How to decorate a knotty pine den, basement, sunporch or living room? Here are six ideas if you want to play up the classic 1950s outdoorsy or kitschy look, using new sources available today as well as some vintage if you are up for the hunt.
1. Barkcloth curtains: You can find barkcloth vintage or new — I think that its nubbly texture goes nicely with knotty pine paneling. Above: Amy used a vintage curtain in the her vintage paneled bathroom (and oh my see the bar! ) For sources for new, see my story 142 barkcloth fabric designs from 5 companies available today. Oh, and do I really even need to say it: You will transform this barkcloth into pinch-pleat draperies hung on traverse rods. Paint the traverse rods wrought iron black (assuming you have wrought iron cabinet pulls and the like.)
2. Braided rugs: Thorndike Mills is a Massachusetts company that has been making braided rugs since 1925. I <3 this company. And, I <3 braided rugs for midcentury modest houses, knotty pine or no knotty pine. Braided rugs like these are a great way to bring your accent colors into your knotty pine room in a subtle, pleasing and functional manner. These rugs can travel room-to-room easily, if you want to change up a look. And, these rugs will last forever — you will be handing them down to your grandkids. Braided rugs go on my timeless list. Note: Thorndike Mills’ website has been improved significantly since I first wrote about the company; so fun to play with their rooms selector — now we just need to get them to add a knotty pine room!
3. Early American decor: The vintage fire station sign above came from my mother-in-law, who bought it at a decorating store in Birmingham, Mich., in the late 1950s. It was new — not a real antique… all part of the Early American revival so popular throughout the post WWII period.
The horse saddle buckles are also vintage-1950s… and once I had three from my mother-in-law, I quickly received two more as gifts. Today, these varieties of Early American wall decora are not uber-popular. Yet, this stuff is also coming out of houses everywhere like crazy — because it was uber popular back in the day.Keep your eyes open, and you can find stuff like this very inexpensively. Once you get your head around Early American, you can see the loveliness — and this stuff is Well Made. In a knotty pine or wood-panelled room (like our cherry paneled basement family room), the strong colors really pop against the wood. Note: I have several decorative items with these same colors all grouped on the fireplace wall; you need things to make vignettes like these with a minimum of three items, at the least.
4. Wagon wheel lights: Okay, so you don’t have to go all-out for the antlers… but consider a wagon wheel light, or a wagon wheel-esque light… basically, consider Early American.
For example: I found the smallish “ship’s wheel” ceiling fixture above — with original hobnail glass shades — for like $5 at the Re-Store. I had it rewired, and it’s now in my office. I love it. The size of the light and its close-to-the-ceiling profile is just perfect for my small office. And there’s just something about its… retro gravitas. If that make sense.
5. Stiffel table lamps: If the kitsch factor of the wagon and ships wheels are a wee bit too much for you, take a look at vintage Stiffel table lamps from the 1950s and 1960s. They often have Early American styling — but sort of very classic, at the same time. They also travel room-to-room, house-to-house very well; we have two sets from my mother-in-law, these lamps are just lovely. They are abundant on ebay (above; *affiliate link), often at great prices. Get educated on what to watch for, and I bet you can find them at great prices locally, too. These were expensive back in the day — they are great lamps.
6. Wrought iron cabinet pulls and other accessory hardware: Wrought iron and knotty pine go together like peanut butter and jelly. Acorn Manufacturing is one of the top makers, but you can also find much less expensive knock offs. And remember, you’re gonna spray paint your traverse rod this color, too, before you hang your pinch pleats.
Jay says
Howza bout colonial styled maple furniture from the 50s and 60s? Looks good sitting on those braided rugs.
Also, in my neck of the woods, home to some of the famous horse shows, horsey stuff (old and new) has never gone out of favor and commands high prices in the shops.
pam kueber says
yup! I was also thinking: If it’s a basement, VCT with a VCT shuffleboard – of course!
Elaine says
I loved that Indian blanket look, Ralph Lauren did it in the 80s and so did Bob Timberlake. It is perfect with knotty pine. Or just lay a Pendleton blanket along the back of the sofa.
pam kueber says
ooooh, yes! or a homemade afghan! good one!
Atomic Auntie says
The kitchen of my mom’s 1950s house has a to-die-for knotty pine kitchen. I would KILL for her cabinets. And she’s planning a kitchen re-do, and is going to paint over them. :o( I’ll try to steer her here to see examples of some awesome knotty pine kitchens, but I’m starting to think there’s just no hope.
Eliza says
I need to see more pictures of that kitchen with the rag rug under the table (and red napkins). Any chance you could get some more angles of that room?
Bill says
I love my kitchen…but I just can’t get past that knotty pine. It’s in perfect shape and I’ve resisted the urge to paint for almost 25 years now. If just looks outdated and dark. The cabinets are also knotty pine with coppery hardware. Built well – no changes since 1941 when it was installed. HELP! I’m losing my patience. I have a 1915 Dutch Colonial…I’ve done the kitschy thing already and need to move past that. IDEAS? SUGGESTIONS? THANKS!
Lisa says
Bill, what do you have for countertops and flooring? You could keep the pine and change those two items out for something lighter. I am with you on the retro — I love retro things but personally would not enjoy living in a time-capsule house (love to see other people’s but don’t want my own). Maybe browse the Ikea website or store and see what they show with their “Fagerland” pine cabinets for ideas. I’d also change out the copper hardware for black or oil rubbed bronze — get something chunky and substantial that will update the look but go with the woodsiness. It’s not so popular with readers on this blog, but I’ll go out on a limb and say that stainless appliances could look really lovely with the pine. Finally, I’d put in textiles/curtains that are very simple in style and either all- or mostly-cream colored. Very light, almost white cream.
pam kueber says
I also was thinking about this question. Maybe something architectural — like making the window or windows into the kitchen much bigger would be a first step toward blasting more light in. Another idea: Take off some wall cabinet doors, paint the inside of the cabinets. Change out the floor to something brighter… I’m trying to think of ideas that don’t require trashing the cabinets.
Bill says
Lisa, Pam and Saundra:
Thanks so much for the ideas! I already have stainless appliances – which I really like with the pine. Boring, but functional granite counters in beige, black grey tones. Also have a GIANT iron picture window with about 30 panes. I like the idea of toning down the pine with a stain that let’s the grain through….sorry purists!! Some curtains to replace the giant roller shade might help too. I’ll post pics if I can clean the Place up a bit. Bill
Bill says
Oh, and I also took the out of reach top cabinet doors off, painted the inside bright white, put in a short string of rope lights and put cool textured glass in the openings. Make a nice nite lite and breaks up the pine a bit.
Saundra A. says
One of the things that dates most of the knotty pine kitchens I’ve seen is the yellow orange tone of the wood. What about a dark chocolate stain or glaze (something that won’t soak into to knots) to tone down the wood color. With bright cream colored counters, walls and sand colored floor, it would give a more timeless feel.
LauraLee says
We have a knotty pine family room in our 1962 ranch. We took out green shag carpeting when we moved in and found green “rec room” linoleum. Our new carpeting is an off-white shag that is easy clean. Being horse people, we ended up with equestrian decor in the family room … wrought iron accents and horse prints on the wall. Horse knick-knacks from my 60s childhood found a home on the bookshelves. We have an old leather chair and an ottoman with a wrought iron frame that came from my grandparent’s house by the fireplace. At Christmas, our tree is covered with horsey ornaments and the BIG lights!
chris says
The big fat chunky Christmas lights????? I LOVE them! I am so goofy… this is the time of the year when I start wistfully thinking of Christmas. Crazy, I know!
Michael says
You’re not alone, Chris! I am a Christmas spazz and am already planning this year’s decor. Last month I bought a few boxes of vintage Noma “Kristal” lights (large round bulbs with a sugar-coated look) that I can’t wait to use!
Stacy says
I just happen to have found some green barkcloth at an estate sale last week. I haven’t even unfolded it to see how much there is, but I could post it on the forums page if anyone is looking for some. It’s best described as “asparagus” I think. It would probably look great next to knotty pine.
pam kueber says
Thanks, Stacy! Etsy.com is probably a great place to list this, too!
Karen says
In my mind’s eye, knotty pine panelling requires plaid upholstery. Not the sad, tired hand-me-downs of post-college apartments, but crisp plaids that set the outdoorsy mood. Think Pendleton and Woolrichs of the ’50s.
pam kueber says
Good one!
Miss Wynonna says
Another lighting option for the Knotty Pine decor, Either genuine, or reproduction Gone with the Wind lamps. As well as the cast iron kerosene kerosene wall lamp brackets used as plant holders.
pam kueber says
Yup!
Laura E. says
My beach house has old (1930s I think) knotty pine in the living and dining rooms. I have deco lighting in the dining room
http://trupin.smugmug.com/photos/525904362_QRSU2-XL.jpg
and a hooked zebra rug (bought many years ago at Parish-Hadley) in the living room. The posters are old London Underground, although I’ve been thinking of changing them to reflect the Hamptons, where the house is.
http://trupin.smugmug.com/photos/126922073_4AHRk-XL.jpg
pam kueber says
WOAH! Those rooms are STUNNING! Okay if I add these to our KP photo gallery and potentially show on the main page of the blog at some point??? Gorgeous!
Laura E. says
Go ahead, Pam!
(That’s the main house for the cutesey guest cottage with the Youngstown cabinets.)
pam kueber says
Ohhhhh…. You are THAT Laura! 🙂 I shoulda known, you got the decorating beauteousness goin’ on! P.S. I Waaaaaaant a vintage zebra rug from Parish-Hadley, pretty please with sugar on top!