Thursday, June 24, 2010

W is for Wainscoting.

Welcome friends to Natasha in Oz!


Today I would like to share some of my favourite Wainscoting ideas.


According to Wikipedia, Wainscot or wainscoting (pronounced UK: /ˈweɪnskət/US: /ˈweɪnskɒt/us dict: wān′·skət, wān′·skŏt) is a paneling style applied to the lower 3' (900mm) to 5' (1500mm) of an interior wall, below the dado rail or chair rail and 
above the baseboard or skirting board. The original purpose of wainscoting was to cover the lower part of walls which, in houses constructed with poor or 
nonexistent damp-proof courses, are often affected by rising dampness.
  Source


I was first introduced to wainscoting when I watched Sarah's House and her most recent 






I instantly fell in love with the way that wainscoting mixed with coloured walls or wallpaper could keep a modern room from feeling and looking ultra-modern.



Wainscoting paneling can be applied to the lower portion of the walls of a room, above the baseboard and even below the chair rail.




Wainscoting adds different things to different rooms. For example, raised- or flat-panel wainscoting, especially panels that reach up to the middle of the wall or even eye level, can add formality and elegance to a dining room.




 It originally served to protect the lowest portions of a wall from normal wear and tear, which was especially important before paints and wallpapers became as durable as they are today.






Wainscoting can add character and architectural detail in just a few hours!


Beaded wainscoting painted a crisp white can add brightness and cheer to a bedroom, especially when set against a light and playful contrasting wall color or paper.







No wonder so many people love wainscoting! It can instantly lend character and 
elegance to a home.







I love Wainscoting!

Linking to 

Thanks for having me Jenny!

Best wishes always,
Natasha In Oz

37 comments:

Semi Expat said...

I love it too Natasha - particularly in a bathroom. What an amazing collection of lovely photographs you gathered together too. x

Yoga Gal said...

Oooh so much inspiration! I really needed to see this since we are tackling the dining room next which is chock full of crown, trim, and wainscoting. I am looking for ideas on how to decorate with it! Thanks, Natasha!

sarah, flourish design + style said...

I am such a fan.. LOVE it! xx

Christy said...

i just love wainscoting..unfortunately we live in a mid-century modern house and it just doesn't "go"...but one day, i am going to live in a place loaded down with it!

Housewife Bliss said...

I am now a massive fan of it too! Thanks for posting. i have a little something for you over at mine....

Brenda said...

Wow such beautiful images! The bathrooms were my favourite! I think if I could have wainscotting anywhere in my house it would be all over. I loved your definition of it as well, as I did not know that!!

Take Care
Brenda

Julie Harward said...

I do too...I used to have a kitchen full of it in our previous home. I loved all these pictures..some awesome ones! :D

SPLENDEROSA said...

Love that high-ceilinged living room. This is a very interesting way of presenting things, like wainscoting. xx's

babyspace.net.au said...

Ooh, wainscotting! I like the effect in the blue and yellow bathrooms - adds a crisp freshness to the rooms.
Cheers!

Mary said...

Love wainscoting~ it hides a multitude of sins and can be dressed up or cottage-y. Great pics, I could move right into some of these photos :-)

blueviolet said...

There are some absolutely gorgeous examples there!!!

mbkatc230 said...

Gorgeous inspiration photos! I love wainscoting too. It adds so much interest to a room. Unfortunately, the design of our home (or lack thereof lol) doesn't lend itself well to using it. But maybe someday... Kathy

JDaniel4's Mom said...

I didn't realize there are so many different kinds. It looks wonderful in each of the shot you selected.

My name is PJ. said...

Such gorgeous images! I have it on my bathroom walls; I'd have it all over my house if I could!!

mise said...

Ah, that's interesting, I never knew what wainscoting was for. It looks great in these images you've assembled, crisp and pretty - I must have a search round my house for some rising damp.

Betty (picture circa 1951) said...

Very nice...I like it too!

Wendy said...

I loved going through all those photo's. So many great ideas! We have wainscoting in one room and I keep trying to talk Tony into adding it to other rooms! Isn't the farmhouse that Sarah is re-doing just wonderful! I could pack my bags and move right in! Thanks for a great post! Will visit these photo's again for inspiration :)
Wendy

It's me said...

Woww what a lot beautiful pictures!!!....i love it !!!!

Happy summerday.love...Ria....

EntertainingMom said...

I adore it and I adore this post!!!

jen said...

First, don't you love love love Sarah Richardson? I love her taste and that farmhouse makeover was so fun to watch.

Second, I am in the very slow process of convincing my hubby that we need some of that wainscot in our house.

Third,I love that you included the pronunciation. Funny!
Happy day!

chair up said...

Great post Natasha. I love this feature in a room.
My heart nearly stopped when I saw the image of the blue and white living/dining room - LOVE IT!
Angex

Val said...

Ahhh...wainscoting. History's remedy for failing plaster. Your examples really are lovely, though I do myself prefer a good dark oak wainscot from an older home (think Arts and Crafts era). Nothing lends warmth to a room like highly polished wainscot and a deep red wall color.

marty (A Stroll Thru Life) said...

Gorgeous pictures of so many wonderful room with great wainscoting. I would love to add some to my home. Gorgeous. Hugs, Marty

Jenny said...

Hi Natasha! This is absolutely gorgeous. I've been looking forward to this post since you told me you were writing about wainscoting.

This was such a wonderful stop on our little journey through Alphabe-Thursday's Letter "W".

I love so many of these rooms...charming and lovely.

Thank you for linking!

This was wicked cool!

A+

Karen said...

Beautiful rooms, wainscoting adds such architectural interest. Neat!

laterg8r said...

wow, what lovely wainscotting, wish i had it in my house :D

Red Couch Recipes said...

Natasha, what a great selection of pictures you have chosen to highlight wainscoating. I don't have any in my house, but I am bookmarking your post for future renovations. Joni

Laura said...

What a lovely post and blog sweetie! These pictures are filled with warmth, comfort, clean lines and inviting colors. Just the way I like to decorate. Come stop by for a slice of San Francisco when have a chance? Tell me would you change your name for marriage?

Connie said...

I too love wainscoting! We remodeled my son's bedroom and put up wainscoting. What a difference it makes. You have some great pictures.

Jamie said...

I loved soaking up these pictures, I completely missed the decorating your house gene, so I have to salivate over photos like these. I figure if I soak it up enough some is bound to stay in there, right?

Viki said...

I love it too. I didn't realize though that there were so many styles of it. I thought it was just the thin slats. I learned something new. Thanks for sharing. Great W post.

Jingle said...

your house is gorgeous,
what fabulous living standards...

Jo said...

I am right there with you in loving wainscoting ... and you showed such beautiful examples!!! wonderful post!

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

I love waincotting myself and although I have yet to put it in our home, the day will come because I love it for its architectural elements and it just warms up a room. Your photos are great. I enjoy Sarah Richardson and I watch her pretty much every day here in Canada. Thanks for sharing and do enjoy your vacation!

Blessings,
Sandi

H said...

Wainscoting really does look smart. It adds an historic feel to a house, like something with Georgian elegance. Great photos; well researched. Thanks :)

Personalized Sketches and Sentiments said...

I LOVE wainscoting too! And thank you for sharing all the lovely examples here on your post :o)

Blessings & Aloha!

Christy said...

I love wainscotting. I need it to protect my walls! You have some great pictures here.

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