1930's Semi, is wood paneling in hall worth keeping?

[Compact]

Gutting my 1930's Semi and unsure of wood paneling in hallway.

I'm not sure it's 100% authentic, but it seems as though it's been there a long time.
For: Painted white then off white, could be interesting, better than plain wall
Against: Might not be to all tastes, I could insulate inside of outside wall as only have second skin.

So thoughts?
I am very much 50/50 on it
(hopefully these flickr links will come out)

Paneling
Stairs Panels
Front Door
Hallway to Kitchen

[greentown]

Definitely keep it - and the front door - beautiful.

[chopchopbusybusy]

I seriously doubt that it's original to the house. The only question really is do YOU like it. Personally, I couldn't live with it.

[FriendofDorothy]

I'd keep it. It adds character.

[ifeelloved]

I wouldn't no but I think it's personal choice. Do you like it? If yes, then keep it

[Housewifefromheaven]

Wow you really mean gutting!!

I would get rid, smooth walls for me every time. Love picture rails though. Good luck!

[RosemaryandThyme]

Door and surrounding windows gorgeous.

Love wood panneling up the stairs.
Would lower the rest of the wood panneling to half height, as even with light coloured paint it may still be a bit oppresive.

[MrsLettuce]

Please, please keep it!

At least the front door. 30's may not be the height of fashion now but it's time will come and probably really quite soon. Remember all the Victorian and Georgian original features that were ripped out in past decades? This is the new that. 'tis true.

Those hall floorboards look like they'd come up a treat too...

[MrsLettuce]

Oh and while paneling was popular in the 30's, if the house is early 30's it's possible it might have been added later to cover tiled walls. Is there any way you can take a peek behind it without destroying it?

[ArcticRoll]

Oh I love thirties design-please keep it all, beautiful front door.

[PessimisticMissPiggy]

Beautiful. I'm so jealous.

We're doing up our 1930's semi now and trying add back in typical features and complement with a modern take.

[sh77]

Please keep it! Ypu could make it gorgeous with interesting colour scheme. O am looking to buy some for my v long hall. V expensive.

[Pannacotta]

I would keep it but would paint it rather than using wood stain on it, to make the effect lighter and more modern.

I dont agree that its probably not original, 1930s houses did have wooden panelling in the hall and I cant imagine this being added at a later date but why not do some detctive work as MrsL suggests.
Love your front door too.

[DaisySteiner]

I'd keep it. I adore 1930s design, very . It reminds me of my parents 1930s semi except they have carefully and systematically removed any original features

[MrsLettuce]

Yes, I'd be interrogating gently questioning the neighbours too. WRT hidden fireplaces, tiling, features they a going to remove or have removed and stuffed in the shed etc.

[SophieNeveau]

Keep it, it would look lovely painted up a light colour or white. I agree keep the origional features if you can.

[Jacaqueen]

Keep it Keep it Keep it!

I think it does look original.

I would paint it a pale eggshell. Maybe a very very pale grey with a hint of the palest mauve on the wall. Or off white with a pale eau de nil on the walls.

[RoxyRobin]

This is very similar to the panelling in our hall, which is original. The previous owners had painted it white, then nailed some horrible fake-pine cladding on top .

DH stripped it back to the original and it looks lovely. Everyone in the street who's seen it wishes they still had theirs. But the main thing is I love it!

The previous lot had also replaced the original door with a crap modern one, but the neighbours still had their stained-glass one and we found someone who could reproduce it and insert it in a double-glazed panel.

I'm in favour of keeping these original features. Once they've gone, they've gone. And you can be too much of a slave to fashion.

[augustajones]

Keep it!

My Mum is selling her 1930's house and was telling me they stripped out all the wood panels. She really regrets it now.

If you strip it out you might as well live in a 70's semi on an estate...

[7to25]

I am almost 100% sure that these panels are original, but you should be able to see that when you did the extensive strip-out i.e. Did they have wallpaper behind them?
removing any original features is obviously a bad thing.

[IAmRubyLennox]

definitely keep it. It's fab, as is the front door.

[SwedishEdith]

We've got panelling like that on our stairs. Ours is stained and is horribly dark. So, I'd keep it but paint it. I'd keep the door even though I don't like that design . I'm not a fan of Art Deco but hate removing original stuff. I'd be more worried about whether that much glass in the door was safe and would consider replacing with a 1930's door with a circle stained glass window in the top half instead.

[Francagoestohollywood]

It is lovely! Keep it!

[Queenofcake]

I think it may well be original or at least put in in the 30's. It is very of that era and I have seen lots of other 30's housing with very similar.

Keep it.

[ToffeePenny]

I could live with it but I think you'd have to make it a feature rather than try and make it blend in. Maybe with a statement floor or fancy stairway:

Stark white with checkerboard floor

White again with an ornate banister

Off-white Victorian look

[tumbleweedblowing]

A nice off white semi-matt would look gorgeous.