I don't think the real thing quite disappeared, but yes, I think there is an upswing in things like bookmatched and other types of matched or manipulated veneers. I think this is because machined veneers are now available that are paper thin (Treefrog) or prefinished on phenolic backing.

I've seen a great deal of it here as well, it is certainly on the upswing. I like it, but do wonder about its staying power. I'm not seeing it in many 'regular' homes, but in magazines and very well designed homes - I wonder if things are likely to have more staying power if they are not mass produced and do not flood the market (i.e. most types of granites now, etc.). There are a number of MCM pieces I used to love that I'm quickly tiring of now as they are just too ubiquitous. That may just be me being contrary.

Where I live I'm seeing quite a bit of large wood or wood-like panels (often it looks like walnut) on the exterior of moden infill homes. I really like that as well - not sure what that is called?

It is probably Trespa.

Here is a link that might be useful: Trespa

Yet another of those good things "out" for the mass markets but always in for some. Like solid pine paneling, for that matter.

Question for those who are in tune with these things: has beautiful wood paneling, veneer or solid, been "out" to such a strong degree for such a long period in the big markets because it's been relatively so expensive? Or what would be the big reason for this lengthy neglect of a fine option in favor of dry wall and plaster in all rooms?

For fire code you still need the plaster or drywall behind it so I guess builders don't want to drywall and THEN panel.

My house had a lot of mahogany paneling, the flat Eichler-style stuff. I guess technically it still has it.

The little bit I did in my place was embarrassingly expensive and I won't see a nickel of that in return for it. Luckily the apartment as a whole increased in value. If you don't match veneers its not as expensive, I didn't even use anything exotic, it's just maple, but it floats off the floor and has a second reveal and is very minimal, no room for error at all. Those things all add up.

I used veneer paneling for a small wall and it was like pal said "embarrasingly expensive". I really like the "look".

As Sochi has said, I too am finding that some modern look has become too comercial and trendy for me. Not only that, I see so much that is not pulled togehther nicely that it just end up looking cheap. Those things will cycle through the market and will disappear in time.

Paneling well executed maybe so expensive that it will not get "mass" produced. The craftsmanship that is required to do it well is too high and I just don't see how you can do really sleek well done on the cheap.

I love wood paneling, always have. Wood grain patterns are one of nature's true beauties. Again, whether or not it becomes 'dated' is really not a question for me. Don't love so much the kind of paneling that has incised lines every few feet--*that* seems dated; but the full sheets are gorgeous accent walls. As long as the wood is high quality,I just love it.

Now pal, can you say anything more about 'trespa'? I think I am falling in love...one day we'll need to re-side the house, and I'm always filing away possibilities. Is it phenolic resin? Trespa, corten....a girl can dream...

I think the link I've pasted below (Prodema) is the exterior panel I've seen in many modern infills in my city ... I really love it.

flyleft, trespa and corten? Seems we have very similar dreams.

Here is a link that might be useful: exterior wood veneer

Here is some info on the composition of the prodema product:

ProdEX is a composite panel faced with a natural wood veneer and coated with a proprietary coating, based on synthetic resins and PVDF, which protect the panel from the effects of sunlight, chemical attack (anti-grafﬠti) and the damage caused by atmospheric agents.

If it means anything or not about whether this trend sticks, here's this.

I have a friend that is a cabinet maker. In the last year he was hired by a very well known San Francisco architect to do his office in VGF. Boss's office, Board Room, all of the open office(for 17-21), copy room and kitchen/lunchroom. I went to give him a hand on the Saturday prior to the Monday he handed it off. By Wednesday, he had a request from the same architect to do 1800SqFt. of kitchen family room,etc., in cabinets of VGF in his brand new house on the water in Tiburon.

So, it looks as though the designer's that are on the leading edge of building "fashion" think the trend is here for awhile.

Personally, it reminds me of the fifties when fir was everywhere and always reminds me of "cheap", but that's a personal bias.

When it comes to teak (I'm a boater), walnut, and other beautiful woods (there are lot's of exotics available), wenge, jatoba, cocobolo, then I'm on board. Certain ones will be around for a long time, others might be rare or unheard of in years to come.

Rosie, I'm out of the loop regarding price of paneling, but I think it's been "out" because of the really ugly paneling from the 60's and 70's.

People who acquire those homes now are painting the paneling.

I can't remember who, but a few posters here have beautiful paneled rooms.

Probably a silly question, but is beadboard and paneling for half-walls considered paneling?

Can anyone post pictures of this veneer wood paneling? I've never heard of it and all I can think of is that god awful stuff from the 70s, and I can't imagine anything that would be beautiful. Thanks.

I always think of Farnsworth House by Mies van der Rohe

My poor-man's version installed around the 1965 stairs cut through the apartment is slip-matched (I think) maple, while the stairs are mahogany