1. Your family portraits look beautiful there
2. I didn't notice the white outlet until it was pointed out
3. It's always a matter of time before someone comments with "sorry, I liked it
   better before"
4. Beautiful transformation!

I absolutely LOVE it! You should be very happy with yourself. It is amazing what a little bit of paint can do sometimes.

This is a perfect example of what you can do with oak to bring it up to date. The old golden oak of the 80s and 90s is dated and blah; the updated grey is gorgeous! And, oak is NOT all bad. In fact, in darker and cooler stains, it's kind of awesome (as shown in this post)!

What a great wood finish, really updates the wall! I have a lot of mid-toned "fruitwood" stained oak. I might have to try this. Thanks for sharing!

Wow.

What did you use to strip it with?

The stripper I have used was messy and gloppy.

I want to do this with a bathroom vanity that is nice oak and was built to fit.

Looks great

Fabulous! How creative.

Mzloolue the stripper is called Citristrip.. Very easy to apply with a brush and I didn't find it messy at all. It worked within 10 minutes of applying it!

Absolutely beautiful....just makes me feel good looking at it!!!

Chrissy, this is so good I just linked another houzzer to your thread for inspiration.

[https://www.houzz.com/discussions/work-around-countertop-and-backsplash-dsvw-vd~2903908[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/work-around-countertop-and-backsplash-dsvw-vd~2903908)

Great job!

Wow. This looks incredible. Beautiful job.

Makes me wish I had a wall to do that too, just fantastic!

Simply stunning!

Tooky58, don't get me started because I will find a way to get you a wall like that. Haha! Just install some
oak panelling with some trim to square it off and then stain!!

I really like the way that turned out!!! Normally I don't like what people do to wood...and I'm usually not a fan of greys. (there are always exceptions to my rule! haha)

This one was a grand slam! Nice job!

I have three rooms of that oak paneling which hubby refuses to let me paint but has shown interest in a limed finish. Do you have to strip the finish to do the wax coat? Would it stick in the grain and lighten the original oak finish?
Did you use a satin finish poly? Or does the wax have a low sheen?
You did a great job!

Kathleen- I used citristrip to take off the poly coat that was already on there. That way it adheres to the wood and it goes in the grain. The great thing about the wax is you can put on a layer and wipe off most of it to leave just the grain marks if that makes sense. I didn't want it to be too white so I wiped off some to let the grain stand out. If you do it on an unfinished oak I believe it will look whitewashed but may not stand out as much. Without the poly coat the wax feels the same as the wall and appears matte which isn't a bad thing or you can put a layer of poly that will have a gloss finish. Post pics of your walls!

Awesome job !! A+

I love that you can see the wood grain. Plus now the grey tile looks perfect whereas before I'm not sure it was the right color against the blonde wood. Really gives a Cape Cod sort of feel to the wall and room. Very nicely done.

I know this is somewhat of an older thread, but I just had to comment. BEAUTIFUL! In fact, I keep coming back to enjoy it every time I am Houzzing!

You mentioned in your comments you might do this in your kitchen. What about applying this method to you lower cabinets, and painting the upper cabinets the same creamy white that you used on the fireplace surround?

Thanks for the awesome comments! I've always liked the 2 color look in the kitchen and that may be an option! I guess I could always spray them creamy white if it doesn't look good! I was just looking at trim tonight to add to the cabinets to add a custom look before I paint them. Pretty excited to start!

Hi, love the result! One question, you show pic of the wax you used - Clear & Antique -- but you mention using the White Wax. I'm looking to get the same look on an unfinished white oak table top that will be my kitchen peninsula. So did you use the White Wax or the other 2 waxes? Thanks so much!

Alice, it's the Folk art white wax.. That picture was just the brand to get but it is the white wax in the Folk Art brand. I will take a picture of my bottle and post it. Post a picture of your table when you're finished because I would love to see it!

Thanks, Chrissy, I will.

Here's the actual kind I used! Hope this helps!

This is one seriously awesome transformation! You may have single-handedly brought oak back in vogue!

Love the contrast. The white fireplace is showcased by the beautiful grain in the oak in a lovely gray that updates this wall without completely remodeling. Great work!

I love the transformation from the golden oak to the grey wash look. Good job!

Wow, this is a stunning transformation, and that washed grey wood looks great, thanks for sharing the products! Great work.

Such a nice modern improvement! Thanks for sharing all the details.

Great transformation!!!! Can you please shed some light on the process . Did you strip the old stain or just lightly sand and apply the new stain and then wax. Would really appreciate your reply. Thanks

copy11, please go to my blog to get all of the details step by step! It's www.mommystoolbelt.com
Hope this helps!

Hey Chrissy -- referring another houzzer to your project once again:

[https://www.houzz.com/discussions/how-to-grey-wash-pine-boards-to-use-as-kitchen-back-splash-dsvw-vd~3017104[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/how-to-grey-wash-pine-boards-to-use-as-kitchen-back-splash-dsvw-vd~3017104)

Nice! Thanks Barnhart!

Beautiful Job! I really like what you did.

It is a very smart work and it looks great!

Just as an idea, changing the white outlet cover by a aluminum outlet cover could make it look even nicer. :)

I love this distressed gray wood wall, great unique feature!

Had to recommend your treatment again Chrissy!

[https://www.houzz.com/discussions/study-dsvw-vd~3382824[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/study-dsvw-vd~3382824)

Very Nice Job!

Thanks a ton Barnhart! I'm still in love with my wall so I highly recommend it!

I like it. You completely updated and modernized the look with a minimum of cost. It almost looked like a brand new fireplace but when I examined the photos closely, the actual structure of the fireplace, mantel and fireplace wall is exactly the same. This transformation should give ideas to other Houzzers who are looking to update their fireplace.

Fantastic job! You have given me a great idea to try this on a coffee table I want to refinish.

Still coming back to this one Chrissy!

[https://www.houzz.com/discussions/fireplace-surround-update-so-much-oak-dsvw-vd~3834685[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/fireplace-surround-update-so-much-oak-dsvw-vd~3834685)

Haha! Barnhart you're awesome!!!

Nice looks great!

That looks fabulous! Such an improvement.

Wow. That looks great.

Looks amazing! Doesn't look like the same wall with mantel and fireplace! Love the gray with the white colors! Nice work!

Looks great!