Sunday, January 8, 2012

Office Cottage: If these walls could talk...

We are back on track.  It was a wonderful holiday season, but sadly I had to put aside work on the office cottage for most of the past couple months.  We put up the insulation, windows and door  (blog post on that to come later) and locked up until earlier this week after Christmas was all packed away.
 The first order of business was to start the interior so I can get moved in soon.   I am not very conventional so the idea of heading to the hardware store for drywall made me…cringe…I needed more.   I did not want just ordinary drywall walls (not to mention how much I despise mud and taping) I needed texture.  I remember walking into so many old farm buildings; chicken coops, woodsheds, canning sheds…and thinking what wonderful work spaces they would make!  I think what I liked the most were the wooden board walls…such soul they had…
I decided I wanted to cover the walls in old boards keeping in mind I am trying to create a building that looks as if it has been here for the past 100 years.  Boards are expensive though, and I was not going to get the style I wanted in new boards anyhow…so I went to my “save until later pile”. 
Last summer I saw an old fence that had been torn down and thrown out.  I asked the owners and they were happy to have me haul it away.   I had no idea what I was going to do with it, but I loved the amount I had salvaged, endless possibilities.
So, I decided this fence would make wonderful walls.  I took them apart with my handy dandy drill and cut the ends off to make them even.  So far I am thrilled with the outcome.  I love that my walls were once something that surrounded a home, kept little ones safe, had conversations held over gardens with neighbors and most of all has been given a new life, another story to live. 



One of 4 piles of salvaged fence.


Thank heaven for tractors!

Luckily the boards were put together with screws, and I can re-use them!

Ready for installing!

Just the look I was going for!

Halfway done!

Just right.
Not sure If I will paint the walls, the color is growing on me.  I had enough boards to cover three walls, so the 4th wall will be old vintage wallpaper...because I think a little pretty is always a nice thing!
Thanks for visiting! more to come...  Love, Jennifer

6 comments:

Michele said... Best Blogger Tips

Oh Jennifer...it is absolutely and completely PERFECT!!!
Love,
Michele xoxo

Tania Pelletier said... Best Blogger Tips

Wow, great idea! I can't wait to see the wallpaper and wood walls all together!

Tania

Katelyn said... Best Blogger Tips

It's going to be amazing!

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips

This is awesome Jennifer! You're right...much more creative than drywall and free! I just love it.

Kristen

Brooke Booher said... Best Blogger Tips

I am in LOVE!!! Everything about it is perfect. You are so amazing!
xoxo

Christine Delgadillo said... Best Blogger Tips

I love Love LOVE your walls and I especially love the color! I can't wait to see what's next!