Paint, Whitewash, or Drywall??

Hi Connie,

Wow! The walls are beautiful, but I can understand how the darkness would eventually get to you. I'm thinking that since you love the cedar, maybe a white-wash would be the way to go. You can make it with latex paint. The usual ration is 1 part paint to 2 parts water. I did that over a brick wall with black mastic and it lightened up the room a lot. However I used a 1/3 ratio. I painted it with a brush, but had a damp sponge handy just in case it looked too white. I hope this helps you make a decision. Wishing you the best.

If you whitewash, it will look less contemporary. If you drywall, it will be like any other house. Bleaching is the best option, but that's a job best left to the professionals. So what to do? Lighting!! is the key to all good design. Because you have an open concept, wall wash cans would bring out the tones in the wood and add much need light. Floor lamps will also help. Also, don't be afraid to hang your art work. If you don't want to put holes in the walls, hang from the ceiling. And put a palm in the corner next to the window. Add an up-lamp and it will add lots of interest at night with all the shadows.

I personally love wood, however it is a bit dark, white wash them

I too live in a cedar shiplap lined 40s home, but my cedar is the deep coppery color. I hated it when I first moved in an planned to remove it.

Here are some things I did to lighten up the living space.

I first painted the ceilings bright arctic white in a satin finish that reflects light.

Then I had to have the fireplace taken down, so I built a box in the 5' space and tiled it in 26"x6" oblong off white tile in a herringbone pattern. You could white wash that stone, I'm assuming its one of those 70s faux fireplaces. You could remove the stones, and add a new covering in a light color. I would also paint all that dark trim a light color.

In a client of mine's 70s home with the same cladding and railing, we tore out the railing and did a steel and cable railing. Drywalled the back wall and the edge in light gray. Added pot lights under the wallway and above.

We also did all new bamboo flooring in a light color.

I like the herringbone feature wall in the dining area, and wood leave that. Get a new contemporary fan or chandelier, that doesn't go..... you could even just replace the light kit. I would continue your white furniture into the dining area..... maybe white upholstered parson's chairs and a white table in high gloss enamel. Not loving the dining room floor.....too much wood, I would add a large light colored area rug over that.

I also changed all my lampshades to white drum shades that were more modern and lighter with a bright LED bulb to maximize light. And added 2 floor lamps.

Hope that helps a bit.

Oh forgot to say, I would change out the door by the fireplace to a glass door for more light, probably frosted contemporary style.

My basement "man cave" had similar cedar walls down to the herringbone. It was actually "creepy." I painted the walls gray and the (yes, wood) ceiling white. Now it is my favorite place to be.

If you like the pattern of the wood, then paint it. If you are tired of the diagonal pattern, then sheetrock it. It mostly depends on what you want to live with long term. Your lovely wood floor will really stand out when everything else is not wood. You can remove the stone or box out the fireplace and put tile on it. If you love the stone, it too will stand out more when you lighten up everything else. Light bright rooms are like fresh air and sunshine: they make you feel good.

I had to move from my cedar cabin and MISS it so much. Looking at yours made me homesick for it.

I can see why you are frustrated with it, but at the same time I really think it's lovely! Your white furniture is exactly what you need. Maybe you could paint some of the walls and leave the others like they are. Here's what I would do: Call an interior designer. My daughter-in-law has a design company. She consults with a client, then her company can come in and do absolutely everything, or the designer (on an hourly basis) can consult with you and come to a solution with what will work. Then you can DIY or have it done. Keep us posted, this is a beautiful home!

I would certainly paint or whitewash this. That is a lot of wood and I can see how painting or whitewashing would brighten the space.