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    Home » DIY » Painting Knotty Pine

    Painting Knotty Pine

    Published by Gail | Published July 23, 2010 | Updated May 14, 2021
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    Are you afraid of painting knotty pine? I'll show you WHY you should paint knotty pine.

     

    Before
    (note the ugly brown window frames, lack of baseboard, knotty pine and 30 year old brown aluminum mini blinds)

    Do it! Painting Knotty Pine

    painting knotty pine
    I started with Kilz primer.
    update knotty pine with paint
    After first coat of Kilz. I did  3 thin coats.
    knotty pine painted
    First coat of green going on. I ended up doing 2 coats of green. A paint brush instead of a roller. See, you really should not be afraid of painting knotty pine!

    Thrift Store Picture Frames

    stash of frames
    I went to the “frame” dept. to choose some frames.
    thrift store frame
    So, I used this one I got from Joey in the Spring. (.96)
    cheap thrift store picture frame
    And this one I also got at the Peddler’s mall, but as you can see it was not from Joey’s booth.
    oval thrift store frame
    painting thrift store frames

    I spread out some plastic and got to work painting. You can also see the appliques I used on the headboard.

    Empty Frames | Gallery Wall

    empty frame gallery wall MyRepurposedLife.comSo, here they are in the first layout.
    gallery wall empty picture frames MyRepurposedLife.com
    The second layout.
     gallery wall
    The third.
    vintage picture frames gallery wall
    (edited to add)
    Out of order, but layout # 6
    vintage frames wall
    The fourth.
    gallery wall in the bedroom
     The fifth.
    I don’t usually have a difficult time making up my mind. Each time I think I like it until I take pictures and put them on the computer. Then I find something I don’t like. But that’s okay, it’s a simple fix and easy to change. I still do not know how I’m going to arrange the frames.
    For now the cedar chest will be staying in my bedroom. I hope to eventually put it in Jamie’s room, which I suppose should be called the “guest room”. Jamie went away to college 10 years ago. She visits a few times a year. (love ya girl)
    The cedar chest belonged to my aunt for whom I was named. I got it when I was 16 years old. It is very near and dear to my heart.
    Hopefully it will all make sense when you see the big reveal next week. Just a reminder, I will be having a few giveaways next week to celebrate my blogiversary.
    Now we know that painting knotty pine is not scary at all!
    gail
    ps don't forget to check out my other bedroom updates:
    painting a ceiling fan tutorial
    how to update old wood trim
    how to make/update a headboard from a door.
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    Reader Interactions

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    1. Linda H.

      December 31, 2017 at 2:45 pm

      I'm not sure how long ago you did this, so my comment may be very old, but regarding the wall. I have sheet paneling that has the knotty pine look with grooves that are unevenly spaced. I've been considering painting it, so you're experience is very helpful. I'm wondering if it would take all 3 coats of KILZ if you use a good primer, then I bought a paint with primer in it for another project so I wouldn't have to use primer, so wondering if using it would cut down on all of those coats. Maybe I could get away with one primer and 2 coats of paint. Just wondering what you think. Also, have you done whitewash on brick? That's another project I'm thinking of. This paneling surrounds my fireplace that has brick with brick hearth. The living room is small and I think lightening up that wall would really help.

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        December 31, 2017 at 4:07 pm

        Linda,

        I did this project in 2010. Painting over that knotty pine, especially if it's orange is a lot of work, but I'm so happy I did it. I'm a firm believer in many light coats instead of glopping on heavy coats of paint.
        I haven't whitewashed brick, but I did paint my hideous old brick fireplace during the same time period. https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/painted-brick-fireplace-makeover/
        I did more than just paint it. It's no longer a working fireplace, but I'm perfectly fine with that. Living alone, I'm not one to haul wood inside and I'm not the one who wanted the fireplace in the first place. 😉
        gail

    2. Myra

      October 02, 2016 at 4:04 pm

      Great job! I have knotty pine in my entire kitchen. This is the house I grew up in, and now my husband and I have made it our home. The house was built in 1957. Did you do any prep work on your knotty pine walls before beginning to apply the three coats of kiltz? I want to paint my knotty pine kitchen soooooo bad. Thanks for sharing.
      Myra

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        October 03, 2016 at 8:43 am

        Myra,

        No, I didn't do any prep work, and I'm so glad I painted over it. I've done it now in both the kitchen and the bedroom. My ex LOVED knotty pine, me? not so much.

        good luck!

        gail

    3. SJ

      September 18, 2016 at 8:50 am

      I was wondering if you applied any type of protective finish to the wood after pickling it. I'm doing spruce ceiling boards in a blue shade and I'm not sure if I should add a clear coat or wax. Thoughts?

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        September 18, 2016 at 3:53 pm

        No, I didn't apply a protective finish because I'm treating it as a regular "painted" wall. 🙂

        thanks for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment.

        gail

    4. Kat @ Black Kats Design

      July 28, 2010 at 5:09 pm

      I love the shade of paint you used. I thought all the arrangements you had were good!

      I’m having a new link party “Cheap Thrills Thursday” starting tomorrow. It’s for creative ideas that cost under $20. If you have a project you’d like to share, I’d love for you to stop by and join in!
      Kat
      http://www.BlackKatsDesign.blogspot.com

      Reply
    5. Rachel

      July 28, 2010 at 5:41 am

      Having seen the final reveal, I had to come back and say I think the cedar chest should stay in your bedroom. It makes a perfect complement for the frame arrangement and, since it is such a special piece for YOU, I think it's perfect where it is.

      Reply
    6. Pam

      July 25, 2010 at 4:52 pm

      I can remember when knotty pine and panel was the thing.....and now I love the brightness of painting it all!

      Reply
    7. Colleen

      July 24, 2010 at 3:27 pm

      My fireplace "surround" is a knotty pine look too--which I have HATED since we first even looked at this house. You've got my wheels a'turning, Gail!!!!

      Reply
    8. Creative Decor by Brooke

      July 24, 2010 at 2:51 pm

      I love that color, it looks so much better. Great job. I like the fourth arrangement.
      Brooke

      Reply
    9. Coleen's Corner

      July 24, 2010 at 4:35 am

      Oh my goodness! What a transformation. I love your colors, so beautiful! I'll bet you never want to leave the room it's so nice. Great job!

      Reply
    10. Homemade Quilts by Granny

      July 24, 2010 at 1:36 am

      You have done amazing things with your hole room I love the white and green together and the picture frames look good in all the setting....you can't go wrong with either one. Trish

      Reply
    11. Makalani Adolpho, PLC

      July 23, 2010 at 10:06 pm

      I am into the frma wall art right now. I have a collection going on and a wall beggin for some decor. I like the green walls with the frames. I especially like the frames inside other frames.

      TFS!
      ~Maakalani
      http://www.MakazHome.com

      Reply
    12. Couture de Papier

      July 23, 2010 at 10:01 pm

      Kiltz is a big job!I wish I could paint my vintage knotty pine..owner will not have it!

      Reply
    13. Elizabeth

      July 23, 2010 at 8:23 pm

      THank you thank you! My son's room has a full room of knotty pine wainscotting - now I feel a bit better in my decision to paint it white soon!!

      For the frames, I like #5 best. 🙂

      Reply
    14. Shannon

      July 23, 2010 at 7:27 pm

      This room is looking GREAT!
      I like 3, 4, and 5 🙂

      And what a great paint find too! I love the color!

      Reply
    15. Mimi

      July 23, 2010 at 4:43 pm

      you're pretty clever! nice blog.

      Reply
    16. Sylvia

      July 23, 2010 at 3:48 pm

      Love the transformation. Layout # 5 is my favorite.

      Reply
    17. Denise

      July 23, 2010 at 2:42 pm

      Love the frames. Especially love the cedar chest, but I'm a softy when it come to stuff that has family sentiment! If you haven't already done so you might want to consider putting a note that tells the "story/history" of the cedar chest, I have some things that I wish I knew more about!

      Reply
    18. *Crystal*

      July 23, 2010 at 2:21 pm

      I like layout #5!

      Reply
    19. Denise Beverly

      July 23, 2010 at 2:08 pm

      i like the 3rd the best... you actually have 6 layouts though. 😉

      great work on your room, inspires me to want to do something with mine. it looks the same as it did 13 years ago when we moved in...well for that matter so does the rest of the house,only more cluttered.

      Reply
    20. Mardell

      July 23, 2010 at 1:32 pm

      Turning out great! Love the way the knotty pine looks like beadboard. Awesome color, too. I like the layout in pic #4.

      Have a great weekend!

      Reply
    21. Lenore @ Lather. Write. Repeat.

      July 23, 2010 at 1:11 pm

      I like #3 - it's going to be one amazing transformation. I love the look of the empy frames against the painted pine.

      XO
      Lenore

      Reply
    22. Proper Prim

      July 23, 2010 at 11:35 am

      Love the cedar chest... wall of frames looks great. I can't wait for the big reveal. How exciting.

      Hugs, Deb

      Reply
    23. A Pretty Pastime

      July 23, 2010 at 11:03 am

      Great transformation! The wall looks so clean and pretty. I absolutely LOVE the cedar chest. I can't wait for the big reveal.

      Katy

      Reply
    24. Granny J

      July 23, 2010 at 10:06 am

      I like the fifth grouping the best. The waterfall cedar chest looks to be in perfect shape.

      Reply

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