How To Have A Carrie Underwood-Inspired Shiplap Kitchen In Your Home

Shiplap designs and other varieties of wood paneling are one of the greatly debated design trends of late, with many homeowners and designers coming down firmly on one side or the other. Popularized as a favored wall covering in the modern farmhouse aesthetic espoused by experts like Chip and Joanna Gaines, shiplap is everywhere, from rural cottages to oceanfront cabins to homes miles away from farm and sea. Obviously a big fan of shiplap, famed musician and performer Carrie Underwood often shows off her shiplap bedecked Nashville home's kitchen on Instagram and elsewhere, complete with both shiplap-covered walls and ceilings. In a recent Homes & Gardens issue, design experts were split on the boards, but all agreed the kitchen was both cozy and stylish.

While shiplap denotes a particular kind of interlocking board, initially used in ship cabins and rural structures, it's often used today to give a seaworthy or rustic farmhouse vibe to all sorts of rooms. It can be vertical or horizontal, painted or stained, and comes in a variety of widths. Underwood's fresh white shiplap is a look that, while sometimes divisive among designers, can be a beautiful addition to your walls if you're looking to create architectural interest, texture, and a rustic feel.

According to manufacturer CDA Wood, Underwood's choice of shiplap for the walls and ceiling is both timeless and beautiful, with its arrangement elevating the space both figuratively and literally: "Drawing the eye up, wood-paneled ceilings bring instant warmth, texture, and interest to any space, integrating biophilic design to underutilized areas." This effect is magnified by vertical positioning on the walls and slanted ceiling, with the light shade of the boards making the room feel expansive and open.

Combined with wood ceiling beams, matching cabinets, and a soothing neutral-based decor, the effect feels polished and contemporary while still echoing farmhouse style. CDA Wood adds, "Exposed decorative beams are another great way to create architectural elements and add dimension to a space, especially in a new build. They can give the illusion of higher ceilings and bring a sense of scale, structure, and character." This added character can solve many of the "white-box" feel problems of larger spaces.

Not all votes are yeas on shiplap, however. Many design experts feel it is woefully out of place in some interiors or feel like it's too ubiquitous for its own good. In addition, shiplap, when installed poorly, can present problems with moisture and settling down the road — and possibly affect the value of a home. Many designers, like Dallas-based Amy Lawrence, are not completely against the popular element but suggest that homeowners make it a little less farmhouse and a little more modern by painting it a more unexpected black. Others, like designer Paige Wassel, suggest leaving it in a stained or natural state instead of painting it the more common white or cream.

If you find yourself loving the look of Carrie Underwood's kitchen and are thinking of adding some of its charm to your own, or are pondering how to freshen up the look of farmhouse designed kitchen already decked out in shiplap, mixing both rustic and more modern and contemporary touches can be a great way to add dimension and variety. Lean toward natural materials, craftsmanship, and soothing neutrals to get the overall look.