Trying to change paneling, color?

Elizabeth Davis
by Elizabeth Davis
We have house from 1900's built by great uncle, My husband wants to save the wallpaper, his mom put it in in the 70's. Their is hardwood under carpet which we will redo in Spring. Also plan to use stained oak molding like the rest of the house. Any suggestions?
  16 answers
  • Ginger Robinson Ginger Robinson on Jan 29, 2015
    have you thought of white with faux paneling?
  • Belinda Todd Belinda Todd on Jan 29, 2015
    What about off white? Also I would chalk paint the chandelier off white and put some black burlap shades with some neat trim on the edge.
  • Country Design Home Country Design Home on Jan 30, 2015
    With black and white and golden oak, you pretty much have an open palette in this kitchen. The color you choose really depends on whether you want the wallpaper to blend or be enhanced. When you use a bright contrast color, whether its aqua or pink or red or whatever you choose, it makes the black and white more stark. If you use white (not off white, but the white color in the paper) it creates more of a "one-note" look. If you will be adding oak trim, then my feeling is that a color might brighten up the nook- even a soft green or yellow that will enhance the yellow in the oak but give some color to the room. Would love to see the finished space with the hardwood floors!
  • Wanda.ll Wanda.ll on Jan 30, 2015
    What about doing the bottom in either black like chalk board paint or bead board in either black or red. Put splash of red, yellow with it if you like either of those colors
  • Joyce Joyce on Jan 30, 2015
    I'd leave the wallpaper; it seems to fit well with the room, and as has been suggested, paint the turquoise areas in either black or white. The suggestion of bead board is a good one, and painted white, would give the eating area that vintage feel it deserves to have back. Looks like a nice house the uncle built :-)
  • Janet Manger Janet Manger on Jan 30, 2015
    I would look 'deep' into the shading areas of the wall paper. it looks like there might be some grays in there? I would pick one of the gray colors in the background and paint the lower wall with that color. Add some items (flowers in the vase maybe) of blue (same as the carpet) and sit them higher on the shelf or on the table to balance out the look.
  • Cindy Marks Cindy Marks on Jan 30, 2015
    Hello: I would go to Pinterest and search "Board and Batton Wainscoting" to get ideas on how to update the bottom (blue) section of the wall. You could mimic the pattern that already exists in the Oak molding. As far as painting the wainscoting I would probably opt for some color such as Benjamin Moore CC-160 (White Rock which is actually a soft yellow) and I would introduce some color on the ceiling such as Benjamin Moore OC-24 (Winds Breath - soft gray) I would spray the chandelier black but leave the candlestick part white (the part below the actual bulbs) I would also make the chain longer to lower the chandelier and either swag it to position it over the table or center the table under the where the chandelier hangs now (but still lower it)
  • Michelle Michelle on Jan 30, 2015
    that wallpaper is back in style, I love it! Beadboard at the bottom would be great!
  • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on Jan 31, 2015
    By moulding, do you mean crown moulding? I don't see baseboards but may be just the pic angle. If you keep the chair rail, I would lower it to the bottom third of your wall and use a grass cloth paper on the bottom. Painting the top portion gives you more options for adding pics that sometimes patterned wallpaper doesn't.. I'd also replace the chandelier with one more in keeping with your style. Wallpaper that has been up since the 70s?? Time to go. Blue is a cold/cool colour to use in a dining room so I might think of going with a warmer palette.
  • CK CK on Feb 01, 2015
    I agree with others. I'd paint the paneling in whatever background color the wallpaper has. (white/off-white). The you can use any accent color you'd like for accessories. What a pretty room!
  • Mary Gemmell Mary Gemmell on Feb 02, 2015
    The wallpaper and wood moulding is great! did you want suggesting for updating the room decor-wise? I'd update the light fixture and dining chairs. Keep the table. Paint the lower wall and the trim that separates white.
  • Judith Horton-Holm Judith Horton-Holm on Mar 21, 2015
    Too ornate for me----lighten up the walls and take carpet off----use area rug if necessary
  • Leslie Leslie on Dec 12, 2015
    Google 'diy board and batten'.....paint it white.
  • Ran2188341 Ran2188341 on Feb 07, 2016
    Oops, but I love that wallpaper. Any possibilities of you changing the wood tones to match it? For instance the light fixture painted black with slight grey brushing? Use that gorgeous blue accent color in your decor, mount something blue on the wall. Use black trim around top and bottom of the wallpaper? I just love that industrial look with your current setup.
  • Laura Rudgers Laura Rudgers on Oct 20, 2016
    I would paint the wall black and paint the table using the blue in the paper, black and white, paint the chairs white with blue and black stripes, paint the chandelier black
  • Laura Rudgers Laura Rudgers on Oct 20, 2016
    By the way - what did you finally do? We would like to see an "after" photo!