Walls and ceilings clad in textural shiplap bring instant character and warmth to a room. Interiors journalist Virginia Clarke explains how to make the panelling work in any style of home, from cottage to townhouse.
Panelling is one of the easiest ways to give a room a sense of character, but the type you choose can make a vast difference to the atmosphere you create. We’re all familiar with the crisp orderliness of tongue and groove, but its cousin shiplap has an entirely different spirit: handcrafted, rough-hewn, and with a level of warmth and texture that other styles cannot match.
Historically used on humble buildings such as barns, cabins and beach huts, shiplap has a familiar aesthetic that immediately evokes the countryside. ‘It has an imperfect, rustic quality, with far more character than standard tongue-and-groove panelling,’ says interior designer Vanessa Macdonald, who used shiplap to transform a garden cottage at her Oxfordshire home. For Neptune design director Fred Horlock, that imperfection is its great strength. ‘Shiplap has a softer, more natural finish than more widely used panelling, which helps diffuse strong light and create a warm and welcoming atmosphere,’ he says.
Naturally, shiplap works beautifully in settings that are inherently rustic. It can also lend character to otherwise plain spaces, such as Vanessa’s cottage, which had originally been a garage before serving as an office. ‘It felt rather uninspiring, with low ceilings and very little character,’ she explains. ‘Shiplap introduced warmth and charm, helping to create the cosy, cottage-like atmosphere the space was lacking.’
Yet both designers believe its appeal extends far beyond country cottages. ‘It works particularly well in any space where the goal is to create a relaxed, informal atmosphere,’ says Vanessa. Fred agrees, noting that while shiplap can be used extensively in a country house – in a snug, hallway, kitchen or boot room – it can be equally effective as a decorative touch in a more formal townhouse. ‘A fully panelled cloakroom can make a wonderful feature,’ he says. Or, try shiplapped walls or ceilings to bring warmth to bedrooms and bathrooms – with the added benefit that they soften sound.
Like other styles of panelling, shiplap can easily be painted and still retain its character. Softer shades and washed finishes emphasise the texture of the wood, but it can handle a bolder colour equally well. Vanessa has used a bright blue in her cottage bathroom, while Fred prefers deeper tones such as olive or slate that add depth and personality.
Shiplap also helps set the tone for the rest of a room’s scheme. ‘Anything too polished or sophisticated would feel at odds with the rustic, informal atmosphere,’ says Vanessa, who layered in a jute carpet and muted linen upholstery. ‘Avoid anything too shiny or contemporary,’ adds Fred. ‘Natural materials and painted furniture sit far more comfortably alongside shiplap’s relaxed character.’
