Old knotty pine planked walls
Complete with lots of grooves and details
and loads of old wood wall character
and loads of old wood wall character
Covered in creamy white, they just say cottage perfectly
Paired with hardwood floors and bead board and beams on the ceiling
it’s love when I walk into a room and see them.
Paired with hardwood floors and bead board and beams on the ceiling
it’s love when I walk into a room and see them.
But I didn’t always feel that way.
Post disclaimer time:
If you are against painting over wood- you might not want to read any further.
Our home has tongue and groove knotty pine walls in almost every room
and when I first walked in- I felt a little overwhelmed and claustrophobic
like I needed to turn on 150 lights
and when I first walked in- I felt a little overwhelmed and claustrophobic
like I needed to turn on 150 lights
Those dark walls made the rooms feel like caves
even with the windows and doors open.
even with the windows and doors open.
They were so cold and dreary.
Even though the rooms were all very large- they felt so small and closed up.
Of course ~in the above photo~
the 1 light bulb hanging from the ceiling and small window in the dining room
the 1 light bulb hanging from the ceiling and small window in the dining room
did nothing to help
Those planks were everywhere.
In the kitchen. In the bathroom. In the hallway. In the bedrooms. In the cottage.
In the kitchen. In the bathroom. In the hallway. In the bedrooms. In the cottage.
Even on the only finished ceiling in the house and in the cottage.
(Note the beer bottle pull on the fan in the kitchen- nice touch don’t you think? 😉 )
I know the look of the house was meant to be more cottage or cabin
with those wood walls
with those wood walls
but to me
the look of that knotty pine was taking over.
So it’s safe to say that I didn’t love them when I saw them…
but I didn’t hate them either.
They were beautifully detailed with patterned grooves
and they are thick- thick- thick pine-and original to the house.
So even though there was no insulation behind them- the boards are nailed directly to the studs
and even though they were dark and dreary
they were a favorite potentially beautiful feature of the house right away. I knew that a few (gallons) of paint and primer would take them from dreary to delightful.
It took several coats of primer and several coats of good quality paint
brushed on by hand to fully cover but
brushed on by hand to fully cover but
when they were done-
the rooms felt 500 times bigger, brighter,
warmer and welcoming.
the rooms felt 500 times bigger, brighter,
warmer and welcoming.
The office walls are one of only 2 rooms with simple planks- not extra grooved
though-they are thick and wide- probably 8-10″ each
I added a wainscot to these since they were more simple
and painted the planks a soft warm white with a peachy pink undertone
If you are planning to paint your wood walls- just remember do not skip the primer.
If it is knotty pine wearing that old stained and glossy finish that you are covering
you probably need a heavy duty primer to cover it
I would ask at your local hardware store for a recommendation.
Here are a few favorites of rooms
with wood walls wearing a coat of paint that I have pinned
You can find all the links and more at my pinterest board~ Architectural Love
with wood walls wearing a coat of paint that I have pinned
You can find all the links and more at my pinterest board~ Architectural Love
This room reminds me so much of our house- the walls and the ceilings
in planks of grooved pine.
Even planked walls with some color
they are random sized boards as well which is different
I know that painting over dark wood walls is not for everyone
and some of you are probably cringing at this post
but for me – they are perfect and in your home
you have to go with what makes you happy.
you have to go with what makes you happy.
In our dining area~ where the single bulb, tiny window and dark walls once were
there is now bright and light that greets you
Creamy white walls, french doors and double chandeliers.
and that definitely makes me happy.
The living room will be getting a fresh coat of paint soon
so I am feeling an inspiration post about choosing the ‘perfect’ white paint coming up.
White paint is one that always seems to be a color that is harder to choose since there are so many
beautiful whites with different undertones and variances.
I’ll share some favorites and the color I go with once that project
moves up to the front of the list.
I’ll share some favorites and the color I go with once that project
moves up to the front of the list.
Happy Wednesday
sharing at wow
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Stephen Andrew says
Specccccccctacular. And I love how you arranged your plates!
Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says
Oh I so agree with you, couldn't live with those dark pine wall either, but painted white they are stunning. Love the transformation. Hugs, Marty
Rhondi says
Hi Courtney Something went wrong as I was halfway through writing my comment so I'm not sure if it got posted or not. So I am commenting again just in case. I love the look of knotty pine painted white. I remember in the 60s that my mom painted our knotty pine white which was very daring back then. Everyone thought she was crazy, but of course it looked great. Yours does too. Your home is beautiful.
Unknown says
Asshhh.. takes me back. I grew up in a home with painted knotty pine walls and dark mahogany floors. Bead board ceilings and wainscoting. A look I would luv to return to… Luv tour painted walls.
Jacqui Wise says
So much nicer painted white. It totally transforms the rooms. Beautiful!
Faded Charm says
I like the old wood, but the fresh white walls are so much prettier and brighter, plus it brings out the character in the grooves. I love it and am sure you do to:-)
xoxo
Kathleen
Anonymous says
I've started to paint my judge's rail height knotty pine paneling white. It had been sort-of faux white-washed so at least I have no heavy varnish to cover. I know it will be a transformation like yours. Your planked walls may just be the knotty pine paneling installed with the reverse side showing. Jo @ Let's Face the Music
Sunny says
Every time I see your buffet a deux corps I am overcome with lust and obsession! Wherever did you find that wonderful piece?
Courtney says
I found it on craigslist several years ago 🙂
Victoria says
I am not a fan of the knotty pine. As you show the dinning area before I would have pulled that all out and started over, however, I REALLY like the white. I think in the past for me knotty pine has always looked too yellow and dark but I really like it white as you have it! I LOVE that animal print stool! Thanks for sharing. It looks just beautiful.
Revi says
Lovely! I have a den that has the thick old knotty pine, and I've been living with it in wood as I have updated other rooms with paint. Eventually, I plan to paint it as well. The ceiling is wood in my room, which I will probably leave in wood, but the walls and trim have GOT to get lightened up! Thanks for showing the before and afters – so inspiring, Courtney!
mariondee-designs says
I'm totally with you. I would have painted it all white too! take care, Maryann
Leena Milligan Lanteigne says
These photos are gorgeous! I love old wood, but have no problem painting old ugly wood! Knotty pine is just so oppressive and can suck the life out of a room. Painting it white makes such a difference! Love it! Hugs, Leena
RosesArePink2 says
Beautiful!!
Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLiz says
That's amazing. Your before and after is quite an improvement. I don't blame you for painting it all and I think it's great that you left the wood instead of changing it to drywall. That had to of been a lot of work!
Lisa at The Cottage of Content says
Do you recommend doing planks horizontally or vertically? I would LOVE to add them to my home in some places, but I don't know which way to go – I have to add that I usually want the long term choice – not a fan of trends.
Unknown says
One thing to consider is the placement of the wall studs. If you run them horizontally, it shouldn't be a problem. If you run them vertically, you will more than likely have to add some extra studs to give you something to affix them to.
Courtney says
I like planked walls both ways but probably prefer vertical. In my experience~ if the boards are vertical- they give the illusion of higher ceilings and make your room 'feel' taller. Horizontal- makes it feel a little wider. Purely your preference on look- they are both charming!! These are original and were put up in the house in the 1940's- so I like to think of them as fairly classic instead of a trendy- even though planking walls has recently been something that has become popular.
Karen says
I really like the white in your studio office. You said it has a pink peach undertone and I can see it in your photo. Do you mind sharing the color?
Unknown says
I live in a knotty pine world. Unfortunately, my husband likes the knotty pine and doesn't want the walls and ceiling painted. I'll bring him around to my way of thinking one way or another. Either he'll come around to my way of thinking and help me paint, or I'll paint and he'll learn to love it (or live with it). 😀 I'm really looking forward to your thoughts on choosing the right white, but I love the wall color in your living room now, to.
Heaven's Walk says
lol Oh how your "before" photos brought back memories of when we moved in to our lake house 30 yrs ago, Courtney! lol Old, dark paneling AND lovely gold colored shag carpeting throughout the entire house, too! lol The first thing I did was rip up the carpeting and paint the paneling and trim creamy white. Wood floors were installed after that. The whole house seemed to take a deep breath and sigh. 🙂 It was lighter, brighter, and look 100 times bigger. More often then not, in my world, if it's wood….it gets painted! lol
I am looking forward to hearing and seeing what white paint you choose. That is always the most difficult decision for me.
xoxo laurie
Jane says
I have painted knotty pine and regular wood paneling several times and never once regretted my decision. I just love the look of painted wood on the walls. You're right, though – the priming is essential! But the final look is oh-so-divine!!! Love the inspiring photos.
DownTheLaneWithDaisy says
I lived in a totally knotty pine house, rental, many years ago. ..even the closets and ceilings!! I thought I'd go "knotty". …myself. I grew to hate it! Your look is gorgeous.
JustNanny says
We have old knotty pine in the dining room that my husband REFUSES to paint! I am going to sit him down into the computer chair and WHEEL him over to the computer and show him your post! I have always considered those walls ugly ducklings that could turn into a beautiful swan!
From the Old InkWell says
You've done wonders with your home! I grew up in a house with a knotty pine den. It's beautiful and you have to respect its beauty but painting your walls completes your charming surroundings. Lovely!
Donna Wilkes says
Our breakfast nook has the old knotty pine and was one reason we bought the house – it suited us back then. Now we are thinking a white wash would brighten it. I think you may have convinced me with your lovely rooms.
Erin~Just*Grand says
I love painted plank walls and panelling. I love the texture and the dimension it adds to the walls. The old stuff is the best, by far, but if you look around you can find good quality new planks, too. Great post!
Seawashed says
White makes everything more beautiful.
Your before photos make me feel claustrophobic too!
Julie says
Beautiful, Beautiful!!
I love all the plates on the wall, not to mention two gorgeous French chairs.
Thank you for sharing. great inspiration.
Julie x
Marisa Franca @ Allourway says
I love painted wood. The house is simply beautiful. Isn't wonderful to be able to stand back and look in appreciation. Makes all that hard work worth while. I do love the touch of Italian in your gorgeous French Cottage, after all France is right next to Italy 🙂
Jojo says
Wow! I love knotty pine but your redo is incredible! Congratulations on a beautiful new space.
Lin from A {tiny} Cottage In The Woods says
When we built our cottage in 2007-08, I wanted to nail wood planks directly to the studs (we insulated). But the building dept. wanted sheet rock first. Now I'm looking for planking, bead board, etc. LOVE the look of creamy white panels… and I love that you post your 'before' pics, Courtney ~ it's inspiration to keep me going!
xo,
Lin
~ ~ Ahrisha ~ ~ says
Hi Sweetie, I am right there with you. Dislike knotty pine immensely. Love the peachy white shade in your office. Do you remember the name of the color you used. I find it is so hard to find a very light pinkish white that I like. Your peachy one is so nice.
kathy says
Your home is spectacular, I always go back and forth on painting wood but I agree with your choices to make it brighter. Bright trumps too dark and dreary. Thanks for the post
The enchanted home says
Just gorgeous, that first image makes me swoon!
Nancy says
I really like the painted pine, and it really works with your style. Your home is beautiful. I love it.
Leslie Anne Tarabella says
Love it! I've even pinned or should I say "pine-d" it for future reference!
Unknown says
Oh I'm so hoping my outcome is just a quarter of yours – it's all so gorgeous !
XOXO
Noble Vintage says
I was trying to zoom in on your mirror!! I think I have one almost identical right now. 🙂 I had it over our mantel this fall, but it's old and the wood is very soft- the hanger broke one evening and it came crashing down. Fortunately it didn't break, but there are some repairs I need to make to the framing (3 layers) curious if we have the same!! Beautiful walls. I'd paint too. 😉
ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says
STUNNING!! Love love that first shot!!
Shirley@Housepitality Designs says
I love the look of a light and bright paneled wall…yours are just gorgeous…I had a large sunroom in a previous home that had those dark panels on the ceiling…it took a while for me to convince my hubby to paint them…once painted, "he saw the light" and loved it..
Love seeing your gorgeous rooms Courtney!..
Athena at Minervas Garden says
I lived in a rental house that had pine walls, and it made the house feel very cramped and small–would have loved to have painted over it, but couldn't because it was a rental. Our current house is light and bright inside–makes me happy! That is such a dramatic before and after of your dining area–amazing what paint can do!
Connie says
My sister owned a beach cottage at Myrtle Beach, S.C. It was totally knotty pine–walls and ceiling. It was so oppressive you felt you were being smothered. I use to look at it and imagine how beautiful it would be all painted white.
Yours is perfect.
Elizabeth says
I love the painted walls!
Unknown says
I'm all for painting over paneling. Just not in white (unless you're doing wainscoting). White walls are my pet peeve. Too sterile looking for me. I love the bathroom w/the pale robin's egg walls though.
Anonymous says
Ahhhh…but when you think of "white" sounds like you're thinking of a stark white. There are so many varying shades of white (Benjamin Moore alone has over 200 shades/tints of white!) you might be surprised if a less-stark white was used. 😉 Just sayin'……..
Unknown says
This is like fate. I just decided that I am going to plank the whole house. I have the typical ranch home with no architectural details. I have to admit I am a bit nervous. Originally I thought I would put up the planks horizontally but there are some rooms that are very wide with low ceiling. Do you think it would look weird if a living room has vertical planks then other rooms have horizontal planks?
Beth says
My dining room was knotty pine in my big old 2 story home and it felt dark and depressing! I wanted to paint it, but my hub Loved the dark wood and like so many men, opposed to painting wood! Lol! Our darling daughter and husband bought our home and she got the thumbs up to paint it form her hub and it turned out so fresh, bright and cute as a button! Yay for painting wood!
Unknown says
What color is the green in the bathroom I just love it
Unknown says
What color is the green in the bathroom I just love it
pamela says
The plank painted is so pretty and truly brighten's up the whole place. I love what did.
Anonymous says
I LOVE it! I'd too feel claustrophic with those dark walls.
What to say to those who say "Oh don't paint wood!"? Well, you can tell them back before there was steel siding, HardiBoard, or vinyl siding and homes were brick or wood siding, they painted the wood siding. So yup, you CAN paint wood. 🙂
When I had my interior decorating business, I used to tell people "If you paint wood, it'll still be wood. However, if don't like painted wood interiors, don't do it." End of discussion. 😉
[email protected] says
I love your dining room. Would you share what kind of plate hangers you used. I am not a fan of the old kind where there is hooks on top and bottom.