I like the ceilings and would leave them, but, definitely would be painting the walls. Make sure you use a good sealing primer, to seal all those knots or they will bleed through your paint. I agree, eggshell paint, definitely not semi gloss. Congratulations on your new home.

It’s going to look fabulous!

I painted my pine paneling in semi-gloss, because I wanted that "woodwork" finish - every painted paneling I'd ever seen and admired, such as in historic homes, had that bit of gloss. I am very happy with the result. It really doesn't come off as overtly glossy.

Good primer, and probably some caulking at paneling seams and filling/sanding of some knots or flaws may be needed. Small gaps at seams show up more once painted (at least, mine did)

I generally do eggshell on the ceilings (along with the walls) in a color match to the wall or trim, or in a subtle color depending on the room (I love subtle color on the ceiling). I rarely think that "ceiling white" is an attractive companion to other whites in the room.

Thanks! I toyed with the idea of keeping the stain but decided to paint the beams because 1) the room feels really short and 2) I had to replace one of the original beams due to structural work in the adjacent kitchen - new beam will never match.

Appreciate the feedback!

I agree with egg shell for the walls. Painting the beams and ceiling white will help "raise" the ceiling some. We have beams in our family room with an 8' ceiling. Walls, ceiling and beams are all white. I'd use the same color for the walls and ceiling/beams. Just wanted to say we painted paneled walls in a previous home. Loved the finished look.

I liked your beams, but, you are right, you could never match them exactly. I guess, a bonus is that your ceiling will seem a bit higher with it painted white. I did paint my beams all white a couple of years ago, but, my beams were not the quality of yours.

Just wanted to add cat_ky had a good point regarding properly sealing the wood. The paneling we had painted wasn't pine, but the painter had to do some special priming first. It was some years ago, but I think he told me there could be "something" in the wood that could bleed through the paint if not treated.

Need to use a shellac primer by Zinsser. If not, the knots will bleed through. Painted our pine walls last year and used matte finish. The one between flat and eggshell. First painted 2 coats of the shellac primer.

The key is allowing the shellac primer to cure completely before putting finish coats on. Usually 24 hours.

That is good advice about cure time for the primer and do not skip that primer

I like semi gloss for wood walls. Like a previous post said, paneling looks nice painted out like trim. Save the flat and eggshell for drywall.

I wouldn't do the paneling in semi-gloss due to that it will show imperfections much more. The more sheen the more visible imperfections show and this will be true for any brush strokes etc. so you need to be careful when you paint to keep a wet edge and minimize any brush strokes when doing the grooves if you do use semi-gloss, but you do need to be careful with lower sheen as well. On the other hand I don't like flat paint on a wood wall either. I think an eggshell is a good compromise.

Flat would only be appropriate for Shiplap. These walls should be eggshell.

Beverly's photos remind me of the paneled walls we painted. :-)