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?
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?
AH says
The wood grain of the veneer is unbelievable. I could probably sit and look at it for hours. Assuming of course that the veneer is actual wood.
KStace says
I agree with a couple of points already made. Keep it for a while, you never know what will grow on you. Decide you hate it, paint or drywall over it. And if you like it, but there is just too much or too dark? Leave some as accent walls and do-over the rest.
Or do like Bernard! (the octogenarian previous owner of our 1960 ranch, with questionable home “improvement” skills) Fill the grooves with drywall caulk and cover it in a horrible 1992 mauve and blue plaid wallpaper! Actually no, scratch that last one. You don’t want to go there, it’s not fun. 😐
Elisabeth says
ok I am not doing that mauve and blue plaid wall paper thing. Just no.
Allison says
But in another 40 years, will someone be moaning over that classic mauve and blue plaid wallpaper you ripped out/painted over…?
Pam Kueber says
When it comes to “fashionable mainstream” 1980s interior design, I am sort of glad I will be dead by the time it comes back in style.
KStacey says
I realized recently that if my theory on the generation-skip nostalgia driven decorating trends is correct, I should fill a wharehouse with thinks like mauve pleather sofas, box TVs and Thomas Kinkade-type artwork. “You won’t believe what I found in this barn grandma had! Boxes of poofy valances and CABBAGE ROSES!!” An obnoxiously interesting way to leave an inheritance behind, haha!
KStacey says
Well I’m not going to feel bad, they can go to goodwill if they want it, I donated the 5-6 rolls of it I found in the garage. How they had so much left over after covering EVERY square inch of the kitchen/breakfast area is a mystery to me. (No joke, soffits, inside the windows, behind the refrigerator, on top of the oven..)
The one good thing is that I realized quickly that this wall was different, and was able to strip the wallpaper, wash off all the glue and drywall caulk, and the paneling polished up like a new penny. nobody believed I would be able to save it. (Or why I would bother, haha!) But I did! It’s the only unpainted paneling in my house, and I love having it as an accent wall of sorts!
Rinke says
Why not nail a slath halfway up and paint the slath and lower half (or wallpaper)? This way some of the paneling’s warmt is preserved and wood furniture won’t mismatch too much. Good luck with whatever you’ll do to your new home!
Jill says
I agree with leaving it for a while, because it is different from the 1970’s paneling that I live with now and would love to paint! At least this has lovely wood grain, and while the color may be too dark for you taste, it can always be fixed. I saw a show where they lightened the paneling, you may want to consult with wood finishers, but perhaps the finish could be removed and lightly sanded then a clear or lighter finish applied? Even Knotty Pine can get too yellow with age, and be re-finished!
Heidi Swank says
It would be helpful to see a photo of it that includes the rest of the room. If it is on every wall, it might be a good idea to remove it from a few walls and leave it as an accent.
I agree that it is important to wait for a bit until you do any major work, too.
ModernT says
We have paneling in the upstairs family room, the den, and the entire 1800 square foot finished basement of our MCM home. We lived with it for the first 2 years to see what we thought. We tried large art, light floors, light ceilings, etc. We knew there wasn’t any drywall or plaster underneath so we decided to paint it. The rooms are so much lighter and we like it so much better. I actually have posts about this on my blog if you want to see befores and afters.
Elisabeth says
oh ModernT it does look good I looked at your blog! love your clock too!
June Cahill says
Keep it for at least a year. I moved into my 63 ranch and immediately removed the paneling from the den. (I thought it was ‘dated’ – although I loved older homes, and always have, I was new to the remodeling/renovating. My Mom TOLD me to live with it for a year – and I sure wish I had – because: 10 years later, I paid around $2K to have paneling installed in the den – I LOVE it. Live with it for a while. It could save you $2K (plus the cost of removing it at the beginning!)
Marianne Raymond says
I agree with living with it for awhile. It depends on if you like it. We put a chair rail on ours and painted the top half and put in crown molding. It helped to lighten up the room. Not sure what ours was but it was from the 1960s.
Jean says
My 1964 rancher also has wood paneling in the basement family room. I’m trying to give my house a mid 60s to early 70s vibe. So, I say keep it if it’s not in bad shape:
1. It’s period authentic
2. It can give a room character
3. It doesn’t need the kind of upkeep that a painted wall needs
4. Imagine that snazzy paneling with a burnt orange sofa and a walnut cocktail table, it’s heaven, right?
Regarding painting paneling – don’t do it. When I had a 40’s cape cod, the previous owners had painted the paneling. It was awful.
Bri @ Posh Purpose says
I agree with the others – keep it for a bit and see if you can work with it. If you hate the paneling in a year, no judgement for removing it. I removed paneling from my 1935 house as it was not period appropriate (plus bad install job), and the process of removal was not bad since no glue was used. But I think you could make it work! https://pin.it/k2rOVSc that pin shows how you can add crisp white and metallic finishes into a space to modernize more stylized paneling.