Decorating A Victorian1800s Wood Paneled Room That Has Built In Bookcases And A Fireplace

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ASVInteriors

I agree with Handymam, I am looking at your carpet and it has richer warmer colours, tonally there is a clash going on - too white too harsh.

handymam

Needs to be wrmer, like your floor. Maybe even a very light golden white.

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Comments (1)

You can paint the paneling behind a different color than the built ins can be white or a creamy white like mascarpone or a light gray

Need help with built-in bookshelves and fireplace!

Comments (14)

I'd paint the cabinets and mantel white. Paint the back wall of the cabinets the wall color. This looks really great. You'll probably want to get glass cut for the top of the cabinets. Otherwise, you'll forever be touching up scratches and dings. As long as you are doing the work, I'd look at putting the tv over the fireplace. This might mean a smaller and/or lower mantel and maybe a smaller tv, but it would give the tv a great built in look, and it would get rid of the asymmetry from having the tv off to the side.

Staining wood floors but now wood paneling and bookshelves?

Comments (9)

michellenan - we have been slowly painting all the oak trim and doors as well. We had the cabinets professionally done. They sprayed the doors and drawer fronts and rolled the cabinet facing. I'm glad - it has held up pretty well considering I have two kids under 4. There are some dings and nicks which I touch up as they occur. You can somewhat see the grain through the paint but it doesn't really bother me. Someday we'll redo the kitchen, but as you said new cabinets are VERY expensive, and once I start thinking about all new cabinets, then I start thinking about moving electrical and plumbing and changing the layout and the costs skyrocket. This was a workable 15 year solution!

Too many book shelves to fill

Comments (18)

Shannon, thanks for your suggestions. I do have two more adjustable sconces like the ones on the ceiling, and I was planning to mount them in the alcoves on new bulkheads, sacrificing the upper shelves. These areas are quite gloomy at night. There's a picture light hardwired over the fireplace, so I can tap into this switch. And in case you're wondering...yup that's a buzzer below the light switch! There's an annunciator in the kitchen (from the days when there were house maids) and this room comes up as Library. Our comical version of Downton Abbey meets Nova Scotia! And I do like the idea of painting out the back walls. I'd fill them in with beadboard if the shelves weren't fixed. Paint is certainly easier! And now I'm thinking of filling in the bottom shelves all around the room (with drawers or doors) to create some hidden storage, reduce the visual clutter and match what's already going on on the left side of the fireplace. No idea what's behind that bottom panel...

Heather M
Original Author

Close up so you can see the paneling.

Heather M
Original Author

Agreed. Must be warmer. I was going with advice to use the paint strip I used for the walls, only lighter. I guess I went too far!

PRO

HERE Design and Architecture

Painting the backs of shelves is something I do pretty frequently. I always use either a saturated color or a dark one. This balances visually with the items in the shelves, and makes it so that they can even be kind of messy and full and still look good.

collettec

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

I would paint the back of the bookshelves the same color as the walls. This is too white.

qam999

Diagonal boards must be ripped out.

The whole bookshelf wall is overwhelming and it makes the fireplace look and feel little and squashed. Do you really need so many shelves? If not, then please consider removing shelves completely. You can then reface the fireplace with a more attractive material and make the outside dimension wider so it looks more appropriately scaled.

PRO

Interior Analysis

Simple fix - just get thin plywood cut it the size of the shelves and rap them with fabric what ever you like. It will perk it up without spending money.

Heather M
Original Author

For those of you who may have missed earlier posts, this is an interim effort to make the space do-able. We don't have the funds currently to re-do the wall, which is what I will ultimately do down the road.

Heather M
Original Author

So I'm finding online articles that suggest wall liner to cover paneling. Sounds like it's a super thick wallpaper that is paintable (or then I could wallpaper over). Has anyone used this product? Would so love to make the paneling disappear.

PRO

Interior Analysis

check out my earlier suggestion cheap and easy and you can do it yourself

decofriend

Hi Heather, You are my kinda gal, ready for plan B. I actually like the textured background provided by the paneling. Like handyman suggested, now that you have the brown covered, paint with your wall paint or at least 1/2strength. I would go ahead and paint the shelving a rich cream too and paint for diagonal boards over mantle. this is a tempo fix that will make a big change.

handymam

Heather, I have used paper like that. But I really recommend you try adjusting the color first. You are still going to have to paint the paper anyway... You may actually be not liking the color of the shelves themselves. Sharon and Sherri both posted some lovely options for shelving units that are built in...

Charnelle Els

Definitely the same colour as your walls needed. Do above the mantle while you're at it. The wooden panels give a nice texture and it's temporary anyway so don't waste too much time on it.

PRO

Sherri Fitzgerald - Ultimate Decor

Handyman is right. You will still need to paint that type of wallpaper and if you can't remove the shelves you will find that each back piece will need to be a custom fit because as shelves dry and settle the spaces are never exactly the same...I know from experience!!!! LOL...what seems like a quick solution will be time consuming. However if you have the time and patience .....that type of wallpaper will cover the paneling well.

Heather M
Original Author

Thank you so much deco, handymam, charnelle, and Sherri! I think you're right. I'll give it another shot and see how it looks. I'm fine just playing around and seeing what works--the whole wall is kind of an odd compilation of stuff between the tile, paneling, etc... I was wondering about the wall liner in the interest of possibly putting up wallpaper as was suggested before. I can't imagine putting up wallpaper on paneling without some sort of prep, and the wall liner was one of the suggested methods. BUT...like I said...you've talked me into trying a different color! I'm thinking the same gold as the walls might be too much since it's a really big room. I've posted two pictures of the entire space to give some perspective--and reposted the one that has the rug and couches (and the dog bed which eventually won't be there). What do you all think: more gold or cream? (Keep in mind...we just moved in three weeks ago from a much smaller space, so we are just getting settled.)

PRO

Sherri Fitzgerald - Ultimate Decor

Often when I work with a client and need a light color we take the paint sample swatch with from the wall color and look at the color at the top. In this case it should be creamy. It should complement the walls too.... being from the same family. If it is too light just go one more color deeper.

Heather M
Original Author

Actually, that's what I used! So perhaps I'll just go one step down. Looking at it, it almost makes me wonder if the guy didn't tint the paint correctly...? Thanks!

Charnelle Els

You have a nice space. I love the floors. Please post more photo's once repainted, I'm super curious now as to how it will turn out. Enjoy it.

decofriend

Just back Heather and love your space! That big trunk is terrific. Would you want to leave the bit of rustic wood above the fireplace to carry that lament from the trunk. Love your dog too!

PRO

Patty Eades

Paint it the same color as the walls.............leave the wood

decoenthusiaste

You can paint a piece of poster board which you cut to fit the back of the cabinet. Let it dry and put it in to see if it is right. I'd say just go up or down two colors on the color strip. I prefer the lightest color on the strip for ceilings if you're into that much work. With all your light and windows you could take the wall color down to the darkest value on the strip, the bookcase backs to the middle color and ceiling for the lightest.

Nancy Walton

I have used the liner paper over a cheesy plastic tile in a bathroom. It covered all the cracks, providing an absolute flat surface for the wallpaper. It works great, so if you come do to that, rest assured it will do the job.

kurloon

I'd go with the wall color, paint the diagonals, and look for a great piece of art to cover most of that space above the fireplace. Be done, live with it for a bit, and move on. Looks like a great room. I'd love to have all those bookshelves!

Susan Kingston

I personally like the light paint on the back of the bookcases and would not add any cover up. The paneling is traditional and lovely. Consider cutting a piece of sheetrock to fit exactly over the mantel, painting it to match either the walls, the paneling in the bookcases or a shade in between. (Easy to paint before you install). Then slide in place, use a few nails to secure, touch up the nail holes and you're done. The tile around the fireplace appears to be a different undertone than gold, so the next step might be to get something that works better and tile over it. Lovely room.

bonnieinflorida

I love the look of the wood paneling, and a gold color just a bit lighter than the walls should provide a beautiful background for the books and other items you put on the shelves. I'm looking forward to seeing a photo as soon as you dress the shelves.

decoenthusiaste

Back to the top... and to the original paint strip I suggested. That's where you'll find the right color!

decofriend

Hi Heather! Just wondering what you decided for your bookcase project.

PRO

Jim Lamb Designs

Paint the backs of the book cases a color and use it as accents in the room. Also, paint the shelves the white of the trim. The dark brown is not helping at all!

bonnieinflorida

After enlarging all of the photos you have posted, I think you should paint the paneling behind the shelves the same color that is on the walls. This can be a lovely room without spending a lot of money. Sometime in the future maybe replace the curved trim at the top with a simple, traditional molding. Also, I would paint the two horizontal gold-tone strips on the fireplace with black enamel. I think it would improve the look of the fireplace immensely. Looking forward to see what you do with this room!

Heather M
Original Author

deco--I have gotten sidetracked by work and...life! So yes, I'm still living with two different colors on the bookshelves. :) But I have also hung some curtains among other things, which have helped me better envision the options. I think I'm going to try the gold color on the walls on the wall behind the bookshelves. My dad had an interesting idea: buy some thin paneling without slats, cut it to size, paint, and slip it in. That way, I could do away with the texture. I have to do a little more research to see if that would work. At the very least, that might be what I end up doing with the funky section of paneling above the fireplace. I'll be working on everything this weekend. Stay tuned for more pics! bonnie--I like the idea for the fireplace. I wouldn't have thought of that.

decoenthusiaste

Luan will work for that! Light, thin and highly paintable surface. Have used it to cover and it will hide the standard paneling.

bonnieinflorida

I'm still not sure why you want to hide the paneling instead of painting it. I think it adds interest.

Heather M
Original Author

OK! At last, I have an update. Here is that before picture one more time...

decoenthusiaste

Good job! Did you use the luan on the part above the mantel? Looks like the wood is covered there. BTW, you don't need knicky knack stuff. Larger items actually show better. If you have "smalls" group them in threes. and if they're identical, lift some up on books so there is variety in the visual. Try 1/3 books - arranged vertically and in stacks, 1/3 decor items - larger is better, 1/3 open space. I still hope you'll replace the mirror with art and paint the brass FP trim with heat proof black paint.

bonnieinflorida

What an improvement! I'd like to echo decoenthusiaste's advice regarding not bothering with knick knacks. Save that precious space on your shelves for books and for things that you love. And the black paint will make another big difference when you cover the gold (or brass color) strips. Also agree about replacing the mirror with art.

handymam

It looks great and I am glad that you are happy enough with the end result. It is only you that matters!

PRO

Rococo & Taupe, Inc.

I would have reversed it and left the paneling the wood and painted the bookcases and mantel like the pic I'm posting as an example.

designbug

Yes, Keith! I'm really surprised that no one else suggested this!

Heather M
Original Author

We wanted to keep the wood on the bookshelves, and if I could just do away with all the paneling without a ton more work, I would. To each their own. :)

Heather M
Original Author

Thanks everyone. Yes, we will replace the mirror with art (the mirror has another intended destination). As I said over and over, I just don't HAVE a lot of stuff.

valeriegroom

This is a work in progress, similar dated shelving, painted and stenciled (before and in progress)

PRO

Sherri Fitzgerald - Ultimate Decor

Hi Heather! Nice job! The shelving looks much better! As an interior decorator I know all about a work in progress!! Sometimes it takes months or years to get everything the way you want it. Especially when its a new home and you want your touch to be in every room! I am posting a few nicely decorated shelves to give you some ideas on what to look for when you are shopping as time goes by ...and they will also give you ideas on how to arrange what you already have. Because you have a lot of shelves try putting weightier items on the two or three bottom shelves... things like books or even a few matching baskets that have color or a printed material....then put a few nicely placed items on the upper shelves. Happy Decorating!

Living Room with bookcase & accessories · More Info

Heather M
Original Author

Thought I would post an update to this crazy thread. Here's where this oh so long-term project stands today!

misslorijean

I like that you got rid of the top Scalloped Edge, made it nice & clean by modernizing it ...now you need to up date your fireplace tile to complete your remodel. That will help make the room look more inviting.

Mary Anne McAdams

I agree! The tile could be taken off possibly and replaced. There are so many interesting stone options!