It’s been a little over two weeks since we moved into our Marquette house and it is really starting to feel like our own! If you follow me on instagram you know that my week has been consumed by painting paneling.
Yes I decided that the Oak Planking was just a little too “Seventies North Woods” and it was time to give it an update. 
While looking through the file the sellers gave us about the house I found the original correspondence between the family and the builder where the family specified how important the wood planking was to them!
*This post contains some affiliate links* Before I could even start painting I had to do some serious cleaning. I discovered that my Bona Mop was perfect for reaching all of the spaces.
As usual Melaleuca Tough and Tender was my product of choice. This stuff really is the best. It got the years of grime and gunk off easily.
Then came the painting. To get good coverage it involved one coat of Kilz primer, followed by three coats of Benjamin Moore “Simply White”. Each coat involved edging and then painting down every single groove… I am SO thankful that it’s just about done!
I used the same edging brush that I use for everything. I love using this little short handled brush. I feel like I have so much more control than with a regular long handled brush. 
After a full week of painting here is how it looks now! Before starting this project I wasn’t thinking about replacing the hinges, so the new hinges are still on their way. I just couldn’t wait to share our progress with you though.
Along with waiting on the hinges, I also still need to do some caulking and touch ups in quite a few places.
The handles that I put on the built ins are a serious improvement over the dated handles they had. They are these ones that I got on Amazon *contains affiliate link*
We decided to mount the tv on an extendable swivel mount. That way we are able to pull it out and turn it for tv watching, but also put it back into the built ins when we’re not watching it. I’m not exactly sure how I’ll handle decorating the shelves around it.
So far the bull skull above the fireplace is the only piece of decor that has been unpacked or even hung up! I just love the way the white looks on the white paneling. 
I have plans to paint the metal fireplace black to help it fit better into the more modern decor. I’ve also considered some sconces at the tops of the built ins, because this room has no lighting!
Even though this room consumed my week, I love the way that it turned out and it will definitely be worth it. It feels so much lighter and brighter and way more modern. If you’ve got paneling or planking that you’ve been considering painting, I’d say to just bite the bullet and go for it!
I’m on the fence about if I should paint the brick or not. One of my favorite bloggers had a similar fireplace and after a year of contemplation decided to paint it and it turned out great. I think I’ll live with it like this for a while and then make a decision.
I also am planning on painting the baseboard heaters white. I think it will help them blend in a lot better.
Numerous times while painting I caught myself stopping just to stare into the backyard. The views here are ridiculously amazing and I still can’t really believe that we get to live here.
Actually just the other morning I walked down to see this amazing sunrise, right out our back window.
Now that this room is done it’s time to finally unpack our decor! So do you have any 70’s paneling in desperate need of an update?! I promise…. paint it and it will be worth it!
Looks awesome! I didn’t even notice the built ins before! I also love the skull above the fireplace!
Thank you so much! It’s my favorite part of the whole living room! The only bad part is now I can’t use him anywhere else! Well and that the boys think he is the perfect Nerf practice target!
Your paneling looks great! I painted 1950’s knotty pine paneling white close to 10 years ago and it still looks great. I used Kilz oil-based primer to block the oils or glues that are common in paneling and it has withstood the abuse of three kids and their friends in a much-used basement! Way to brighten up your family room!
That room looks twice as big now and looks like beaded board. What a awesome job!
Thank you so much!
Do not hesitate, paint your fireplace black, you will be happy for doing so. I had a fireplace like yours, it’s black now and looks great…………no regrets!
I will definitely paint it black! Thanks!
I think once you paint the fire insert, the brick will look soooo much better without painting it right now! We also live in a 1972 ranch style house. All paneling was painted 13 years ago! About time for a paint update I think!
Thanks! I will paint it black! 13 years is a long time though, I wish I could go that long until I have to paint again!
We did the same thing with our TV, and we love it. We still have to paint the yellow walls, but you can see the shelves here. http://thecandidpastorswife.com/2015/01/diy-built-ins-by-non-pros/
I love how you did yours! I think they look awesome!I really like the lighting you did above it too, I’m going to have to figure out something like that.
can this b peppie done on fake paneling also? i’ve been here going on 16 years and the darkness is awful. i keep 4 lights on all day and night. i have a screened/glassed in porch the length os my deen, so not much sun! write soon, please
Absolutely! We did it to fake paneling in our first house. Just use deglosser on it first and a good primer. I have having lights on during the day, so you will be amazed how much it will brighten it up!
The sunrise out the window looks like a beautiful painting. You have living artwork in your home. You should frame that window like a picture.
Doesn’t it?! It’s amazing the views from our living room. I’m going to print some of them and frame them.
Beautiful view out your window and the paneling looks so good!
Thank you so much!
Looks great so far, but I have a couple of ideas for you. Continue your paint to include the brick fireplace surround and mantle. I would paint them the same black that you used on the built-ins to each side. I would also paint our the window trim with the same white you have used on the walls. I think the floors would really look nice a darker shade of stain with a mid level of gloss. Keep up your great work! 🙂
Thank you so much for your input! I completely agree on the floors being a darker stain, hopefully we can do that within the next year. I hadn’t considered a black fireplace, but now that you mention it it would be pretty. Thanks so much!