Tonight I’m gonna tell you all about an extremely budget friendly high impact DIY project we just can’t seem to quit: faux board and batten trim.


Almost a month ago we completed the upstairs hallway project. We added faux board and batten using only 1×3, lattice strips, and paint. The impact is HUGE but the cost was minimal.
I got this idea (and awesome step-by-step instructions) from Young House Love. You’ll definitely want to check out their post because I am not going to go into nearly as much detail as they did. It’s simply just not in me.
The only supplies you need are: 1×3, lattice strips, caulk, spackle, a putty knife, and some sandpaper. And a saw. And preferably a helper to do the cutting for you so you don’t have to run up and down two flights of stairs approximately 29386498273 times in one afternoon.
So RE: the title of this blog. Can we just talk for a minute about DIY projects and their insistence on multiplying? The fact that anytime something in your home looks fresh and new everything else starts to look really drab? Or sometimes you mistakenly make more projects for yourself?
Let me tell you what happened.
First, I painted the top half of the wall Naval by Sherwin Williams. Don’t get me wrong, it was beautiful. But it felt quite… nautical? Maybe a little too crisp and clean for my grandma-chic decor? I’m not sure what it was, but as soon as it was complete, I was back at Sherwin Williams buying all the color samples.

We landed on that first one on the left. It’s called Retreat by Sherwin Williams. If I’m being honest, I was sold on that color based on the color deck, but my husband told me it wasn’t green at all. I also didn’t want to make the same mistake I made with the navy so I humored him (and myself).
Back to Sherwin Williams I went. (PS – I am now on a first name basis with the staff at SW in Pleasant Hills. Did I mention they are lovely? They really really are.)
Okay so now I’m satisfied with the wall color.
But now we need a new light fixture (why were boob lights ever a thing?). And a rug runner in the hallway. Great! Check and check. And also, paint the access panel to the attic. Done. Light fixture source: World Market, rug runner: overstock.com

So all was well in the world for about one day, until I realized that our stairway and ceiling were looking pretty crappy next to the upstairs hallway.
So back I went to Sherwin Williams for more Retreat.

And then the hallway was done.
But now what about the downstairs entry and hallway?
I bet you can see where this is heading.


Which brings us to where we are today. Light fixture downstairs also replaced to match upstairs.
But it won’t end here. Nosiree.
Because now that bench and coat rack need to be repainted. And my door looks like it hasn’t been cleaned since 1988 next to that crisp paint. And the bifold closet upstairs is KILLING ME. Oh. And one other major problem.

Yep. I have one of those walls that extends into two rooms and I didn’t notice it until it was too late.

This wall in our dining room shares a wall with the entryway wall where the bench and coat rack are. So now I have to also paint this wall and add board/batten to it.
At this point, I’m wondering if I should do the entire dining room as well.
Rookie mistake.
Le sigh.
Stay tuned.