EaStB's Profile

I just bought and moved into an 1895 ... something (it was built in 3 clear stages, beginning with what was probably a Greek revival cottage with Arts & Crafts influences) and I am tired, oh so sick and tired of hearing about the evils of wood paneling. Yes, I'm keeping it. No, I'm not covering it with anything. Yes, really! I suppose I'm supposed to paint everything white and fill it with all white furniture and white white white white WHITE, because that's "modern," right?

The textured wallpaper is going to go, and the strange fake fireplace needs a little something, but the wood and contrasting beams are hands down my favorite thing about this entire house.

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/hWL10d32455MR__rUhUMfNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink

Being in the midst of stripping a century of paint off the doors and trim in another room, I address this to those monsters who paint over original wood paneling: I hate you. I hate you so, so much more than you can possibly hate your wood paneling.

Why not put paintable wallpaper liner over it instead, so that the person who comes after you can easily undo the damage? You think people of future decades won't gag at YOUR taste? More likely they'll see the way you permanently ruined your walls and weep.

(Now, my kitchen does have 70s plastic "wood." I'd heartily approve of killing that stuff with fire if it didn't produce such toxic fumes when it burns.)