches a couple of weeks ago. I’ll be sharing the tutorial soon! You may notice that the fabric is the same as what I used on our chairs in the dining room.
All of the electrical work has been completed and the new lighting has been installed. If you have a sharp eye, you can probably look at these photos and figure out which foyer lighting collection I decided to go with. 🙂
This post is supposed to be about how to style a farmhouse board and batten wall, so here are my tips:
- Use lots of texture – think baskets, straw hats and grapevine wreaths.
- Use greenery and/or dried or faux flowers.
- Add elements of zinc or galvanized metal.
- Soften things up with fabric – upholstered pieces and pillows.
- Display your items in unexpected ways on inexpensive black hooks. THESE are my favorite.
The best part about this? Everything that I used, with the exception of the benches, came out of my stash!
Here’s where my to-do list stands as of today:
Caulk and paint the board and batten wall white, to match the trim.Replace the chandelier, add sconces to either side of the doorway into the office and add a matching flush mount in the hallway at the top of the stairs.- Replace the area rug. The current one just isn’t working well with two dogs.
Add hooks to the board and batten wall to the left of the office opening.What am I going to do on the board and batten wall to the right of the office opening???Build (maybe) two benches – one for each side of the office opening.- Do something on the big honkin’ wall going up the steps. Gallery wall???
Made a decision about whether or not to add sconces to either side of the mirror above the gray chest.Add an outlet inside of the coat closet. That’s where our modem and router are located. See that extension cord running around the wall beside the gray chest?- Add some sort of drapery or shade to the window at the bottom of the steps.
Replace the smoke detector in the upstairs hallway.- Add accessories!
Gina says
March 30, 2017 at 6:56 AMThat looks GREAT!! Love it! Really want to do board and batten somewhere in my home.
Mary says
March 30, 2017 at 7:01 AMLoving the foyer ideas! You are giving me some wonderful ideas!
Lauren says
March 30, 2017 at 7:26 AMGREAT job on the benches!!!!!
Sandy says
March 30, 2017 at 7:26 AMAmazing foyer transformation! Love board and batten!
Jennifer Cloud says
March 30, 2017 at 7:37 AMWhat a great transformation! Your lighting choice was my favorite of the bunch. I’m looking forward to the bench tutorial!
Jo Ann says
March 30, 2017 at 7:53 AMI love the board and batten look. It definitely brightens the foyer. Your choice of lighting is wonderful. I wish I had waited to build a bench. My husband told me he’d do so, but I got a little impatient andI bought one. I love the one I bought, but I’m sure I could have saved a bundle. ?
Phyl says
March 30, 2017 at 8:15 AMYour foyer looks bright and the those lights are exceptional. What a difference. I also like the benches that you made and the fabric that you used. I wonder where n my home I could do this!
Rebecca says
March 30, 2017 at 8:51 AMThe wall looks great! Such a fresh look.
Sherry says
March 30, 2017 at 8:56 AMAmazing transformation! Now it is decorative and useful!
Linda says
March 30, 2017 at 9:15 AMLove what you have done. Looking good!
Lindsay Eidahl says
March 30, 2017 at 9:56 AMThis is gorgeous!!!!
Betty Baker says
March 30, 2017 at 10:15 AMWhat a beautiful entrance to a beautiful home. It looks fantastic.
Denise H says
March 30, 2017 at 10:34 AMLove, Love, Love! Can’t wait for the bench tutorial!
Robbyn Mendleski says
March 30, 2017 at 10:54 AMI love your list! “big honkin wall” that’s how I write lists too!! Looks fantastic and I’ll be waiting on that bench tutorial – they look fantastic!!
Starr says
March 30, 2017 at 11:00 AMWow! Awesome redo! Love it!
Lois says
March 30, 2017 at 11:23 AMOh, this is SO lovely! Are you ready to come help me on my house now?
Carol Elkins says
March 30, 2017 at 11:34 AMLove your foyer!!! Beautiful!!!
Nancy Walden says
March 30, 2017 at 11:53 AMI love the board and batten wall. I’d love to do that in my foyer but it wouldn’t have nearly the impact of yours since it has a dropped ceiling.
Tina Sipe says
March 30, 2017 at 12:54 PMThe look you have put together is just great! The sharp white against your walls looks beautiful! I love the fabric on your benches and chairs!
Nancy Careoll says
March 30, 2017 at 1:57 PMLooks awesome! I’m thinking of doing the board and batten on my closet wall …..someday LOL.
Paula says
March 30, 2017 at 2:17 PMYour foyer turned out great. I really like the batten wall (would have never thought of that) and the benches gives it a feel of a room not just a foyer.Great job Suzy, you’re an amazing decorator and I have learned a lot from you.
Anne marie says
March 30, 2017 at 5:51 PMBeautiful foyer – you did well!!
Bonnie says
March 30, 2017 at 6:02 PMYour foyer area is so cute. I really like the light fixtures that you picked out.
Debra Kuitu says
March 30, 2017 at 9:12 PMThe foyer is just lovely. Your benches are perfect. Love the buffalo check! I need to go out and buy a few wood working tools and learn how to make not just the benches but other projects as well. You’re never too old to learn.
Kim says
March 31, 2017 at 9:24 AMVery pretty! Perfect for spring.
Kim @Hunt & Host says
March 31, 2017 at 11:48 AMWhat an amazing transformation, I love using every single ounce of your home and this is a perfect example of how to do that! pinning!
tracy H says
March 31, 2017 at 2:15 PMI am in LOVE! I looked all over the site for a tutorial of the board and battening. Did you do one or will you be doing one? This is a look I would love to have in my living room. I was wondering how you decided where to divide into the sections? Also can you tell me the paint color you used. Thank you again for sharing. This made my day.
Suzy says
April 1, 2017 at 6:43 AMHi Tracy. My method for determining the placement wasn’t very scientific – I held a board up and if that’s what looked good to me, that’s where it went! 😀 Then the exact same spacing was repeated on the second wall. I didn’t take any photos during the process, so I can’d do a full tutorial. I may do a post that includes the sizes of all the boards that we used though. Our walls are painted Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige and all of the white trim, including the entire board and batten wall is painted with Sherwin Williams Extra White.
Robin says
June 6, 2017 at 2:51 PMPlease do a tutorial on your Board & Batten wall. I have scoured the web and honestly, this is one of the prettiest transformations I’ve seen! Beautiful job!
Carol says
March 31, 2017 at 8:56 PMWarm and welcoming – great job!
Lynn Fowler says
April 1, 2017 at 1:45 PMSo nice! Looks great.
Beth Stansell says
April 2, 2017 at 9:06 AMLove your light fixtures!!
Suzanne says
April 2, 2017 at 10:07 PMI would love to have the upholstered pieces in my home. they add so much character.
debbie herrera says
April 4, 2017 at 12:34 PMso nice
Carol, The Red Painted Cottage says
April 8, 2017 at 7:27 PMI love your “new” entryway! It’s so light and bright and perfect. And I can’t wait until you share your tutorial on those benches!
Vanessa says
April 9, 2017 at 8:05 PMI love your home. It’s beautiful and I love the board batten wall. Thank you for sharing at Dishing it and Digging it link party. We love having you.
Emily says
April 14, 2017 at 3:26 PMThis looks just perfect. Thanks for your ideas! Thanks for sharing at the Monday Funday Party! – Emily
Sheila M. Philippi says
April 14, 2017 at 9:59 PMI wish my foyer would lend itself to being larger so that it would be more inviting like yours.
Gigi Dossey says
May 2, 2017 at 6:22 PMSuzy, Where did you get the wicker baskets that hang n your wall in the foyer area?
Thanks Gigi
Suzy says
May 4, 2017 at 8:31 AMHi Gigi. All of my baskets came from local shops. I found this one for you (similar to my long one) on Amazon: http://fave.co/2pKqoCw .
Rosie says
June 22, 2017 at 12:42 PMIt is amazing how much character the board batten adds, yet it is not overpowering. I’m relieved to see you struggle a little with challenges, the ideas of how to decorate don’t always just tumble out by the wheelbarrow full. I love this look and want to try it.
Julie says
August 14, 2017 at 7:53 PMVery inviting! I love the color and wood of your floors in the foyer and office of your Board and Batten Wall area. We are installing new floors, do you know what the product is?
Suzy says
August 24, 2017 at 12:45 PMHi Julie. We used Minwax stain in Special Walnut on the floors. 😀
Brenda says
December 21, 2018 at 9:02 PMViewing this site a year late, had to say that I adore the updates and your added touches. We just purchased a 1968 ranch and I needed ideas. I’m interested in your porch, specifically the paint colors of your siding, shutters and front door. Thank you,