Whitewash or stain??

13 years ago

My living room has horizontal paneling on the walls. It was put up by a previous owner to cover up the old lath and plaster. So unless we would take it all off and put drywall up, there is no option but to live with it. And hubby says drywall is not an option right now. The reason for change would be that I don't like feeling like I live in a cabin. If it was in the mountains somewhere it would not bother me as much. Would it work to whitewash it? Or would semi-transparent stain be a better option? The reason I ask about stain is we think that maybe the wood has been oiled. I don't want to just paint it. For some reason when I think of painting it, I see the inside of ship's cabin in my head. Then if I would paint the crown molding and baseboards white to match the kitchen baseboards and paint the big ceiling beams seen in pictures 6 & 7 black to match the window frames, would it look cobbled together? Or would that be ok?

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PRO

Re|Structure Design-Build, LLC

12 years ago

I think a semi-solid stain would work better here. If the wood has a clear coat on it, you may have trouble with a semi-transpartent stain. It will just lay on the top and blob up. To get away from the "Log Cabin Look" go with a light, uplifting color. In Cabot stains, look at colors in the Leafy Greens or Rocky Grays color sections. I go to this color group all the time because it is easy to live and decorate with, and gives just enough jazz to make a statement, but in a suttle, sophisticated way.

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Comments (18)

Ashtoe
Original Author
13 years ago
Here are pictures 5-7.
PRO
Rockin' Fine Finish
12 years ago
I would paint it
Ashtoe thanked Rockin' Fine Finish
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juanita73c
12 years ago
I like the paneling but if its not your style and can't live with it than you should paint it white or other color that may accentuate with your carpet and furniture.
Ashtoe thanked juanita73c
Ashtoe
Original Author
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
Re Structure- so I have some questions then about the semi-solid stain. Will I have to varnish or something like that when I am finished with the staining? Would it be easier to do a 2 part paint and 1 part water whitewash type of a deal? I did look at Cabot stain website and I do like some of their grey colors. So I am just wondering how much work it would be to do the stain.
Ashtoe
Original Author
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
ok so I am new to this whole discussion thing but I did just figure out how to add this picture! this is the look I would be going for. I really like how it makes the wood look. I was thinking this depth of color only in grey. so which ever, stain or paint, will help me achieve this look I will be happy to use it!
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PRO
Rockin' Fine Finish
12 years ago
That's a semi trans or transparent stain to achieve that you'll need the wood to be bare with no finish on it whitewashing would be the only other option
Ashtoe thanked Rockin' Fine Finish
Ashtoe
Original Author
12 years ago
I have been working on painting the beams black like I talked about. I did not do any prep to them besides wiping them down. they do not seem to resist the paint at all. in fact they seem to suck a lot of paint up. they are exactly the same wood as the walls. does that mean that the wood is bare?
PRO
Re|Structure Design-Build, LLC
12 years ago
The effects will be slightly different between the Cabot and the two part you mention. Cabot is simple to apply, just follow the directions and remember...you are not painting so do not go for heavy build up. In any case...I hightly recommed you maybe purchase both products, and do a sample board before you tackle the entire wall. Better safe than sorry and mock-ups, are the best way to avoid a nightmare. Another point to remember is that the density of the wood will effect tone. Looking at the photo you submitted, this effect is with semi-transparent. I like this look very much so I most often go here but again...we must be careful with semi-transparent, if the wood has a clear coat on it. Just to prove how critial a virgin surface is with semi-transparent, you cannot even second coat effectively with the product...it is a one shot deal on virgin surface for best effect.
Ashtoe thanked Re|Structure Design-Build, LLC
PRO
Re|Structure Design-Build, LLC
12 years ago
Absorbing the stain is exactly the sign you are looking for. On surface protection, no varnish on top is required. The Cabot is actually an exterior product so you will have more protection than you need.
Ashtoe thanked Re|Structure Design-Build, LLC
Ashtoe
Original Author
12 years ago
thank you very much for your help. I am going to go to the local lumberyard tomorrow and see what they have for stain and do what you said. try both ideas and see what is best. thank you again.
irinamillwood
11 years ago
Hi Ashtoe. I came across this posting almost two years after you posted it. I have exactly the same project I am embarking upon (ski condo has same walls), and I am currently researching all aspects of wood paint/stain. I am curious whether you went through with your idea to paint/stain the wood. If you did, would you mind sharing the results and/or any learnings? Thank you in advance!
AnhitA Nazeri
10 years ago
Remove it and sell it you will make a fortune, Use Dry wall instead but I also have another method but it is very time consuming to make it look weathered
Steph
10 years ago
Dry wall is cheap. Why does your DH say that's not an option?
saratogaswizzlestick
10 years ago
AnAhitA Nazeri, what method do you have to make it look weathered?
AnhitA Nazeri
10 years ago
Well you take a Jar fill with Vinegar and Water and a huge Wad of Steel Wool and put it in jar let sit out side on Porch for 3 days leave lid loose it will build pressure after that time the Water solution and Vinegar will turn real Rusty and tha"s when you paint it on wood with Brush k, let it soak in then do as often as desired for looks then wipe with Cloth , after that you let dry and paint a white wash , grey , soft shade of what ever color you want to achieve , paint on wipe off....Voila a Timeless Piece ...
PRO
NuWave
10 years ago
What about white wash? Or, grey stain? This is my dining table that I white washed and then added grey stain to.
AnhitA Nazeri
10 years ago
looks nice But not old and weathered , what I use is natural no chemical No Poly Phenols