apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Sorry to hear you can't keep the furniture.

I would start by painting everything except the ceiling and beams a creamy white. Do not touch the ceiling between the beams--it will look more modern if it and the beams are all the natural wood.

I would leave the brick as is and see how you like it. Keeping some warm colors in the room will offset the coolness of the white.

Can you afford to rip out the carpeting and install a wood or tile floor? If not I would get lots of big, colorful area rugs that go with your decor.

I remember seeing something on HGTV (i know usually its pretty bad). They dealt with a similar situation. The host washed and lightly sanded the walls, filled the joints with joint compound, sanded again and then painted them a neutral cream. It turned out pretty well and seemed like a much easier/cost effective way to deal with the paneling. If I were you, I would at least do the walls; the ceilings could be spared or just painted with the joints left exposed.

This is totally off-topic, but I laughed when I saw the Fingerhut ad here on AT!!! Haven't thought about that catalog in years - maybe they're trying to up their "cool" by advertising on AT?

As Sally suggested, I would leave the ceiling and the beams, but paint out the rest. I would paint it all white, including baseboards. There are so many shades of white, it would make sense to get some chips and maybe even some test pots to try some out in the space and see what works with your fireplace.

Having said that, if you're willing to paint over the fireplace, go for it!! It's hard to say without knowing what furniture will be going into the room, and what your general style is, but I'd be inclined to go white on the bricks too.

I'd save the splashes of colour for an area rug or accent pieces, artwork, etc. and stick to white or off-white for the wood. It will help make the room feel less busy on the eyes.

Any chance there's wood under that carpet?

I had a similar room in a house I used to own. I painted the paneled walls and the whole fireplace wall a creamy off-white/beige (it was an old Sherwin Williams color called Berber Wool). Left the beams and ceiling as is. Did the trim in crisp white (there was enough contrast between the walls and the trim). It brightened up the whole room and made it quite lovely.

I agree w/ Sally - paint the paneling a creamy white but leave the brick and ceiling alone. I'll also bet you there's hardwood under all that wall-to-wall...

Visualize a Pottery Barn-type interior with big white sofas, large sisal rugs...
A nautical theme would be perfect in this room: Navy, Red and Khaki accents w/ brass lamps & hardware - Framed Maps, Boat Oars, Brass Porthole Mirrors, boat models, etc...

It's a shame they put all that beautiful wood on the walls instead of the floor! Wait to paint the fireplace until you see how the room looks with freshly painted walls. I might only paint the brick wall around the fireplace, not the fireplace itself.

Maybe if you sand everything down like someone else suggested and use whitewash instead of thick paint it will look good. Hopefully you've got wood under the carpet, if not get wooden flooring and whitewash that too. I would start looking at Scandinavian web sites to see how they deal with problems like this.

Put a smooth surface over the entire fireplace (plaster) in a bright color with a larger simpler cement hearth

Check this out:

http://carrierandcompany.com/portfolio/wilton_house.php

Oddly enough that is the only wood paneling I've ever seen in a photo and liked. There's something about the high ceilings and airy-ness of the room that makes the wood walls enjoyable. I would be tempted to take some hints from the tv show Madmen and get some furniture from that era for that room. That said, if you just cannot stand it -- I've seen many stylist friends paint every thing white and it does work wonders. It sounds like it could run the risk of looking 'shabby chic' or country, but it looks surprisingly modern when your done painting.

Maybe I'm liking your wood walls because I just saw this home in Met Home mag of April 09:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8230585@N06/3752004069/

and here are some cues from Madmen on the same flickr link!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8230585@N06/3746924632/in/set-72157621860797508/

I would leave the wood paneling along and paint the fireplace white or off white first and see how that changed the room. More modern furniture with some accent colors would look great. If the room is still too dark, just paint one wall of the wood paneling, like the one with the doorway in the top picture. Wood paneling can be wonderful.

If you can get a nice tall ladder and muster up the motivation, you should DEFINITELY paint the ceiling panels white. Paint the panels white, but let the beams stay that nice dark wood (OR paint the beams black). It will be a very nice and dramatic contrast.

After that, I would also paint the wood paneling on the walls to a nice white (to start). Once everything is white and you've brought your furniture in, you can pick and choose what walls (if any) you want to add color to.

For instance, I think the wall that runs through the center of your room would look amazing if painted a nice bold color (something that compliments whatever your view is through that parallel window....so orange or rosy if you get a view of the sunset, or maybe a deep green to complement the trees/forest).

You can also consider painting an 'off' color horizontally (where the wall is now white)

The bricks can be painted or not. You can do all the bricks in a nice shade of white, or maybe pick some selected bricks to match the color of your 'off' wall.

Also if possible ditch those ugly old wooden ceiling fans for something that will better match your new, chic, space!

I agree 100% with Matt Manfredeni. The paneling is horrible. Use the joint compound to fill in the grooves, sand smooth and then paint everything including the ceiling but leave the beams natural. The ceiling is that same nasty paneling, isn't it? It's not sacred. Paint it. The warm, creamy whites as suggested by others sound appealing. The room will appear very large especially with that light carpet. You'll need to fill it up with BIG art work and furniture and vertical elements. The current furniture placement is the exact antithesis of what you want. This is a great room. Give it a great vibe. Move the TV to the side of the room by the fireplace so that part of the room is the focal point. It looks like there are competing focal points: the large window, the fireplace and the TV. What function(s) will this room serve?

I would also recommend painting out the fireplace. Maybe leave it for a phase 2 project once the walls and ceiling are done. It doesn't have to be creamy white like the walls. It can be anything. Black. Grey. Peacock blue. Once you live in the room awhile, you'll get a vibe for what color and what level of saturation would be best.

The carpeting has got to go, too. Rip it up and replace it with hardwood but not the engineered stuff. If you can't afford wood, then consider lino sheeting and then cover it with large, beautiful rugs.

The "room" with the bookcase and couch is odd. Are those walls necessary? It chops up the room. Can those odd walls be removed? It looks like the one wall might serve as a boundary for the foyer, but is there a different option that could be used instead? The archway is odd. My guess is it serves no structural purpose and can be removed. Please consider doing so.

Good luck. The room has a lot of potential. Stick with it and I think you'll create a real jewel.

I have pics of great style my friend used at her lake home. Not sure if i can post them here but you could email me through my website. Yes, paint those walls and trim white. I don't see any reason to fill the seams. Go for the nautical beach look I vote to leave the beams as is. Roaster White (a nice cream white)by Ralph Laruen is available at Home Depot and other home stores. My friend also used a laminate that has the appearance of old beack board walk. It is very tough durable but looks and feels like wood. Even has grainlines. The accent colors she used where very happy. Dark red sofa, old dark blue, vintage lime green, and gold/yellow.

Have you seen the den transformation on Young House Love? They had a similar problem, but their den looks really bright and modern after some paint and more modern furnishings. http://www.younghouselove.com/2009/08/how-to-paint-wood-paneling/

I had a cinder block fireplace and "plastered" Fix-All on with a putty knife. Texture came out like Italian plaster-very easy to do. You could do the Fix-All trick with your brick, then paint it a contrasting (still neutral) shade like gray or tan. If you can pick up a deal on some interesting tile you can also tile over the brick. A neutral, say, tans and black and ivory, or very colorful mosaic (to go with your furniture) would be awesome.

Before you do anything, it would be worth your while to do some tinkering with the trim. I notice that the picture rail on the fireplace's right is much thicker than the picture rail on the fireplace's left. Get them matching - it should be fairly cheap and straightforward.

Then sand, prime and paint the paneled walls, but not the picture rails, door frames or skirting. Leave the ceiling for the moment. You may find that this is enough to quash the "yee-haw" look of the room. Remember, it's easy to do more painting but very hard to undo painting.

If it ISN'T enough, then keep painting, starting with the panels in the ceiling. Avoid painting the chimney unless absolutely necessary.

The brick clashes with the paneling horribly (I wouldn't feel bad about painting the brick white), but do NOT paint the paneling. By all means rip out the carpeting, put in some nice floors, add some modern (legged) furniture, clean curtains, etc., but do NOT paint the paneling. This whole painting everything white thing is trendy at this very moment, but will date itself VERY quickly. The framing has some very modern angles and I think will age very well if you leave it alone. If you paint it, plan on stripping and restaining in about 5 years when the original finish is back in style.

paint everything white.

We had terrible wood panelling that we painted white, make sure you get a proper primer thats a sealer for wood, we learned the hard way that that certain wood tannins bleed up to the surface no matter how many coats you put on!

Hi everyone,

THANKS for all of the suggestions! Appreciate it. I should point out that the wood panelling is real wood, not laminate. My husband loves it (same thinking as ChristopherB) but has agreed to have it painted. The house is near the beach, so I think the interior does lend itself to a white treatment with perhaps a slightly nautical theme. Useful links to Carrier and Co and also the Young Love House – some gorgeous rooms. I have been trying to look for inspiration – thanks. Unfortunately, we won’t be knocking down that archway – it’s a strange structure but it will be staying for now.

So what I think we will do is paint everything a warm white, inc walls, trimmings and doors BUT leave the ceiling and beams unpainted. Not sure what to do with the flooring yet until we see what is under the carpet. If there are nice floors, perhaps just use some lovely natural sisal rugs as seen here http://carrierandcompany.com/portfolio/wilton_house.php After seeing the painted fireplaces, will definitely do that – maybe bag it and then paint, still having the texture visible. Will leave the wood elements natural. We will be enlisting the help of a professional painter, so will rely on him to achieve the best finish possible!

Our furniture is a mix of retro styles from the 60s and 70s (similar to those seen in the Madmen link) and also some more modern pieces, all in neutral tones. We have simple taste when it comes to furniture. Splashes of colour will feature in the cushions and decorations I think.

Anyway, if you think there is lots of wood here, you should see the rest of the house! Will post an 'after' photo when the time comes.

Many thanks, Ivy

PAINT PAINT AND MORE PAINT.
I don't know what colors but I know the beams should be painted and the wood could be left naked behind it.
New light fixture and all new EVERYTHING else.

"If you paint it, plan on stripping and restaining in about 5 years when the original finish is back in style."

Only if you're a trend-chasing creature, that is.

You've bought a place that has a certain kooky character. You can not transplant a new identity onto those deranged bones with splashes of paint. Unless you do serious renovation, starting with uprooting that medieval fireplace, you must learn to live with your kitsch.

Not so fast with the paint! LOL!

There's already a resurgence in wood, probably due to the overly glamorous reflective surfaces and ornate trims from the recent Hollywood Regency trend.

A longing for a simpler time in some ways. Like Todd Oldham's tree house:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/inspiration/todd-oldham-treehouse-025629

Wood all across the ceiling and the floor for this open bedroom plan:
http://www.trendir.com/interiors/open-view-bedroom.html

More ideas include stripping and restaining a lighter tone:
http://www.greenorclean.com/assets/images/floor%20wood%20room%20hall1.jpg

This image is small and no longer on the original site:
http://tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:Xt-PCsXPxw_SFM:http://www.devanthery-lamuniere.ch/geneve/images/evolene/evolene6.jpg

Wood is being used in all kinds of ways:
http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/cm/goodhousekeeping/images/Living-Room-Decor-Gallery-21-fb-26457736.jpg

It looks like this could be black or gray stained wood?:
http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/cm/goodhousekeeping/images/Living-Room-Decor-Gallery-31-fb-57892697.jpg

Imagine bringing the height of the wood paneling down to basic chair rail height.

Or removing, stripping, staining, and creating a very modern wood wall...
http://www.decorpad.com/photo.htm?photoId=13057

Use what you have to create something new.

If it were me:

I'd rip the carpet out - bamboo flooring in.

Don't touch the paneling. Drywall is meant to be painted - wood paneling adds warmth and character.

Visit Modern Fan Co.

Build out the fireplace flush wall to wall (you lose some sqft but you can get either hidden electronics wiring or built-in storage. If possible lose the curved element at its bottom.)

New window treatment or no window treatment, depending on privacy needs.

Chuck the stained glass for maybe just a frosted one.

thank you chipmcd! I am reawakening a similar view and came up with similar results after weeks of review.

in addition to chipmcd's ideas, I also:
1. tossed upholstered furniture
2. selected a few key pieces at Pompanoosuc Mills
3. will replace carpeting with rugs from Anthropologie

You know what, if it is real wood, I would learn to love it. Let the house be what it is. I don't find the carpet all that offensive. It brightens the room up a little. I think with light, clean-lined furniture and lighting, minimal window treatments, and bright artwork and accessories it will work.

agree with others that like the wood. Sounds like it might "go" with your midcentury furniture. I think you ought to hold off painting until you see how it looks with your stuff. it would definitely need great lighting to counteract the dark wood, but this could look cool with white, black, lime green, yellow or orange accents.

also, you can cover big parts of the walls with artwork or just plain white canvases. I'd really hold off on painting

i would paint the ceiling but leave the beams. actually if i had the time i would sand and then bleach the paneling on the ceiling.

the wall paneling needs to be painted though. it looks like a cave otherwise.

Swap the ceiling fan. Peek under the carpet. If you start painting in stages maybe start with the wall with the white plastered frieze? I would rip off the picture rail and fill the wood with joint compound in that case. Or better yet, rip the paneling off and save (just in case) and do that wall in drywall. For whatever reason I think the wood is less jarring when it goes all the way to the ceiling. With the plastered portion at the top of the wall it looks sort of cowboy/Tudor look.

I like the wood, I think you'll be really pleased with it next to your furniture. I also think the archway is a bit weird but your furnishings might make it work. Do you have more pictures (exterior?) on flicker or something? It's a cool house.

I would consider painting the ceiling and leaving the walls wood. I think there is too much wood right now competing with each other but it would be a shame to paint all of it. I agree with chipmcd about the fireplace wall. Consider building it out with built ins or storage on the sides and cover the majority of the brick with drywall or plaster.

I would suggest to paint most of the walls white but leave the ceiling beams and panelling and that awesome angled archway as is. Then rip-out the carpet and do the darker hardwood floors to match the panelling. Gorgeous :)

You might consider whitewashing the paneling, and maybe the brick - you would still brighten up everything, but keep some of the character - that's by far the nicest wood paneling I've seen.

I would not paint the fireplace. I think once you have painted the panels the white mortal will give a great cohesive look!

Please post after pics!!!

I like the wood and would keep it as is. With simple furniture, you could go with a beautiful Japanese look.

What I don't like is the fireplace. It seems much too large for the space, and all steps, storage areas, arches give it way too much weight. I'd spend my money on removing all the extras and painting it leaving the beautiful wood beam. That would bring lightness into the room while preserving the richness of the wood.

Good luck.

My advice (and this is just my own opinion):

1. DO NOT PAINT !!!! - anything !!!
... (you've got here an unique looking interier - your house has a soul - you should appreciate it).

2. but FURNISH it with light color OVERSIZED maskuline looking furniture - put lots of FRAMES on the walls - big and bold.

3. do not rip the floor rug - throw some smaller bold collored runners - around fireplace, under sitting area ...

4. and as for this incredible FIREPLACE and the stove: - it is a vision of: "MY HOME is MY CASTLE" ... and you want to destroy it ?

5. put lots of small shiny things around fireplace: (candle-holders, etc) - large mirror above fireplace - pictures ....

6. Look at the empty room with "fresh eyes" - get the feeling how unique it is - (... and do not listen to any "interior decorators" - they made their living by: to rip and replace and sell you new stuff) ....

... Do it slowly - big sofa, then chair, then rugs ... (get that ugly huge brass chandelier from aunt Mathilda's attic ...)

... Do it right - and your friends will be envious - and will start to convert their "modern and light" houses with wood walls and medieval feeling......

============

P.S. - It will sound rude now .... but WHY did you buy this unique house - if as a first thing before living there - you WANT TO RIP IT APART ???

Stop! Don't paint yet! Like others here I usually abhore wood panelling but there is something special about yours. If you paint (as I have done in the past) I think you will get a country vibe. Check out Target's bedding department for the wood panelling behind a lime comforter by Dwell to see how a modern aesthetic works with wood panelling. Lovely! Go for a Japanese vibe or a Scandanavian ( see book Finnish Country Houses) one . How about several yards of a Marimekko wall panelling suspended from the ceiling, a few very modern light fixtures and a Modern Lighting fan? The vibe will change instantly. Yes to painting the fireplace, ceiling (not beams) and possibly that odd crosspiece but hold off on everything else because your situation is rare and unique - lovely wood panelling. A Scandanavian would feel right at home!

try photoshop or something similar to look at different schemes for color and texture. we had bad 70's paneling in our place with a wood ceiling and wood beams - we ripped off the wall paneling and patched and then spray textured then painted. It was a lot of work, but not too much money and worth it. We left the wood ceiling and the beams. we also have brick walls, and we left those. i think painting the brick is not such a good idea - i would live in the space a bit first before you decide to paint the brick. but i agree with you that the panelling on the walls is too much - good luck.

DON'T PAINT THAT WOOD!!!

HeidiS & Azure – I also like the idea of plastering or rendering the brick walls on the sides of the fireplace. I don’t like that serving hatch or the shelving below. The fireplace is the first thing you see when you walk into the house and at the moment, it looks enormous! It is the focal point of the living area and therefore I will be trying to make this look as inviting as possible.

Xandra – You ask a valid question. Like a lot of others on this site, you can appreciate a house for what it is...you feel it’s a shame to change things. I admire your loyalty. Me – well I am not that precious. I still like to retain some old features but I also like to personalise a space. I like to keep my living space updated – not necessarily on trend, just fresh. We fell in love with this house for many reasons – the garden, the position by the sea, the views, the community...the potential.

Jmck – Great idea with photoshop! Unfrotunately not something I know how to use but I have friends who do, so may ask them to help me out. Will def help me visualise things.

DahliaCactus and for anyone else interested...I have posted some pictures on Flickr here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornerblock

As you will see, the builder had a thing for wood in all shapes and sizes...

I agree with the others that have suggested holding off on painting. I think the paneling is wonderful, the best I've ever seen. It doesn't look cave like at all, it's actually very light and airy to me. Get rid of the ceiling fans and do something with the fireplace, and see how it looks with your furniture. I actually think that odd arch thing will only work with the paneling, in my head it looks so awkward and ugly if the wood is painted, but as it is now I think it's an interesting feature. I really think it's a shame to ruin a very nice example of wood paneling, since so much of it is awful.

to Ivy Mae - to your comments (from XANDRA) :
=========================================
(Quote: "...you feel it’s a shame to change things. I admire your loyalty. Me – well I am not that precious. I still like to retain some old features but I also like to personalise a space. I like to keep my living space updated – not necessarily on trend, just fresh. We fell in love with this house for many reasons – the garden, the position by the sea, the views, the community...the potential." - end of quote)
=========================================

.... feel SHAME to change things ????
Ivay Mae - it is not shame I feel - UPDATING doesn't mean DESTROYING - and it is not some sentimental "feeling" I have - (I am European trained architect) - I am horrified by insensivity of some owners, who - beacuse they have non-specified vision of "potential" - they will embark on path of irreversible distruction.
Ivy Mae - if you want to make a "land-mark" of your own on the place - consider: to built an ADDITION - something like: live-in-greenhouse ... or on smaller scale: go for the garden ... if some things will not work, you can allways re-plant next year.

Are those HARSH words ??
Ivy Mae - it looks like You are the driving force behind this "updating" ... I know - it is your own place and nobody else will live in it but you - reconsider, if not for anything else, just for "resale" value. Houses like this are very rare, in couple years even more so.... (and when RealEstate market will be calmer)....

... then NEXT owner might fell in love with the house in its ORIGINAL form and will PAY you so much, you will be able to purchase you "dream house" - AVERAGE, modern, light and bright ....

... or you can with all this money purchase HALf-FINISHED house, which you can then shape to your ideas and personalize to all your wishes and CHANNEL your creative energy to creation of something NEW, your OWN signature, you feel so strongly about ....

I agree that you should keep the paneling the way it is, it's beautiful.

But that navajo-print couch and the pendant light are horriffic. So glad those are going bye-bye!

Looked at the Flickr photos. Love that house as it is. The only room that I didn't like was the one where someone had painted the beams and ceiling white. It doesn't look very good.

I especially enjoyed the kitchen and the main bath. It also looks like there is a pass-through in the kitchen to the living area in the arch next to the fireplace. Very cool.

I also like how that area is laid out, with the window part of the living room being accessible only through the fireplace part. I can see that being a nice "weather buffer" if it is very hot or very cold.

Sliding panels or glass or curtains could be all across that arch. Giving a cosy fireplace room on cold nights, while blocking off the window and room that has two outside walls.

Maybe spend some time browsing sites with articles and image on Arts and Crafts, Craftsman, Mission, Stickley.

Here are a few links to browse if you have time, with images or drawings:

Craftsman style:
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20208895,00.html

A nice mix of styles for the kitchen:
http://www.hewnandhammered.com/hewn_and_hammered/2009/05/greentea-design-spectacular-custom-kitchens-cabinetry-furniture.html

Scroll down here for the Craftsman House as Harmonius Experience, and also the next article on Stickley:
http://thetextileblog.blogspot.com/2009_07_01_archive.html

While your design is not Bungalow, notice the fireplace niche drawing here:
http://www.craftsman-style.info/homes/plan-0104.htm

You could TOTALLY play up the feeling shown in the images of those styles. I think it would be outstanding!

If you have a vastly different style in mind, play it up in the bedroom that is non-wood. The blue bedroom. Turn that into the full-out modern example.

You can also perhaps create a garden/patio area that is extremely modern. The contrast between the two styles indoors and outdoors would be visually exciting.

DON'T PAINT! Most wood paneling is nasty, but yours has MAJOR style! Move out all the junk and try it with your Madmen-esque stuff first. I would kill for a home that rad. And I might come for you if you paint that gorgeous wood, lol. It won't look good painted, it will look like you tried to cover up something totally unique. Work with it, not against it. PLEASE.

AND THEN POST PICTURES.

I would actually paint or reface the fireplace wall, not the wood.

And lose all that tacky decor.

Wood, wood, wood, and more wood:
http://www.pointclickhome.com/renovation_inspiration/articles/met_home_winners_best_sustainable_renovation

"By the time Lin was done, the 4,000-square-foot apartment required tens of thousands of square feet of veneer."
Article:
http://www.pointclickhome.com/image/tid/2191?mag=PointClickHome&page=0
Photos:
http://www.pointclickhome.com/image/tid/2191

Kitchen suggestion:
"5. Consider cabinets. Opt for wood cabinets over metal or laminate. Look for stains and species with red or yellow undertones, such as pine or rich cherry. Mix and match wood tones for an even more welcoming look."
http://www.pointclickhome.com/kitchens_baths/articles/simple_solutions_inviting_kitchen_and_bath

Check out the table shown at the very bottom of this page
http://www.romanpress.com/Me.htm

there's something wonderful about the colors and grains. It's beautiful, and you have some of those colors and grains.

See if you can find out more about the history of the home. Who did all the wood? There could be a very interesting story behind it.

Well, some interesting and thought provoking comments here...so thought provoking that I am now a bit indecisive about a few things :) Will have to have think it over some more after the furniture is gone and we see what is under the carpet. Thanks all, all of your comments have been taken on board. Cheers, Ivy

Ivy,
so glad you've taken our advices in the consideration.

Your house is a gem (now in rough) and need just some refining details to show itself in favorite shape to your eyes.

Thank you for accepting our - (sometimes heated) - discussions and opinions so gracefully ... but that's what conversation between people is: your questions, our answers, looking at familiar things thru different eyes ... and later even changing outcome.

====================================================
I'm so glad, your house will not follow the fate similar to "Forrest around a house" story, I've read sometimes somewhere:

This guy saw a house surrounded by huge mature trees.
- He bought the house at the end of summer ...
- moved in in the fall ...
- at beginning of winter he thought the house was too dark,
... so he ordered to cut trees surrounding the house (in spite of strong disagreement and advices from neighbours) ...
- spring was OK - house was bright and pleasant, and he planted roses around at big expense ...
- summer was horrible, house was hot, sun was blinding, all roses wither (wrong soil for them...)
- he lived in nearby motel till fall, when he ...
- sold the house with great loss.
=====================================

Please, let us know about how your house is progressing,
(granted these discussions were not too painfull to you).

Wishing you all the luck and happy living in your unusual house.

Best regards,
Alexandra

Ivy,

I retract my bamboo floors idea. Bamboo is eco-friendly; that's my latest kick. What about cork, marmoleum or Flor?

Another benefit of building out the fireplace wall to wall, like I mentioned before, is that the kitchen side of the service pass through could become an appliance garage! (auto door opener optional LOL!)

I trip out that the wood is used as a vertical element in the living room, horizontal in the kitchen and diagonal in the bathroom (is that an Aussie thing?) The diagonal pattern make it look super retro like it would have been in the Brady's neighbor's house or something. Also, what's up with the jogged wall next to the frig?

BTW, that's a killer yard. I foresee some cool outdoor living in your future.

Hi Xandra,

Thanks for your contribution, it is good to get different opinions. This experience has not been painful at all, enlightening and amusing at times but not negative. I understand everyone has different views and I like to hear them! Cheers to you!

Chipmcd - I too like Bamboo but not in this house. I think there is far too mcuh wood already and to add another species would be just crazy in my eyes! The different use od the wood is not an Aussie thing! LOL! I think this builder was actually a European! Yes, the yard is lush. We will be putting a lovely big "wooden" deck there :)

apologies for the spelling errors, far too late on a friday night to be talking home renovating...

Now here are some really nice wooden interiors!

http://desiretoinspire.blogspot.com/2009/08/turnbull-griffin-haesloop-architects.html