I’m pricing out having knotty pine installed and dang, it ain’t cheap…so as a fan I’d replace the ceiling fan and window coverings and leave everything else as is.

Some strategic whitewashing could brighten up the space and retain the knotty of the pine. I would remove the shelf that circles the room and the scalloped wood valances first see how that feels. The fire place isn't clearly shown. Why the hood? It appears to be a bit of a cooking space? I would not paint the brick.

These are things I would consider doing first then after to revisit if any walls should be changed-

Remove scallops and shelf

Remove hood above fireplace

Remove ceiling fan

Remove window treatments

For bar area, whitewash back wall only

Paint baseboards, crown, door & trim in semi-gloss white same as ceiling color

Cleanup/paint fireplace insert black

Only you can decide if you want to revamp the walls as there will be varying opinions given here based on personal preferences. Go with what makes you happy.

It would nice to see the floors but much better lighting is where I would start. No vertical blinds and if that hood is not essential remove it nbut be careful about that, Yes remove the scalloped trim I do not love knotty pine but so much depends on your style Are the new baseboards oak ? I honestly think wood walls and wood floor too much wood . Wine best stored where it can be temp controlled not on a wall. Do you need TV in that space with the FP ? I have had clients who lived in rural areas where pine was almost expected and we covered it with thin drywall and painted that . When you remove that wall trim there could be issues there with a gap that will need work . Baby steps here to see what you are dealing with for sure. I do not love shelving filled with a bunch of stuff that does not need display so I would remove those shelves by the FP, no wood blinds anywhere . no short curtains anywhere. Do you have the furniture to go here ? If so pics of it will help us see a bit of your style. Is this your "forever" home I ask becuase how you handle the pine might be different if this is not forever. Painting the pine is a real chore it requires at least 2 -3 coats of a reaaly good primer to make sure the pine does not bleed through and then 2 coats of paint so onve done you cannot go back. That is why I have gone the thin drywall route for clients. Start with good LED lighting not just a center light . Pot lights would be great if there is a way to run the elecrical in between the beams so a good talk with an electrician . I like LED 4000K to not have any more yellow hue than you already have. As for which wall to keep prabbly the biggest one with nothing in it so no windows or doorways then it will become the feature wall. BTW white washing does not work well with pine it is an all or nothing . There are some grat before and afters to google too .

You may find that when you remove the shelf around the room that the wood underneath is a different color. Start there as that may determine what, if anything needs to be done to the walls.

interesting space. I would remove the hood. remove the ceiling fan, and leave the wood on the window walls, paint out the interior walls so the natural light bounces off the light finish.

I would leave the brick as is (clean it) and leave the fireplace wall shelf as is until you finish, then address the look (you may want to highlight some things, change others.)

I'd keep the floor light, you can always add interest and color in an area rug.

The furniture you choose will also darken the space so keep that in mind.

I think removing the shelf is iffy, it may expose problems.

it seems appropriate for the space. if you have some interesting display pieces, it will draw attention up to the ceiling. DO YOU PLAN to add lighting? Now is the time!

Is the hood just sitting there or does it have an active fan for venting smoke?

Apple_pie_order, the hood is just decorative.

Lyn Nielsen, yes, we plan to add recessed lighting. Also, please see updated images with shelf removed.

Susan49417, the color underneath is a different color, so you are correct. It will likely need painting, unless it can be sanded to it’s natural color.

You could bring the wood back to it's original finish before oxidation with a lite walnut shell blasting

Here's a room that has been blasted Before and After

https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/blog/mountain-fixer-upper-ceiling-blasting

I like the scalloped trim. It's a funky, original detail. Ditto the fireplace hood. I'd keep the longest wall with the original wood.

I'd like to see the room when you finish. Please post pictures. Thank you.

BeverltFLADeziner, WOW! That’s an awesome photo. Gives me hope that we could potentially like the color of this old paneling if we give it the right treatment. Thanks for posting!

Arcy_gw, it’s funny that you mention that the fireplace appears to be a bit of a cooking space. I grew up in this house, and my dad had a special fireplace rack and would cook lamb riblets in the fireplace as we sat on the floor picnic style and gobbled them up. Lol!

These are all homes in Iceland here we often paint the pine and it looks beautiful.

We own a summerhouse that is mostly pine and it was in the begining white washed and for twenty years it has not changed at all. Yours is so dark that if it were me I would for sure paint it.

Ice1, interesting fun fact about Iceland. I had no idea. Your photos give me hope that we can keep it and turn the panels into something beautiful and updated. Thank you for posting!

@ice1 Love those photos!

Actually we have the pine in the summer homes mostly but our summer homes are all season homes. I don't know why I feel the need to clarify that.

I would paint the knotty pine walls and trim in a warm white. Remove the hood and clean the bricks. Replace the fireplace screen. Place a cushion on the bench with accent pillows, and install natural fibre roman shades on the windows. On the bar side, keep the wood sheves and frame but paint the back in white. I would build a wine bottle rack on the bottom and simply install shelves in the top section. Replace the fan with a contemporary style.

Some variations--leave ceiling and trim wood, paint/dry wall in a creamy white--no stark whites.

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Lisedv, this is just what I am looking for…a mock up of what it could look like! Thank you for taking the time to do this. Many renovations show painted brick, but I think you are correct. It needs a good cleaning and perhaps the original brick will look fine once the other elements change a bit.

I’m with the camp of removing all the scalloped trim and the fireplace hood (🙃😵‍💫), and paint the walls. If you did not have wood floors and wood walls, it might work, but your basement has a low ceiling and it overwhelms. It is a great space and putting your personal touches in there will make it a wonderful place to hang out.

Oops, family room, not basement. Get rid of the miniblinds too.

@dough71

I like the bricks as they are, they bring a nice texture, have a bit of white in them, and will work nicely with the white painted pine walls.

I suggest you use a warm white (see a few popular ones below) and, before you start your painting project, test the colour on a large board to look at in different lights at different times of day.

I would paint it all. It will never play well with your floor, and it will always make the room feel smaller. Lotta prep work, but it will be worth it. I'd get bids on a new fireplace surround, without the deep extensions. If to pricey, I'd paint it all a medium gray, whatever goes with your new paint color.

There are a multitude of stain colors available. Perhaps explore that?

Wood stain penetrates the wood, enhancing its natural grain and color, while paint forms a protective film on the surface. Stain allows the texture and character of the wood to shine through, while paint provides a solid, opaque finish.

I like @lisedv’s rendering of the fireplace wall especially the updated bar.

Window seats look good but sometimes don’t get a lot of use given their positioning. if you won’t use yours, consider instead a comfortable reading nook with chair, floor lamp, etc. in that area. The window seat top can be repurposed to hold books, drinks, etc. You can pull the chair into the room for additional seating when needed.