Old knotty pine is something that a person either loves, or doesn't. The old varnish ages to a golden hue, sometimes "orangey" but not as intense as old cedar. If you really just don't like the look, get rid of it. But? I hear a lot of "paint it" and wonder why I haven't heard strip and restain in a darker hue or colorwash so the grain still shows. Wood is more versatile than paint it or live with it. There are many more treatments available than just paint. If it is that old pine color that bugs you, try a dark stain, say the color of the darker graining in your dining table? If you are wanting lighter, you could try and match your wood floors in stain. The darker look would frame the dining room, lighter would flow, have continuity, and draw the eye upwards. One more thing though, if you do choose to keep the wood, try placing your art in frameless mount, no mat. Use the wood as the frame rather than each piece in a separate "box." Set your artwork free within the woodwork.

dear tinad, we all have gym shoes and igloo coolers. not to worry :)

As DawnWinds says, wood can be restored. And depending upon the style you're looking for, it could be lovely. I do find, however, when someone feels the need for 'change', painting makes more impact than stripping and refinishing...

I think if you use the colors you chose the house will be far too dark. I would first try a green, before even painting or deleting the wood. Green in any shade makes wood work sing. It appears richer next to green walls. I however would choose an avocado green and go all the way. Once that's done I would first pick one room and paint the wood. I had walnut stained wood work all over my house, which was built in 1986, and when the kitchen was remodeled I painted and glazed the walnut stained wood to match the new cabinets in the rest of the kitchen...as soon as I was done the rest of the dark wood was on the chopping block. It turned out better than I had hoped... it took a bit though, very light sanding then a coat of no-sand then a coat of oil based primer then two coats of latex paint and finally a coat of fawn colored glaze...brushed on and wiped off. Beautiful, everyone though I bought matching trim with the cabinets. If the one room doesn't make you really happy then consider loosing the wood... in my opinion the wood is a far better structural product then the dry wall. Good luck!

I like your color direction for living rm, and I would paint the knotty pine and walls above in dining room as well. With the dark accent wall in living rm (see my project photo with dark fireplace wall) and coordinating beiges / taupes in dining rm (see my project photo in beiges with the wainscot).

I would try some quick budget friendly ideas before doing a whole house reno. Perhaps starting with the easiest fix--Paint.. In the dining room think about what you will want to keep-- The blue dishes?? Then find a color to highlight them! Then move on to the living room--find a lighter color to change things up! I agree full length -possibly tailored curtains in linen color will update the space quickly!! Move the dining room rug into the living room. Then sit back and live with it all-- Then if you still feel the need to address the wood-- I think white wash... taking it down takes away from the history of your home. Historical homes are charming and its probably what drew you to it in the first place.

I had paneling removed while leaving the molding and base boards. Had to do new wall board & mudding. The mudding ended up being the most expensive part of the process, but it was well worth the result. It wasn't all that big of a deal. Would love to see the finished project some day.

My vote is for the white paint!!! You can never go wrong with that and it isn't a major overhaul. It will be spectacular!

I have the same dilemma in my third floor master. Seriously considering painting because the wood is only 18 years old. As for color, your living space is somewhat dark, I would go with something light.

Looking at the architectural style shown along with the window sill height in the dining room, I would not be surprised if that is not the original trim. If you have plaster and lathe walls don't ever let your husband tear into it. You will have the biggest mess you can imagine. First the trim is wide in order to cover the weight boxes for the double hung windows. Secondly the plaster probably runs up only to the edge of the trim. Third the trim boards may not be western white pine but southern yellow pine which was much more common. Simply because it was cheaper at the time the home was built. Over time the rosin in southern yellow pine dries up and the lumber becomes hard as a rock and just as difficult to move.

I think the knotty pine adds a lot of character and warmth. I don't think you should paint it, as long as it is in sync with the style of the house overall. If you do end up painting it, I think white would be the choice to make it tie in with the other rooms. If that is wallpaper behind it, I think I'd remove that and go with a warm color of paint for the walls.

The old knotty pine dilemma is so common that there probably should be an online support group for it.
As you can see, the rubber stamp remedy for years has been the "paint it white" solution. This works well for many, but some folks just don't want the paint, and sometimes it's for good reason.
I have found that there are two factors working against the old pine for today's design. #1, the old shellac and/or lacquer finish used in the old days simply has way too much gloss. #2, these finishes produced an extreme patina that often exceeds a warm amber into a full blown orange hue.
Sometimes simply cutting the gloss with fine sandpaper (don't get carried away, just cutting gloss here) can make a giant leap from the 50's toward this century. This also tends to help mute the orange. From there, making color choices that will help tone down the orange hue can also make a big improvement.
I see a lot that needs attention in this dining room and the pine wouldn't be at the top of my list. My starting point would be the wallpaper.
Check out some examples of up to date country on Houzz. You will find that all the clutter, bold and busy fabrics and wallpapers are gone. Today's country is very subtle, muted, clean and relaxed. Rustic elements tend to be more authentic and fewer in numbers, each making an honest statement. Good luck! It's a great house!

I love your pine and the wallpaper is so pretty. I think you should keep them. This is the real stuff, not the "batten and board" being put into boring modern homes to give texture.
What I see is something weird at skirting level. What are those white box things? Heating? They spoil the room's traditional look. I wonder could you replace them with a system less jarring? You also have a collection of blue plates, but a pink rug -- try a rug in blue shades there and see if it pulls together better. Or start collecting pink china!

I just spent an hour writing out details on how to change your look fairly inexpensively and then accidentally closed the page. (sigh) Here it is in a nutshell.

The dining room would look fantastic painted Benjamin Moore 'Hawthorne Yellow'. This color will bring out the tones in the paneling and add warm to the room.

Hang vertical striped curtains useing the same colors (blues, golds, greens) as your new rug. (see pictures). The furniture will look beautiful in the 'new surroundings'.

Remove everything above the plate rail. Hang a blue/white platter above each window or hang three platters on the porch wall; one above each window with one between.

Hang either a large, round mirror or 2 rows of 3 of your lovely blue/white plates on the outside wall (on right in pictures.) Be sure these are centered and not hung too high, as the picture is right now. Hang other plates on the opposite wall.

Place a table runner (in similar colors as curtains) down the center of the table and add a couple of chunky candle holders and candles with a container of hydrangeas, a large clear vase of hosta leaves, or even a big bowl of green apples.

Paint the living room 'Urban Nature'. Paint the window trim fresh white and paint the mantel to match.

Next add a rug that is identical or complimentary to the dining room rug. Identical makes it easier sometimes. Put it length wise in front of the fireplace.

Turn the sofa to face the fireplace. Move the chair to the right hand side. Put the end table next to chair and place the table lamp on the end table. If $$ allow add a second chair putting it where the existing chair is. Add a few throw pillows in blue's green's or golds to the sofa and chair(s)

Put the long table behind the sofa again. Place three blue/white vases on one end of table. Be sure to vary the height. you could put one on top of a book. Put one of your lovely plates on a stand facing toward the dining room on the other end of the table. Place the

(whoops! ran out pf room)

Place the white water picture (you have on the mantle) behind the plate so it looks good from the sofa side. Put the standing lamp on the end of the sofa closest to the front door for balance.

Hang geometric or floral curtains/drapes from ceiling height. These should be in the same colors as the ones in the dining room. It is best to purchase them all at the same time so you know the colors work together.

Hey there! In regard to your knotty pine, my whole house with done in natural knotty pine...cupboards, moundings, etc. Don't replace all the wood. Use a good primer, or Behr's primer and paint all-in-one (have to make sure those knotholes are covered), and paint that wood. Mine looks terrific, and you'd never know that underneath was this outdated pine! Good luck!

I love the pictures that were posted of the living room...that accent wall color is great. It really is a perfect inspiration photo for where you can go with that room. Keep us posted we want to see the end result!!

I agree Jorgiegirl. Note to Interdesign...... you know that 'imitation is the greatest form of flattery'.... you hit the nail right on the head with your pictures. It is exactly what I had envisioned. Thank you. I have pored over all the suggestions over and over, and I'm just fascinated with the response. It is so nice to imagine my rooms in different lights and in different color schemes, I could go nuts!
Thanks to everyone for taking the time and interest to respond to my design dilemma

Knotty pine. It is the exact reason I am shopping around on this site. If your pine is in good condition I vote for keeping it. It is a beautiful, original, solid wood. You will be reducing your carbon foot print while preserving history and your pocketbook. My plan is to paint it an off white/antique white/cream to keep it looking well.... antiqued yet bright. There is an original copper colored exhaust hood in my kitchen. This is my inspiration piece. What is yours? What special little feature do you like in the kitchen? Pick it and work from there. Old home for me=charm and updated charm=charmingly quaint. Good Luck!

i'm curious where you got the little buildings that are on the door ledge? i'm afraid i must have some :) although where i would put them is another problem :)

I love knotty pine, so of course, I would say don't remove it or paint it. You might check into refinishing it and then finding paint that would look good with the new color. New curtains or drapes, new rugs, accent pieces, and maybe recover chairs or different lighting and you can completely change the feel of the room without spending a fortune and turning it into a giant project.

tinad--I love your master redo!! I see your like your cappacino w/ lots of cream! Bring it downstairs.

You must start on getting the wall paper down in the dining room. Paint your knotty pine the cappacino and the walls a lighter version of that. I'd replace the curtains with cafe length curtains that are not gathered when closed. That gives you privacy but still lets the light in. I'd replace the rug with something more modern- a chevron pattern???? ooh-a steel blue chevron? Then you could take the plates off the rail and do an arrangement on larger wall we can see.

I bet you have red in your sofa, huh? Well, I'm ignoring that for now! Paint the walls your cappacino, Turn the sofa to face the fireplace w/ the sofa table behind it. And since I'm just positive you have an outlet in the floor..... two lamps on each end of that. Curtains would be the same syle in the living room as the dining. What ever accent color is chosen for the dining room, I'd do a solid shaggy rug under the furniture in here. Rireplace would be the lighter paint color and cover the mantel w/ a simple, chunkier one. Paint the brass on the fireplace. Flip the chair to the other side of the fireplace, add a side table and lamp. Choose a new throw.

Wee, it's fun to redo for someone else...........

We have knotty pine trim too. We painted it white in one room and will paint the rest of the trim room by room. This way it doesn't look like we are mid project for a long time.

I bought my house precisely because it is full of unpainted knotty pine. Anyone can have standard walls. You have something authentic. I worked with mine by combining modern Ghost chairs, industrial metal table and raw steel bookcases, Safavieh rugs and curtains with a sheen. The knotty pine has an orange tone so I am using a color scheme of ivory, green, aqua, and black accents... in the fabrics and rugs. The walls are white. I did paint the kitchen cabinets because they were too grimy to clean and too heavily varnished to strip. If you look in European design magazines, the look is rustic balanced with modern... I did the same thing.

personally i hate it. i have been too long with the cabin look. i prefer something more refined and bright. we have just bought a place and every room is wood. as much as i love nice wood this is cheap with knots and it not only makes the place dark but the knots are busy, like rooms full of polka dots. we have covered most walls now in sheetrock. i can now breath easy. it looks bright and breezy,before i looked like some ones 50's rec room.

My house is very similar – lots of knotty pine. It will come back, believe me. I've attached some photos. I went with white walls because the house is small and the knotty pine is enough color.

oh oh myhouse385!! i love love love your birdhouses!!!! reminds me of a late friend who had a wooden mermaid hung over the living room (yes!) it's so creative!!!

thank you mouse maker... I had a "formal" house before. This one with its knotty pine and character is so much more fun. Now I am buying paintings of mangoes... because I want to create a studio wall in honor of the mango tree that will probably fall on my house in the next hurricane.

i have always like knotty pine..it's comfortable and warm. my "office" room has knotty pine and i love it when the sun shines..
i love mangoes!! i'm sorry about the hurricane threat where you live..

yes, it is a huge mistake to paint over it because you can't strip it to get it back. it is much better to decorate around it and incorporate it... it doesn't have to have a cabin or retro feel... I love it too when the sun shine in... the whole back room ceiling is done in it... it is my favorite room.. see below

Did anyone notice when this topic was posted? 9 months ago.....Hmmm wonder if she has made any changes yet?

that's so funny!!! here we've all been "talking" :)

We know you've already got a lot of ideas to work with here, but we have a project that looks really similar and just had to attach it.

Here's an example of a dining room with a similar color scheme, where we kept the molding. We love how it turned out, and see potential for you to do something similar with your living & dining rooms.

that does look very nice. if the OP comes back, maybe she will consider some of those features. i do like the way the sunlight streams in--my dining room has that too and lots of rainbows from the leaded glass. my cats used to lay around in there because they could be in the sun, be lazy :) and listen to NPR :) :)

Paint the kitty pine

Pant the whole house a neutral light color immediately!

I also have knotty pine and am in a dilemma about what to do. I am resistant however to painting it. I have never seen painted wood that I liked... It always looks like a second choice to me. Whitewashing is possible. Anyway my idea is to instead focus on cleaning up and modernizing the decor and see if that balances it all out. That's where I'm leaning with mine. Just my current thinking...

To me, whitewashing with the grain showing through some, would be the best choice. Gives it a whole different feel and it would lighten things up.

I have also been thinking about what to do with the knotty pine we have in our living room in out little house (was a camp) on a lake. I have decided to go with all white woodwork, new white slider, white or white washed frames around new art /pictures....am trying to lighten it up. Am even changing from black lanterns on the mantel to white. Am very excited with my decision now....may work for you, too!

For now I'm sticking with the original and looking for a person who restores wood to help guide me. To get the scratches out and clean it up. If I can I want the original wood intact I've decided. Will use decor to modernize the look. But has anyone ever taken the hinges off kitchen cabinets to clean and then put them back? I may have to get new hinges. Lots of work but keeps the original wood while cleaning up the look... Feedback?

sounds like a good plan. it might look different after it's restored (I mean better :))
I haven't done anything with hinges, but I did clean a lot of doorknobs and plates. I did take some of the off, but others were too difficult and I didn't want to ruin the wood.
I used old toothbrushes.

Lose the red. Take dn pine. Not hard should not impact walls if so dry wall is cheap. Lose window treatment and thing like plate shelve. Update the look. Moulding cheap and easy to replace. Go for it.

No gold. Change fire screen to all back. Paint. A dove gray. White wood trim and doors. Paint both rooms the same and keep window covers he same. A simple solid panel on ends of window in a darker shade of walls would be nice. Remove clutter. .rooms look too busy.

Install black rod iron rods over windows. No rings on panels (drapes). A simple white pleated shade under them if you need for privacy. Lowes carry and will cut for free. Measure inside of window.

No small items on walls. Just a few very large art, looks better than many small ones. Hang very low. Change to a bold color art over firepl. For color.

I see now this is a very old post. Dated to Aug. So not sure if you have done anything.??

Lets start simple and talk paint! This house seems like it has a lot of charm and character but needs to be updated. By using a neutral paint colour in the dining room and continuing a cohesive sister paint in the living room, the spaces will feel a lot larger and more in unison with each other. The wood trim dates the house so by removing it will give this space a new look and only add value to the home if sold.

White with knotty pine