If it's that thin, cheap paneling I'd consult a drywaller about removing it and drywalling it.

I think you rather like it than not..correct me if I'm wrong..so I'd work around it. The kitchen, I see it as a main offerender..too dark for the space..too much dark granite..dark carpet upstairs..

Your space can be really cool and enveloping if you:

-go for more modern (or not neccessarily modern in terms of clean lines and all..maybe the right term is bold..or colorful..or funky..but full of character whatever you choose) lighting. Go for it everywhere..layer it. Central fixtures, sconces, floor lamps, table lamps..wherever you can add it add it

-light furnishings. bright colors(not necessarily neon bright ..just something not dissappearing into walls like kitchen currently does..standing their own you know). textures like rugs..either light, or contrast and pattern. I don't know your style..one can go many interesting ways with rugs. Just be open to richness of choice out there.

-big, vivid art. whatever you love-abstract, non abstract..posters..to me oil paintings are the best, and they look exceptionally great against wood background. but go bold, and go personal

-greenery ..I mean plants. Some can do very well in low light. Hard to see how much light you've actually got..but even if not a lot, all sorts of ficuses etc thrive just about anywhere. Google for exact names. Or maybe others here will remember.

(don't remember names of my own plants, lol)

Now if you can't stand the paneling that's a different story. But it's a lot of work and mess to get rid of it..I'd rather put that work into kitchen etc, work on a lighting plan

The house has kinda elements of a bit of this, a bit of that..a bit of a lodge, a bit of i'm-not-a-lodge..so it can be tackled several ways I suppose. It'd be interesting to read other comments, for sure.

It's awesome it has so much potential. I'd leave it for a year and rethink it then. You might grow to love what you don't right now. Get some help from an accredited Interior Designer

Looks like a total gut and redesign.

“About to purchase”…so you have not signed on the dotted line?

Reconsider, unless you are getting a bargain which leaves you with $$$ to do renovations.

There is no continuity. The description of the property says the “opportunities are endless”. I agree as long as your money is “endless”.

Property looks beautiful.

I looked at the photos again. I think this house is awesome. Terrazzo floors? That many acres for that price is inconceivable where I live. Feeling a bit jealous. If you have the budget and time for renovation you're going to have a blast with this house.

White walls and a new railing with a modern chandelier would be amazing (IMO, of course.)

benjesbride - Thank you!!!!! I have more photos to share because as you can see the bedrooms/bathrooms are CONVENIENTLY not on the listing but I have walked through them all multiple times.
1 of the 5 bathrooms smells like old man.

2 of the 5 need wallpaper removed, new toilets and a good scrubbing

The other 2 are really weird configurations that are just too confusing to put into words.

As much as I love wood-I do agree on a new railing.

Lights..I'm good with lights but I'm bad with lights. I mean I'd love to suggest shapes and all but since I'm mad about lights it'll take me abnormal amount of time-and most of it can be still a miss..you need a concept of everything first, to even try and choose between tons of amazing lights..or I need to understand your concept first, to try suggesting even. Add to that the fact I adore modern lights, traditional lights..I mix them too..the only lights I don't like are can lights lol..but these can be very useful in utilitarian spaces of all kinds.

I'm bad with everything concerning electricity per se..but I already can tell you that one bulb ain't gonna make it. And just central lighting not gonna make it. I love central lighting, I grew up with it, and now I installed it wherever made sense..in addition to pendants, sconces etc..it's useful to enter a space and see it at night, you know. And of course rooms like dining need it. But it's not enough. It's overall lighting..you need mood lighting, task lighting too..you need to take into account where you want soft light, and where you don't mind shadows..you need to know wattage and what's enough for what..I have two 100 watt bulbs in our dining space (table for six), and it's on a dimmer..so one can do a project there or have a party where everybody seems a tad prettier lol, or leave it very dimly glowing at night-just welcoming somebody home. So whatever you do-add dimmers. 40 watt-won't do it..it's good for a very small light just for creating mood, you need many like these to make a difference. To read , you generally need minimum 60 watt, I'd say more. Add to it that some light is white, some is more yellow, some is more blue..will change colors-or won't, will enhance them, depending on colors..different people prefer differet light too. Say I need mine to be a bit warmer. Otherwise too harsh..it's bright but irritatingly so.

So you see, it's the whole big plan that should be developed along everything else..start with looking at lots of lights, whether separate or part of interiors, whether new or vintage..and save the ones that you like. Pinterest, Houzz, Etsy, eBay, websites..however you prefer to save pics. (I prefer Pinterest because lets me pin from almost everywhere).

Then narrow down to the ones you love. Keep dimensions in mind (figure this out well in advance) ..what light you need where..keep them maybe categorized "chandeliers", "floor lamps", etc. Maybe you're faster than me, or maybe you have very strong preferences, and it won't take that long..maybe budget's not an issue..but it took me months. I did have to outfit the whole house at once though-we had this final inspection. They want to see everything installed. If you can do it gradually that's somewhat easier.

My deep loves were thousands of dollars sometimes. I realized very soon I won't be able to light my house this way:) Went almost everywhere vintage. Hassle like there's no tomorrow, but whole house's lighting cost me in the end like that first dining chandelier I fell in love with.

See? You asked one specific short question-but I can't give you short specific answer)) First, that would be irresponsible somewhat. Lighing needs to be considered. Second, I'm too passionate thus making less sense:)

But believe me, you want to take your time on that. Few things will make you as happy, and your house, as grateful.

As you look at lights-whether you choose them in the end or not-use them as inspirations too..colors, shapes..you name it. Do you have furniture, fabrics you take with you? Something that you love, that will stay in your house? Or do you start anew?

Even if you start anew-you probably have ideas what you love..look everywhere..your wardrobe, art in galleries, movies, books, nature around..whatever is inspiring. When we're in the right mood, everything potentially is. Don't miss any opportunity. That's how your vision for the house is born and starts taking shape, growing, becoming more confident. Think of elements-but always in the context. What your house is saying to you, what do you want it to say? It's challenging of course. A lot to figure out. It's exciting too.

Gosh I'm so sorry..I hope you had patience to read through that..

april, I love your comments :-)

thank you..:)

My thoughts are as follows: 1. Get with a local designer and spend some time on the planning. With the scale of what needs to be done, you need a master plan. Iron spindles would be awesome on your staircase. 2. The kitchen is a total gut 3. You may be able to white wash the paneling but again this would be a question for the designer based upon your plan and how you want to live in the space. I do lots of work on my own home and my designer knows that - but he also can source me spindles, carpet, etc and help when I get stumped. It’s good to have someone to bounce ideas off of and to get you into an overall plan. That way you aren’t going back over something you just finished because you forgot to run the lighting wire.

Paint the paneling now in a light tone (no browns or tans) will lighten up the rooms so much. It is an inexpensive fix until you can replace the paneling with drywall. We had dark brown paneling in our living room/dining room. Painted it a very light gray and it immediately looked 100% lighter and brighter. Then we could proceed with lights. Lights can only do so much. On dark dreary (rainy) days the lighter color will be better and you only need some lights on not all of them.

Wow- what an amazing place. I totally get why you like it.

Kitchen cabs look maybe original with a second generation of doors- whatever facelift or Reno you do there will make a huge difference, of course.

This place looks really special.