Whitewash Paneled Kitchen Ceiling {Restoring The Lefere Mansion}

I've had a few people inquire about our ceiling treatment.  

(Is "ceiling treatment" even a thing?)

So... here goes me trying to explain what we did, mostly in picture form! :)

Here's what it looked like when we bought the place:

The first layer of wallpaper didn't come off so bad.  That stuff underneath, and the layer under that?  No amount of steaming, prepping, downy softener... was going to get it all off.

Do you have any idea what a satisfying feeling it is to rip off a big chunk like that?!
Oh, and don't you just love the lighting in this kitchen? :)



My sister-in-law took the first wack at that soffit above the cupboards.  We decided it shouldn't be there.  But, Yikes!  The plaster on the ceiling was atrocious - what was I going to say to the hubby when he came and saw what I did?!

When the DADMAN came to visit aka transform into a work horse, he decided the rest of the soffits needed to come down too!

Okay.  The ceilings are bad.  Let's just cover them bad boys up!  Off to Lowes.  I was originally thinking beadboard (wainscoting) but I saw this instead.  Pieces of whitewash paneling.  One of the downsides to it is it warps very easily.  It was cheaper than what I originally wanted - so that was a bonus!  Some nice guys shpoping thought I needed help and loaded it all on to a cart for me.  I didn't, but I also won't turn down a chivalrous man.

Here are the stats on it from Lowes.com:

Georgia-Pacific 0.15-in x 4-ft x 8-ft Cedar MDF Wall Panel

$15.97

(Lowes, if you are reading this, you really should be paying me for this promotion!!)

We ended up just attaching it with a nail gun while at least three of us held it in place.  I orignally had bought several tubes of liquid nails for reinforcement, but they ditched that after the first couple pieces.

Don't even ask what the Dadman is doing up there.  This picture was actually taken for the flooring post to come someday....  I'll say this.  He can make me laugh when all I want to do is cry!

  Cover it up!!  We don't want to look at it for another second!

The ceiling is completely covered and waiting for the crown molding to get reinstalled!  Luke Kember is doing the jobs I want done that hubby won't do.... :)

Aside from warping easily, the other downside to this stuff are the seams.  They aren't noticeable to people not looking for them, but when you know they're there... well let's just say they really bug the Hubsters! :)  You can spot a seam to the right of this light fixture:

Progress......

And the finished product!!!!

And since we all love a before and after photo, here's another before and after of this kitchen, looking from the hallway:

Want to see more of the kitchen makeover progress?

The Eating Area

My $5 Stainless Steel Sink

The Pass Through Window

My Midget Counter And New Windows

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