Many of us agree that Knotty (Pine) is Nice — but what about its flashier cousin, 1960s-1970s wood paneling that got kinda … designy? Elisabeth is new to her 1968 house and her eyes are a bit in shock at her two-tone inlaid wall paneling. This sure must have been hip back in the day. She asks us: Should it stay or should it go?
Elisabeth writes:
Hi,
I’ve just purchased a 1964 home. It is exciting but a bit overwhelming. There is a lot of paneling in the house. Looking at the May 1968 House and Garden magazine I can identify it as Georgia-Pacific Inlaid Paneling. I know it was marketed as the affordable option to real wood inlay work. It is not tongue and groove and it is not knotty pine. I am in a quandary as to whether to keep it. If it were real wood I would not have a question. I don’t mind trying to keep it with the intent of staying in keeping with the spirit of the times. However I would probably need some kind of confirmation that it is a good idea. My first instinct was “ugh, paneling”. I am new to this. Also the expense of remove and replace is weighing on me. Thanks for your time and any advice.
Best,
Elisabeth
Wow, Elisabeth, you are so ingenious to find that ad. Which wood is ‘yours’? Elm with walnut inlay? Pecan with walnut inlay? Cherry with walnut inlay? Or Walnut with pecan inlay? Surely a reader will know.
I have my own opinions, of course, but first, let’s hear from readers:
Should Elisabeth keep her circa-1970s paneling…
Or should she rip it out or paint over it?
Lynne says
I know I just posted, but I had another thought. If you are overwhelmed right now, its another reason to just clean that paneling up with some Old English scratch cover or something similar because….you have NO idea what is behind that paneling.
You may have a drywall mess that will have to be redone-or no drywall at all and have just wall studs. Then you HAVE to get a drywall contractor or plasterer in there pronto. It will just add to your stress level.
Clean it up and sit tight for now. I’m betting you have a thousand other things that HAVE to be done right now.
Elisabeth says
true, thank you!
HENRY says
Paint it. I usually save *everything* but painted over this same paneling in my office. It’s terrible quality and not attractive
Stephanie in MD says
I agree with some of the comments above about what room it is in and the condition and color. In our house, the paneling is in the basement and not solid wood and was painted over by previous people. But I can see it where the paint has chipped off, and it has a oak grain and grey tone to it. I would have preferred a more fine grain (such as walnut or mahogany) to an oak (large grain) and a darker, richer walnut tone than this gray we have. It also looks to have been poorly installed (you can see where each sheet stops and starts, it’s warped, the nails are popping out) and the trim work is pretty bad, all of which I think became more obvious when it was painted. And the paint makes scuff marks obvious.
So, if you decide to paint it, keep this in mind. Note that here in MD (DC metro and Baltimore) I see knotty pine for free on craigslist once in a while, so maybe if you decide not to keep it you can look into start collecting some free knotty pine to reinstall. I also thought about doing halfway or 2/3 up the wall with knotty pine so it wasn’t so overwhelming and dark, but was still there, and then do a ledge to hold cocktails at parties. So if it feels overwhelming, this is an option to still keep what you have, and drywall or paint the top 1/3. (Consult with a local professional, as Pam always says 😉
Emma says
I think you should keep it! That’s the fanciest faux wood paneling I’ve seen! I don’t know if I would go the paint route. We have some in our basement that the previous owners painted and it is just awful looking. I feel like something mad men inspired or even bicentennial chic would work so well with that paneling.
Carolyn says
First off – is it real wood? Find a really inconspicuous spot and put a small piece of Scotch tape on it for a month or so. If, when you peel off the tape, the surface is still intact and not on the tape, you probably have real wood.
You are torn because you’re the first in your group doing MCm? Watched too many fix ‘n’ flip shows that requires everything must go regardless and paint all walls white/builder beige, hardwood floors, granite countertops and stainless appliances? Sure, let’s tattoo Grandma and put her in a mini-skirt and then ask why that’s just not right!
I am thinking the top photo is what you’re dealing with? Oh, my, that IS intriguing and quite dramatic! We don’t know what kind of natural light comes in (E & N would be more forgiving yet kinda dark, while S & W would really showcase those walls). How much actual daylight time would you spend in this room? It can be either cozy…or dungeon.
Your furniture, accessories, and framed stuff: if your furniture is light-colored, this wall would show it off. If dark, brighten it up with light pillows and more lamps. Be “old-fashioned” if you have a picture window facing the street and display graduation pictures (keeping with the time period – at least here in SE WI). If you’re hanging a lot of photos, art, mirrors, the wall is a great backdrop to display against. Open bookshelves using the paneling as the backing?
What is behind the paneling? What a mess it would be if you CAREFULLY took it down to discover studs but no drywall – great! another unexpected expense of purchasing drywall and have someone install it. Take off your switch plates to peek before you bring out the prybar.
Is the entire room paneled? I can see where that would be overwhelming. If you kinda like it (which is seems you do since you are asking our advice) keep one wall as the accent wall. CAREFULLY remove the rest to use elsewhere, sell, or re-purpose.
I don’t regret painting my bdrm paneling since it isn’t real wood. Tint Kilz paint and put on one coat to find all the nail holes. (I had a fellow tell me I could use wood fill in the stripes to make the entire surface smooth – snort! yeah, after you, buddy!) Two things about that: once you’ve painted paneling, you’re committed to paint cuz you can’t strip that off. And, as my daughter so sagely put it, “If you don’t like it, you can always replace the paneling!”
If you decide to keep at least a portion, keep it clean and use whatever product is recommended to keep/enhance the finish.
Last piece of advice: you have quite a few projects and expenses that rank higher than your paneling – wait at least a year, hopefully two, before making a decision.
Pam, being the sweetheart that she is, will add the link(s) for you to use when your friends and family turn their noses up at your “old house and when are you going to update it?” comments. It’s up to you to decide if you will embrace the home’s esthetic…or have a cookie-cutter house that will probably make you vaguely unhappy. Change for improvement is one thing. Change for the sake of change is another.
Keep us posted (before and after photos).
Elisabeth says
Thank you!
you make me laugh! and your suggestions are helpful! I tried to describe the place more under Steve H. comments. I cringe when T.V. flippers enter a mid century modest home to use Pam’s phrase. My place is pretty glam in its way. There is also a wall covered with a gold veined mirror. No one can tell me not to keep that!!! And there is a bead curtain somewhere. Again I have only seen my house through pics and low res video. So I am obsessed with gleaning all info that I can. I will see in person for the first time mid November. You are right though, there are so many projects and expenses.
Diana says
This home sounds totally intriguing! Definitely need to see more pictures!
JMA says
I am rereading all the comments to catch up and I saw this one! I have gold veined mirrors too! Not a whole mirror, but the whole end of the hallway is made of gold veined mirror tiles (12″x12″), and down the stairs to the basement is more gold veined mirror tiles flanking…well, what I guess is bamboo or rattan or something? With brutalist ceiling fixtures. It IS glam, in it’s own weird way…sometimes I imagine how it must have looked when it was new in 1962: “Opulence. I has it.” 🙂
Elisabeth says
oh I found out they are tiles. Which is still cool!! I could not tell because I did not have a good pic and just see all the sparkly stuff in the background of a pic.
and yes brutalist elements were coming into play and that is one of the first thoughts that came to mind when I started looking at pics of the house
Ann says
Leave it and live with it for a while, replace it if you tire of the look or it is damaged. Is your goal to live in the period of the house with appropriate furnishings? or is your goal rehab for resale? I would replace the switchplates with dark ones that blend into the wall, and even the outlets and switches to the dark brown. Making that wall all one shade will make it very appealing
Elisabeth says
aww. it looks like one of the outlets is covered in gold contact paper. I will miss that haha!
caleal says
I would keep it! I’d like to see more pictures too, though – what sort of floor, ceiling, furnishings are we talking about?
If you absolutely h*** [edited] it, I understand, but I don’t know how new this house is to you – I’d suggest living with it and seeing.
One thing I would change if you could is the outlets – they sort of stick out.
Kathi says
I agree with the calls for more contextual shots of the room. From what I can tell, it looks like the room is empty now, and that’s probably contributing to the overpowering vibe you might be getting from the paneling. I say you try living with it. Furnish the room with some retro pieces, put some appropriate art on the walls, add window treatments (if applicable) and give it a year. I think filling the room and embracing the texture and warm tones the paneling provides could save you some money and leave your home’s character in tact.
Elisabeth says
thanks, it seems like a good idea to leave it and play around with it for awhile.
Rick S says
Live with it awhile to see if you begin to love it or loath it. If you are overwhelmed now this may not be the best time to tackle this.
The paneling may seem more neutral after furniture is in place.
Make sure there is plenty of lighting in this room too.
Kelly says
Great answer!
Robin, WA says
I had a similar paneling in my 1962 house. As an accent wall, I grew to like it. It added contrast and warmth.