Erin Napier's Backsplash Solution Offers A More Modern Look Compared To Shiplap

Designer and HGTV star Erin Napier is an expert in reviving historic homes with her husband, Ben Napier, on their show, "Home Town."The show has become a treasure trove of decor and interior design tips for beginners and connoisseurs looking for inspiration to create magic in their own spaces. From large-scale statement wallpaper to more controversial design choices, like drenching exteriors with yellow paint, Erin's unique talent for renovating homes while still sustaining their vintage charm is clear, so it would make sense for you to follow her lead, especially when it comes to revamping outdated trends. Specifically, ditching the overused shiplap in favor of V-groove paneling for your backsplash. 

In an episode of "Home Town," Erin was tasked with renovating their own countryside home outside of Laurel, Mississippi. The HGTV star ditched the typical tile backsplash for a texture she felt was true to the architecture of the house: a wood panel backsplash that would align with its charming English country vibe but still make the space look fresh and updated.

If you ever jumped on the modern farmhouse style trend or witnessed the shiplap craze in the 2010s, you're well aware of its grooved wooden boards. A V-groove backsplash has a similar tongue-and-groove wood paneling, but is a modern, more refined alternative. Yet its texture is perfect for traditional-style kitchens with a nostalgic vibe, which is right on brand for a Napier-inspired space. A V-groove backsplash is less sophisticated than, say, glossy ceramic tile, but still adds texture in a playful way, giving your kitchen a cozy, lived-in aesthetic.

V-groove paneling, especially when applied to backsplash in kitchens, offers texture, depth, and a calming focal point with its wainscoting look. The tongue-and-groove texture is bold, but can also soften the space, creating warmth and a cozy, vintage environment. It can fit a variety of different interior styles, but works best with rustic or contemporary interior styles, as it complements their traditional charm and clean lines, respectively. And V-groove paneling is often much more affordable than tile.

You can style your V-groove kitchen backsplash in a few ways. Color, for example, can integrate the wood paneling into your kitchen's design. Painting it a coordinating tone that goes with your cabinets' color scheme can create a cohesive space. Alternatively, you may consider contrasting it with the rest of your kitchen, adding a pop of color as a statement.

Since V-groove backsplashes can look effortlessly built-in with traditional or cottage-style homes, you may soften up the space with vintage decor, such as copper molds and vintage canisters, to get that soft, lived-in feel. They also can work well in modern or contemporary interiors. In that case, you can leave the paneling white or use a dramatic paint color, such as a green-gray, to get that sophisticated look. Decorate the space with organic silhouettes, slim tabs, and pulls with black or brass finishes, or layered lighting, including sleek pendant lighting, above your island.