Thank you. We are hoping not to touch the interior too much. We want to lighten up the den visually (removing the bookcase and clutter should help). My issue with wood paneling is that other elements often seem to disappear unless you choose your furnishings intentionally to stand out. But I guess I can play on the computer with removing part of it and keeping some. On the other hand if we removed all of it, the house would be consistent and look less 1970s and more 'second half 20th century modern"

You haven't bought the house yet? On my screen, the panelling is not ugly and the two rooms you posted don't look dark and dreary. I would live in the house a while before committing to removing walls and extensive renos. Agree with Patricia: a reputable pro could steer you properly and save you money. FWIW, panelling is showing up again in upscale interiors and seeing such elements as inherently "dated" can be a bit design-myopic.

What is the style of the home's exterior. Is it MCM? I would look online for interiors for whatever style the house is. I really like the foyer look and would lean toward drywall in the den. If keeping some of the paneling, I would keep it on the short walls and remove on the long walls. It really soaks up the light. What direction do the windows face? Also, the flooring is different in foyer. Maybe a pro could be a help with coordinating a whole house look.

I too would like to see the extreior but honestly I am not married to having interiors match exterior styles .I just think this a fabulous space and should be totally thought out before touching anything. My first suggestion is to address the lighting change all bulbs in both installed and additional lighting to LED bulbs 4000K that mimics daylight and them makes everything look fresh and makes choosing any other items much easier since the colors will stay true at all times of the day.

Depending on your location, that mahogany paneling could be quite valuable as part of the house — I know someone with an Eichler in the Bay Area and having the original paneling in good condition is apparently a big selling point. I quite like it, but totally understand the urge to lighten things up if you live somewhere with a darker/colder climate.

The paneling looks great.

Oh, hell no! It's perfect for the style of the house. If you don't like it, sell the house to someone who appreciates mid-century styling and buy a different house.

I would not remove the panelling on the window walls. If you really don't like it, remove it all. From your photos it is very attractive and suits the style of the house to a tee. So I would leave it if it were mine.

On the other hand if we removed all of it, the house would be consistent and look less 1970s and more 'second half 20th century modern"

The house doesn't need to be consistent i.e. all the walls the same. Panelling was almost always done on some walls only.

The panelling, windows and angled walls make the house look very mid century modern, a look that was very "in" in the 1960's and early 1970's, then was "out" for awhile, and for a few years now has been very "in". (My stylish 32 year old son is furnishing his house with Scandinavian style, both real 1960's and reproduction.)

So by removing the panelling you are making the house more 1980 -2010, when this look was 'out". I wouldn't do that.

Seeing as this thread was refreshed, I'd love to know if @Money Pit ended up buying this house.

LEAVE IT!!!