G'day lovelies.
Guess what I've got on one small wall of the cottage?
Hip hip hooray, a line of panelling.
And please don't be put off by the word project (I so hate the way that conjures up horrid school tasks and mammoth undertakings), this is a project for the DIY challenged…a fairly easy job, even for us!
I know it's not for everyone, and yep I would prefer the real McCoy tongue and groove panelling that's oh about 100 yrs old, but for now, in this cottage, it is fandabbydozy.
We have been out most of the day, catching up with some friends from the Old Country at the beach (sneaked in a treasure hunting trip on the way home and found a treasure to makeover, hope to get that done soon), so when we came back and I walked in I was firstly pleased to see that it was still up and secondly very happy with how it is turning out…
As you know, the Dining Room (more on that here) is in the back of the house, the lovely 80's extension that has little character (and you must know by now those lovely patio doors) so it has been severely lacking any detail.
This magical beading gives it a kind of depth and a tad more character I suppose, and now, even though only two panels of it are up, the feel I was hoping for…a little bit Scandinavian is there already.
Of course it conceals the plain 80's feel to the wall and whispers nautical, hinting at the inside of a beach hut…or ship decking and exactly what I've felt has been missing and have been waiting for ages to change (I don't suppose I need to mention here how much I whined about that *wink).
I'm unsure as to what colour I will paint it, as I said, I fancy a new look and have thoughts of something other than white. Don't laugh. It certainly won't be very far from white, just a hint...wondering what your thoughts on that might be? Please feel free to leave them 
I was thinking along the lines of a very frenchy pale blue and I mean very pale, or perhaps a putty, and then I thought about a touch of stone…but I bet in the end I'll end up with Dulux Whisper White, just like about everything else in this old place..
Anyhoo, tonight is round two and the other wall.
There is only one problem with this here Project.
I want it everywhere and you know what that means!
Cheers
if you would like to see more pictures and Step by Step Instructions go here
Hi Sarah
It is looking great. And you have achieved the hardest part- getting started:)
Not white, OMG I had to pick myself up of the floor.
I love the pale grey but I am partial to stone. How about Dulux Hogs Bristile 1/2 strength or if that is too much for you try 1/4 strength?
Good luck. I can’t wait to see the finished project.
Hi Sarah,
For the moment stay with white…because you may gradually do more walls.
Meaning if eventually you have all of your walls in panelling, it would look much better in white or off/white, because then you won’t feel the need for colour, because the interest and texture is in the panelling itself.
Personally I think a colour such as blue would cheapen it. If your are hankering for a colour, go the rich neutrals as you mentioned, for depth, and more of a statement.
Yes…and I know what that means so you may want to take your time anyway then!!
Hello back again with comment/suggestion no.2
What do you think about this??
Leave the panelling white/off white, as suggested in comment above. Then if you have only a couple of walls done in the white/neutral panelling, paint the plastered walls a colour of your choice, say the blue or whatever.
Then if you get tired of the painted plastered walls in time, you may be ready to panel over them.
OK now, what do you think, of all that?
It would look great white as the panelling gives it a slightly different look to the pwhite of the plain walls
Alison
love the panelling and I think JMHO that a putty or off white would be the go! In our house we seem to have gone mad on Hogsbristle a colour by dulux I think…. anyway all the walls are now shades of this… I find it quite restful!
wow this will look fab ! well done !! I think white is right … and agree that the panel profile itself is enough to show the differece – espec once you top it with a rail – chair or otherwise – best le
Looking good! I’m stumped on the color, too. Been loving pale blues and greys these days. I do know, no matter what you choose you will make it beautiful!
Go for the color. It’s paint you can always paint it white.
Happy day to you!
Love it!! Looking absolutely amazing. And you found another treasure? I swear girlie – you are the luckiest. I never find anything.
Gorgeous, it looks wonderful already! Hugs, Cindy S.
I LOVE light grey blue. My living room is grey blue and everything looks beautiful against it. I would say go white for the paneling, though. And if you want color, paint the wall above it. I think if you end up painting the paneling a color other than white, you will not like it, and will end up painting it white anyway. But then again, it is just paint, and you can always repaint it. No big deal!
Can’t wait to see what you decide!
It looks beautiful! If you didn’t want to paint it white, I would go light grey but that’s just me. It’s fantastic in any color!
~Michelle
Looks beautiful already, can’t wait to see it painted, no matter what color you select. Isn’t it amazing what a little beadboard can do to a room?!
Kat
that will look so lovely when you’re done. mr. BC is doing a fab job. my husband always says “happy wife, happy life”.
kathi
I love the white as it is although on saying that I did think of pale blue before I read the full blog….great minds. There is another colour which would be good – a very pale yellow!!
I like the way it looks in the photo. On my computer screen it shows a hint of grey. Just enough to contrast but not stand out. I think the grey would go great with your color scheme!
hahahaha! you will be so tired!! anyway, it looks great and is worth every favor. still grinning! in that vein, i’m inspired to use beading in my guest bath. AND i’m going to slipcover my two wing chairs in white of some shade in my living room. let’s hear it for projects! jkj
I’m for the idea of keeping the paneling white and painting the walls. My first choice would be cranberry.
I agree with Beth, leave the paneling white and if you desire color – do it on the wall. I agree that a whisper of blue or stone would be wonderful…but like someone else said, if you painted the paneling a color and changed your mind (as “we” tend to do) you could paint right over it. You have great instincts so go for it!
Shades of white really show how pretty and golden your floor is.
Hello Sarah,
It looks brilliant! I’d stick with the white, in my humble opinion. But I also agree with the others who suggest that painting above the panelling is the way to go for a colour shot.
Did you say blue??? Wow! (heehee!) I can’t wait to see what you decide!
It looks lovely so far, Sarah! I like the idea of painting it a very pale blue, as you mentioned. Maybe even a pale gray? Whatever you decide will be lovely!
Smiles,
Rachel
A light, light grey or tan would look fab along with all your other pretties. Can’t wait to see where this goes…
I hope you remain with your faithful white. It is why I love your blog so much.
How about a very pale duck egg blue? Personally, i love white or off white, but I recently saw a beautiful colour of duck egg blue with white trim that looked sensational. Whether I’d actually do it though is another matter.
Then again, you could always get the paint man to do a sample pot of double strength Whisper White, which would stay in the tone, but give it a bit of depth. That way you wouldn’t be changing it, just adding a bit of interest. Do you plan to put a chair rail along the top edge? If so, give it an undercoat before you put it up, that way it seals it all and is less fiddly to paint later. It’s all looking terrific! Well done.
Lesley
Either way you go with the color, it is going to be a lovely new addition!!
Looks great! And adds to the whole beachy look. I love this sort of beading and always hanker for a bathroom clad in it and it would be white, white and more white.
However I must agree with a previous poster sue, I also think it looks great in the pale putty sort of colour that it is right now (well thats how it looks on my screen) it is just enough to set off the white around it and would tie in with the stripe of your tablecloth ( you know the blue and pale putty colour stripe one).
cant wait to see what you come up with, I’m sure it will look great
)
O Sarah it is looking wonderful….cannot wait to see it painted!!
I also love the way it looks right now, so I’d go with a grey or grey with just a hint of blue! Gorgeous against the white walls!
Hi from Russell & Mackenna! We love your blog and we also LOVE bead board! Check out the bead board in our “Bethany Beach Bench Locker” which can be found at http://www.russellmackenna.com. We especially love it in our special coastal colors- Blue Bayou & Mojito !
I just Love bead board… and it looks so great in your room… the hardest part is just getting started with it,, then it is easy… are you going to put up a chair rail? what style will you use….. can’t wait to see it all done.. . have fun and a great week.
Hugs;
Alaura
I agree with the putty colour – and a light chair rail on top! It’s looking great!
It looks glorious! I was just thinking this morning after flicking through an interiors mag that I would love something like that in our family room – you have given me more inspiration
I love it, but going against the grain and saying not white…certainly nothing bold bold either, putty colour strikes my fancy. It would pick up some of the other natural wood tones you have around the place beautifully….just MHOP lol
Love the panelling Sarah – it makes the dining room pop without being in your face. If it was my room I’d be leaning towards putty.
It’s funny how colour starts to creep in. Our beach house started with all white and a little bit of blue but then came the putty. Just a little hint here and there and then some more and slowly it is creeping into every room. LOL
Can’t wait to see the finished photos of the dinig room.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
Hi Sarah. I love this panelling. Can I ask where you found it? I’m in Australia (Melbourne) and am having trouble locating bead board. I love all of your photography. Cheers.
I love the color white too because my rooms wall is color white.
Deirdre G
That looks great so far. And i am with Sue (think it was Sue), the putty grey it comes out in the photo looks good.
Sarah, love the gray..I have the new book, Pale and Interesting….lots of gray used with white, of course. You’re right on with your beadboard!