apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

which is before and which is after?

I say that if you want to lighten it up, sand and restain the wood a lighter shade. It is quite dark, but I don't think painting it would solve your problem. The wood is much too beautiful to cover up!

I love the wood and think the shade is beautiful. If you want to brighten the room try more lighting!

If you paint this, there is no hope in the world! It is BEAUTIFUL the way it is. I would, however, change the wall colors. They are what are making it feel dark. The whites are very dull, and the colors don't pop. There are SO many cool things you could do to make the space modern and light without touching the beautiful wood!

NO! If you ever change your mind it will be worse than a tattoo. Very expensive and a pain in the a** to remove and it will never look as good as you did before you altered it.

oh no! please, I BEG you do not paint it. Plus it would be so much more interesting to incorporate a modern look via wall color or lighting and furnishings. You are so lucky to have such stunning millwork in your home - treasure it.

I'm usually for painting dark wood trim if it doesn't work with the color scheme, but in this case (specially looking at the furniture and color scheme on the first picture) it works well as it is. But if you are changing you scheme and you really want a lighter feel, I say go for it. It's just paint.

Why would you want to paint those beautiful solid oak built-in bookcases, doorcasings and baseboards? Painting over this gorgeous wood will not help your resale value down the road, and will increase your maintenance by requiring repainting down the road, whereas the wood just needs occassional polishing.

I would instead paint and/or wallpaper the walls and ceilings deeper and richer colors that are the same depth and intensity of the wood tones to help balance the room visually, and still compliment your furniture choices.

NO! Frank Lloyd Wright would have slapped your wrist if he even knew you were considering painting it!

don't do it! you WILL regret it - maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but one day! and whoever has the house next will hate you as they painstakingly remove all the paint from the beautiful woodwork.

Paint the walls, leave the wood!

Don't do it. I spent several summers putting woodwork BACK to wood after painting. It takes hours in the backyard with icky stripping chemicals and THEN staining, AND varnish. Not good.

Anybody can have paint. New construction has paint. Old wood is priceless.

~k

I think you've done a WONDERFUL job of making that wood look rich and warm. Your windows are gorgeous.

My vote is to leave it.

Nooo! Don't do it! Someone painted the 5'5" tall wainscoting in my apartment and then stripped it later on. It still looks nice, but it has little marks where you can tell it was stripped and is a little discolored.

No, PLEASE, don't paint the wood. Every person who lives there after you will wish you ill. Paint the walls and add lighting.

had to come back to this post.. you live in a traditional prairie style home, from what i can tell. do online image searches of Frank Lloyd Wright or prairie style homes to see how other residents have brightened their rooms. you'll see that they kept their lovely wood and used ways other than painting over it to accomplish what you want.

Normally I'm not a fan of natural woodwork because the examples I see are often cheap looking. But yours is great -- the tone and grain really warm up the space. Maybe you could experiment with paint/wallpaper and lighting first.

It's gorgeous and looks to be in great condition. Not sure if this is sacrilege on the site, but why not talk to a designer about a way to keep the wood and get your desired effect? One consultation with a decorator can give you years' worth of ideas for your house.

The house I grew up in has extremely similar woodwork, when my parents bought it every piece of woodwork was painted white and most of my childhood was spent stripping it off. The little grooves in the wood make it very difficult. Please don't do it! One thing my mom did to lighten the wood was to scrub it with methyl hydrate to remove the old varnish, the varnish had gotten very very dark over the years sanded the floors too. The paint we used in the living room was a very pale gold, it makes the woodwork sparkle and is very cozy. A pale teal/mint green also looks beautiful with this woodwork. Anything with red/orange/pink undertones looks bad with it

please please please, no.

It's your place, of course, but ... it seems to me that high-quality original woodwork, still in such beautiful condition, is a great resource that it would be a shame to waste. I think your home looks beautiful as it is, though I agree with ashbadger that adding more lighting could make these rooms feel much brighter and more spacious. I like the subtle contrast between the older woodwork and sleek modern furnishings; from the photos they seem to compliment, rather than fight with, one another.

My first thought was "eek, no!" Why? Because for one, the woodwork appears to be in excellent condition and, second, I think just painting the walls in more contemporary (current trends-nothing muddy-cooler tones) colors would be enough to lighten up the place. The oak graining is quite heavy which is probably the most disconcerting part, so if it really bothers you, I agree with revolution 9 poster that restaining a lighter tone would be more appropriate for (what appears to be) the excellent condition of this home, but, whoa, what a job that would be!

Another consideration(in addition to painting) would be to lighten the floor a shade to two.

I would definitely leave it - the next homeowners (if you move one day) will thank you. It looks gorgeous as it is!
Tabitha - http://www.fromsingletomarried.com

Oak that beautiful doesn't even exist anymore. You have wood that is so precious! Look at the figuring on it! Those logs must have been huge. (A little sad to think about, but that's reality). I think you can do a lot with the space by painting the walls, for one. My friend who lives in a Craftsman re-did her kitchen completely modern, and it works so well. Light colors, crisp, clean edges...

Go for it. I'd paint them for sure. The next person who lives in the house will not wish you ill. They'd obviously notice the paint before buying. So if they want to strip them, they'll know what they're in for.

But really, there is so much talk all the time about resale and thinking about what the next person will want. Why not think about what you want instead? It is your house after all.

Painting your walls white would also look lovely though if you decide against painting the trim.

Paint your walls a warm yellow-gold and get some light area rugs. Try all of your other options before painting that woodwork -- I agree that you will regret it if you paint.

I personally voted no...I love woodwork, especially in Craftsman style homes. But if it will make you happy, do it. Just keep in mind reversing it can be time consuming!

Oh god that tiger oak is gorgeous. Please don't cover it up. The whole point of an arts and crafts bungalow are these types of finishing details. Not to be adversarial, but I'm wondering why you'd purchase this style of home if, in the end, you want to obscure the very features that make this kind of home beautiful?

And I have to ask... are you thinking white just because you've been looking at so much apartment therapy and MCM styling in all the catalogs of late? Don't give in to the latest trend just cuz it's all you're seeing. Your place is beautiful. Keep it light with white walls, offwhite carpeting, offwhite window treatments, and light upholstery colors. But please leave the wood alone. You'll be glad you did.

I'm going to have to be one of the few dissenting opinions here and say that if you think painting will make your home brighter and look more cottage-y/modern, then you should go for it. I agree with many people here that your wood is beautiful and the look and style you've accomplished is lovely, but you're the one who has to live with it day in and day out. I live in Chicago in new-ish construction that came with the same old granite countertops and cherry cabinets and medium stained wood floors that virtually every new or rehabbed place has, and my friends tell me I'm crazy to consider painting my cabinets and floors white - that it's perfectly good and fine wood so why cover it up? They would host an intervention if they could. But the wood, though fine, is just not my preference. So if you think it would be more to your style to paint, then do it! I support you! And while I like your wood, I think paint would look great too. And I would contest the notion that it will automatically deduct from your property value - if it's done properly and with care, it will be fine.

If you ever think of selling again I would vote against painting the woodwork - especially because it is in such great shape! While painted woodwork does create a more modern feel, it also need more upkeep with chipping, fading, etc and will show dirt and scuffs more. Why not try a brighter paint palatte on the walls or add more bright and clean-lined furniture to play up the modern feel. Original artwork and prints can also help create a melding between old and new.

You can ceruse it. It's a type of wash. It'll brighten it up with out changing the fact that it's wood. Then a light sanding will remove it when you need the change.

oak would take a lime wax nicely, and would slightly lighten it...
not as drastic as painting, and a nice half-way between keeping as is and changing to white.

Oh, honey, no. Not original bungalow built-ins in great condition, made of exquisite old-growth oak. Paint veneer, paint crappy new pine, paint 70s paneling, but this? Just, please don't. It's gorgeous. Try new lighting solutions, or new wall paint, or brightly colored helium balloons, I don't care, but for heavens' sakes, don't cover up that gorgeous wood.

If you want a "modern feel', buy a modern house instead of ruining a good historic house.

I used to be of the mindset of never, ever, EVER painting over wood. I worked in a restaurant that is a converted craftsman bungalow. They remodeled and painted the beautiful wood trim. I thought I was going to quit right there and then. But it was gorgeous. Just spectacular. It lightened up the whole room and updated the space significantly. If that's what you want to do, go for it!

You've given me an idea what the trim in my apartment would look like if someone hadn't painted it. It's gorgeous. I know everyone is tempted to change things, mix them up, go for a different look. I don't know how to discourage you from making such a mistake - for one, painted trim looks ok! I'm not seriously unhappy with the white trim I have, but I don't really have a choice. If I owned, I would probably put it on the list of things to undo. Look around, you are itching to change something, why? Why does it have to be the wood trim?

Oh my god, please don't! I am absolutely frothing at the mouth in envy of your GORGEOUS unharmed wood! PLEASE DON'T DO IT! Serious, it is so absolutely stunning...please appreciate what you have here, this is something that is NOT worth molesting.

Nay! You have special, unique, hand-crafted details. And it looks great with your furniture.

White trim is so ordinary. Why would you want your home to look like a spec house?

I voted in favor of paint, but the more I think about it, I am realizing that it's your paint colors that are too dark. Brighten your walls with lovely white paint (or other bright color) and put the glass panels back in - I think another mistake is that the glass isn't visible anymore - did you cover the panels with wood? The combo of white (or yellow or orange) with wood and other bright colors would be better. If you had the glass, you could also install interior lighting that would glow.

I say get out the paint bucket, but only for the small windows: the dark borders darken the room, and make the windows look smaller than they already are.

I would re-finish the rest of the woodwork (trim, built-in cabinets, doorway shelf thingys) to a medium brown at the lightest - if you go too light, I fear it'll start to take on a look that's far too IKEA for such masterful woodwork.

(obviously this is an exaggeration), but if you want a place that is modern with painted woodwork, sell this and move elsewhere. This is actually making me angry, haha.

Actually, if you must paint white, why not paint the floor instead of the woodwork? It doesn't have a patina now anyway, and it's much easier to get rid of the paint later if it's on the floor.

"If you want a 'modern feel', buy a modern house instead of ruining a good historic house"

I agree so much. It's your home, so ultimately no one here can tell you what to do with it, but it's unfortunate to see such beautiful craftmanship be covered in paint. If the wood is too dark, I would consider better lighting, softening it with curtains on the windows, different wall paint colors.

two things... painting craftsman style wood will bring it closer to Victorian (freethinking adventurous socially progressive Victorian, but still Victorian. And it will make the space brighter

but/and

mid century modern furniture really comes alive when it collides with other styles, it challenges and is challenged in return... to me nothing is duller than a midcentury house all tricked out in its period furnishings, it's pedantic and everything disappears

The Eames's were actually all about mixing toys and baroque candelabra and folk objects and antique pieces with their amazing clean bright furniture

mix and unmatch MORE

P.S. Contrary to some opinions above, paint isn't really reversible. What makes the wood so gorgeous now is its 100-year-old patina. If you strip the wood, the patina will be gone, and it'll take 50 years to look like this again. In the meantime, it will look like new McMansion construction.

I would not paint the wood trim..it is lovely...& I am usually all for white trim. I do think however, you could try to change the wall color and you could paint the room divider/half-walls to match the walls. Leave the top trim and bottom trim on those...just paint the panels themselves. That would lighten up the transition between the two rooms. The windows and doorways are gorgeous though. I'm afraid you will regret it in the end.

Philip, I agree with your "but/and" SO much!

Oh dear lord NO. The woodwork is gorgeous! I can't stand when people take such beautiful, historical craftsmanship and destroy it to match the sofa. :(

"If you want a 'modern feel', buy a modern house instead of ruining a good historic house"

I was going to say this - but I was afraid I'd be accused of being snarky...

If you must have updated/painted/modern, there are hundreds of modern houses and lofts for sale right now at fire-sale prices - it's a buyer's market. Get yourself one of them and sell this beautiful and unique bungalow with it's gorgeous woodwork to someone who'll appreciate it for exactly what it is.

My husband and I recently moved into a bungalow similar to yours (but without the gorgeous buffet!). If the wood had been painted, we probably would have bid significantly less on the house and would have been willing to walk away from the deal. I'm serious. The wood patina was the #1 draw to the house and I'm not sure I'd want to live there without it.

Why are they asking? They still have a Christmas tree they will never get round to painting.

Modify the photos of your rooms in Photoshop, or even MS Paint. Change the woodwork to a paler color, to white, to black. If you like the white look in your house, then try covering it with butcher block paper for a week.

It's very difficult to undo paint, but fairly easy to do a virtual reality check!

I wish the previous owners of our house had posted their question here first - the chorus of NOOOOOOs may have altered the course of a terrible mistake!

I'm with Jezebella who commented above. I am in general not an old house purist. I think there are updates that should be made because a house should be a home, not a museum and there is wood trim that doesn't make me the slightest bit sad to paint. But painting that gorgeous wood would be sacrilege. PLEASE leave it be. And I have while woodwork in my house and it is a HUGE pain to keep clean, needs frequent re-painting. Honestly. PLEASE please don't do it. It is beautiful as is. Brighten up the paint on the walls and leave that beautiful woodwork as it was intended.

You're right in thinking something isn't working aesthetically - but it's the extreme contrast between the light walls and dark woodwork that is making you tempted to paint the wood, not the wood itself. Choose a darker value to paint the walls (yellow ochre, burnt sienna, even a much darker shade of the current color) and once you match a color that enhances the wood, it will look AWESOME. Also, adding a few things with patterns (pillows, oriental rug) will also add warmth to the space to make it feel more inviting.

As an interior designer, I would strongly advise against painting the woodwork. I know it's tempting when you see all the photos of crisp white woodwork but it is one of those decisions you cannot reverse easily. More importantly, I supposed you purchased your home for the charm of the bungalow style and stained woodwork is a hallmark of this period where hand crafted details were highly prized.

I grew up in a house built in 1840 and my father spent the better part of my teenage years scraping paint off of oak windows and trim that had been hidden with paint. Nothing can replace the character and quailty of hardwood. My suggestion would be to brighten up the room with paint, furnishings and some great fabrics. Artwork is a must. I would give this advice for any homeowner, even if their woodwork was white:) You have done a lovely job so far but the scale of the furniture is a bit small for your rooms.

MyDesignSecrets.com

Painting the walls a darker color will actually make the woodwork seem lighter, it is the contrast between the pale walls and the oak that is making it seem dark. My mother has a bungalow with a much darker stain on her woodwork. She painted the living room sky blue and the dining room cantaloupe orange. The wood tones now seam much richer, less flat/dark and the rooms are brighter/warmer.

If you paint that woodwork you have sinned.

Take it from an atheist.

Funny, I have painted woodwork in my house and for the past four years I've been trying to psych myself up to strip it, but I dread the process so much that it hasn't happened. I say do what you want to do, but be really sure you want it painted before you commit.

Please, I beg you, do NOT paint it!

I say paint it. My friend bought a little bungalow very much like yours. It felt dark heavy and small until he painted everything white. Now it feels modern. The only thing he left unpainted were the dark wood beams on the ceiling.

Whether or not you paint (and I would) please put some tall furniture under those high windows.

Ha ha! Everyone's responses are so great! Happy Halloween, I just watched Rosemary's Baby for the first time in a while. What's the first thing sweet Rosemary does when she moves into the most beautiful apartment on earth?!?! See paints EVERYTHING white/pale yellow... It makes the apartment cheerful and young... it's proof that you CAN paint the wood if you WANT to. The wood is beautiful, but think of it as a color, and paint your walls a shade that goes beautifully with dark brown--- a crisp white, modern pale blue.

paint the walls white and save the walls. m

I live in a little 1900's bungalow that used to have natural wood trim but has been painted. Every day it makes me sad and if it wasn't a rental I would have undertaken stripping it. And the apartment still has a bit of a cavernous feel despite everything being painted completely BRIGHT white. I think some of it is inherent in the proportion of the space and in the style itself.

My painted windows and dinette don't close and open properly any more due to layers thick of paint and physical functionality might be something you hadn't considered. A few coats of paint might not gum it all up but after several years you might have a mess on your hands like I do.

I am nth trying different paint on the walls and more lighting. Also perhaps bringing in some texture and color with textiles would help. Bright runners on the little twin bookcases and dinette could help. You could hang some neat and colorful little curtains inside your dinette set's windows and lighten it up considerably.

I've written a lot already but wanted to add if you do decide to strip it later you will be exposing yourself and the environment to some nasty nasty chemicals.

Hope that my info and experience helps. Good luck with your decision!

NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
bright rugs! bright cushions! lively artwork! brighter wall paint! more adequate lighting! accessories! anything.... just don't paint the trim!!!!!!

Similarly, I live in a place with original woodwork, and I know its a no no to paint it. I tried to find a nice balance with some cooler toned paints to modernize it, see my fall colors entry for pics,
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/boston/fall-colors-2008-east/east-45-meg-daves-pale-smoke-066376?image_id=21176

I don't really agree with the comments to lighten it. If anything I would say go warmer or darker in stain with crisp light colored or white walls for high contrast, which modernizes it.

Another trick is to paint the ceiling trim white but leave everything else stained wood. I just a picture of this today at www.thenest.com

I don't think the wood is the problem. I'm in the "paint the walls" camp. But I think the real problem is in the layout of the furniture and accessories. The artwork on the walls is all really small and the furniture pieces are all the same height. Play with the scale of your pieces. Add some height with some tall plants. Right now there's really nothing in the rooms to draw the eye away from the woodwork.

NO!!!!!!!!

Redesign your interior to make the most of the architecture. Don't destroy the ONE HUNDRED YEAR OLD CRAFTSMANSHIP because you can't decide on a paint color!

kgreen said :"Happy Halloween, I just watched Rosemary's Baby for the first time in a while. What's the first thing sweet Rosemary does when she moves into the most beautiful apartment on earth?!?! See paints EVERYTHING white/pale yellow..."

Yeah.....and look what happened to her baby! Bad karma....bad bad karma.....

this is weird. I have the exact same layout and exact same built-ins in my house in grand rapids. The woodwork was fine with lighter cream colors but with others like the blue we have now the trim looked awful. I painted the trim a warm white and it looks beautiful now I don't miss the wood trim at all. I think it just really depends on what color you're going to paint your walls.