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.
This post was first published Feb. 19, 2008
Femme1 says
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.
retroppo says
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/
Sumac Sue says
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!
Ronn Ives/FUTURES Antiques says
Hi again,
BLONDE paneling I could live with!
Ronn Ives
50sPam says
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.
Palm Springs Stephan says
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.
Ronn Ives/FUTURES Antiques says
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
Liz says
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!
Femme1 says
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?
Sumac Sue says
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.