Wood Paneling and Outdated Fireplace

3 years ago

Hello!

I’ve been kicking the can around what to do with this den area off my kitchen. I’ll have evergreen fog green cabinets and cotton white walls. The floors are getting sanded and Nordicsealed white washed. I’m debating sanding the wood paneling and making it an updated deeper wood color and painting the brick black and having a live edge slab above the fireplace but I’m not sure how dark wood paneling would look with black (darker) brick would be. Do any of you have recommendations? I will likely have a breakfast nook in the corner on the right hand side.

Featured Answer

housegal200

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

Good design takes into acount an entire spaces, not just colors and finishes. Here are some thoughts on most of your space that starts with decluttering and layout first before considering colors and finishes.

--Your "den" space is very small. Get sconce lighting for either side of the fireplace. Relocate the side tables and table lamp. Get a large piece of art for over the fireplace after you decide what to do with that wall. Great Big Canvas over wood panelling and a couple of sconce lamps on either side could brighten that wall without any other treatment.

--If you're getting green cabinets, then the current floor color is ideal. Why are you changing it? Note the ivory wall paint, which harmonizes with wood floor and countertops in this kitchen.

--If keeping floor color the same and you still want panelling on fireplace wall, then sand and lighten the color of the panelling for a harmonious look. As pointed out, a large art work and sconce lamps could look great.

Mitzi Lupe One Light Wall Sconce H285101-AGB · More Info

--Fireplace: The current mantel is fine whether you lighten wood stain on that wall or paint it to match wall color for entire space. (Just deleted advice about painting FP since reading Patricia, Hallett, etc. Keep it as is. If that's fake panelling, then remove it and drywall it per Hallett.)

--If you don't want wood panelling, then paint it to match ivory walls. (What color will countertops be?-Suggest something with ivory, not white background or wood countertops as shown in photo for a warm, den-like look to the space.)

--Move TV to left of doorway on the wall opposite the sliding glass door. Float a new, smaller armchair in to face that wall.

--Not a fan of that pony wall you show because it closes things off. But if you keep it, then create a small corner banquette and add a small round table for breakfast nook you have in mind. Smaller version of this:

Tennessee Tudor Kitchen · More Info

Or small chair against pony wall, padded dining bench against wall, and round table.

--Be mindful of what's outside those sliding glass doors. That could be a great space for gathering with friends, growing large plants. It's a visual extension of your living room, so keep that in mind.

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Comments (11)

PRO
HALLETT & Co.
3 years ago
That is just sheet birch paneling. I would remove it and put up drywall. Leave the chic white brick alone, far better than painted brick. Strip and refinish the mantle shelf or paint it.
Jilly
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
That looks to be Roman brick on your fireplace … such a fab mid-century feature. I hope you don’t paint it, it could be preserved and worked around.

(Source: https://www.organizedclutter.net/2013/01/your-fireplace-1967.html)
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PRO
HALLETT & Co.
3 years ago
Yes white Roman brick usually
Made from marble. The first floor of my 1968 mcm was all white Roman brick
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
The FP IMO is the best thing I see but I guess it depends on your style but I love MCM so I would keep the FP for sure .As for the pannelling I think it also depends on yoyr style so maybe share some pics of what you like in style. The cabinet style is agood spot to start. Post all the pics here in comments DO NOT start anoter post.BTW wall color last thing to choose .
palimpsest
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
I actually don't mind the paneling either. It seems to suit the fireplace and the house from what I can see. It's really just a version of late 1950s early 1960s shiplap that everybody has been putting up everywhere for the last 15 years or so. It's not real wood paneling, it's a decorative surface, just like lots of shiplap.
housegal200
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Here's SW Evergreen Fog cabinets with wood flooring stain like yours. Great combo, but as Patricia says, color comes last after you deal with fireplace wall, layout, lighting, maybe choosing new TV watching chair.
Banquette for breakfast nook something like this but smaller:
Evan P
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks for the suggestions! just to note: pony wall has been removed. chair and TV are gone (those pictures were just of the walk theough of the house before i bought it). its completely bare of all furniture now.
mytwo cents
3 years ago
When I look at the room it appears to me that originally it was a much larger room but a later remodel stole a big chunk of it to incorporate into the kitchen? Whatever, the fireplace would be more aesthetically pleasing if there was more empty space in front of it, which would be typical of MCM style -- lots of empty space and low lines.

Sometimes the solution is to double down on the problem. I'd bring in some dramatic pieces. In particular I'd try to find a largish geometric table -- if I can find a picture I'll show you -- and an MCM swag-type chandelier. Some strong structured potted plants. I think i'd keep away from soft overstuffed upholstered furniture (unless it's something iconic post modernish or pop).
mytwo cents
3 years ago

Instead of painting the kitchen cabinets I would put new plain no-paneling doors on them to
housegal200
3 years ago
@EvanP: If you post again, please give all relevent information up front so Commentors don't go running around offering suggestions that don't apply. No one had any idea this was someone else's furniture, pony wall was gone, etc. In any case, then go the MCM route as many have suggested. Not sure how green cabinets fit in, so decide that last. Also revisit plan to whitewash, was it, flooring??? What you have is classic.