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?
Diane says
Just another vote for wait a while before deciding. If it’s original to the time the house was built, seriously consider keeping it – It’s not something that can be easily replaced!
CB says
As noted above, when I see paneling, I think of New England walls in need of repair. I’ve kept beautiful 1928 natural woodwork, but I’ve always painted inexpensive paneling. It’s personal, but I need a placid pale color on the wall to calm me down. I can then add all the color I want with artwork and fabrics.
Do what works for you.
Craig says
That kind of panel he never good looks good paint it out I would rub some liquid gold or good polish.
Mary Elizabeth says
Elisabeth, I agree with all those who say to clean it up and live with it for a time (a year or more) until you decide to love it or rip it out. And before ripping it out, consider painting it. It will give a country seaside cottage or ranch vibe to the room if you paint it ivory or soft white. We did something similar to our breezeway/entryway and are very happy with it.
DaddioJim says
The perception now (as opposed to then) is that the thin panels of wood paneling looks dated and cheap. That said, it really depends on what type of feeling YOU want to give to the space. Fact it does make the room dark, but a dark room is NOT taboo, but for it too look chic, you have to know how to utilize lighting to create a dramatic effect. A room of all this paneling is a bit much…in a too much of a good thing, kind of way. The woodgrain is dramatic and attractive, but a whole room of it can be very busy, distracting and over-kill.
My suggestion is that, if you want to keep that mid century vibe, keeping something from the houses era, create a mid century vignette: bar area, sitting area (a visual space within a space) by using a molding, frame out a small section of it (eg: a tiki bar area) and use it as the accent wall behind the bar. (Hell, even run it along the ceiling above the bar as well!) It doesn’t have to be a “bar” per se…just using that as an example. But it could add a fun/funky bit of mid century nostalgia to whatever space or vignette you decided upon.
Elisabeth says
Those are ideas I had not thought of. Thanks!
Catherine says
I’d leave it both because it could be awesome (will some elbow grease bring back the shine?) and because I avoid putting perfectly good, safe building materials in the landfill. They can be scrubbed and buffed or painted. Also, putting up drywall and having that textured isn’t a cheap proposition. Live with them as-is for awhile. If then you don’t like it, paint it. Love with hat for a while too.
Congratulations on your house purchase!
Annette says
My father’s solution to cracked plaster walls when we moved in to our 1917 home in 1970? Paneling! 🙂
So, that being said, you really don’t know what you’ll find behind there, so be prepared financially.
If your paneling is wood and not laminate, then use some lemon oil on it. You’ll be pleasantly surprised once it’s cleaned up and oiled. It will look great and will be easier to live with. My kitchen is way overdue for this treatment! 😉
Before diving in and tearing it out,m clean it up. Live with it at least until the winter, then hit the contractors for their “winter prices” when work is slow.
My mother’s words of wisdom – once you paint the paneling, you always have to paint the paneling! Another reason we still haven’t painted it to this day.
Good luck and I hope I helped! 🙂
Elisabeth says
yes you did help,
thanks!
JMA says
For two years I’ve owned a house built in 1962 by the neighborhood developer as his own home, and then in 1964 it sold to someone who lived in it till he died three years ago. The only thing updated in this home was a tile floor was put in during the ’80’s. Everything else was original, it still had the green side by side refrigerator with turquoise interior, smaller green double ovens, and green electric cooktop. I have since replaced those, they weren’t in good enough shape to preserve, but it was great to see them!
Anyway, the house’s main room, which has 12 sides, is made of rock and windows and PANELING. There is lots and lots of paneling, The basement is completely paneled. It is all sheet paneling, a thin veneer over thin plywood, and stained pretty dark.
When I first moved in, I felt like I had to rip out all the paneling, or paint it. But I waited, and I’m so glad I did! I have really started to appreciate the aesthetic for what it is.
I did paint the paneling in the kitchen because it had been covered over with gloppy glossy urethane at some point, and also, the kitchen was just way too dark to work in. The rest of the paneling in the home is a matte finish, which I like much better.
At certain times of day, and absolutely at night, the paneling has a warmth and glow that paint can never achieve.
So I advise waiting and listening to your heart. What is right will reveal itself to you.
Also, to everyone hating on the granite…I have granite in my kitchen, not only on the countertops, but as the backsplash all the way up to the cabinets! It was put in in 1962. Granted, this was an architect/developer’s home and not a mid century modest, but granite was available, clearly. It’s the kind of granite you never see in anyone’s home…it reminds me of something you might find in an old fancy bank, and I saw the same granite on a 50’s movie theater building! It’s kind of a pinkish orange with rivers of beige and gray.
It’s funny…I actually first started liking the paneling out of spite. People would come in and assume I was going to rip out the paneling…because “it’s so dated” and I sort of wanted to be contrary to all those people. 🙂
Mary Elizabeth says
JMA, it sounds from your description that you might have Stony Creek (Connecticut) granite. They made countertops as well as much larger and famous projects (see the attached link to the history of the quarry). That color of granite was popular as a substitute for marble during the arts and crafts period in the early 19th century, as well as during the craft revival of the 1960s. If I had it, I would take excellent care of it.
http://www.branford-ct.gov/content/149/243/687/default.aspx
Elisabeth says
JMA thanks for all that! do you have a picture of the granite??? we have it too but original cabinets. it is as you described
with the back splash all the way up to the cabinets! I thought it was put in later but reading this I could very well be wrong. please post a pic if you don’t mind. our house was called a semi custom so they picked features. maybe they are original.
Elisabeth says
I don’t mean it is the same color as you descried but there is granite in there with the full high back splash. But the appliances are old and the cabinets are original so maybe the granite was always there. what a mystery. I automatically assumed granite was not used then. I wonder if anyone else has had granite in their 1960s build.
JMA says
Mary Elizabeth, thank you for the possible source reference! Additionally, my home is made of lots of green stone that is a green I’ve never seen…in the sunlight it looks like what I call blue mint, it defies color explanation, other than “jade tones.” I also need a source of that stone, to find out what it is. The walls are made of it, also a round fireplace in the middle of the space that goes up about 18 feet is made of this same rock.
Elizabeth, I don’t know how to post photos, but I took a pic just now in case I can figure out how! 🙂 There is zero chance that this granite was put in later, I had to remove a small portion of it when I put in full size ovens, and you could tell that it was glued to the original sheetrock and that there had never been another countertop. Plus the owner of the house took the “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” as if it were written in the bible…the house was used hard but nothing was ever updated (except the tile in kitchen floor). It took me three 15 yard dumpsters just to get rid of all the original wool carpeting, which was moth eaten and dry rotted and extremely filthy. But the owner aged in place, he was nearly 100 when he died, still living in this house! Sometimes when the house makes noises, I say Hello” to him, because my neighbors tell me he loved this home!” 🙂
Pam Kueber says
to show photos, you need to post them to a photo sharing site then post the url
JMA says
OK thank you, I think I still have an account at Photobucket, but it’s been years so maybe not! I’ll try 🙂
Chad says
Serpentine stone is green and was a popular building material in Victorian Philadelphia – I’ve never seen it on buildings from the 60’s but you can see close-ups of it here. http://hiddencityphila.org/2012/11/a-long-life-in-limbo-19th-street-baptist-the-challenges-that-lie-ahead/
Elizabeth from Texas says
I love it and would keep it!! If nothing else, leave it for for awhile and see if it grows on you. After time passes it will become clear to you. The paneling in my 1965 conventional wasn’t this groovy, and had a few bad refinishing jobs, so my husband made me paint over it. It’s nice and bright white now, but it lost its moody mid-century vibe. Best wishes!!
Elisabeth says
thanks!
Retro Retro says
This blog post (from last year) states wood paneling is back “IN.”
Check out the 4th picture in their list.
Wood Paneling: The 60s Favorite Is Back
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/wood-paneling-the-60s-favorite-is-back-167828
Also found an article on using wood paneling as flooring. Who knew.
Retro Retro says
Eichler’s Mahogany Paneling
http://www.eichlernetwork.com/article/your-eichlers-mahogany-paneling
Elisabeth says
That Eichler article is interesting. Thank you.
Marie Gamalski says
Idk… I think it’s oddly hep… as long as the room has natural light or some groovy lights/lamps. Is this a den or recreational area? Would make a VERY cool bar or den area…. picturing some groovy shag rugs and maybe a sectional, some swag lamps… Im all in!????????????????????????????????
Elisabeth says
in a slightly sunken living room.. and elsewhere. thanks for the encouragement!