(via Wood Paneling: The 60s Favorite Is Back | Apartment Therapy)

Besides being a testament to the fact that everything old is new again if you just wait long enough, I’m happy to see this article because I’ve always been a huge proponent of wood paneled walls.

When properly contextualized, wood paneling is like any other wooden neutral. It can be ugly or sublime, but that is heavily dependent on what it’s surrounded by. This particular example of wood paneling is extremely successful because it’s apried with clean lined, industrial looking furniture (how sexy is that classic tanker desk in red, right?), instantly toughening up what would otherwise be a little too log cabin-y.

Of all the examples used in the full article, I find it’s one of the very few which manages to not look particularly theme-y or vintage and where the wall is still secondary to the furniture in it, which is key. After all, wood paneled or not, it’s still just a wall, and it should serve as an accent, not as the focus of the entire room.

Wood paneling gets a bad rap because it’s associated with ancient rec rooms, complete with shag rugs, plaid furniture, and other “groovy” leftovers, but properly contextualized, nothing feels cozier. When paired properly with clean lined furniture and accessories, the only thing dated about wood paneling is our fear of it.