I think that wood-paneled rooms tend to get a bum rap. Many people think of wood paneling as a relic of the past- too old, too fussy, too dark, and just too gloomy. I agree with some of these opinions. When done badly, wood-paneled rooms can be pretty dark and depressing. But when the wood has that wonderful rich color and patina, it gives a room a degree of dignity that is hard to achieve with paint and paper. And all of this serious wood does not preclude a designer from being able to inject bit of dash and glamour to these rooms. Look at the way these designers worked with it.
A slightly eccentric entryway by designer Barclay Fryery
A fresh traditional room by Meg Braff
A slightly eccentric entryway by designer Barclay Fryery
A fresh traditional room by Meg Braff
Glorious dark wood in the home of Mary McDonald (if I recall, the article in Town & Country mentioned that McDonald was going to embark on a major redecoration of this house, so this room might look quite different now.)
Image at top: There is nothing staid about this wood-paneled room by David Hicks.
Jennifer, my dad would love this!
ReplyDeleteBut seriously, you are right. I really like the Hicks room top (love those yellow chairs in the dark room) and I'm so anxious to see an update on Mary M's house.
Courtney- I would love to see what McDonald's house looks like now! I bet it's pretty fabulous!
ReplyDeleteI guess I'm an old fashioned girl at heart - love a little paneling, especially in a small space. Of course darling David would do WHITE on the inside of the bookcases. Wonderful.
ReplyDeletePatricia- Why of course he would ;)
ReplyDeleteHe always paid attention to the details!
Well said!
ReplyDeleteI think the lighting in the Hicks room is just brilliant too! I generally don't like wood paneling but that room is charming. I agree, the white bookshelves really work here and really add something to the room which otherwise would be pretty staid!
ReplyDeleteThanks Brilliant!
ReplyDeleteBe the change- I understand your point. Sometimes I think that wood paneling looks good in grand homes and not so good in modest homes. It might not be my first choice, but I do think it's interesting to see how these designers handled it. The Hicks room is a great example of a more modern approach to wood paneling. Thanks for the input!! :)
ReplyDeleteI think wood panelling is wonderful. I always try to perserve the wood in a home if at all possible. I am not a fan of painting over it. I think there is a new appreciation for wood, as our natural resources are dwindling and also the crafts people that have the skill to create this panelling are getting fewer.
ReplyDeleteHi Peak!
ReplyDeleteI love wood paneling, I lived in a beautiful old Spanish style home in LA 10 years ago and my favorite room was a wood paneled entertaining room. Always a great room to have a conversation in.
Wood everywhere ..is so warm . I love the cosy ambiance it makes.
ReplyDeletePoeple who like " wood on the wall" should check out pretty soon my blog , I will be selling an entire room of the beginning of the XIX with floor and fireplace also !!
Mélanie
Patricia- That's a really good point- very few crafts people know how to do this properly. If I bought a house with a wood-paneled room, I think I would have a hard time painting over it :)
ReplyDeleteJordan- Your old house sounds wonderful. I think I would love that room too!
ReplyDeleteMélanie- Wow! I can't wait to see images of that. That sounds amazing.
ReplyDeletehI - Rose Tarlow uses a lot of that pine like in Meg's room. Her book shows she uses it all the time! I don't know, I may have to be different here today - wood is not my favorite unless it is gorgeous, old - with a patina. I hate that cheap wood that passes for paneling in the burbs. If it's like that, I like it painted.
ReplyDeleteJoni- Cheap paneling is bad, bad, bad! In that case, yes slap paint on it. But if it's old and beautiful, I personally wouldn't touch it!
ReplyDeleteDitto what Joni said. Without the character of true craftsmanship and age, wood paneling can look horridly pretentious.
ReplyDeleteYou have picked examples of designers that have done it right!
I agree, it can look absolutely stunning in the right setting. That Hicks room is timeless. And perhaps Patricia is right, people will start to appreciate this more as the skill to create it properly are lost.
ReplyDelete