Celisan32, the walls are not varnished. They will just need to be lightly sanded and primered if they are painted. There are two adjacent rooms. One is the kitchen which I honestly have not decided on colors yet. The other is the entry foyer connected to a family room. The plans for that room are a tan color as I want to keep it a little more neutral and accent with color.

Do you know what type of wood this is and if it has a high value. While I favor ivory woodwork in general, this panel is gorgeous wood paneling. It it would destroy the valuable wood . . two suggestions to lighten the room. One is to add large artwork that has predominantly light backgrounds in a number of the upper panels. The other would be to get an ivory fabric and install, either on lightweight panels or directly to the wall with something that removes easily, within the grids. Done right it could be a very high end look. If you want to paint, pick a few of your favorite colors and search for samples of painted panels in HOUZZ, then toned down and do some test wood panels that can be moved around to test in different lights. Good luck.

Carbary, I agree 100% so if I do paint I will be looking to do something with the fireplace as well, perhaps cover with marble or stackstone.

Lionqueen, I will have to see once the floor is done. I have my mind made up on a darker stain on the floor. If the wood colors work well together I would consider but I don't see that happening. If they happen to complement each other then I would be open to lightening the room with furniture and rugs.

Thanks everyone for your input!

The room is beautiful and very high end traditional. I really think adding contemporary original art and a beautul rug and Upholstered furniture would lighten the mood of the room without changing the classic beauty. Leather furniture would add weight and be too heavy if you are looking for a lighter feel. Look at perhaps a chesterfield sofa in a tan to tie in your entry..

Fini Design, I'm with you. I inherited the house I grew up in so I have been staring at these walls for over 20 years! The idea with the glaze is very intriguing. Do you have any pictures of your room pre and/or post?

Sjkingston, I'm not sure the wood is very high end but they did a pretty good job for building circa 1978 in a not so fancy country (at the time) neighborhood. I've considered fabric panels or large artwork actually. I will have to see how the floors contrast with the floors.

The proportion of the moldings is very nice and that wood looks better than the panels themselves. If it were me, I'd try grass cloth or fabric on the large areas and leave the molding as a contrast. The moldings themselves probably need oil or some treatment to feed the wood in order to bring out its beauty. I'd also do something with the fireplace as the style of the walls is more formal than the fireplace and mantel. I'd add a more formal fireplace surround. Maybe you could stain the moldings the same color as the floor? They wouldn't look exactly the same because the wood is different, so you would be in the same color family but bring the woods together.

Wow, I would have thought the room was much older as that paneling is beautiful. Agree the floor color coming in from other rooms may dictate final decision on paneling. Great idea on grass cloth and darkening the grids to match the floor. So many options!

A few pictures. Showing how art can really change the feel.

The wood is gorgeous and I wouldn't paint it. If you want a different look, you could put strippable wallpaper in the center part of the panels, and leave the molding as is. You could even use paintable wallpaper, and do it any color (a cream color would look great!). That way you could remove the wallpaper later if you want to change it again.

I wouldn't paint those beautiful wood panels. that room screams for brown leather couches with brass beading and a nice rug. it would be a shame to see all that woodwork covered by paint.

It is really gorgeous and as it was in your family..I would definitely keep it..but decorate it with quite contemporary furniture & rug in a lighter color, contemporary lighting, etc. & large colorful art work.

a few of these have different feels: painted white, inside of panels painted, darker floors than paneling, sleeked out fireplace with stone, etc - to match up with comment above. take a look and make notes of what makes you go "yuck" and "hmmm" and that might lead you towards a look you like.

I personally would keep the wood paneling and let it sit a while with the new floors to see how it grows on you. In the meantime work on maybe updating the lighting and add a lighter rug over the darker new floors and put your furniture in, add some creamy neutral curtains and then sit in your big easy with your feet up and study the room, and then stare at that fireplace. re post when the floors are done please!

good luck.

I switched my search from traditional to contemporary, just for fun and picked up the next few images - since you want to modernize, maybe these are more to your taste.






I like the

1. leather paneling insets; adding chrome accents: lights, chair design, detail edge on curtains, curtain hardware, sconces

2. adding an inset of a lighter color (paint or wall paper - test idea with poster board behind shelves) to the back of the bookcase

3. paintings centered on the panels,

4. the frosted glass doors on bookcase

coordinate all your outlet covers and returns to match - wood? dark brown or black - definitely change out the white outs. :) and maybe switch out those white mini blinds for wood blinds.

same room, different furnishings can make a world of difference with just a few tweaks... have fun

I like the color of wood

Laura, thanks for all the input. The pictures do give a lot of good ideas. The room in all wood turned out better than I thought and has grown on me. My only concern is that the way the other rooms are turning out (more modern) it just feels like a whole different environment than the rest of the house. The other rooms are painted in silvers and grays and we are incorporating reds and blacks as well.

I like the idea of incorporating the metals with the wood although I am not sure how i would execute that in this wood room. I just feel like the white painted paneling would lend itself to the other rooms better. I am not sure i have the heart to do it though. I will post some pictures shortly. We are a long ways from done and still need more furniture and art for the walls but you will be able to get an idea.

Updated pics part 1

Part 2

As I said earlier..I would fill it with modern & contemporary furnishings..Sleek silver/gray leather, glass & stainless, very colorful contemporary rug & art.

Part 3

You just need to find a few nice piece of contemporary furniture that still have a classic line to them. That should tie them in.

Barbara, that is more than likey what will end up happening. Shopping for a large, light contemporary rug now. Still figuring out a layout and what type of furniture. In the meantime I have a large couch that is filling the center of the room nicely.

Wood room

For those that will notice, I ended up going with white blinds to keep the look consistent on the outside. Also, the couches were lightly used furniture from friends since the budget mostly went to the floor. I think this room would be better suited with leather.

The room looks great with the wood floors finished. Leather definitely and cool artwork. The room looks outstanding but the furniture in there now does not work.

Yep... Brown suede would look great.... And you can add a couple of colorful abstract paintings on the walls to help contemporize (sic) the space

congrats the floors look stunning! We have that as the first thing to do - if we ever hear from the bank on our short sale. sigh. and your welcome for the pictures. Ok, so the leather is a future budget item, but in the meantime.... How about tossing the cream pillows on the red couch, and a few red pillows into this room? Here is a room that had the sofa similar to yours with a red leather chair that pops - maybe call around to used furniture/consignment shops and see what they have...



If you have a set of picture frames already, in various sizes, get out the chrome and red and black spray paint, and give the frames a bit of color and put a collection on the wall...



and grab some canvas squares from craft store and find some art you like thats is contemporary, and do a set to go into the three panels above the couch in the same colors/theme.


Maybe add chrome poster board to behind the shelves in the bookcase, and find some chrome floor lamp and chrome lamps with black shades...

Just some ideas that are easier on the budget.

good luck!~ Laura

lol, this would be easy to do - line up your three squares of canvas. base coat in red to match pillows - include the sides of the canvas that wrap around, or paint them after in black. then pick up a few 8 oz sample paints and use a dry brush to do the circles and then dry brush and flick the paints on, separate the canvas, and hang on wall. it will look like it is traveling through the paneling and let the eye travel over the space easily




and here is black and chrome with red accents, try that fireplace mantle look with finds from thrift store and some chrome spray paint...

Hi your room is beautiful but I think it calls for some grander window treatments. I have never been a fan of the scrunched up sheets.

Here is a pic - the wood is painted but you get the idea
http://houzz.com/photos/443566

Sheers not sheets :)

A good place to look at throw cushions and other home decor items including paintings and photography is Etsy.com. Just input what you would like in their search engine. JCPenney.com is another site that won't break the bank. I also have ordered from Overstock.com - people review the items on there that they purchase. Just thought I would make suggestions since you said you have a budget after paying for the floors.

I love your paneled room. Great progress!

I just ran across this thread and admit I haven't read it all, but I'm glad your latest pictures still show the wood not painted. At most, I'd paint or cover the inset panels, for kind of an old-world Tudor feel, but that's my taste. I'm admittedly not fond of modern. Ran across this photo, which while it is a bedroom, might give you inspiration. I love this room. I love the delicate pattern on the paper constrasting with the wood moldings. Truthfully though, I like your room as-is. At most, as I said, I would paint the interior panels, but I would hate to do that. I think it goes well with the fireplace and is very cozy.

re: curtains - as I was driving home from work, I was thinking you need some beefy cornice boards above those sheer curtains to make it balance the weight of the rest of the room. construction is a simple C with brackets against wall to cover curtain hardware - cover plywood with batting and fabric of choice. Here are some contemporary ideas...





I like the led strand lights that shine down in this:


a link to one of the houzz LED light shops
http://www.environmentallights.com/LED-Under-Cabinet-Lighting_C347.aspx





chrome buttons


another way to add red

Love your wood floors! II would paint the wood walls though. I realize maybe not the popular opinion, but, that being said they are all just a matter of taste. Area rug example to go with white walls, http://www.wayfair.com/Surya-Rug-Tropics-Blue-Gray-Rug-TRO-1003-YA12586.html Darker panels that provide contrast and blend with everything in the room, ( well, the room as an option.) http://www.wayfair.com/Surya-Rug-Tropics-Blue-Gray-Rug-TRO-1003-YA12586.html A perfectly transitional mirror for above the sofa, http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Hardeman-Round-Silver-Gold-Gilt-Wall-Mirror/6293514/product.html Decorative pillows to add color, you could incorporate the colors with other accessories as well. http://www.etsy.com/listing/103043735/decorative-throw-pillow-covers-tangerine?ref=sr_gallery_1&ga_search_query=orange+and+turquoise+set+of+3+decorative+pillows&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=all If you want more pattern, you could easily reupholster the ottoman in a modern print, http://www.buyfabrics.com/p-4905-zebra-blackwhite-by-premier-prints-drapery-fabric.aspx#.UTau2hkZxaV And a new light fixture would look amazing..... http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/White-20-inch-Chandelier-with-Curved-Accents/4070938/product.html

Mirror, ottoman fabric and lighting ideas, (images)

Here's the solution - wash the walls so they come out like driftwood gray - still will have the grain variation but lose the brown. It will feel lighter, it will work with the rest of your home, and it will feel modern. Ask a painter - they will know how to do it. Most cream paints cut with water washed on and wiped off like stain will give you that look - dove gray / driftwood stain look. It will lighten the whole room and yet you will still have wood finishes rather than paint.

I would've bought that house JUST for that room! I love it! The ceiling fan light is an absolute injustice to the great finish you've selected for the floors and to the original wood walls. Put in recessed or can lights all around the room and hang some bright artwork from local artists, get some beautiful side table lamps and throw a few bright colored pillows and such in the room.... "I like the idea of incorporating the metals with the wood although I am not sure how i would execute that in this wood room.." A fantastic chrome-framed, mid-century side chair would do a world of good. Add some mercury glass vases to the mantel and perhaps silver picture frames on the shelves. A silver leaf mirror on the mantel too. This room oozes potential sophistication. Get rid of the sheer window panels and and hang some nice quality light colored drapes, maybe with a quatrefoil pattern, placing them higher and wider than the window itself, creating a little drama and giving the illusion of higher walls. Replace the blinds with pull down shades. Blinds look cheap in this room. The sofa is no good here either. It's a good start. Keep us updated!

Our Circa 1970s neighborhood is filled with dark paneled rooms and the one that have been painted cream or tan are beautiful and much brighter. I've been begging Hubby to paint ours for YEARS.

I love your room too. If it were mine to run with, I'd add lots more white and silver gentlemanly touches. Masculine bling, I guess. And as much as I'm tired of the over-use of animal heads because they're "in," I couldn't resist putting one in a room where it seems to belong. In silver, not flesh and fur. (She says smugly as she sits under a silver ibex head...but mine serves a purpose...)

Oops - photo:

I think you need to move that brown sofa out of that room. It will cause you to paint the panels just so the room isn't so brown anymore. Painting would be a travesty. They are beautiful as is. I see this from begging to be transitional. Find a rug you love first and decorate around it. It would serve you well if the frugal were a light background color.
PLEASE move the brown sofa out. It will mess with your mind:-)

Ugh...see this room begging...

Stupid spell correct!!!!
The rug should have a light background.

I found this photo that may offer you some great inspiration. Makes me wish I had a paneled room.
http://houzz.com/photos/325626

It would be a sin to paint these walls. If you absolutely can't live with them, hang wonderful pictures within each panel. Try to stay away from brown furniture, or the room will become a sea of brown. Rich colours for drapes and furnishings.
Mo

I agree. Just place large artwork in each panel.

I would smooth out the pop corn ceiling, install recessed lights and put a large earth toned light colored(maybe something like beige) rug.

If you really hate that much paneling, you could put a lovely material on a frame and fit it into each large area. I wouldn't suggest wallpaper, in case the next owner loved all the panels.
Mo

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