Although I love your bookcases, it might help buyers who prefer a more modern-look to envision themselves in your home, if you were to remove them rather than paint the timber work. Are the gyprocked walls a nice neutral white? If not then a single-coat to freshen and brighten the room would be a lesser expense to painting over timber panelling

I'd leave it. It is making a come back.

Paint the wall behind the fireplace. A cool-tone white.

Pare the furniture back- bookshelves need to go. Move sofa away from window. Get rid of old curtains- if there is no privacy issue- leave with no window furnishings. Perhaps you've already done this- the photo looks like an old real estate photo.

Thanks for advice everyone. Unfortunately there is no furniture now and walls that are yellow are now white. This is an old photo. Agent says paint all walls white and leave wood trim. Stylist says paint all walls and trim. I am in a confused state as I like the timber. When we tried to sell several years ago agent says that people said house looked tired. What to do??

Thought I should post another photo of kitchen area. What do you think of this?

can the odd light fittings be positioned on the timber wall instead of across the corner? lose the kitchen window curtains, freestanding bookshelves, all hanging saucepans, plates, floor rug any personal ornaments and the table runner and with the new white walls and plain off white curtains for the sliding door and only a bowl of granny smiths on the table it will look fresh and ready for a new owner

Is this an old photo also? It does look tired and dated in the photos, but it sounds like you've done some updates since the first photo was taken. It would be useful to post some current photos so we can give you better advice.

Fabulous! Thanks for that. This really helps give perspective. You've done a great job 'cooling down' your colour pallet. I agree with Christine- get rid of all the curtains/swags (this will help continue to neutralize the colour scheme).

Looking at these pictures, I think you'd be crazy to paint over the timber panelling. It is an intrinsic part of the architectural-style of your home. It is a gorgeous treehouse with amazing views!

With the $$ you were going to spend on painting (read as- zinzser sealing, multiple coats of white paint over the timber panelling = very expensive job potentially) INSTEAD look at replacing the kitchen, including new appliances, benchtop- all white/stainless steel. At the very least, a cheaper option- get the cabinet fronts sprayed white, new cabinet knobs/pulls, replace bench top with plain stone (no pattern or texture due to the slate floor) and new stove/oven. I think the most unforgiving, dated part of your home is the kitchen.

I agree it's a fantastic house I have a similar one with updated kitchen etc, Removing any swags and the painting done this is a more updated look.

I'ts a shame that it's empty, how much would it cost to get someone to style a couple of rooms, kitchen dining lounge and take a few great photos for the purpose of selling, you could enlarge and frame some to hang on the wall so that you wouldn't have need to keep hiring furniture. Kitchen table chairs and a large choir rug, lounge with coffee table and a couple of lamps, no clutter would really help. Where do you live we could all come by and help!

Thanks so much for your input. I have enquired about a stylist and she is the one who suggested we paint everything white- walls, kitchen (which I agree with), stair balustrade, cupboards, window and door frames, wardrobes etc. I know the curtains have got to go and kitchen needs updating. Would you think all white or what about a black benchtop? I think we will just get sprayed and not replace as new owners might hate my kitchen anyway. I love your idea of enlarging the photos if it can be styled with some furniture.. I live in the Southern Highlands. Thanks Beth

Hi Beth, would you try just getting a couple of rooms styled with furniture first and save time and money, different stylists have different ideas, "more than on way to kill a rabbit" my Gran used to say, being in the highlands your timber could be really appreciated. We have an 80's house with lots of brick and timber which we love along with a lot of othes. Even if you paint the kitchen it would most likely be ripped out. x

Surely for resale, the most important thing is that the house is as blank of a canvas as possible!

So does that mean you think we should paint as much as we can white including wood panelling? Is that what you mean by having a "blank canvas"?

Beth

No, you have to "set the stage" most people cannot visual things like we can, a blank canvas, not sure where that comes from, you need to present the house cheers

I would just leave it as the raw material. Yes white is more 'blank' but if you leave it as is they can retreat the wood, or paint over easily how they want.

Hope this has helped

The agent says to paint all the walls and kitchen. She said best not to put in a kitchen as new owners would probably remodel and change kitchen any way. Stylist says paint everything white including skirts, window frames etc.