Budget Board And Batten Entryway Makeover

I’m SO excited to share our newest budget friendly decorating project we did down at The Little Cottage with you — we installed a DIY board and batten wall treatment, painted it a deep, moody wall color and I added a pinch of new decor. As an added bonus, the new accent wall really makes our reclaimed wood beams stand out. Let’s go look! 

Hello my Foxy friends! It’s reveal time for the makeover I’ve been working on down at The Little Cottage, of at least this incarnation anyhow. Today, it’s all about what we have accomplished… and that would be a brand new board and batten accent wall! 

 If you are new here, I am an Brand Ambassador and each month I partner with Better Homes & Gardens at Walmart sharing my personal selections, and spotlighting the vast line of furnishings and home decor available in-store and online with all of you! It’s always a favorite post, and we all appreciate the great quality and the affordable prices! 

For this months June assignment with Better Homes & Gardens we were tasked with a two day makeover — including a DIY element! Well, I can’t do much in two days, these days. But I promise this was relatively quick & easy! Definitely doable in two days, for most. 

Welcome To Our Freshly Board & Battened Entryway 

Come on in… I threw the dutch door open and I’m so happy to be sharing this project with you. Now, I debated going light or dark. I really did. It’s Summertime and normal person would probably be drawn to a light paint color… maybe even a vintage aqua or a nice watery blue shade. But me? Nope, I felt the pull to the dark side and I just went with it. I love black and white. I always have. Lucky for me, The Little Cottage just happens to get enough light to go with a deep shade. So I did! 

DIY BOARD & BATTEN:

• Jimmy installed the board and batten exactly like we did up in the loft.

• [click here] for the fast and affordable board & batten tutorial.

He had it up in LESS than 30 minutes. I’m telling you, it’s so simple! If I weren’t having challenges, this is absolutely something I’d be capable of and I know many of you could tackle this DIY as well! 

PREP/PAINTING of BOARD & BATTEN:

Our walls are crazy textured – the previous occupants loved orange peel (insert eye roll). But for the cost and ease, we stuck to this method.

• Caulk the board and all battens. This gives a smooth final product.

• Filled and sand all the nail holes

• Wipe down with a tack cloth

• Prime (recommended)

• TIP: Use tinted primer when using a deep base paint

• Do as I say, not as I do. I didn’t prime

• If you prime, sand any raised wood grain, wipe with tack cloth

• Cut in all corners and trim with a brush. I used a brush on the board & battens.

• Roll the walls, using a brush for a smooth finish on edges and when butting up to wood battens.

• Let dry

• Sand any imperfections or raised wood grain, wipe with tack cloth

• Second coat

• I only used two coats of paint, and got exceptional white to black coverage using Sherwin Williams Cashmere paint in Iron Ore, with the low luster finish. This is a softer, less saturated black than the Tricorn Black I used on the French door in our master bedroom. The Cashmere paint is so full bodied and luxurious! I normally use only the Harmony line, because it’s zero VOC, but it doesn’t come in a deep base. The Cashmere did not disappoint. 

NOW DECORATE… WooHoo!! 

Originally, I bought this raw wood console table for this exact location. And now it’s back, exactly where I envisioned it. 

For decor — I went with a natural, minimal feel. With a mix of some texture, a lot of calm, and a touch of whimsy via Mister Fox. 

FUSS FREE, NO STRESS DECORATING:

After many years, I’ve learned to go with whatever flows from me. And this is what flowed. It’s okay to have more than one version of something! It’s only decor. Easy to change, as your mood or needs do. I may decide to add a more Summery feel. I may not touch it until Autumn. Both of those options are okay. Decorate for YOU. Not by some “on trend” standard, or by what you see the most of on social media. Do what feels good to your soul. You can’t ever go wrong with that, and it will bring peace and calm to your interiors. Or a riot of color. Whatever makes your heart smile! 

Firstly. I re-potted my variegated Ficus. I know I heard it exhale of sigh of relief and whisper softly, “thank you”. Much like I do, when I take off my bra and feel like I can finally breath. I get it.

The new pot will be a surface saver, with the raised black metal base. Not in time to save my white wood console table in the living room… but, live & learn. I know better. And thankfully it can be repaired and repainted. 

The ceramic flower and wood diffusers are both beautiful and brilliant. A little pretty, plus a little smell good. Simply add a few drops of your favorite essential oil and you’ve got a pleasantly aromatic first impression. 

I’m a sucker for symmetry, and I anchored each end of the console with a white wood & black metal lantern. 

I may add a long, slender custom art piece over the board & batten, but for now I’m letting it rest. I stopped trying to rush to have everything perfect the moment a project was done, because I tend to make mistakes that way. Letting the space grow on me allows me to make much better choices. 

Does anyone remember the leopard print and pink flamingo debacle that was the living room here at The Little Cottage? Yeah, that’s what happens when I rush. But again. DECOR. And fixable. To see how I did just that, [click here].

One day, (stop reading Jimmy) my wish is to give the carpeted stairs some attention, by ripping said carpet off! I’d love a wood staircase, perhaps even painted. And to open it up as well. But these are dreams for another day. Or year. Or maybe husband? hahaha

Because this isn’t a busy family entryway, the coat hooks on this wall are all that are necessary. Austin didn’t use the previous hall tree at all, so it went to live at a busier house, where it would be used and loved. I added a little art above, plus a pretty, practical and perfectly fitting bench below. The wreath has already been removed so he’s got room for his things (he’s such a good sport!). It was pretty there while it lasted though.  

In a busy home, the big woven basket would be perfect for corralling clutter and personal belongings right at the door — backpacks, shoes, dog toys, etc… 

For now, I love using them to ferry things to and from the main house and back. The handles make them so functional, the size, easy to manage. 

Now. About this runner — I KNOW.

Truth be told, I ordered this rug primarily with you in mind. I thought it looked like a great design and color combo, and I wanted to check it out up close. 

It’s pretty stinking cute. It’s a high low design, without being too aggressive. While a color and pattern that could easily meld into almost any style home. It comes in two colors, and three sizes! And it’s super affordable.

In fact, the 8 X 10 is only $113 right now. That’s a LOT of rug for that price. If you’ve shopped for area rugs. You know.

That my sweet Foxes, is the new entryway down at The Little Cottage. Friends, if you’ve read me for any amount of time, you know having a guest house was not something we ever envisioned. But that it shelters Austin, and allows him independence while being (kind of) home attending college, and that he’s been here safe with us, during the last several uncertain months… is priceless. I also never envisioned my job when we downsized and bought our home. Heck, my job didn’t exist. So that I’m able to spread my decorating wings and be able to work on, showcase and share projects down at The Little Cottage too, is something I never, ever take for granted. Big hugs, Shan

I’m thrilled to continue being a part of the Better Homes & Gardens at Walmart team! I’ve been shopping the line at Walmart in-store and online for many years now, sharing my personal picks, and how I use them here in our home as well as down at The Little Cottage. I’ve had so much fun making my selections and styling them up, and sharing them, and I love that you all seem to love it too! The quality & style of Better Homes & Gardens paired with the affordability and accessibility of Walmart is so perfect! I’m always extra excited to share these sponsored projects with you. As always, I’ll link to each product below, for your shopping convenience. That means I may make a very small commission to help offset the costs of running my site if you choose to buy something, but you’ll never pay a penny more for it.

OUR ENTRYWAY SOURCES:

• Better Homes & Gardens Ceramic Wood Diffusers [click here]

• Better Homes & Gardens Ceramic Diffuser Lidded Jar [click here]

• Better Homes & Gardens Gold & Glass Candle Lantern (multiple sizes) [click here]

• Herringbone Rug, Sold Out – Here are some affordable substitutes [click here] [& here] [& here]

• Square Water Hyacinth Basket [click here] 

• Better Homes & Gardens Wood & Metal Lanterns, in-store

• Better Homes & Gardens Planter with Stand, in-store 

• Better Homes & Gardens Concrete Planter, in-store (so excited to see these back this year!)

DETAILS:

• [click here] for the fast and affordable board & batten tutorial.

• NEW board & batten was painted in Sherwin Williams Cashmere paint in Iron Ore, with the low luster finish. White paint is Sherwin Williams Extra White in the Harmony line.

• DUTCH DOOR information [click here]

• If there is anything I didn’t cover, give me a shout and I’ll get an answer for you!

View my 50 BHG Projects [CLICK HERE] Or on the Image Below

Just for FUN, a lil’ Before & After
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