Southern Hospitality: Better Homes and Gardens Style

sbeggs — Tue, 19 May 2009 19:31:10 +0000

American Pacific is proud to be featured in ta recent issue of Better Homes and Gardens Magzine for our contributions to an award winning kitchen makeover. Homeowners Emily and Kerry Kennedy used American Pacific 4″ wood planking painted white on the walls and ceiling of the kitchen, and our 2″ beadboard paneling in the pantry to restore the old farmhouse feel to their rural Tennessee home. Even the pantry was given a pop of visual interest with the addition of beadboard paneling behind the dry goods. Even the modern appliances seem to be right at home in this farmhouse setting, thanks to architectural details like the columns and arch above the double stainless steel refrigerators, and the corbeled plate rack hiding the vent hood. We are so glad that the Kennedys chose American Pacific to be a part of their home makeover.

The Kennedys used white beadboard paneling on the ceiling and our 4 inch solid wood planking on the walls to create a feeling of a classic and clean farmhouse kitchen.

White beadboard paneling was added to the pantry to add interest to an otherwise overlooked area.

Frumpy Farmhouse becomes a thing of the Past

sbeggs — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:59:34 +0000

If you’re a fan of farmhouse style interiors, you know how easy it is to fall into a fashion rut. Dark wood paneling, pine knick-knacks with heart wood cut outs, and gingham ruffles are just a few of the recurring themes in a dated farmhouse style. Thanks to Country Sampler’s Decorating Ideas Magainze, we see how easy it can be to transform a dated farmhouse style into a classic and comfortable space that is very current. Designer Christy Crafton painted a whitewash coating over the bricks, and replaced the shelf above the fireplace with our Kingston mantel in white to set off the focal point of the space. Then she painted the dark wood paneling a buttery cream color and accented the area with country red furnishings. The space no longer looks like Aunt Edna’s old parlor, but has become a functional and beautiful space that the whole family can enjoy.

Before: Dark wood paneling and red brick fireplce is a dated eyesore. After: Thanks to our Kingston Mantel and a whitewash over the bricks, the fireplace looks brighter and updated.

Spring Makeover: A Lesson from Cavemen

sbeggs — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 18:47:57 +0000

After huddling together in the back of the cave for months on end, early man finally sees a glimpse of sunshine and knows winter is over. He climbs out of his cave to see birds busy building their nests, deer running through the forest, and a mother bear guiding her young. After gazing at the beauty of spring, he turns to look at the home where he spent the winter, and notices something amiss. A rock is out of place. The walls look a bit dingy, and that bear skin rug is “so last eon”. He decides to spruce things up a bit, and from that moment on, early man sets a standard that modern man has been following for centuries: Spring Cleaning.

Take a lesson from the cavemen. Spring is a great time to redecorate. If your home is in need of a spring makeover, check out some great ideas from Better Homes and Gardens’ Creative Home Magazine. We were thrilled to be chosen by designer Joetta Moulden to provide the fireplace mantel in the new room. Paired with some fresh fabrics and a new coat of paint, the new room breathes life into a tired space.

Spring is beautiful here in Holly Springs, Mississippi. We love watching the Holly Springs National Forest bloom with vibrant colors and new life. It inspires us to create new and exciting products for your home that are beautiful and good for the envrironment. In Springtime or anytime, American Pacific wants you to love the way you live.

Heritage Marble Mantels Connect Your House to the White House

sbeggs — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 17:59:01 +0000

Hertiage Marble Mantels like the one shown above can be purchased from American Pacific.

Imagine how it must feel to live in the White House home. History surrounds you every where you turn. Now anyone can bring a sense of history into their home, with the American Pacific Heritage Marble Mantel Collection. These marble mantels are created with the highest quality of craftsmanship and cast from original marble mantels that surround the fireplaces of the greatest homes in America. From the White House to your house, American Pacific wants you to love the way you live.

To see our Heritage Marble replica of the White House Mantel, click here.

To see our other quality Marble Mantels, click here.

The stanchions are in the form of Italian sculptor Antonio Canova’s (1757-1822) Dancing Girls, and this mantel design has significant US history with three versions appearing in the White House (the Vermeil Room, the China Room and the Yellow Oval Room).

Wainscot

sbeggs — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 16:57:09 +0000

Sometimes the best way to move forward is to go back. Back in time, that is.

A recent spread in Creative Home magazine shows a 1950s ranch style house that has been transformed from drab and dated to a quaint farmhouse style with the addition of simple wainscot. Wainscot (also known as wainscotting, or wainscoat) is a perfect way to transform boring drywall into interesting and inviting centerpieces of decor for your home. It is typically thought of as a 2 inch white beaded panel, as shown above, but homeowners are no longer limited to that tradition. American Pacific also offers 4 inch beaded panels in a myriad of wood species and finishes from traditional farmhouse to contemporary media room applications, you are sure to find the perfect wainscot addition to your home’s decor.

To see more of our exciting wainscot options at American Pacific, visit our wainscot page.

Installing wood planking - #1 Over Drywall or similar substrate

sbeggs — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 19:27:09 +0000

Solid wood planking from American Pacific is such a beautiful designer addition to any room in your home. Contrary to what you might think, installing planking is also a great weekend project. Almost anyone, armed with a little basic experience and a few basic tools, can pull this off.

In this first PDF, we’ll discuss installing solid wood planking over existing drywall or similar substrate. You can choose vertical or horizontal installation, even ceiling installation.

Download these easy installation instructions and you’ll be well on your way to a room any decorator would be proud of. Just click on the link below:

http://www.americanpac.com/pdfs/planking_installation_drywall.pdf

Good luck! Next: solid wood planking installation over studs.

Paneling Takes Center Stage

sbeggs — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 21:44:34 +0000

: Beautiful Sahara paneling was created to replicate the look of an 18th century porcelain technique.

Think “outside the box” with paneling. You no longer have to confine it to 8′ walls or use it as a “cover up” for tired or damaged surfaces. If you consider panels a style element, the possibilities are endless.

One homeowner faced unique challenges when combining a new addition with an existing structure: 1. Transition old and new functionally, 2. Do something with the kitchen’s “popcorn” ceiling, 3. Incorporate contemporary design elements with traditional styling, 4. Keep the new design within budget.

: Our Leather Panels are a perfect backdrop to a bistro styled kitchen.

The solution? The homeowner unified the new addition with the existing space using 4″ Beadboard. The choice of 4″ lent a retro feel to the spaces while allowing more contemporary elements to be incorporated. The new butler’s pantry features the panel behind cabinetry and as a backsplash. The kitchen itself incorporates bead board paneling on the walls, backsplash, ceiling, and range hood. Because the homeowner wanted a coffered ceiling in spite of 8′ limitations, the beadboard became the perfect solution using 1″ millwork as trim.

Designer Tips You Can Follow:

1. Incorporate panels or planking into the design of islands and built-in furniture.

2. Us panels throughout the home as a unifying element.

3. Consider that pre-finished beadboard is a quick and easy design solution.

4. If you choose unfinished panels, use semi-gloss paint as a durable and excellent surface material.

5. Remember that paneling complements any style, whether modern, traditional, or anything in between.

: Cherry Library Panels are an inexpensive yet elegant alternative traditional wood paneling.

Remember, this is not your mom and dad’s paneling. If you think of the 70’s dark, unrealistic styles, think again. At American Pacific, we work to design new and exciting colors, patterns, and finishes that make paneling a true design element for your home. Our traditional wood species are rich, beautifully grained, and durable. If your style leans toward traditional woods, we offer cherry, oak, maple, and ready to paint birch panels. We also produce these panels with a variety of groove cuts, from 2″ beadboard and wainscot, the 4″ mentioned above, and library panels, perfect for a subtle complement to bookcases or studies.

Want to add some rustic charm to a country style home or vacation hideaway? Consider one of our rustic panels like Western Red Cedar, with the rich color and natural variations that mark this species, or Swampland Cypress, with the color undertones that mark this wood. Perhaps you want a more subtle rustic grain. Take a look at Natural Ash. This neutral panel is at home with any color scheme.

: Black Forest Paneling is an elegant twist on traditional two inch beadboard.

The possibilities are endless. Let your imagination run. Or, call or email us at American Pacific. Describe your particular project and let us help you. At American Pacific, we want you to love the way you live.