Winter Pinterest Challenge: Board & Batten Wainscoting DIY

It’s time for the winter Pinterest Challenge — a seasonal push to stop pinning and start making. This challenge began when Katie Bower invited friends to create one project each season inspired by things they had saved on Pinterest. The idea is simple and motivating: take one inspiring pin and adapt it in your own style. So grab a warm drink, pull on your comfiest hoodie, and get ready to make something you’ve been admiring online a reality.

The only rule is to interpret your chosen inspiration in your own way and give credit to the original creator when possible. The project can be big or small, decorative or functional, sewing, cooking, painting, woodworking — anything that moves you from planning to doing. The goal is to build, craft, cook, sew, paint, or otherwise create something you’ve been pinning about.

Over past challenges we’ve tackled a range of projects: a clothespin light for the laundry room, homemade ornaments, a beanbag pouf for Clara, DIY artwork, and a giant leaning chalkboard for the living room. Each project pushed our comfort zones and taught us new skills — from sewing to painting to basic carpentry. For this winter’s challenge we wanted to do something larger and impactful that would change the feel of an entire area of the house.

Clue: The Wayans Brothers + Scott Baio = our project.

Think of that playful clue for a moment. If it’s got you stumped, here’s the reveal: we’re installing wainscoting — more specifically, a board & batten style — along both sides of our long hallway. This hallway leads to the guest room, hall bath, nursery, and playroom, and at the moment it feels too plain and corridor-like. Adding board & batten will introduce architectural interest, texture, and a balanced, finished look that breaks up the “bowling alley” effect.

When people talk about wainscoting they often mean a range of techniques: raised panels, beadboard, or the simpler board & batten. For our hallway we’re leaning toward a clean, modern board & batten application that will be built up the wall to a height that complements the trim and doors. The effect will give the hallway depth and a classic, tailored look without overwhelming the space.

We’ve already purchased materials and are eager to get started. The plan includes measuring and cutting vertical battens, installing a top and bottom rail, ensuring everything is plumb and level, patching seams and nail holes, priming, and painting. With good planning and focused work, we’re aiming to complete the job within a week — though we’ll take the time needed to make it look right.

We’ve also invited a couple of friends to guest host this season’s challenge. Megan from The Remodeled Life and Michelle from Decor & The Dog will be joining in. Both have contributed great projects in previous challenges — a kitchen chalkboard and a map pillow among them — and it’s fun to have a few different voices and styles participating.

Consider this your warm invitation to join the winter Pinterest Challenge. Choose a pinned idea, adapt it to your home and style, and spend a weekend bringing it to life. We’ll regroup next Wednesday morning (the 27th) to share finished projects and celebrate everyone’s creativity. Whether you tackle a recipe, a sewn piece, a painted wall, a furniture makeover, or a video full of toddler charm, the important part is finishing and sharing your version.

Note: despite the frequent mention of Pinterest, this challenge is independently organized and is not sponsored by Pinterest or any other company. It’s simply a community of makers who are ready to turn inspiration into action.