Don't know where you live, but I think you will greatly improve the energy efficiency of your house if you only focus on the attic and windows. We don't have insulation in most of our walls and when we improved the weather stripping around windows and doors last year, we cut our winter heating bills alot. We're in the Midwest. I wouldn't worry about the walls. Please don't say you live near the Arctic Circle!

My daughter and her husband just bought a house with knotty pine beadboard ceilings. They were very yellow in tone and had a high gloss clear finish. They had a yard sale right after taking possession of the house and EVERYONE commented on how gorgeous the ceilings were. I mean everyone. So based on that, I'd say they are a selling point. My daughter and son-in-law didn't like them and painted them a lovely off-white in an eggshell sheen and they look beautiful. I didn't like the natural wood either---at least not that particular type. A lighter non-yellowy, non-knotty wood might work if the ceilings are high. Anyway, leave 'em if you can stand it.

Cancork Floor inc: I have been testing the boards. I've tried water and red wine, and neither have left a mark after 20 mins. But I'm not that trusting, and was hoping to hear from those who have oiled floors, as to how often they had to re-oil, and if they did have any staining issues. Ultimate Hardwood LTD: Regarding the rubio UMO. I assume you are referring to the rubio monocoat 2 part system? After reading the info on the company's website, it reads like you should only put this on bare boards or if you are in a restoration project. Since my boards have been treated already with oil, and there is no bare wood exposed, it reads like I'll just be mopping up this product as it will not be able to soak into the wood easily as it already has a good 3 coats of tung oil on it, and has been curing for over 3 months.

Paint the end wall. That's actually a very modern look, quite popular right now. People are taking out attics all over the place for a higher ceiling/higher utility bill/less storage. Painting the ceiling and leaving the beams wood is also trendy at the moment.