[QUOTE=Krystyna;6785825]And I am NOT a fan of paneling. There is a 5 gallon pail of very pale yellow paint that I was hoping my son and husband would apply to the walls ... but ... well, you know how that goes, so I've decided to hire my neighbor. Better to spend a few hundred dollars and have it done than be angry with my loved ones./QUOTE]
Wow, that's a TON of space. And all yours!
I painted some old paneling in my mother's home years ago - she was selling and needed to (inexpensively) lighten up that room. I vaguely remember I had to use an oil primer so it would stick and not peel off. Other than wiping it down before I started, I didn't have do anything else to prepare the walls. It was amazing the effect it had on the room.
A pale yellow, or any other lighter color, will brighten the place up immediately. And make it seem it even larger.
Please post some pics after the painting. Enjoy all that space.