I'm remodeling a bathroom that is located next to my kitchen and laundry room, and just outside is our pool. The bathroom has a walk-in shower that is really only used in the summer, and then not every day, more by guests than by our family. I'm going for a country French look, and floor to ceiling paneling was suggested--not beadboard, but paneling with the grooves placed at variegated widths--does that make sense? The paneling will be painted then glazed to achieve the look I'm after. However, I'm confused about exactly what paneling to use in the bathroom, and where to find it. I've read that MDF shouldn't be used in bathrooms because it will be ruined if it gets wet, and I've also read that real wood will swell when the room is humid from showers. I've also read that there is a waterproof MDF that is recommended for bathrooms. Since I want to paint the paneling, I want a product that is unfinished, primed would be okay. I've been to specialty lumber stores and they sent me to Home Depot and Lowe's. At HD and Lowe's, I can't seem to find anyone that knows their products well enough to help me (they tell me that MDF paneling is real wood, etc.). Ideally I think I'd like to find a real wood sheet paneling product that is unfinished. It seems that a wood sheet would be thinner than a tongue and groove product, less prone to swell in a humid environment, and less expensive. I have seen this at HD or Lowe's, but only in a beadboard.

Does anyone have suggestions or advice? I'm about to give up on the paneling idea. Thanks!