Even though we are right in the middle of the Christmas holidays, that didn’t stop Mark from starting a new project around here. It’s something he’s wanted to get done since we moved in here. We have a habit of walking around our house and looking at things we want to do. This foyer project was a big one on the list and Mark has been chomping at the bit to get this one done.
It’s my birthday today, by the way!
Let me share where we are so far and also some inspiration pics that we looked at along the way. We looked, we pondered and finally figured out how we wanted to execute this project ourselves. Mark is really good at figuring things out. I’m so lucky that he enjoys doing these projects and woodworking magic is his favorite thing to do. He has honed his self-taught skills in his last house and now this one. He’s getting better all the time.
{from Stefana Silber}
Here’s an example of what we wanted to do. We’ve seen the box moldings which is basically board and batten and it’s done in so many ways from slanted down the stair wall to straight across like this one. We decided since we have a really tall foyer wall to do the molding about 1/2 way up the wall which really makes a dramatic statement.
Here’s a reminder of how tall our foyer wall is, flooded with morning light. We love our vaulted foyer ceiling, it creates drama when you walk in the door.
This little short wall is also a dramatic spot to add this same molding as you can see in the above photos. Drama galore! We are going after that!
I’m not going to share the whole process right now, but will do that later when it’s all finished. I just wanted to share this with you and where we are at the moment. We wanted to be sure and get the box sizes right so we used green Frogtape to add the boxes so we could visualize exactly how it would look. We bought the materials, using 1×6″ boards across the top and bottom and we used 4″ boards on the inside of the boxes. We also decided to add an extra decorative wood molding inside the boxes for this treatment, because it really elevates it to the next level.
It was a big job, but I’m so proud of Mark for figuring all this out. He’s the mastermind and brains behind our projects that is for sure.
Vertical boards went in first. After we visualized the size of the boxes, he cut a piece of wood for his spacer, so that they all would be equal distance from each other.
Next he filled in and made the boxes with 1×4″ boards.
Leveling everything along the way, it really started coming together.
Looking from the top of the stairs down below.
Next step was adding a decorative wood molding inside the boxes. This is the first time we’ve done this addition to any of our board and batten projects to it really takes it to the next level.
Mark worked those angles just so and made his way up the stairs. Some of the angles were really complicated but he figured them out.
After using wood putty and caulking the big wall, he moved on to the lower foyer wall.
And here it is almost finished.
We decided to hire the painter who painted our cabinets and bar area in the kitchen to come back and spray all of this with his pro sprayer, so we are waiting on him to have a free day to do this. I think that’s really going to look great and take our foyer to a new stratosphere. He’s going to put up plastic and tape everything off so that the house is protected from the sprayer. I know it’s going to look fantastic when done. It will all be painted white, the same as all our trim paint.
This is definitely something that was on the list since we moved in and I can’t believe it’s almost finished now. We love it so much! Stay tuned and I’ll be showing the finish as soon as I can! Fingers crossed it gets painted before Christmas!
Happiest birthday, my friend!! This just might be my favorite improvement to your lovely home! The math alone makes my head hurt :). You are lucky indeed to have such a talented spouse. Can’t wait to see it painted.
Happy Birthday Rhoda! The molding looks great!
Thank you, friend! And you have a talented one too.
Happy birthday to you!!! (We share the SAME special day, by the way!)
I knew there was a reason why I fell in love with your style and flair
for design! This latest foyer project is awesome…can’t wait to see the
end result! I’ll be showing these pictures of your hubby’s talented
woodworking to my spouse. Hope some inspiration will rub off!
Thank you, Deborah! Happy Birthday to you too. December babies are special aren’t we?
Wow, this really looks amazing. I love your design and Mark really is becoming a professional. Can’t wait to see it all done. Merry Christmas
Happy Happy Birthday🎂🎉🌟
I am so enjoying your blog. We had many corporate moves along the way(Atlanta-Sandy Spgs Home), Tampa, Savannah(divine), several more and now live in Birmingham. I have been following Hello SPlum, after my sister-in-law shared. I enjoy but your blog is in my era and it is just spot on for our Southern Belles!
Thank you!
Thank you, Leslie, I appreciate that! I know all the Boomers can relate to me and Mark.
Happy Birthday Rhoda!
Have a wonderful day!!!
Happy birthday Rhoda. Hope you have a wonderful day.
I’m very impressed with ya’ll’s latest project. I…too…will be showing this to my husband…he..too loves to work with wood. Mark simply out did himself on this one. Happy birthday and Merry Christmas!!
Thank you, Sue, it sure is gorgeous!
Happy birthday! I enjoy your posts. The math, angles, and planning for this
project reminds me of my newly resurrected quilting hobby! Love what Mark did!
Happy Birthday Rhoda! I hope you have a day full of blessings and joy!
Your project looks fabulous. Mark is one talented guy.
Mark is a keeper! Looks fabulous. Wishing you the Happiest of Birthdays.
Happiest of Birthdays, Miss Rhoda! Did Mark do all this work as a gift? lol He is super talented. You two are perfect together, which is a great gift in itself.
HI, Donna, he’s been wanting to do this project. Of course, I was on board with it too, but he really instigated this one.
Happy Birthday 🎂. This looks so good and i have questions but will wait for the full post😉. He has mastered the details for sure. And the math that goes into a project like this 🤪 i could never.
Connie, I feel the same. It makes my head explode. I’m so glad he’s good with this stuff.
Wow this is gorgeous! How much time did he spend on this?
Hope you had a grand birthday however spent………..admiring that wall would be one way to spend the day! lol
Hi, Julie, it took him a few days, but surprisingly it went pretty fast. I love it!
Happy Birthday! May the next year bring you joy, peace, love and good health to enjoy it all. The foyer will be amazing.
Happy birthday, Rhoda!
I just can’t decide which of your projects I like best!
LOL, Mark reminds me of my husband Wayne. Aren’t we lucky!
Have a lovely and Merry Christmas.
Love it! That Mark is a keeper!
Have a wonderful Christmas and happy birthday!
Once you see the inside molding added you can’t unsee it. Anything else just doesn’t look finished. Wonderful workmanship.
Happy Birthday Rhoda! This already looks beautiful. It will make your home even more special.
This looks terrific! For those of us in the Atlanta area, would Mark consider a new vocation in retirement?! Seriously!
HI, Monica, I can definitely answer that as a big NO.
I didn’t think so! Just thought I’d try! So talented!😀