Yes: A 1953 knotty pine den with an original wallpapered ceiling. This is so inspiring, it takes my breath away. When they first moved in, Brian & Keri (of the the 1953 retro kitchen remodel) were not thrilled with the wallpaper. But, they waited a while before taking it down — and now they love it. Brian explains:
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Hi Pam-Our den is small, with alot of furniture in it, so these were the best photos I could get for you.
.When we first bought the house, we were less than crazy about the wallpaper ceiling and planned to remove the wallpaper. However, over time the ceiling grew on us. The wallpaper on the ceiling makes the room darker and appear smaller, but gives it a cozy feel.
.Most people paint over the knotty pine. We love the honey color of the wood, so we plan to leave it alone. We were told the original owners who lived here for 50 years smoked like chimneys, which may account for that lovely dark honey knotty pine. The only thing the room is missing is a deer head mounted on the wall.– Brian
Thank you, Brian, for fulfilling my request to, like, go lay down on the floor of your knotty pine den and take photos in which we could see furniture+walls+ceiling. Did Keri laugh her head off? Gold star!
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Vintage wallpaper on the ceiling of my paneled den! Vintage wallpaper on the ceiling of my paneled den! I want vintage wallpaper on the ceiling of my paneled den! Cozy is good.
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Vintage wallpaper on the ceiling of my paneled den! Vintage wallpaper on the ceiling of my paneled den! I want vintage wallpaper on the ceiling of my paneled den! Cozy is good.
One of the most important lessons
of Retro Renovation:
And, here’s a repeat of that super duper important Retro Renovation principal: LIVE WITH YOUR HOUSE A YEAR, at the least, before you go rippin’ vintage things out (unless there are environmental or safety factors, of course.) Save the regrets by taking it slow. Learn the house you’re in; Love the house you’re in.
Justin says
That wallpapered ceiling is the same wallpaper ceiling that was in the den of my house when I bought it. At one time though someone had put the small square tiles over it though. When I got down to the wallpaper, it wasn’t in that great of shape. Otherwise I would have thought about keeping it.
JKaye says
Wonderful room, and very nicely furnished.
Meridith says
I heart anything knotty pine. We just un-updated our 1964 split level ranch and took out the 1990’s era tile and replaced it with reclaimed knotty pine flooring. The house had a very clean mid-mod look, but old heart pine adds a warmth and depth that you couldn’t get with a contemporary product.
Nice work keeping your hands off that den! It’s a work of art!
Nancy says
The knotty pine at my parent’s house was “finished” with linseed oil. That gave it the dark honey colored woodsy look. Probably nicotine had something to do with it as well. My mother hated it and painted over one of the walls in the family room and ripped out the kitchen in favor of a “modern” salmon and yellow kitchen in the 60’s.
My dad’s study still has the beautiful pine on the walls and ceiling.
Jacki Anderson says
They have a beautiful den and kitchen. I’ve lived in my 1965 brick ranch since 1996 and have “heart pine” in the kitchen and den. It can make the room dark, and whenever the time comes I’ll probably get a couch in a lighter color than the burgundy we had when we moved in, but I’m so glad I’ve kept it as is. The house had one owner and it was the cozy kitchen that I fell in love upon walking into the place ((there was even a chocolate cake on a pedastal plate when we came to view!). The kitchen is small and I hope to update it a bit at some point but nothing crazy. I’ve scene painted knotty pine in magazines and it does look pretty, but I just was afraid I’d lose the warmth that visitors always comment on! However, I did paint our plain brick fireplace/hearth a creamy off-white last summer, and I get so many comments on 2 things: 1) how it brightens the den, and 2) How the texture of the brick really stands out! – Now I want to see pix of that infamous bathroom!
Chris says
I am in love with your home! It is so inspiring!
Kitchen — wonderful! Den — I want to drink coffee and read books there!
But I have to say, I am really dying to see the bathroom you mentioned in your kitchen story!
Bathroom pictures! Bathroom pictures! I must have bathroom pictures!
🙂 (Please?)
Keri says
When we took down the 1970’s light fixture to put in the ceiling fan, we could see a previously covered piece of the wallpaper. It used to be white…I think what you see is a combination of smoke from the fireplace and a serious smoking habit.
pam kueber says
WOW!
Jay says
I say, Col. Mustard in the knottty pine den with the candle stick. What a great fireplace wall with the pine.Looks like it belongs in an English murder mystery. Great room! As well as the kitchen; keep up the great work.
Andrea says
We live in a suburb of Baltimore & our subdivision was built in the late 50s & into the early 60s. Our kitchen & dining room had a wallpapered at some point too-sadly it was painted over. Many neighbors have found the same thing. As we slowly update/backdate we have called our journey an adventue in “architectural archaeology”
Lynne says
I have an unopened roll of vintage wallpaper that is so close in pattern to the ceiling paper! Alas, only one roll. Someone will need a small ceiling. I thought it was sort of a Colonial /Early American style, but I have been told by those wiser than I, that it was called “provincial” style.