Okay, so I’ve been wanting to try out this “batten dancing” thing for a while. It looked like a fun way to add some texture and visual interest to a plain wall. I decided to go with larch timber because, well, I just liked the look of it. Plus, it’s supposed to be pretty durable.

Getting Started

First things first, I measured the wall where I wanted to install the battens. Gotta make sure you have enough material, right? Then I headed to the local timber yard and picked up a bunch of larch battens. I made sure they were all roughly the same size and straight enough. No wonky bits!

The Messy Part

Back home, I laid out all the battens on the floor and gave them a good sanding. This was probably the most tedious part. So much dust! I wore a mask, of course – safety first, people! After sanding, I wiped them all down to get rid of the dust.

• Measure Wall
• Get Larch
• Sand Everything(mask on)

Putting It All Together

Next up, I started attaching the battens to the wall. I used a spirit level to make sure they were nice and straight, marking up with a pencil as a guide. I used some strong adhesive, it was easier than nails and screws. I spaced them out evenly, creating a simple vertical pattern. Nothing too fancy, just wanted a clean, modern look. Honestly, this part was surprisingly satisfying. Like putting together a giant puzzle.

Finishing Touches

Once all the battens were up, I stood back and admired my handiwork. Not bad, not bad at all! I add a small clear coat of varnish, to protect them a bit, and make cleaning easier.

Overall, I’m pretty happy with how it turned out. It definitely adds some character to the room. Would I do it again? Maybe! It was a bit of work, but the result is worth it. If you’re thinking about trying it, I say go for it! Just be prepared for some sanding. Lots and lots of sanding.