Slanted wood paneling on an ’80s fireplace
Yes, folks–you’re looking at the fireplace of my new home! We’re moving in June, and I could use your advice. First of all, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE slanted wooden paneling. Always have! Many homes built in the ’70s and ’80s feature it on the inside and out, and I always knew that if I were lucky enough to move into a place that showcased this retro design highlight, I would relish it. Which is why I want to make the most of it. Here’s where your help comes in…
As you can see, the tile surrounding the fireplace is brown, which doesn’t provide much contrast to the wooden paneling. Replacing or painting the tile is not an option. So… Should I paint the paneling? If so, what color (or colors)? The walls of the living room are white. I think some paint could really help this fireplace to pop, but on some level, I wonder if it would take away from the retro-fabulousness of the slanted wood. Please share your thoughts in the comments section. I’ll keep you posted with pics of the finished product once I move in!
And on that note, I’ll end with a little pic from my childhood! I guess slanted wood paneling has always been a part of my life…
Slanted wooden paneling and a toddler
Happy Wednesday!!!
Great pic (of you!) and how awesome to come full circle with the panelling!
From what I can see painted wood was only really a late ’80s thing, and then it would’ve been in soft creams and off-white peach shades for that whole country kitchen look, although in most cases it was left as stained wood.
The rest depends on the style of your room – you could always go in the other direction for a bit of that 80s oriental look and paint it black if you had some oriental red/black accents going on elsewhere in the room with venetian blinds etc…?
Be great to know what you decide in the end.
Thank you! I’m really grateful for your feedback. I have gone back and forth with this fireplace and wish there were a way for me to leave it as is. But that brown tile and all of those knots in the wood make me think it may pop if it were painted.
I never considered taking it in an Asian-style direction… That’s very interesting! Now I’m thinking glossy and sleek could be a good approach. Thanks so much!
Or… maraschino red? Or you could paint each piece of wood alternately red and/or some other color to make a slanted two tone color effect? ’80s paints were nearly always gloss, not matt.
I hear you on the gloss! I like the idea of alternating colors, or creating some sort of a gradient. I will definitely post an update when the job is done. We don’t move for another month, so I have some time to think about it/get paint samples. Thanks again for your comments!