Painting wood panels
Dear Debbie, I need to repaint a bedroom that has painted panelling in it, but it looks like the panelling is warped. I cannot afford to replace the panelling at this time. What can I do to cover it up?
D.D. Dear D.D.,
Paint is a brilliant decorating tool, but it won’t fix a warped wall. Whether you rent or own, you should look into what has caused the warping. Is there water or dampness behind the wall? This should be taken care of before any more damage ensues.
That being said, there are many ways to decorate these veneer (or plywood) panels that will act as a kind of camouflage as well as build on a particular theme or style. Why not add a chair rail to break up the wall? In the photo above, the upper walls have a base coat of cream white and a darker taupe dry brushed over the cream to break up the colour.
The wainscotting started with a rusty red base coat, then was covered with a coat of teal. Once dry, the surface was sanded lightly to reveal some of the red paint underneath. This gives the impression of wear and tear over time. As a finishing touch, stencils were applied to the upper walls using the panel grooves to line up the designs. The colours and worn-paint techniques complete the room’s heritage folk-country theme, perfect for a bedroom or dining room. Dear Debbie, We have a home built in the late ’50s with chestnut-coloured wood panelling in the open living/dining area. It feels very dated and we’d like to paint, but hesitate because the panels are real wood. Suggestions? Thanks.
Pat Dear Pat, If you are looking to update these rooms, there is no reason to hold back. Two coats of a creamy white paint will look warm and rich as well as lighten the space. You will also discover that the white paint will enhance the moulding details on the panelled walls. If the wood panels don’t cover the entire wall and there is space above, then experiment with two finishes. Paint the panels a solid white and choose a shade of paint or a wallpaper design that is on trend for the upper wall. Rustic Country is very popular, showing all tones of grey, nature themes and splashes of strong pastels. Debbie Travis’s House to Home column is produced by Debbie Travis and Barbara Dingle. Please email your questions to house2home@debbietravis.com. You can follow Debbie on Twitter at @Debbie_Travis, and visit Debbie’s new website, debbietravis.com.