paint panelling?

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

I bought a home that is "cottagey" and is in a cottagey setting (mature forest, minutes walk to the lake)

I would like to make it more modern/contemporary, but I also want to maintain some of the cottage feel. I am tentatively labeling my vision "Executive Cottage" lol.

I am doing a gut reno on a kitchen that opens to the dining area shown in the pics. The dining area opens to a large deck. The kitchen will be simple, clean lines.. white, shaker, new stainless appliances.

My dilemma is this main living\dining space, and the panelling.

Of importance when considering the space:

1) the furniture is not mine, I will be putting new furniture in

2) I want to put hardwood flooring in that space. Something light such as natural oak or maple. Flooring will flow into the attached kitchen, and down a hall to the master bedroom that is on the same level as the dining area.

3) there is lots MORE paneling. There is a room under the elevated living room that has the same fireplace stone (the chimney extends down), and every wall panelled. There is a wall in the bedroom that is paneled in a diamond pattern with the same stuff.

As for this main living/dining wall....

Part of is saying that the paneling needs to either be painted, or replaced with drywall painted white, in order to give the space a more modern feel.

Part of is saying the paneling is integral to the aesthetic of the space, and the "cottage" feel. Part of me saying the fireplace is enough.

Part of me is saying that painting the paneling a subtle gray-green would work with hardwood flooring to create an organic feel that ties into the surrounding woods.

Thoughts?

Featured Answer

Nancy Ingram

9 years ago

Your home is mid-century modern. The paneling is an integral part of that design era. I would not paint it. I agree with getting rid of the carpet. Take a look at pictures on Houzz for ideas.

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Comments (6)

smit2380
9 years ago
Funny, I would never describe this house as a "cottage". The paneling is awesome as is.
Colin thanked smit2380
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apple_pie_order
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
The listing shows even more of the spectacular custom design. Painting the panelling will destroy the architectural integrity of the original design. If that is your goal, I suggest working with an architect as good as the original on a redesign.
Colin thanked apple_pie_order
rocketjcat
9 years ago
Not sure how this would be described as "cottagey."
acm
9 years ago
I feel like at some point your panelling was stained darker than its original color -- if it was a cherry color, you might find it worked fine with an oak floor, but the dark brown sort of muffles the wood already. I agree it's part of the feel of the place, but I also will sleep fine if you paint or whitewash it, especially in a room that has it on every wall...
Colin
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you Nancy for pointing me at the term "mid century modern".

I do not have a vocabulary for design. I just spent an hour surfing various resources, and I definitely see how this house draws from mid century modern design principles.

To other responders... I guess I naively used the word "cottagey" to describe elements of the design that include use of natural materials (wood and stone), the openness, and the connectivity to the outdoors.

@ apple pie. Re "Painting the panelling will destroy the architectural integrity of the original design" That was my concern and reason for posting. I was not agreeing with some friend's inputs that it "needs" to be removed/painted. Like most pictures, these do not do justice to the space. It has a calming peaceful feel that owned me the second I walked in.

This site is a great learning resource. Thanks for the input everyone.

(fyi... it is easy to procrastinate away a morning on here!)