Don’t want your knotty pine, America? We have readers who do! Gerry writes:
Hello. I just finished salvaging a truckload of beautiful Pickwick style Knotty Pine paneling from a 1950s beach cottage that was being torn down. I was really excited to find the information contained on your site regarding the history of this product. I am going to re-purpose it in the sun porch of my own beach bungalow . It has a beautiful original amber finish on it, and I hope to cherry pick the nicest boards so I can install it just as found without any refinishing.
Nom nom, Knotty is Nice! I write back to Gerry tout suit. He quickly responds:
Hi Pam. I am a big fan of your site, I have referenced it many times over the years, so I should not have been surprised you had all the info on knotty pine paneling. It certainly was a popular choice for the homes built along the Jersey coast as far back as the 1930s and well into the 1960’s.
Above: Here are some of the photos of the paneling still in the original house before it was torn down. Notice the random board widths ranging from 4″ to 10″…
Above: Loaded up in the bed of my truck…
Above: Potlatch Lumber (Washington State) was founded in 1903 and is still in business, although I think the company has been sold a couple times. Might still be a good source for knotty pine.
These photos shows a nice view of the Pickwick profile milled into the tongue and groove boards:
Laying out the boards in my garage to “cherry pick” the nicest ones for my project:
Has a nice vintage “amber glow” to it that is just right. Not too dark or light. Great character in the “knots” too and lots of them! It’s also almost twice as thick as the 5/16″ thick panels commonly found in the big box stores now. I think it would be hard to duplicate this paneling using today’s materials. Plan is to use it “as-is, as found” without any sanding or re-finishing.
Can’t wait to install it and rub it down with it’s first coat of Liquid Gold polish. I love the smell of that stuff !
Hope you like the pictures.
Regards,
Gerry C. from the Jersey Shore
I don’t like the pictures, Gerry — I love them! Thanks for sharing! And of course, we’d love to see photos of the paneling reinstalled when you are ready for prime time. Thanks so much for sharing!
kara says
Knotty pine is my life.
Linda says
In the 1950’s y parents installed knotty pine in their kitchen to a little higher than half-way up the walls. It was a labor of love DIY. My father also “spatter painted” the cabinets. We moved out of that house in 1967, I’m sure it’s all long gone, sigh.
Laura M. says
I love to see stories of folks salvaging and repurposing! Great score on the knotty pine. Would love to see some “after” pics of the boards installed.
Marie Gamalski says
Great score, but am I the only one sad to see what looked like a pristine cottage torn down?!?!????
Kathleen says
This trend is taking over my favorite beach neighborhood in San Diego. Vintage post-war 3 bed, 1 baths are being replaced with 2 story, 5 bed, 4 bath “cottages” built lot line to lot line. I have no quarrel with homeowners who want a more livable space (a second bath is a luxurious necessity!), but most of these flips are destroying the charm and history of the neighborhood.
Christiane Minnick says
We rent a house in the Outer Banks every year that’s entirely old beautiful knotty pine, just like your photos. We love it. It “makes” the beach experience. I wouldn’t want to rent a new soulless white-walled McMansion. I hope they never tear down or renovate “our” little house.
Karin says
The wood is really striking isn’t it? So warm and inviting. It’s great that it was saved. I know exactly the type of house you are referring to-they are all over the Carolinas. I have stayed in a few of them.
Amber Dawn says
My parents’ kitchen was knotty pine with red linoleum.
https://flic.kr/p/SAc9sB
Fun Fact: The painted beadboard and all of the original wood was hand-picked, locally milled knotty pine timbers from the 1920’s. The builder liked the wood, but he didn’t like the “knots.” The hardwood flooring was gorgeous but I only have one photo that shows it and you can hardly tell what it looks like. I’m not sure who chose the kitchen cabinets but they look to have been done before 1980 when my parents bought the place, so I like to think that the original owner/ builder was pleased when knotty pine came back in style.
Jay says
Great Save!
Reminds me of my parent’s basement, I grew up with the stuff. Wish I could have that basement now, I miss it.
Barbara says
I love knotty pine and I’m so glad Gerry was able to salvage this. We bought my husband’s childhood home and it will become our retirement home. It has a knotty pine dining room and we love it.
Eartha Kitsch says
Whoooooot!! So glad that could be saved. 🙂
Robin, WA says
Good for Gerry! I miss the paneling in my old house. It’s so warm and cozy feeling.
Carolyn says
I think these are the articles the school kids should see come Earth Day.
Kelly Wittenauer says
What an excellent idea!