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Wainscoting Nightmare!

9 years ago

So my husband and I are totally lost on where to start with our living room. We feel like it is just old and dated. The wainscoting and ceiling beams have a red tone to them. We for sure want the beams to be darker. We are unsure about what to do with the wainscoting. Do you completely tear it out? Paint it brown? paint it white? Stain it darker? We are torn about what to do because we have Cedar wood trim and crown moulding everywhere and cedar trim that goes around all the windows. Should we clean up the room and tear out the wainscoting along with the cedar foot trim and trim around the windows and just do drywall?

Next would be the paint color, but we can't decide the color if we don't know what to do with the wainscoting. HELP!!!

Comments (181)

  • 9 years ago

    Love this thread!

  • 9 years ago

    Ok next topic...the fireplace. how can I give this fireplace a facelift? I was thinking to grey wash the wood going up and staining the whole mantel the same color as the beams to make it darker.

  • 9 years ago

  • PRO
    9 years ago

    You also could consider doing a off white/neutral wash on the wood in between the stone above the mantle so it blends with the surrounding stone but still is a textured accent on the fireplace and do all the other wood on the fireplace in your dark stain.

  • 9 years ago

    first thing, take down those sconces! yes to staining the mantel.

  • PRO
    9 years ago

    Agree sconces don't work but I would think a little about the whitewashing of the wood. I might get a piece of art for that section above the mantel first, and then decide color to wash wood, if any.

  • PRO
    9 years ago

    I am so surprised everyone wants you to get rid of the sconces??? They are hugh and Amazing would cost a lot to buy that size or even find them....I think once your room is finished and updated they will fit right in with the rustic Tudor look....with a gorgeous piece of art or no art at all love the image below!


  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I wouldn't use a gray stain on that wood. you won't get the desired results. If you want to darken it, use some natural tung oil (not tung oil finish). they also have the tung oil in a dark color. I have both. It will impart a nice rich looking tone, while giving the wood a drink. tung oil is also a natural sealer.

    If you want something gray, then get another piece of wood and do something with that, and fit it over that existing wood.

  • PRO
    9 years ago

    Agree with the tung oil!

  • PRO
    9 years ago

    Also agree with Homes about the sconces. They'll look great once all is in

  • PRO
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Yes , I would get rid of the wainscot. Hardwood floor is good , I prefer Fir . I would redo the window trim . You can paint the trim and

    Bobbie's house · More Info

    still have the windows natural. Also, v rustic looks good on vaulted ceilings. as in picture.
    The best Garden Studio in palo alto · More Info
    Changing the trim opens a world of possibilities.

  • PRO
    9 years ago

    Great progress! The room does look a bit top heavy with the newly stained dark wood beams. I would consider painting the wood crown molding where the ceiling and walls meet, as well as all the window trim to match the wainscoting. The ceiling beams will stand out and be gorgeous, but you still have a bit much wood (in our opinion). As for the fireplace, we like your idea of whitewashing the cedar!

  • 9 years ago

    those sconces are candle holders... sell them on craigslist if they are worth their weight. I do not believe they are anything like the pictures posted, or fit the new updated theme.

  • 9 years ago

    Bon Brise Design, I think once the dark hardwood floors are in, it will balance out the room.


    Im back and forth with the fire place sconces. Maybe I will have a better idea once I stain everything. I am definitely going to try the tung oil first. If I don't like it, then I will either stain/ paint it different . I really like the tall arched mirrors I've been seeing and think it would look good on top of the fireplace. Or should I find a piece of artwork?


  • PRO
    9 years ago

    I think the room needs color and action which a mirror won't necessarily give you. But art would be great on that spot. Plus, we aren't crazy about the wood, so cover it up!! lol

  • 9 years ago

    It has been so much fun watching this room change!! You must be in love! Even with a beautiful new chandelier you will need lamps. The harsh overhead light will negate your hard work and make the colors look off. Lamp light is much more flattering to people and furnishings. I love your new room.....and I am very happy for you!

    Vania Toller thanked grapefruit1_ar
  • PRO
    9 years ago

    I love the mirror but best hung somewhere Else in the room..maybe over a console...I would find a subtle piece of art in muted neutral shades for the fireplace so it doesn't take away from the mixture of wood and stone....I would ask about putting that oil on the wood..and than trying to paint it if you don't like it..may be an issue with the paint over the oil??? If you want it to match the other wood in the space than just stain it..otherwise wash it in your white or gray paint to blend with stone.

    Vania Toller thanked Home Interiors with Ease
  • 9 years ago

    i think the wood inlay is art. im not sure you need anything there, maybe lean some phots or prints stacked. im not against sconces there, I just think those ones are dominating

  • PRO
    9 years ago

    It is art! And if you like it, don't stain same color as everything else. The tung oil will bring out the natural beauty. It'll be nice to have that contrast.

  • PRO
    9 years ago

    All you need to do is simplify the mantle. Either slab or remove. The sconces you have match well with the new chandelier

  • PRO
    9 years ago

    Downbytheriver..the scones you posted are way to small:( I am guessing the one on the fireplace now is at least 30" or more in length and maybe 12" wide. The look and proportions are perfect for the fireplace and really do go well with the chandelier that was just hung..

    i was think if you left the fireplace above mantle empty..the wood could be covered in some bronzed metal of some kind...would really be original and add to the feel you are creating in the space...you already have a lot of wood why not add another element !

  • 9 years ago
    • Dimensions: 20 inchesH x 11 inchesW x 5 inchesD the sconces are not too small. 11 inches wide is great plus they are a little less is more.
  • 9 years ago

    Would this sectional look good? It's hard to tell from the picture but it is a grey color


  • 9 years ago

    found a better pic on the website...

  • 9 years ago

    it seems a bit massive! how big is it? looks cozy tho!

  • PRO
    9 years ago

    To much! It will take over the room..stick with large oversized comfy sofa and allow enough room to have one or two accent sit up and visit chairs for guests..you all can't be sitting on that hugh sectional for visiting and entertaining...very awkward. Such a beautiful room don't fill it with one high generic sectional:(

  • 9 years ago

    I don't know if I let anyone know the size of my room. It's really hard to tell from pictures. The room is 420 square feet and is a perfect square. With this huge couch, there will still be room for other furniture. This size of couch, in my opinion, fits the room size... I like that there is alot of seating too that a couch and love seat combo would not provide. I value everyone's opinion though! I just wanted to put that out there :)

  • PRO
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I agree on large furniture and long oversized sofa! think it is more all that is going on with the sectional...the L shape plus that hugh chaise..You have an amazing size room that you could do a very big oversized sofa with a large backless rolled arm settee and large comfy chairs..plus accent tables.being the room is so large adding a large sofa table that can convert to a extra dining table for serving appetizers or adding additional seating for a large family during the Holidays would be wonderful in your space...I agree no love seat.....

    A.R.T. Furniture offers this Amazing 138" long sofa with neutral Herringbone tweed fabric and very popular decor down filler accent pillows..

    This is one of many accent sofa tables that convert to a dining table.

  • PRO
    9 years ago

    With a large space it's best to break it up with different seating areas rather than fill with an oversized sectional. You can separate the seating areas visually by a daybed but being backless it can still provide for one communal seating area for large gatherings.


  • PRO
    9 years ago

  • PRO
    9 years ago

    I just did a quick scale layout of this room. I did it with 20' x 20' dimensions which puts it at 400 sq. ft. square. Here is one option.

    great room · More Info
    This has two 90w x 40d sofas, two large chairs 40w x 40d, a giant coffee table which would have to be designed and custom made but with maybe recycled wood could be really special, two large end tables with lamps, a writing desk behind the one sofa and a sofa table behind the other sofa. Now you will notice no TV. So, if there is going to be a TV, which I think here is then you have to change the two large chairs and put the TV where it was originally along that long wall. 420 sq. ft. is a nice space, but it might not be as big as you think once you start putting furniture in. thought this might put a little perspective on sizes. You also need approximately 3' of open space around fireplace to walk into the seating area, and around TV for obvious reasons. To do that super large sectional would be an error in my mind, but if you give me the dimensions of it, I will lay it out so you can see for yourself how that would fit in the space.

  • PRO
    9 years ago

    Here is Option 2 with TV on a 60"w x 16"d TV console/credenza. Instead of two large chairs, I put two swivel chairs so you could turn around and watch TV. I made the coffee table/ottoman 40 x 40" and it could be a bit larger. I reduced the size of the one end table. I added a small stool between the swivel chairs. Something small enough that you can turn you chair but not hit the table/stool. If you expand the size of the sofas, you will loose open space and people would be too far apart for conversation and too far away from TV for ease of viewing, so you have good space, but it needs to be managed! I don't see two seating areas in this room, but you might be able to divide the space and do back to back sofas? Just don't think that would look the best and would throw off the balance with the fireplace.

    great room · More Info

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I've been following along and was so disappointed at the sectional you posted that I had to chime in. Your room is very special and that sectional is so "ordinary." Home shows a beautiful sofa that is as special as your room and is more true to the Tudor style you are wanting to achieve that I hope you rethink a sectional and consider Flo's layout plans, too.

  • PRO
    9 years ago

    Not completely to scale and sofa could shift towards fireplace another foot or so...but this is a great set up for a family or a party...lots of sitting..

  • 9 years ago
    No, no, no to that sectional! Please listen to the great advice from Flo, Home Interiors and tedbixby.
  • PRO
    9 years ago

    Here is scale layout of Home Interiors sketch. Thought that might help. I would choose a shorter sofa, because this is very large, in fact, I didn't have a template in my layout set so I had to improvise. I also don't think you get many people sitting next to each other on a long sofa. Just doesn't work much. Especially, if they don't know each other say in a party setting. But guess it depends on how you see yourselves using the space, so you have "options!" Enjoy!

    great room · More Info
    Not quite enough room as you can see for that long a sofa and the seating in front of the fireplace. So, I would do possibly a 110" long sofa at most. That would give you space between the fireplace seating and the sofa. Right now there is a scant 12". Not enough.

  • PRO
    9 years ago

    That is if room is 20x20..if 420 sqft..she should have a couple extra feet in each direction available. When entertaining the ottomans would be used for extra seating and large chair would create a conversation square that works really well...Flo why do you have that hugh 40x40 table at the end of the sofa?..... best to be used for a larger sofa...and no need for two end tables with such a large coffee table..one is all that is needed with this layout....anyway lots of ways it can be done.

  • PRO
    9 years ago

    As I explained, I used that to "represent" the full length of the sofa you indicated on your sketch, because I didn't have a template that long. It isn't a table. So it is really sofa! lol I used 20' x 20' because I thought an additional 6" in each direction was a small amount that would probably be taken up with wainscoting, trim, baseboards, etc. Not a big deal. The actual 420 sq. ft. would be 20.5' x 20.5' which is 6" on each side. Not a couple of feet.

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Wow im really disappointed thay so many of you are against thus sectional. This room will be used everyday by us and when our friends come over. We have movie night alot and this is the space we will hang out in. The sectional is really comfortable and i feel i can dress it up with different pillows and get a different ottoman. This was our reasoning after we shopped bc we didnt feel that a sofa and loveseat combo with accent chairs provide the space to spread out and get comfy to watch a movie.

    I re measured and the room is 21x21 feet. The sectional is 132"x172". We can always buy a smaller version of this too. We can also leave the chaise out and just end it with a RAF. Here are all the different possibilities withe their dimensions.

  • 9 years ago

    We finally can walk on the floors. I mapped outhe the large sectional and agree it is too large. The smaller version is 135"x132" and it fits much better. Doesn't feel too crowded. It does take up the majority of the space, but I would rather have it do that being the main purpose of the room is to relax and get comfy.

  • 9 years ago

    Try about 8.5' x 10.5' for the sectional. Coffee table. Sofa table. Side table. Table lamp. Floor lamp. Arm chair with chaise. Four top table and chairs.

  • PRO
    9 years ago

    Glad you marked it out. If this sectional meets your family's need then I guess it is best for you. Best in your endeavors. It will be your space and place to be together! That is what is important.

  • 9 years ago

    Realistically you and your guest are going to have more room to spread out with the furniture that Home and Flo have suggested than that large sectional. Your sectional sits 5, their's sits at least 6. The corner of that sectional is not useable. The other thing to consider is the seats on each side of the corner. When people are sitting in those 2 seats, do their legs hit each other? Or what happens if both stretch their legs out, do they touch? Go back to the store and get enough people to sit in every seat and have them stretch out and see what their comfort level is if they were to sit there for a long period of time. I've had a very large sectional and though I loved the look of it, I was glad when it sold with my last home as I found that people like to have that divide of a chair around them than sitting on top of each other no matter how large the sectional. And it is more comfortable to have arms to rest on. Have you ever seen a person sit in the middle of a sofa when they had the option to sit on either end of it? I had swivel chairs with the sectional and everyone always gravitated towards those first before the sectional. If you get swivels, look for ones that rock, too. These are my favorites (I'm sitting in one right now as I type).

    If you are set on a sectional at least spend more time looking for one. My first impression of the one you show is that you had found it in a consignment shop. I was surprised to find out it is new as it looks used. Maybe Home and Flo will come up with some alternatives for you to consider.


  • PRO
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Since you are set on a sectional...have you considered a curved one..because of the size of your space it would work nicely. Check out Zgallery they have a very pretty curved sectional comes in many different fabric choices and big sale right now. I had one in my last house we had a large walkout basement we used as a media room..the curve was great everyone had a great view of TV no dead corners. Just a suggestion before you make your decision.

  • PRO
    9 years ago

    Here is another A.R.T. Furniture large sofa oversized..beautiful deep comfortable

  • 9 years ago

    i have a sectional, its large, and I love it for when me and the OH are lounging. I will attest and agree that when company is over even family it gets weird with us all trying to sit on the couch. you can't really converse, or stretch out unless you want your feet in someone else's lap.

  • 9 years ago

    ours has a recliner built into the end, which is a great option since we have a similar set up our FP and tv are L shape to each other so when we watch tv one can stretch out on the recliner .. just a thought.

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    New sofa · More Info
    this is pre curtains, our is smaller than yours obvi but you get the idea, it was a progress photo lol.
    Added curtains! Only paid 5$ per panel!!! · More Info

  • PRO
    9 years ago

    I love the wainscoting and would update with white. Maybe even consider painting beams white for a modern look.

    https://happyhautehome.com/2017/06/12/what-type-of-wainscoting-is-right-for-your-home-explore-different-styles/