Traditionally used as timber siding in rural and coastal areas, shiplap has found new life as interior wall cladding in today’s design-savvy homes. Its trademark overlapping, rabbeted edges create crisp shadow lines that add architectural interest and a sense of timeless craftsmanship to any space. Constructed with Real American Hardwood®, shiplap offers a durable surface that takes paint beautifully—or lends warmth and texture when left natural or stained. And while it traces its roots to farm buildings and seaside cottages, this versatile material cleans up beautifully to suit any home décor—from country casual to urban sophisticate. Here are three examples of what I mean:
Used to clad the media wall and flanking cubbies in this San Francisco family room by Nina Jizhar Design, white-painted oak shiplap introduces a breezy, beachy feel—like a promise of good times and sure-fire entertainment. The boards’ regular horizontal lines also help visually unify the AV system’s various components, transforming what’s often a cluttered corner into a coherent, visually pleasing composition—even when the screen is off. The honey-toned natural oak countertop and shelves add an extra layer of warmth.
White-painted oak shiplap forms a media wall in a San Francisco family room by Nina Jizhar Design.
Installing shiplap vertically can make a room’s ceiling appear taller—as demonstrated by the den walls in this Asheville, North Carolina, home by Altura Architects. The poplar boards’ attractive grain—straight and uniform, with a fine, even texture—has been enhanced with a medium-brown stain that brings out the wood’s natural undertones while offering a classic, versatile look. To avoid uneven coloration, a pre-stain conditioner was applied, resulting in a smooth, consistent appearance with a balanced depth of hue.
Vertical stained-poplar shiplap in the den of an Asheville, North Carolina, house by Altura Architects. Photograph by David Dietrich
Shiplap gets its name from the overlapping wooden planks once used in boatbuilding—a technique later adapted for weatherproof siding on coastal cottages. That nautical heritage carries through in this kid’s bunk room in a renovated weekend house at Nyack, New York, by ROAM Architecture. With its crisp, white-painted oak millwork, the cozy, compact space could well be crew quarters on an old-fashioned sailing vessel—comfortably accommodating the family’s youngsters and providing extra berths for sleepovers, all while sparking their imaginations for years to come.
White-painted oak shiplap encases a kid’s bunk room in a renovated Nyack, New York, weekend house by ROAM Architecture.
Nina Jizhar Design
Danville, California
ninajizhar.com
@ninajizhar
Altura Architects
Asheville, North Carolina
alturaarchitects.com
@alturaarchitects
ROAM Architecture
Tappan, New York
roamarch.com
@roamarchitecture
Real American Hardwood is a registered trademark of the Real American Hardwood Coalition.