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The project:
We recently had two very old bathrooms professionally renovated. These were done simultaneously to help reduce our overall costs, with the scope of work simply too great to undertake as D.I.Y. projects. Asbestos removal, total demolition, new floors, walls, ceiling, doors, window, plumbing and electrical changes, were all best left to the experts.
However, once the new shiny bathrooms were completed, which we are extremely happy with, the adjacent entranceway and bedrooms suddenly looked bare, so a couple of new D.I.Y. projects were born.
The bedroom project mostly involved new paint and some decorating, but we decided to spruce up the entranceway using half-height VJ Panelling complete with dado rails, as described herein.
Notwithstanding, like a lot of D.I.Y. work, once the entranceway was completed the reno bug had taken hold, so the VJ panelling was continued into the living room, also described herein.
- Materials:
Easycraft® easyVJ100 General Purpose 9mm 900 x 1200mm MR MDF E0 Primed White (I/N: 0330843)
Easycraft® easyDADO Classic General Purpose 28 x 48 x 2700mm MR MDF E0 Primed White (I/N: 0521570)
Porta Clear Pine Quad 12 x 12mm 2.4m (I/N: 0081880)
Porta Tasmanian Oak Bevel Glass Bead 12 x 9mm 2.4m (I/N: 0084707)
Porta Tasmanian Oak Tri Quad 8 x 8mm 2.4m (I/N: 0084244)
Selleys 320g Liquid Nails Construction Adhesive (I/N: 1233751)
Selleys 475g No More Gaps Interior Multipurpose Gap Filler (I/N: 1230010)
Selleys 180g Spakfilla Rapid Gap Filler (I/N: 1231864)
Dulux Vivid White Low Sheen Wash&Wear +PLUS Anti-Scuff Interior Paint - 4L (I/N: 0583519)
HPM EXCEL Double Powerpoint (I/N: 7050005)
HPM 51mm Long Screws for Powerpoints and Switches - 10 Pack (I/N: 7034597)
- Tools:
Ryobi 18V ONE+ Circular Saw
Ryobi 18V ONE+ Jigsaw
Ryobi 18V ONE+ Brad Nailer
Ryobi 10m Red Crossline Laser & Tripod
Ryobi 18V ONE+ Portable Radio
Mitre Box and Hand Saw
Ear Muffs and Safety Glasses
Tape Measure and Pencil
Paint Brush and Roller
Caulking Gun
- Step 1:
The entranceway alone has ten small sections to it, so measuring and calculating the quantity of materials needed was an important first step, particularly for the quads and beading. This obviously also applied to the living room once we got into that space.
We chose not to fit the VJ panelling up the entire wall as it would enclose the entranceway and make it look smaller, so 900mm high panels were used with a dado rail (typically installed at 900 or 1200mm heights depending on your wall height).
All materials were ordered and delivered from Bunnings.
- Step 2:
All of the VJ panels and woodwork were pre-painted (2 coats, which takes time but highly recommended) before cutting and installing. We used Dulux Vivid White Low Sheen.
We started laying the first VJ panel on the wall adjacent to the front door, then gradually worked around the whole room, section-by-section. Some sections were very easy, whilst those with power points (electrician needed), between doors and under the stairs, took extra time. All panels were fitted using brad nails and liquid nails adhesive. A small gap was left on the panel ends for natural expansion.
- Step 3:
Once all the VJ panels had been installed, the dado rails, internal corner quads and end beading were all fitted. The brad nailer was utilised again with the exception of the beading, which is quite small so only liquid nails adhesive was used (simply held in place using masking tape until dried).
Spakfilla and No More Gaps was then applied to cover nail holes, any gaps and at the bottom of each panel where it met the existing skirting board.
To finish, another quick coat of paint was applied. Done and very happy with the result.
- Step 4:
As mentioned above, once the entranceway was completed, we liked the result so much that we decided to continue the VJ panelling into the adjacent living room / kitchen.
The work scope was very similar to the entranceway, but the living room had longer wall sections.
- Step 5:
The original living room (yellow sunroom) dates back to the mid 1980's, but has had some minor changes done to it over the years including a new window, aircon, lighting and flooring (D.I.Y.).
We now spend quite a bit of time in this room so it was decided to redecorate the entire room, with the central focus piece being a customised Grafico wallpaper based on a local scenery photo.
The Grafico wallpaper is quite long at 4400mm and came in four equal pieces. A little tricky to handle with just one person, but it was relatively easy to fit thanks to its self-adhesive backing.
- Step 6:
Once the Grafico wallpaper was fitted, we started on the VJ Panelling.
Some of the panels needed to be top trimmed to fit under the window, a few power point work-arounds (electrician needed) and then there was the kitchen bench area that was a little fiddly.
- Step 7:
Since buying the house, the yellow living room walls had been with us for many years and being mindful not to change everything for the sake of change, it had been simply left as is.
However, once the Grafico and VJ panelling had been completed, the yellow didn't blend in very well with the photo wall, so a new greyish blue tone (Dulux Chanson) was chosen and hence the entire living room and kitchen were painted D.I.Y.
Job done and it looks great.
