Hardwood plywood offers a relatively easy and affordable means of transforming the walls and ceiling in your house into something truly unique. In the project designed by Vern for the couple's bedroom in Scottsdale, Ariz., the treatment was extended up the walls and across a cathedral ceiling. For most homeowners, however, the effect might be most useful on either the walls or on a flat ceiling.

Shopping List
4x8 sheets of 1/4-inch-thick hardwood plywood
Solid wood boards of matching wood for trim
1 1/2-inch finish nails for the plywood
3-inch finish nails for the trim
Wood putty, color matched to the wood you are using
Clear finish or stain

Material Choices

Hardwood plywood differs from common plywood in that one face is covered with a layer of veneer cut from maple, oak, cherry or another type of attractive hardwood. This plywood is intended to mimic the look of solid wood and is used most often to build shelving and cabinets. Birch veneer plywood is not particularly attractive; it is most often used on projects that will be painted, and so is not a good choice for this project. Vern found a very good deal on 1/4-inch-thick maple plywood for his project, which he finished with clear polyurethane.

Since the plywood serves only a decorative, and not a structural, function, you can use thin sheets, which are easier to handle and to pay for than thicker sheets. Light-colored maple plywood would look good in just about any setting, but oak might be a better option in a room with oak floors or furniture.

Vern framed the large panels with 6-inch-wide strips cut from thicker sheets of maple plywood. The strips cover the edges of the plywood while adding depth and character to the surfaces. While this approach is quite affordable, it does result in exposing the edges of these strips, which you may find less than appealing visually. An easy way to avoid this would be to use 1x4 or 1x6 solid boards of matching wood to use for the frames.

Design Options

The ultimate look of a plywood and trim treatment can be adjusted to suit a variety of design options.

• Use it on only one wall, or on every wall.
• Use it only on the ceiling.
• Expand or reduce the size of the grid by spacing the trim farther apart or closer together.
• Use plywood to create wainscoting by attaching it only to the lower part of one or more walls.
• Adjust the width and thickness of the trim pieces.
• Use a darker stain rather than a clear finish on the wood.