Wednesday, May 19, 2010

"Wonder Wall" Questions

Greetings!

We had a quite a few questions on our "Wonder Wall" post, so I thought I'd tackle them here today.

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Nope!
Removing the drywall from interior walls doesn't change a thing.
As you could probably tell in the wonder wall video, there wasn't any insulation in the walls to begin with, and the wood was nicely capped off at the ceiling...

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...so it's really not any different than if you added wood planks and 2x4 studs to the outside of a drywalled wall.

We did, however, remove the drywall from an exterior wall in our guest bedroom a couple years ago...




...but as you can see, the wood planks were directly underneath the drywall.
The insulation is behind the planks, and since our house is made of cinderblock- it's pretty amazingly efficient throughout the entire year.

As for the ceilings, there's insulation and plywood flooring in the attic, but we are going to add an additional layer of Radiant Barrier Foil Insulation up there soon- just so everything is really sealed up nice and tight.

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Since our master bedroom was added on to the house in 2003, I'm sure there is insulation under the drywall in there.
What we were actually planning to do was add wood planks and 2x4 studs on top of the drywall.
That's what I meant in my post the other day when I said "you could easily re-create the look by using nails, lumber and construction adhesive."

Here's an rough example of what I mean...

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And here's a great inspiration photo...

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However, because I change my mind a lot, we may end up doing something completely different by the time it's all said and done.
Right now, I'm just concentrating on pulling together all of the bedding elements.
Here's a sneak peek at a couple of our accent pillows...

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(I still need a 12x16 insert for the monogrammed one.)

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You got it!
I want some of the frames to sit out a little further than the rest, to give the wall some additional dimension.
(And for the person who asked about where to purchase the frame risers- they're on PotteryBarn.com!)

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We love experimenting with new looks, so we just sorta went for it!
We could see the ends of the wood planks in the unfinished pantry, on the other side of the screen door, so we assumed they ran the length of that wall.
So glad they did!

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Nah!

We worried enough during the purchase process (nerve wracking!), and we still worry about how we're going to pay for this place some months, so personalizing it so that it reflects who we are, and what we love, makes the things we do worry about a little easier to handle.

Our thought process is this: Life's too short to not take risks.
And-
If we're gonna agree to pay a mortgage company over $100,000 for something, I'm gonna make sure that while this is our home, we're surrounded by spaces that make us feel happy.
Know what I mean?

Besides, if we ever do decide to put it on the market, and potential buyers aren't diggin' the exposed wood, it's all good in the hood. Drywall is around twenty bucks a sheet, and we're definitely not opposed to slappin' some back up there!
However, our house sits in a historic neighborhood in a quaint little town in Alabama, so I think most people know what they're getting into when they check out homes for sale in our area.

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I know, right?
His mama thinks so too.
He brought her flowers on Mother's Day...

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Pretty sweet for a rock n' roller, eh?



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The dining room "wonder wall" backs up to a wall in our guest bathroom.
From the day we moved in, we could see a faint outline of what looked like a doorway in the drywall on that wall in the bathroom.
When we resume working on the bathroom, we'll take down the poorly-installed drywall and put some up that doesn't have the outline of a doorway on it!

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Sure thing, chicken wing!

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But keep in mind, I'm not done decking it out, so I'll have to re-post an updated pic when I'm done!
(Ha! I said, the "d" word. Yeah, right!)

I am making progress though.
I received my white-sailed, driftwood sailboat from White Flower Farmhouse today...

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Megan, who makes them, even signed it for us!

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(Thank you Megan!)

And I got the curtains I won on eBay too...

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(Pottery Barn's "Medici" pattern. Color: Bran)

So, the accessories are slowly but surely coming together.

I still need to decide on, and purchase, accent pillows.
(The ones in the photos are just temporary)
I'm leaning towards ochre or green as my accent color at the moment.
Maybe a little red to really liven things up!

And I still need to find two captains chairs to use at the head and foot of the table.
(The black ones you see in the photo are actually from our front porch.)

I would LOVE a couple of upholstered ones, like Mary Kay has in her dining room at Breeze Inn...

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We shot that photo when we stayed at her place in April- and I actually blogged from the upholstered chair on the right.
*Sigh*
Such good memories!

Ooh!
And speaking of Tybee Island, Georgia-
we're heading for the coast to re-do the Mess Hall on June 7th, and we look forward to documenting all of our adventures here on the blog every day or two.

It's going to be an exciting trip- so I hope you'll tag along with us as we re-decorate that place from top to bottom!

Ooh!
And if you happen to be heading to Tybee during the month of June- we'd love to meet you. Drop us a line if you'll be in the area!
(Pssst- Looking for a killer beach house to stay in? Mention "TLC reader" when booking "Just Beachy" and receive a $50 discount off the price of your reservation!)

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"Just Beachy" on Tybee Island, Georgia

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Alright- I better skidaddle and get some work done!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!





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This post brought to you by...

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Pic of the Day...

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32 comments:

The Weathered Bungalow said...

Ummm you are amazing! My favorite is the "pic of the day." ahaahgahaahahah... Oh and I love your new draperies!! It's fun to add alittle personality to the room!

xoxo, Meredith

Cathy said...

Love the pic of the day! Thanks for all the info. Reading your blog makes me feel brave...like I could maybe do something and not totally regret it.

Katie said...

Oh my word chick! You are awesome! I can't believe how you can pull a space together! It's pretty amazing- a gift! Props to your hubby too!

angela walker jewelry said...

What a great post! I love your new curtains!!! I also love your philosophy on making YOUR house YOUR home!!
Health and happiness,
Angela

Ann said...

Thanks for steering us to the White Flower Farmhouse. My type of place. Just love your Ebay drapes! You both are doing such a great job with your home.

Sandra said...

Great post - the photos are very inspirational, as usual.

What I really like is that you are making your house your home and keeping it personal while still decorating/designing in way many people adore. If you ever did put your home up for sale I think it would be sold in an instant! Love it!

liz @ bon temps beignet said...

I love love love the wall! It's perfectly 'you'.

Couldn't resist that cerry on top, huh? ; )

Unknown said...

ahw. I just love your pic of the day. So sweet. So, the long "bench" style chair you have at your kitchen table...I have the same one. But, the legs are all wobley and I can't give that chair away!(I don't have the know how to get it back in tip top shape) I love it but no one else seems to have the same love...do you happen to know anything about it? What is the story behind that style?

Tricia Rose said...

It is always a happy tour of discovery visiting your lettered cottage (which sounds like the essence of pioneer spirit in itself - a lamp, a book, a quill pen...) ~following with interest!

geri said...

Hi Layla.
I think you have given me the best gift ever.
I look at my home and now think do what you like or can afford and not necessarily for resale.
I do get so tired of trying to do the "right" thing for our 1820 farmhouse. We are NOT restorers. We are though great fixer uppers and you have proven and shown through all your beautiful renovations that it is the best way to go. Yeah Layla and Kevin!
I am so looking forward to your time in Tybee Island. I am so excited for you.
Have a wonderful Thursday, geri.

Dianne said...

Really enjoyed this post! I want to see the lamp you redid...don't forget to show us.

My Cottage Charm said...

Hey Lady! :-) I like your curtains...very chic! Your pic of the day is hilarious...I'm sure Kevin will get a kick out of that one! LOL By the way, what does his tatoo say? I've wondered that for a while now and keep forgetting to ask.
OH! TJ LOVED the drum link you sent... he got a big kick out of it! Thanks again!
Melissa :-)

Mallie said...

Layla,

My husband and I have an offer on a house in Carrollton, MS (a few years ago they decided to be a historical preservation town), contingent of us selling our house in Columbus, MS first. So with all that we would like to "fix up" the house to what we would like it to look like( I love bright colors and bold fabrics), but keeping with the feel of when it was built in 1910. I love the wood planked walls...do you think this home we are looking to buy could have them? We do know that there is not dry wall. The house also has original hardwood floors, planked (bead board looking) ceilings, and bead board on some of the walls in some rooms, and original fireplaces. Do you have any other suggestions with a house this old?

Gail said...

Awwwwwwwe. Just lovely.

Woven and Spun said...

I CAN'T WAIT to see the master bedroom and finished guest bathroom!
Thanks so much for your inspiration Layla. My home is not at all cottage style (though I'd love for it to be), yet you've given me tons of ideas that help me make it "mine". I'm slowly making my home a more me-friendly place : )

Unknown said...

love love love this. Thanks for the mention (and link) of the cake! Love that you couldn't wait for it to cool. Funny.

Beth said...

I love what you've done in the dining room! I love reading your posts too. You crack me up big time! Seriously! That last photo with your husband... classic!

Cortnie said...

Well...I LOVE everything you guys have done with your home. I think I want to borrow your brain and put it in my head while I decorate my new house. You can have it back after that though. Would that be alright? :)

Deborah@Green Willow Pond said...

I can't imagine you having a hard time selling your home...everyone loves it! Just spread the word on your blog and you'll probably have to beat back the buyers! Beautiful job.

Spiritual Journey said...

"Life's too short to not take risks." Your words gave me a boost! We're in the middle of escrow right now and I got notified that I might be laidoff (I'll know for sure next week when they release the list). I'm not sure if my husband and I are doing the right thing because we're going full speed ahead, with the threat that I might not have a job when we move in after escrow. But as you said, "Life's too short to not take risks." Love it! :)

Anonymous said...

Layla I'm so glad you answered those questions! I am usually too blown away by what you have done and wondering where you came up with the idea to wonder about those things! But it does make me wonder about where the insulation is on newer homes...I think I would just add the wood to the currently existing walls if it were in my home, just to be sure...I don't know enough about construction to just rip the wall out! I guess I just need to keep reading your site! :)

Robin hill farm said...

If you don't decorate and renovate YOUR home the way YOU like, then you may as well be renting! We have the same philosophy as you. When we are living in OUR home, we are going to do the things that make US happy. Not to mention, we have decided that we are going to live in this house that we live in now for the rest of our lives. It may not be my "dream home", but I want for us to stay in a house and make it a home, and we want our grown kids to be able to come home to "Mom and Dad's". The same place that they grew up in. I think too many people just jump around from place to place way too much. A little old fashioned, but that's what we are. A little old fashioned. :)
LOVE everything you have done to your house! If I lived in your area and was looking for a house to buy, I would buy yours in a heartbeat! And I'm sure there are many others that would, too!
Hope you have a great day!! Beth. :)

justjude said...

hey good lookin'!!!!!!!

Krys72599 said...

I'm sure someone sent this to you already but here's the new 2010 Dream House Farmhouse from HGTV: check out those white painted walls!!!
http://theinspiredroom.net/

Karen said...

Wow! I loved the question/answer info. I wonder if you could tell me where you found the great sisal(?) rug under your dining room table?

Your blog site is my favorite!
Karen

Rachel Acord said...

I would love to know where you got the rug as well. I love your blog! You have such great taste and I love that you guys do the work yourself. You are an inspiration!

dusti lynn said...

I am new to your blog...a friend of mine suggested I take a look. I am so glad I did...I LOVE it! My husband and I live in Savannah and we are happy to just read that you are heading to Tybee soon! What a great opportunity for you and based on the small amount I've seen on your blog, you are going to do a fantastic job! Good luck!

Dusti

ItchyBits said...

I hope this doesn't post twice - I am having a bad tech day! Anyhoo - just wanted to mention that the Tybee cottage you featured in this post seems to be in the June issue of Better Homes & Gardens. When I saw it I was like "hey - that dining room looks really familiar!"

Imagery by Kimberly said...

Well of course I LOVE your dining room and the fabulous vision that you had and what you have created.

And I REALLY love the photo of Kevin and his Mom - love love that.
Precious.

BUT I REALLY REALLY love the both of you.

YOU ARE AWESOME.



xo,
Kim

Aubrey said...

Love your wonder wall! Incredible curtains too! My home is beach cottage and I love your ideas! Have a wonderful weekend~ Aubrey

liz @ bon temps beignet said...

Layla, I just saw your guest room and reading romm on Houzz's top 20!

Jaime said...

I wish I was going to be in Tybee! I love all of your ideas and it would be so much fun to meet you. I used to live outside of Savannah....such a great city!