Wood paneling — time for a comeback? And look at these fabulous designs.
50sPam on Feb 19 2008 at 11:47 am | Filed under: attic & basement, dining room, living room
I’ve been holding off for a while on posting this incredible 1966 wood paneling, thinking I could find some today-sources for this stylish material. Click the images to enlarge and see the wonderful decorative detail. Alas, nothing on the internet. Does anyone have any other ideas…sources?
It’s so interesting - that this was so popular…then so unpopular. Please don’t rip yours out unless it’s truly pedestrian! When we bought our 1951 “colonial-modern embankment ranch” seven years ago, another of the selling points was its original cherry paneling in the basement. The room itself needed some work - insulation, better heating, lighting, ceiling, carpet…but there was never a doubt about the paneling. Today, it’s the favorite room of my husband and his guy friends — a classic.
Methinks it’s time for paneling like this, to make a comeback.
17 Responses to “Wood paneling — time for a comeback? And look at these fabulous designs.”
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Judi's Lexington ranch
Amy's San Diego bungalow
We looked at sheets of paneling at Lowe’s a couple of months ago, when we were considering just about any idea imaginable to deal with our less-than-perfect kitchen walls. We knew that we really didn’t want paneling in our kitchen, but, we did see a few styles that we thought weren’t too bad.
At first I thought that was an Iroquois Impromptu coffee pot, but then I checked and the shape is slightly different. Then I thought, maybe Eva Zeisel? Can anyone identify the china?
Hmmm… we had a back bedroom with paneling. Oak I think. Anyway, I painted (which nearly killed my parents), but I love it better than any plain walls. I would love to have an entire house with white painted paneled walls… looks fabulous to me!
Hi,
I’ve never been a fan of most paneling, as it seems to always suck the light out of a room. Its potential warmth as wood is negated by the cave-like feeling it creates. In my own home (1958 split level) we have the original grass cloth, which has a much nicer effect (though it requires some care).
Re: the china, it isn’t Zeisel or Seibel (Impromptu) (I have quite abit in my store). I think it’s just one of the many “inspired bys”.
Ronn Ives, owner
FUTURES Antiques
Pam, you reference in your birthday announcement (Happy Birthday!) the number of coincidences that arise through this blog. Here’s another one: Your post on wood paneling occurs on exactly the day when I am installing new wood paneling in my condo! I am lining the walk-in closet walls with floor-to-ceiling 1/4 inch birch cabinet-grade plywood that I have finished with a Heywood-Wakefield champagne semi-opaque varnish (bought it on eBay). All of the built-in cabinetry, shelving, and dividers will be HW stained and varnished poplar. The closet is going to be my own blond wood “cave,” to use Ronn Ives term.
Of course you are installing today, Stephan. We are all on the same retro wavelength - constantly! Where did you get the paneling? Sounds like you are very happy with it, in terms of how it took the stain.
Hi again,
BLONDE paneling I could live with!
Ronn Ives
Wow, Stephan’s whole condo is going to be so beautiful, with all of the new paneling, tile, etc. We’ll want to see photos!
We still have some left in my son’s room in pine. It’s not too bad, we’ve considered leaving it as it’s only on one wall!? We still have some remnants in our garage left over from the owners before us. I have nigtmares about laminex wood look panelling though! It was in our hallway & when we tried to remove it it brought off half the plaster, it had been glued & nailed, now that type of panelling was awful! x
http://www.flickr.com/photos/retroppo/
Stephan, I’m curious about your experience using the Heywood-Wakefield stain. I have a wonderful H-W Rio dresser that has a very scratched top, and have wondered about refinishing it using that stain from eBay.
Hi,
I’ve dealt with hundreds of pieces of Heywood. Despite some valiant efforts on the parts of refinishers, I’ve yet to see a re-done piece of Heywood that matches the original finish WHEN PUT SIDE BY SIDE. I say this because it’s become my opinion that when collecting Hey-Wake, collect either prime examples that need zero work, OR, collect all you want in whatever condition, then have one great & valiant refinisher do it ALL at the SAME time with the SAME batch of finish. This way, either situation gives you matching furniture.
Just a thought.
Ronn Ives
FUTURES Antiques
I have pine in my dining room and grasscloth in my living room. I did paint over some heinous paneling filled with pictures of deer, quail and squirrels in my son’s room that was creeping him out.
The paneling, Pam, is actually just cabinetry-quality 4×8 foot sheets of 1/4 inch birch plywood from Lowes. You just have to dig through the stack to find the best pieces that will match. The HW stain, Femme1, has worked very well. It’s not perfect, and you can spot the difference if placing new and old pieces together, but for really damaged HW furniture, it is the most affordable alternative. He sends along two pages of very precise instructions that you have to follow to the letter, but it works! Of course, to do an entire walk-in closet, it took quite a lot of the stuff. Almost broke my bank! Lastly, a message to Ronn: I know of at least two people that refinish HW furniture and do it so well that you cannot distinguish original from refinish, even when they are side by side. One guy runs an antique place on South Broadway in Denver. His prices are high, but affordable. There is also a guy in Orange, CA, a suburb of LA, who does an excellent job but charges an exorbitant price. But I agree with your theory: stick to excellent or mint condition pieces, or refinish several pieces at the same time.
Happy belated birthday Pam!
My bedroom as a youngster was that beautiful 1950s knotty pine paneling - not too dark and not too light - it was just right.
Stephan,
It’s nice to hear someone is artistic enough to have apparently solved the Heywood finish match-up problem. I’m in Virginia, so I’ve never seen either of the shops’ work you mention. Aside from INITIAL matching however, I must add that if the finishes match TODAY, the aging process will “unmatch” them over the years. It’s just one of those situations for which I see no long-term solution, except under the two scenarios I mentioned. As far as my shop goes, I only deal in perfect or near-perfect original condition (with a few fixer-uppers I have in storage for those who want to dabble in their own experiments).
Ronn Ives
FUTURES Antiques
Hmmmmm. The 1950’s home we just bought has the lovely wood panelling in the kitchen.
We were going to prime it and paint but now Im having second thoughts! Its all in perfect condition, it just makes the room really really dark.
Now I dont know what to do lol
I know I’m a bit late weighing in on this subject, but I wanted to share the paneling in our 1953 ranch. My first reaction when I walked into the room was “Ugh, the wood paneling needs to go!” I lived with it for a few days and fell in the love with the incredible texture and warmth it brings to the room. Our wood paneling has a white washed effect that highlights the texture of the grain and lightens the overall effect. It’s now my favorite wall in the house.