What have you decided to do?? I have the exact same situation. I've thought about putting a white high gloss paint on the ceiling to help reflect light from an adjacent sunroom. But would that look bad? I know the wormy chestnut is expensive, but I feel like I'm living in a viking ship.

I'm coming into a similar situation with my first home, built in 1951. I'm assuming its wormy chestnut, not been confirmed, but mine looks much oranger/yellowy than the photos above. It's floor to ceiling in the living room and halfway up in the dining room. It's probably way more work than I'm willing to take on, on my own, to strip it all and refinish. I'd love to see what others have done.

Please don't touch paneling you will regret it I am trying to restore mine after water damage caused by hurricane Sandy.

We have same situation in our den. I do NOT want to destroy the wood but we must have a change in this room....very dark! Interested in the bleaching process if anyone has that info. Also what did you do with yours.....anyone?

I would love to see what people have done as far as decorating with the paneling. We have wormy chestnut paneling half way up in our dining room, one full wall in the living room, book cases that surround the fireplace, and also the ENTIRE foyer walls... it’s very dark and so much wood!! I don’t want to paint it simply because I understand the value and the beauty, but need some help with decor.

Whitney you should start a thread! You will get lots of good (and some bad) advice! To me wood is at its best paired with color-rugs, throws, etc.

Rustic Bedroom · More Info

Berkeley Bungalow Grows Up · More Info

tropical craftsman · More Info

I love the paneling in our new home. It’s a Bavarian style rustic 50s raised ranch and the wood is in the kitchen/living room/dining room ( which is open concept) up the stairs and on the first floor. This house was a custom build and even both kitchens have it made into cupboards. The finish on the cabinets was not even because of years of wear in one of the kitchens and they were dirty. I took a baking soda and vinegar mix to clean them and I bleached the stain off the drawers! Not what I was expecting but it’s lighter! I may do all the cupboards this way. I also have to remove the one set of kitchen cabinets and may sell them because we may have to repair the wall. Has anyone used vinegar and baking soda for this purpose?

I would never paint over wormy chestnut. It's precious. If you want modern, then sell the chestnut. It's what large cabins being built are looking for. It's expensive and would be a sin to paint them.

We are taking the wormy chestnut paneling off the walls and putting it on a ceiling! Do not paint it! Hard to find.

"Hard to find."

Because Covid isn't the first gift from the Chinese.