I wouls do the exact same.

Seems like most anything would work there, from shiplap to traditional beadboard. Use the same chair rail for continuity.

Most important with small kids is to select a paint that’s washable for the inevitable scuffs and scrapes. I’ve had good experience with Ben Moore Aura.

I was also thinking of painting the wainscoting the same color as the paint color instead of trim color. And putting a more formal/ boxy wainscoting? What do you think?

Could I do this in the foyer? Or would that be too busy?

I do like the beaded board but thought the nicer panels would look nice in the foyer. I just don’t want it to look too busy

I have enlarged the hallway picture and it doesn’t look like shiplap to me (Joanna Gaines type anyway). Can you snap another photo?

The molding itself won’t look busy, the paint color you choose will.

I don't see shiplap in any of the photos. Did that photo not load?

Oh, nevermind! I see it now, it's just below the chair rail and I was looking for a whole wall of it. I would definitely not do the boxed out style you posted. I think you need to do the same as the hall in an area that's open like that. Is there a reason why you don't want to repeat the treatment there?

If your open to wallpaper I would do wallpaper instead.
( for a few reasons)
Anyways if you want molding I would do either:
The same shiplap on the entire wall.
Or molding design.
Maybe j Marie’s Design on the whole wall.

The shiplap Was built in to wall when it was being built… the wainscoting being added will in the living and foyer will most likely be added on top the Sheetrock. I don’t think I will do wallpaper. I try to stay simple and classic. I didn’t ask for the shiplap, but bldr thought that’s what I wanted as wainscoting. Simple beaded board would have been perfect in there. Here’s more pics of the shiplap in the hall. And thank you all for your help and input. I don’t have an eye or vision for these things.

Pics

Taken from dining room

Pic

At most I would continue the half wall shiplap into your family room. Paint it the same color as your trim…and be sure to do that tiny little strip next to the brick near the kitchen! No formal wainscoting there. It will tie your lovely family room in to your hall and your beautiful kitchen. I wouldn’t do ANY wainscoting in your foyer. Perhaps consider a wallpaper there, a console table with a lamp, a nice chair, a beautiful rug, a mirror, artwork, etc.

Love the brick floor btw :):)

Thanks a lot

I rolled my eyes at, "bldr thought that’s what I wanted as wainscoting"--builders making assumptions rather than asking is a bit of a pet peeve.

I like the board-and-batten panelling (last inspiration pic from the OP from 3 days ago), but I think beadboard would be fine. I have V-groove panel in my house, which I prefer to beadboard but you have to REALLY want it, as it is less available and more expensive than beadboard for what is really a pretty similar look. Repeating the shiplap would harmonize with the hallway, but if shiplap wasn't what you wanted originally it seems like a mistake to double-down on it.

If you are "set" on wainscoting, I'd match what you have in the hallway. However, my first choice would be a washable paint, since you have a lot going on decor-wise in the living room (with the brick, the fireplace, the built-ins...) A good paint will need no more touch up than the wainscoting.

The shadows on the shiplap are very distracting. Too bad that's not a better job. I would switch to board and batten and extend it 2/3 the way up the wall. Then use paint or wallpaper above that.