Wainscoting dilemma

9 years ago

So my wife and I are about to out wainscoting on the walls of our basement bar. We're going for a vintage NYC speak easy feel. We have settled on white oak wood. And we know the wainscoting design but we can't decide what color stain or paint to treat the wood with.

Half the area is covered in reclaimed brick and the floors are reclaimed hickory. So we want the wainscoting to have an older vibe.

Here is the area that won't get wainscoting:

And here is the area that will get the molding.

I've included a pick of the wainscoting look we're going for but we don't like the white paint for this area. I'm leaning towards a stain of some sort.

Please help!

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JudyG Designs

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

I am going to say “no” to wainscoting. All your great brick, wood flooring and dark windows add more than enough interest.

Focus on wall color and furniture, instead. This look:

"McGurk's" Inspired Lower Level · More Info

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Comments (10)

tatts
9 years ago
Wainscoting does not go with the reclaimed brick. At. All. Especially that ornate, formal wainscoting.

I can't ever remember seeing wainscoting over brick. The point of wainscoting (the original point) was to protect the wall surface (painted plaster, usually). You can't protect brick any better than it can protect itself.

I can only find one picture of wainscoting on a brick wall with a quick search, and it looks like a bad remodel or a builder's ad-lib in a McMansion.
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klatos
Original Author
9 years ago
The wainscoting is not going over the brick it is for the walls that don't have brick. The wainscoting won't be white like in the photo, it would be stained or have some treatment done to look like older wood so that it matches well with the room.

If you look at the wall with the windows I need a way to bring that all together. The arch and windows really don't stand alone very well and something like a double high wainscoting should do the trick. That said, I'm trying to come up with the right color. The windows are reclaimed brass from the 1920's with a blue/gray patina to them.
PRO
Sina Sadeddin Architectural Design
9 years ago
I think the room would look great without the wainscoting, but if you want it then I would go for a dark, natural wood stain. It depends on what stain color the floors will be. I suggest you Google some images of old speakeasies and see how they incorporated it.

Another option would be to put reclaimed wood on those walls, which is a more modern take on the style.
acm
9 years ago
Agree that dark wood would fit with a pub feel -- not sure what "New York speakeasy" really means in practical terms... I'd definitely finish the floors before picking a finish for the walls; could be hard to match a reclaimed look with anything new.
PRO
Brian Gannon
9 years ago
Thats an amazing basement.
grapefruit1_ar
9 years ago
Your basement is beautiful. I would match the floors. Our wainscoting and floors are natural ash....31 years old.. I still love it. Please post pics when you are finished!
auntthelma
9 years ago
I love the brick arch! I vote a big yes for the paneling/wainscoting. Like a wine cellar, dark, old bar. Love it.
auntthelma
9 years ago
Cool wine cellar pictures with brick and wood.

French Country in Garden Oaks - Wine Cellar · More Info

Rustic Wine Cellar & Tasting Room · More Info

River Oaks · More Info

West Canton Street: Wine Cellar · More Info
PRO
Sims Luxury Builders
9 years ago
What a beautiful space! I would edit yourself on the wainscoting design and go with something much more understated that will complement the beautiful brick and windows instead of competing with them. Go for a simpler design like vertical planks with a trim piece at the top and bottom.
French Manor · More Info
One of our wine rooms has very similar reclaimed brick to yours. You can see the two different stains we went with and see which one you like best for the wainscoting and/or flooring.

Good luck!!!