I shared on THIS blog post that we are adding banquette seating to our kitchen. Unfortunately it has not been started….yet. I got a bid from our handy man who hung our track door, front door and installed wallpaper on Finn’s ceiling. I also got a bid from a referral from someone who actually read my banquette seating post and his bid was three times the price of our handy mans bid! I got another bid just because our handy man is about a few more weeks out before he can start and I was getting anxious to get it going.
But I can TOTALLY wait to save $1800.
While I wait I have had time to think of exactly what I want to do in this space, the question of shiplap came up…
(image source)
I thought about maybe doing shiplap on the walls above the banquette.
Then I started to think is shiplap a fad? It is everywhere you turn and especially if you watch the show Fixer-uper on HGTV.
I am in LOVE with the look of shiplap especially when it is painted in a bright white.
So I turned to google, since that is my source of reliable information, especially come homework time.
I actually started typing in google “Is ship lap…” and google populated “Is ship lap a fad?” Next populated search was “Is ship lap trendy”?
I found a few opinions on the matter of “Is shiplap a fad?”
I thought both sides had valid points.
PRO SHIPLAP-
“Put simply, shiplap is a less formal way of adding interest to a wall. The fact it has to be installed by hand and that you can feel the craftsmanship, the fact that it is a natural material, that it is textured, that it allows you to create a seamless line throughout a space, that it has historic and regional contexts—for me, all these things make shiplap very lively and engaging.” (source)
“This trend hit big during the 90s when everyone seemed to want a little piece of Cape Cod in their home and this year we are seeing some updated versions. I for one love this as its just a beautiful and simple texture on the wall. Longevity: Forever. It’s so simple that when used in a natural way it will just look timeless and simple. (Emily Henderson source)
(photo source)
AGAINST SHIPLAP-
“Whenever I see the gorgeous rooms on Fixer Upper, I ooh and ah over their kitchen renovations, their amazing transformation of the ugly and the outdated and their creative use of space. But when I see the shiplap walls, all I can picture is the Brady Bunch rec room.” (source)
“If you have a spacious house with a farmhouse feel, or a beachy cottage where a painted wood panel finish fits and makes sense, by all means, go for it. But if, like many of us, that is not your situation, and instead you have a regular new build in the suburbs, or a house from the 80’s or 90’s with a two story foyer and great room, shiplap might not work. Instead, it will look contrived, trendy, out of place and, in the end, tacky. It could look like 70’s panelling pretty quick.” (source)
“If you’ve ever wondered what 2016’s version of tacky wood paneling would be, look no further than this trend that seems to have overtaken TV design shows.” It’s difficult to remove, and designers now say it often makes little sense to use, particularly in a Colonial or Tudor home style.” (source)
(source)
Well there you have it! I actually had a client tell me they did not want to do shiplap because it will be dated. That is when I stopped to think about it…it can be overwhelming knowing that decisions we make now we will regret in a few short years.
But I think in the right application it will not be dated.
Just how raised wood paneling is a timeless classic Traditional look.
Shiplap is a cape-cod, beach cottage or farmhouse look that will always be on trend…right?
At the end of the day I will go with what I personally like, and we all should do what we like in our own homes!
I know I can lean towards more of the “trendy” looks. Like my kitchen tile for example or my girls bedroom chandelier or the new hanging chair we just installed or the wallpaper on Finn’s ceiling. I could keep going. But you get the point. Not everything I do is “timeless”.
I guess I know that I will get antsy to change things up anyways.
(source)
Do you agree that shiplap is NOT a fad?
You can see my banquette plans HERE I also shared the dining chairs I am considering on that post. But the above photo I just found has be re-thinking it! Love the idea of adding the “dipped” paint to these white Brentwood chairs HERE.
Let me know what you think about shiplap and if I should add it with my banquette seating.
Fad, Fad, Fad. I am 58 years old and have seen a lot of fads come and go. This is one of them (Along with anything Brass – I don’t care how “updated” the finish is!!!). I laughed out loud whent Young House Love who finally discovered the Persian carpets are classic and that ikat rugs (or anything ikat) are not!
Nope , not a fad. It’s been around for eons peeps!
Does not imply we all must use shiplap. I happen to love it but am not using it in my current home.
I read another post on this that I agree with – it noted that shiplap will stay classic in the houses that call for it: farmhouses, cap cods, etc. In other words, like this article stated “historic and regional contexts”. It will become dated and trendy looking in homes that should not have it: traditional, contemporary, etc.
Much like the way we ruined french country by sticking it in every situation.
Hi Brooke!
I live in an old farmhouse in Pennsylvania that was built in 1900. The kitchen was an add-on probably in the 30s or so. I loved that it had shiplap all the way around the room, only difference is ours is vertical and a wide plank. We bought the house in 2005 and added a banquette in the corner and it truly was one of the best decisions we made in the house! There is a nice amount of storage underneath and comfy cushions on top. It’s been perfect for kids too. So funny, your kitchen is nearly identical to mine in terms of layout. We are getting ready to upgrade the cabinets and appliances but the banquette is staying! Not a fad in my eyes, classic and functional.
I think it will stick around for a long time because it’s. I love when original shiplap is exposed and I love when people do an entire room in shiplap. It looks like it’s original to the home but when just one wall is done in it, it looks very trendy and I don’t love it as much, doesn’t look original. I say if you’re going to do it, it should look original, so the whole room should be done. Not just one wall. The one wall in shiplap thing reminds me of when people would paint a room and then do just one wall red as an accent wall… BUT you make everything look good so I’ll be loving anything you do!
That is very interesting! I had not thought of it like that. And good point on the accent wall!!
Thanks so much:)
I meant to add after “its” in the first sentence “historic” LOL
Not a fad if installed in farmhouse or cape cod style home. However your dipped chair idea may have to be repainted sooner, that is definitely a cute fad.
I do love the look of shiplap, but am already getting sick of looking at it. I would not put it in my house because at the cost of remodeling I do not want to have regrets in a couple of years. I try to keep my trendy ideas to accessories and decor easily changed such as lamps, pillows, rugs and art etc. The dipped chairs are the same thing, cute but not after a year or so. You should, never the less put what makes you happy in your space. Everyone out here will have a different opinion but the one that counts is yours!
Oh…P.S. I love the iron and wood table in the dipped chair photo. It is unique with simple lines and would look good with almost any chairs.
Personally I love the look of shiplap, and much like beadboard ceilings in historic homes, I see it as timeless. However, I think shiplap is a fad right now in the way that everyone seems to be doing it. To me, it’s so overdone … or at least seems that way. My husband and I are looking into buying and restoring a modest 1920s farmhouse, and one of the first comments I received was: “you could do shiplap!” Ugh! With all that said, I think you should do what YOU want in your kitchen. I think shiplap makes sense with the style of your home, and you have great taste. Can’t wait to see how it turns out!
I’m not a designer (or even close) – just a regular person who reads blogs. My thought is: even if it IS a fad – who cares? I’m getting ready to do a ship lap wall and if it is outdated in 10 years, I will remove it – whether it’s a big project or not. Almost everything comes and goes in terms of what is hot – or we tire of it and change it out anyway. You only live once and if I like the look of ship lap, I’m putting it up! ?
I’m not a designer (or even close) – just a regular person who reads blogs. My thought is: even if it IS a fad – who cares? I’m getting ready to do a ship lap wall and if it is outdated in 10 years, I will remove it – whether it’s a big project or not. Almost everything comes and goes in terms of what is hot – or we tire of it and change it out anyway. You only live once and if I like the look of ship lap, I’m putting it up!
Maybe it’s a fad, maybe it’s not…but who cares?! As long as you’re into it and you feel like it’s a reflection of your style and your home, go for it and enjoy!! 🙂
agree 100%!
Even if fads come and go, be true to what YOU like! I have found that in my own home if you decorate and style it to be YOU, thats what shines more than what you’re actually using. I see some fads, that no matter how popular, i will not even consider it. Then i see some that i love and do/use/buy and however long later, i still love! To me, its what you want you home to “feel” like. I always feel like i made a great accomplishement when people walk in my house and say “your house feels..happy”!
oh that really is the best compliment you could receive a “happy home”!
I like it for a house it makes sense in. I want to use an old beam that came out of my husband’s grandparent’s old home place as a mantel and I am thinking about shiplapping or actually planking the fireplace surround, because I like the look. 🙂 The second website you linked that is against shiplap doesn’t seem like a website that is fitting for a blog like yours to link. I don’t personally think websites like that should receive any valid attention. 🙁
That sounds like a great look! (And I appreciate you saying that about that webiste- I looked back at it and I agree- not a great site. I took it off:)
Hi Brooke,
I agree that shiplap works much better in some kind of houses than in others – and I’ve seen too much of them lately to like them as much as I used to. On the other hand I also agree that it’s your decision and yours alone (well, mayyyyyybe your family might have a say in the matter as well)!
Usually I’d say: Go for it – change is often a good thing, and contrary to what we often feel there aren’t that many things that couldn’t be corrected if necessary. However, I’d consider the size of your kitchen: are you sure it’s going to work that well in a comparatively small room with not a lot of free, uninterrapted wall space? In the photos you’ve selected it looks like the shiplap has more space to unfold its full effect than it might have in your kitchen.
Either way, I’m looking forward to seeing the outcome!
Thanks for your thoughts! That helps!
While the use of shiplap is currently trendy it is obviously a product well suited to creating a solid and historic look. I believe you can make your living space ‘feel’ a particular way or era by using products from that time. I personally meld materials and decor from many eras to create my ‘look’. They may have been each a trendy or popular idea once but they still come together and flow creating my space. In my opinion the only thing to worry about doing in your home is something so obtuse (think mustard walls) that very few others would like it were you to have to sell your home. White painted well done shiplap will not appear trendy in 10 yrs. it will still be a soft but rugged accent.
great point in the selling your home aspect. I doubt shiplap will stop someone from buying a home…or paint shouldn’t for that matter. It can all be changed in the end:)
I do love the look of it but don’t have it, yet anyway. I was thinking of the new shiplap wallpaper in Joanna Gaines’ Magnolia line from York. She also has brick and some other floral designs I like. One of her gray rose prints reminds me of one from Anthropologie . . I guess shiplap might be trendy unless your house is older and originally had it. But I don’t really care , if I like something I will still get it. I did notice though that alot of the new homes they are building now have it.
I have learned that all things come back around again especially in décor and clothes. Shiplap has been around for a long time…its nothing new except the new generation that has discovered it. (The same people that actually think shiplap is wood that comes from a ship).
My husbands grandparents had a 30’s farmhouse and it had shiplap on the walls. I think if you have a house that supports the style (farmhouse, craftsman or cottage) then it will always look great and never come off as trendy or outdated even in years to come. However, I would never see myself installing it in a Mid-Century Modern or more traditional home.
So while it might be trendy, it will always be around. Many people thought that stainless would be a short lived fad but its still very much in demand and as poplar as ever.
I agree with many other commenters-I don’t think it’s a fad, but I think it can look tacky if it’s put in without matching the style of the rest of the house. But as always, it’s YOUR home, create a space that makes you happy to be there. I personally love the farmhouse style, so I think ship lap is in my future (once I own a home that is). 🙂
This is a perfect read. I too have thought, ” Shiplap will be here today and dated/gone tomorrow,” I did the wallpaper mistake in the 80’s and 90’s. Needless th say, ALL of my wallpaper has been removed. The day I tore the last itty bitty piece of wallpaper off was the day I swore, I WOULD NEVER GET STUCK IN A COSTLY TRED AGAIN. Trends and fads are usually costly. Best way to decorate any space is KEEP IT NEUTRAL!!! Then…. add the pillows, and smaller trendy touches that are much less money and easily replaceable with the next trend. Example: all the cute succulents we are seeing. Who doesn’t love them? I know it’s a trend but hey, I can go to Target, TJ Maxx and other great stores and buy something like that for a few dollars to update my space instead of spending hundreds only to rip it off in a few years. Be wise when decorating your space. Be careful not to get “STUCK” in a trend. Happy Friday everyone!?
Thank goodness for the invention of peal and stick wallpaper! I have that in my house….so easy to remove and doesn’t cost much. But I do agree on keeping the large pieces neutral and easily interchangeable. Have a good weekend!
I live in the Netherlands and I am currently looking to buy a new home. And I absolutely do not like shiplap. In my country it’s old and gone and really not something you would put into your home, willingly, in 2017. I see all these houses that are covered in shiplap wall to wall and I can only think of the energy and time and money to take it all out. haha!
Anyway, I love this blog. I just found it today and have been reading through a whole bunch of posts. I just wanted to throw in my view even though: totally do whatever you decide and love! 😉
haha! So funny to hear what other people think- epically in other countries.
I decided not to do it- but I personally like it in the right place.
Thanks for reading!