Here is a picture of the hall drywalled. No flooring down yet, and trim has not yet been put back on the doors

Here is a picture of the paneled ceiling and walls in the dining room. Please excuse the mess, since nothing is where it actually belongs. :-)

As i have said several times here before my biggest regret at this home was the knee jeck reaction to paint out all the paneling all the wood trim. Please consider painting the walls and leaving the beams and mantle doors and windows alone for awhile. The stained wood is a upgrade over what you will find in most homes and a great selling point. If you could add crown molding stained to the color of the wood it would look really nice. Of course a man is going to come along and groan about the painted paneling they all did at my house and I had 4 rooms of the stuff, it was like walkng into a light sucking cave.

OMG -- I love all your posts and suggestions. Love the pictures Cat_Ky. I wish I had the bucks to drywall but the money for the Patio Door and Floor has been a significant stretch $$-wise.

Nosoccermom's post is killing me: Do you think a man will say, "Why did she paint that perfectly fine paneling?". LOL.

Gooster and Grandmaof3 thanks so much for the reinforcement on the painting Beam approach. Gooster your suggestions are spot on to my design ideas ... I need to review them more carefully because our challenges seem similar.

Dear Madeyna -- I here ya ... but this house has so much paneling you can choke on it. I fully painted my paneled office ... then there is this room. Left (and still paneled) are three other rooms. I'll keep some of it but not all. This room especially needs an overall. Did I mention you step down into it (very 70's) so the beams seem more obvious than normal even though the ceiling is 9Ft high.

Gotta run -- Hubby is helping sand today (woo hoo) -- I'll check back later with you all on what we decided -- to paint or not paint da' Beams.

I like your inspiration pics, but I do like the look of the white ceiling with the stained beams vs. all white. I would definitely paint the paneling. Our paneling is painted, and I really like it. It was already painted by a PO, so we just did another color.

Ooops, I forgot to thank Badgergal who had the perfect description of what I am trying to do .... "make the room less top heavy". Exactly. Thank you.

Thanks too GSciencechick .. glad you like the inspiration pics. One of those will emerge the winner -- not sure yet which one but the stained Beams are looking like they will not survive.

I plan on using my Cherry pieces as accents along with a lighter wood floor (not light, light) just not so much brown. I am gonna sleep on it. Final decision tomorrow.

Tx. all!

We had stained paneling on the ceiling and stained glass! And an entire 24 ft long wall of lava rock, plus a brown laminate bar. It was such a cave, all the buyers were scared away. I bought the house well below market years ago. The ceiling paneling and part of the rock came down first, a long time ago. We wanted to preserve some of the wood because it was "unique". This time, everything got painted out to match the rest of the house and the lava rock is history.

Oh, and it is a step down, just like yours!

The drywall portion of the renovation was not too bad in cost... until we discovered termite damage!

I'll try to take some pics tonight so you can see --- I'll locate the before as well. We totally forgot to take pictures so I'll need to scan in some old photos. Literally right now the contractors are doing final punch list items.

Not trying to hijack a thread, but wanted to share a before and after photo with painted out beams:

First photo is way before, when the house was first purchased:
{{!gwi}}

Then an intermediate step with the ceiling drywalled and stained beams (more like yours) -- some other changes were done as well:
{{!gwi}}

Final shot with them painted taupe to match the new door trim (sorry it is a little fuzzy -- took this with the iPAD). This is all a work in progress. :

{{!gwi}}

Gooster -- 1 Million Thanks! The photos and your transformation are impressive. Our homes are VERY similar. Mine, like yours has this great focus to the outdoors/gardens which is really what I want to highlight too. Plus your stone fireplace wall, the beams, the paneling -- weird!

You've definitely influenced me. Beams are being painted AND I much prefer your design selection of the interior ceiling being a lighter shade than the Beams. I was thinking the other way around (which was totally wrong) because the Beam butts into the wall color!

Amazing room overall. Winner, winner chicken dinner!

Thank you -- 5:30am here and I've got lots to do today. :)

I have to agree that the beams painted a slightly darker shade look really nice! You still have them as a feature but less in your face (especially with a lower ceiling).
i also wanted to say that I really like painted paneling because it adds some interest to the walls. So, if you're going for an informal, slightly rustic and not a contemporary feel, it's actually nicer than drywall.

Nosoccermom -- thanks for the additional photos. You keep inspiring me! I'm on break ... [tee hee] and checking my thread.

Things are looking migthy different in my room already just priming stuff. Yippee.

I should have said half again as much as the ceiling not 1/2 as much...they do look much better defined in that ever so slight way . I love all the examples so far. Everyone is so supportive on this forum...nice ! c

PinesEverywhere: You are welcome. When I saw you pics I knew I had to show our sequence, because we went through the same thought process. Like nosoccermom says, I think your painted paneling will work just fine because it seems like your situation is more rural/wooded than our in-city location. We faced challenges with not a lot of light and much more rock than you (and ours is uglier due to the addition of random bits of lava). It all came down and now the trim and cabinetry match the style and colors in the rest of the first floor.

Trailrunner -- thanks, I had read your earlier post as 1 or 2 shades different (or 1/2 as much) which I totally understood. What I had wrong in my Option B is paint the Beams lighter than the ceiling. Other-way-round like Gooster did is much better.

Gooster -- I am so glad you posted the intermediate picture. I wouldn't have been happy stopping there and staring at the beams any longer -- jumping to the final (wanted) look was brilliant. Tx. again.

I hit some problems with the priming (some shakes and panel pieces are browning up) ugg. Overall, the room is lighting up though. Off to the paint store late today or tomorrow to troubleshoot.

I do hope you can post some in-progress pictures. It's so fun to watch the transformation. Can't wait to see what's happening so far.

PinesEverywhere: I had mine professional done (it was a splurge -- we are so tired of remodeling, and there was so much trim, plus cabinetry). They had to sand the varnish/urethane finish and used an oil-based primer. You may need to use Killz or something similar on the shake.

I will post some pics Natesgram when I get this first half primed. I'd like at least one beam primed before a snapshot -- afterall, its been all about 'da Beams! LOL.

Gooster, I've tackled a similar room (same house) and things went pretty smoothly. Hubby and I did sand all the paneling yesterday (half-the-room) and I hand did the Beams. I vacuumed them down and am using SW Stainblocking Latex product (Pro-Block). The paint forum suggested an oil-based primer but the SW expert said I should be fine with a Latex based. I am usually pretty good at prep/painting -- but I am concerned. Mmmm. I should have wiped these walls down with vinegar but I was soooo tired last night. We'll see.

I am soooo embarrassed to post this photo but I promised Natesgram that I would.

I am having some DIY challenges as well as some Design challenges. Overall, I am moving in the right direction. I have some priming issues to correct and TONS of caulking to do. I am a little overwhelmed right now (exhausted, excited and disappointed at the same time). Bottom line â¦I am grateful to have a home with potential and like most DIYers (on a budget) â¦. it is all about baby steps ⦠ya âÂÂgotta keep your eye on the prize.

IâÂÂll post more when some âÂÂrealâ progress has been made (like color). Best news of the weekend is that Dear Husband was available to advance the adjoining Dining Room that I have been working on for two months. He primed six huge shutters for our bay window.

Thanks again everyone. Stay tuned to see the results of all your advice.

WOW>..take heart...as you say baby steps ! It is so light and bright ! I have used the Kilz as well as oil base. Much as I hate oil base..it sure does the trick. Keep posting so we can keep cheering you on. Great work and kudos to your DH on the shutters ! c

Thanks Trailrunner for your encouragement. I am beating myself up as I should have used an oil-based primer. But ... I work out of the home and have two dogs ... the fumes were too much. I'll figure it all out. Funny side note ... 'da Beams took the Latex primer fine. No yellowing or browning. I think that is a good omen. LOL.

The adjacent Dining Room is looking awesome and the Shutters are an important, pivotal accent.

Tx Again. More to come.

Oh my gosh, what a huge difference already. I keep scrolling up to the before and back to the during and am amazed at your progress. You're doing great! I can only imagine how tired you must be. I'll bet those cedar shakes sucked up a lot of paint.

And congratulations on DH's progress this weekend too.

Keep posting pics and don't be embarrassed, that's what in-progress look like.

In one of our previous homes we painted the dark paneling white and it felt so fresh, light, and clean. You're going to love it.

Ahhhh ... Thanks Natesgram. You probably know what it is like when you make commitments with a paint brush and there is no going back!

I must forge ahead at this point. Thanks for viewing/reading. My progress/photos WILL get better. I am embarrassed but I promised I would post interim actions. Holiday week and weekend ahead!

:)

You probably just need another coat of primer on the shakes, because they are so porous a lot would have soaked in. I used the Problock on our kitchen cabinets because they'd been painted with oil and then latex over that, some areas were peeling etc. I lightly sanded, did problock and then 2 coats of Aura paint it looks great. But the cabinets were not porous like the shakes.

Hooray for progress! I agree, it already looks so much lighter and airier, even w/ just primer. Hang in there!

looking good! That room will be spectacular!!!

It does look great. I want to reassure you that you made a good decision to go with latex paint. Although the oil paint purists are still around, the advances in latex have really made it just fine for use in almost every and all applications. And, oil paint/primer is such a PITA. As you point out, it's smelly, horrible to clean up, takes a long time to really dry/set, it is harder to work with. If you use oil as a top coat in white, it's going to yellow. And on top of that, it really isn't so incredibly much better quality anymore than a good latex.

So keep plugging away and know you are doing a wonderful job with the right materials!

I agree. it already looks way brighter and larger. But you'll need to have one dark piece in there somewhere, so your dog will match.

When you get a minute I would like to know about the shutters...we are trying to decide on them for our interior windows. I want old ones that are "rustic"...would love to see the ones your DH is doing and what they are and most importantly how did you mount them . I know you have lots of time ;) c

Thanks everyone for the encouragement! Runninginplace ... your note on the Latex is reassuring. I just got back from SW store (those guys are great) and they said I probably don't even need a second coat of primer -- totally up to me -- I took photos with me for them to examine.

Nosoccermom -- you are killing me with the funny snippets. I do tend to decorate with that Dog's colors. Weird. Beige/Black/White/Grey. LOL.

Trailrunner -- No problem at all (as much as you've helped me). The shutters for the adjacent room are large wood plantation style (18 1/2 x 54 1/2). I have six panels (3per side) and they were here when I bought the house. The hinges are standard but too small for my span so I am adding two more per mounting side. There seems to be an art to hanging these. My window has a frame that was inserted (wood surround) apparently to make these fit flush. Here is link to photo bucket of the room with the shutters -- I'm going to upload a picture of just the hinges for you too. The shutters primed look yellowish (it is just the garage lighting). They are primed white and SW is putting my custom "Off White" in spray cans for my final coat.

Here is a link that might be useful: Adjacent Room Redo w/Shutters

Wow, those shutters are amazing. And I love the grey and white in your dining room. What a transformation. What kind of paint color is that? Can't wait to see your new room.

Those are great . I have 1890 windows and the shutters have to be 75" tall ! Yikes. I found a bunch a few years ago and then couldn't get anyone to work with them to hang them. They were really old shutters mounted on really old windows and I didn't want the moldings messed up...sigh..now why wouldn't someone want to hang them for me ?:) Anyway I am on the search again. Your DR is gorgeous. I too love that color. You are so creative !!

Hey thanks NoSoccermom & Trailrunner -- you folks are super for taking a peak at these rooms. These are the colors I used per Nosoccermom's request. These are Sherwin Williams colors.

The left is the Dining Room -- I used Big Chill and Pure White
The right will be the Living Room -- Dhurrie Beige and Off White

I just bought one Gallon of the LR colors today to make sure I like them. We'll see. SW is having a 40% sale on these come the 19th -- Ugg.

You are making a really big improvement in your room!!!!

Found this sales ad, 30% off.

Here is a link that might be useful: SW ad

Your palette on the right is exactly what I used in my whole upstairs attic conversion ! I love those colors ! c

Hang in there! I can only imagine that the shake wall was a real (thirsty) bear to paint.

Nosoccermom -- thanks for the coupon but it is not useable for my SW ProClassic Satin (Regularly $60/Gallon). Ugg.

Trailrunner -- right on with those colors -- I am anxious to get them on something!

Gooster -- you have no idea what I am going thru with the Cedar Shake wall and the very cardboardish-pitty-accoustic ceiling. What a nightmare.

1/3 of the Ceiling took 1.5 Gallons of primer ... and ... it didn't even fill the pits in the tile. I am rethinking my approach with the top coats (color) as I don't want to throw good money in paint on a bad ceiling. Ideally, I'd like to replace the ceiling but can't afford it right now nor do I have the energy to DIY. I'm thinking about how to handle. Maybe I'll wait on the top coat or faux finish it with color&glaze to make the color go further.

The Cedar shake wall has crappy shakes -- not the nice thick, grainy ones. The gaps vary greatly and you could see all the raw wood, shadows, etc. It needed to be sprayed. I've ended up .... wait for it .... caulking and spackling every single seam while still protecting the grooves. Looks much better -- hopefully I'll get color up this weekend and post a photo. Still filling holes, sanding and second-coating the paneling with primer.

In the meantime, check out my Ceiling Fan (just ordered today). The blades are reversible -- one side is Pecan and the other is a stippled tones of beige & silver. This will go in the center of the room.

Thanks again to everyone for the ideas and encouragement. You are keeping me on a timetable as I feel I have to 'prove' I am making progress. LOL.

Here is a link that might be useful: New Ceiling Fan

Oh, my, I did not realize those were square acoustical tile. Ugh! Is it possible to throw a layer of joint compound on the tile and fill in the pits? I know this is the last suggestion you want to hear after spending all that time with that cedar shake. And I mean joint compound -- spackle will be too thick, I think. You would want to skim a coat on all the tiles, filling in the seams and the pits. With a good, wide knife and a big damp sponge you should be able to avoid much sanding.

Gooster -- your mind is exactly where mine was last weekend. But after feeling how 'soggy' those tiles got after priming .. I became spooked about that surface taking joint compound.

I am pretty good at skim coating and getting a nice venetian finish with joint compound and wet brushes but ... it will be grueling ... and it SHOULD be on drywall which is underneath the acoustic tiles currently (rip 'da tiles all down including all the moulding) or ... lay new drywall on top of the tiles.

Either way too much work and $$ at this juncture. I'm gonna make it look 'decent' for now and save to create an optimum ceiling. There is the looming issue as to whether these tiles have asbestos too -- all advisers say no but ... I need to send a sample out for testing. :)

This is how the primer looks on the ceiling. I may just spackle the big gaps.

I think you are right with that instinct; they may just get soggy and begin to crumble. You may actually just need to spackle first and then prime with some sort of latex sealer. They make these elastomeric coatings that seal in surfaces really well. Try it out on some sample times, first.

Oh I can't wait to see the finished room.

Me too.

:)

LOL Git to work then .................cracks whip!! LOL JK

Gooster Wrote:
You may actually just need to spackle first and then prime ....

My Response:
Too late ... that was the way to do it I agree! The paint dudes at SW said prime first. Anyway, I ain't spackling it at all -- my arms are shot and the ceiling is just crap. 400 Square Feet and I have like 125 primed.

CLBlakey said I spend too much time on the computer and not enough time on the ladder! Nervy really ... LOL ... [wink wink]

Probably too late, but what if you put paintable wallpaper over these tiles?

MMMmmm paintable wallpaper -- interesting idea but yes too late. At this point I am just putting paint on the piglet. The real solution is tearing out the tiles or putting up a new drywall layer.

I'm not even going to patch the speaker holes that are in the ceiling. I'm painting the dead speakers and putting them back up for now.

Heck, I'm short and never lay on the couch looking up anyway. If I do ... I'll just stare at 'da painted Beams. :)

There you go :)

Do you know whether the tiles are glued down or stapled? Is there a way to peak behind them? Just asking because a friend of ours had really nice wood behind her tiles.

They are glued. They are about an inch think too. They are glued onto drywall (at least where the speakers were but who knows if that applies to the whole 400 sq feet). They sure do soak up the paint!

UPDATE: I am only posting to let you guys know that I haven't died as a result of sanding/painting/caulking or moving furniture (back-n-forth and forth-n-back). My arms/wrists/neck and back are shot and I did have to go into Time-Out for awhile but I am back working again.

I won't have a total reveal picture anytime soon but a partial one is forthcoming for half the room.

Cedar Shake Wall -- Looks amazing and dipped in paint. I caulked every seam and coated in a Satin Finish.

Patio Door -- 12 Foot Sunrise Unit installed with white sashings and white hardware. Beautiful.

Painted Beams -- GREAT decision. Have one section done and I don't regret it at all.

Paneling -- 1/2 the Room done and it looks dreamy.

Ceiling -- I found a way to 'fix' the unsightly seams by mixing spackling and paint and blending the transitions. Not perfect but a significant improvement (slow, however).

Lighting -- Ceiling Fans installed in my two remodeled rooms (Dining Room and Living Room) and Wow, wow, wow. What a difference in lighting and circulation.

Thanks again Decorators, Re-modelers and Painters. Your advice is transforming my home!

Sounds like you are making major progress! Hang in there, Pines! :-) Can't wait to see the final reveal!