Yes.

Yes paint the posts to match the beams.

I would either paint the posts black, and paint the trim that is currently brown on the white wall divider white to blend in and modernize. Or I would paint the beams and the posts the same brown as the trim.

We have a MCM weekend place we just bought and are slowly renovating that also has post and beamed ceilings. The ceilings in the livingroom are the only ones that have not been painted and are just stained wood like the beams, we have been debating painting the wood white on the ceiling- but it is a real pain. It would be easiest for them to paint the posts and the trim, and leave the ceiling. But here is where we are at right now to give another perspective.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7923180@N04/4304164756/in/set-72157623282049778/

Here is another photo of what it can look like without the contrast. I really am torn myself, on which I prefer -

I do think in their setting that painting the posts and the trim would be sufficient and really the place will look terrific!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7923180@N04/4303422841/in/set-72157623118203249/

The beams appear to be decorative, rather than structural. If that's the case, I would remove them (keeping the posts, which do appear to be structural). They make the ceiling look lower and they seem out of keeping with the home style.

The beams don't work unless you you make them work with a very orchestrated furniture/decor scheme. If you are not up to the challenge , I would paint them.

Yes, paint the posts black, but only if the kitchen trim and cabinets are going white. If the kitchen trim and cabinets stay brown like that, leave the posts white and paint the beams white as well.

The post and beams should be the same color. I would paint them white as well as the trim on the partition wall.

Those post right now look like power poles for a workstation (systems furniture) so I wonder if they are bring power through to the wall?

heather 77, the house look very much like an Eichler, in which case it's constructed in a post and beam style, and those beams aren't going anywhere as they are very much structural members. And also probably a large part of the reason they bought the house, I suspect.

I grew up in an "eichler-alike" ranch with dark beams. Now I own an Eichler where the beams, post and ceilings are all painted white. Some folks in Eichlers are into stripping the ceiling back to the original dark wood. I wouldn't give up my white ceilings and beams for anything. I don't like the sense of dark a dark ceiling pressing down on me from above. So I'd say paint the beams white to match the posts. But if you like low ceilings, go for broke and paint the posts to match the beams. Just commit one way or the other.

But looking at the picture again, I think someone has sheetrocked between the beams. If so, and there's original wood planking under there, I'd consider getting rid of the sheetrock or whatever it is.

meganross1 -
looks like you are close to having a really nice weekend pad. you should do a tour here when its done.

To me, the dark beams just (visually) pull the ceiling down - making all seem cluttered and claustrophobic. I'd paint the beams the same white as the ceiling.

i would paint them white. also please do not remove them, they are part of the design of the home ! ! also the beams in my house (eichler) are very structural, lol. they go over the tops of those posts and then more wood is added to the side to blend it all together. also i would paint that wood trim @ the top of the divider white as well.

I would also paint the beams white.

paint them white. it looks really eighties (in a bad way) to have all that black and white contrast on the ceiling. less black should make the cabinetry pop more.

This is like a traditional Japanese house -- I would paint the posts dark to match the beams. This gives order and rhythm to the space. The walls are like the Japanese screens -- non-structural, more free-flowing and configurable.

paint them white. i don't think the ceilings are high enough to pull off the exposed beam look.

Another vote to paint beams white.

Beams white. Definitely.

No - I'd paint the beams white.

I'd paint them white, and later for sure investigate if that's sheetrock over planks. My personal favorite is the planks in white, with beams and posts in natural.

The white paint will make it really livable for now and you can decide later whether to attack the demo/stripping with a little one underfoot. Long term i'd also ditch the kitchen floor for something that goes with your great cupboards/counter. Maybe a light colored terazzo-look?

Looks like a GREAT house, congrats!

paint them white, or the same color as the ceiling.
right now, they are overwhelming the space.

Right now, with the beams black, it's just too much visual clutter. I would paint them the same color as the ceiling. This will still add visual interest but won't be overwhelming. I definitely would not remove them. They are a great architectural detail that most people would have to pay a pretty penny for to install. Good luck with your decision!

LoriSF- thanks we are having fun with it, still have a long way to go.

I agree to check on the sheet rock thing. That was very common. If you look at the photos I took, not sure if you can see but the kitchen, dining and hall have sheetrock up between them as well. (painted a gross golden yellow) We will HAVE to paint those. The livingroom they left natural, and what we hope to keep. But the point of a post and beam house from that era is to showcase the beams. It is all subjective though, and painted in all white would certainly open, modernize and clean the space up. Just depends on what you want.

Yes, the black beams overhead do clutter-up the space. Paint them white. :)

Don't remove them, just paint them white and they will visually 'go away'. They're a great element within the space, however, they shouldn't visually interrupt the space.

Dear lord, paint the beams white. I was surprised that painting the posts black was an option.

Congratulations on your new home :) Hope you'll update us once you're settled in!

one moe vote for painting the beams white.

are they black or unfinished wood? if they're still wood pull that sheet rock down and expose the slats for a design feature people will envy! if they're already painted black, then i'm with the masses, paint them white.

I agree with smalltown_bigcity. I had the same dilema in my home. I tried to embrace the natural beams and ceilings, but no matter what color I painted the house always felt like it was pressing down on me. I painted the pine ceilings and the beams white and visually, they just disappeared. There is no longer a visual interruption with looking around the room and the small cabin feeling also dissipated.

They should paint the beams red.

Another vote for beams white.

There is a LOT of contrast going on here which makes it look harsh. I would paint the posts a dark grey or mid-tone brown to cut down some of that contrast. Goodluck to your friends!

Paint the beams white to match the posts...the ceiling looks waaay too dark.

Congrats on the house!

We too have a home with raised plank and beam ceilings... (Another Eichler-alike, I love that term, so true.) Some of the ceiling is all white, and the beams DO disappear. Some of the ceiling is all the natural wood, and while it is darker and lowers the ceiling, the beams do stand out more. Eventually we are going to paint all of the ceiling an off-white and all of the beams a matte black. (This is a very Eichler/Rumer thing to have done...) But it is a TON of work...

I would worry about getting the walls more neutral, figure out your flooring, and THEN see what you think about the ceiling. Easier to live with it a little while and then do the changes than to change and change and change things until you get the look that fits YOU.

Here are some links to photos that show the contrast that is similar to your home:
http://www.styleture.com/files/2009/10/eichler-kitchen-before.jpg
http://www.aparch.com/i/pr-eichler-01.jpg
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_opuG0BPH0FE/Se6XqpGL-NI/AAAAAAAAHpE/kP-8zPs8XWA/s400/Eichler kitchen2.jpg
http://www.aparch.com/pr_eichler.html

I guess my vote is to leave the contrasting beams...

Paint them white!

Thanks everyone for your helpful comments and links. I wanted to share that the green wallpaper (and rooster trim) are going to go away in exchange for either white paint or a white on white simple wallpaper (given that it's already wallpapered and this might be easier for us). Hopefully this will make these gorgeous mahogany cabinets stand out! The beams were white when then moved in and the house had no unifying feel to it. We painted them black and instead of closing in the space (which these pictures do make it seem a little given all the other clutter) it's actually made the house feel much better to everyone who's been in it before and after.

Wallpaper suggestions for the kitchen to try and simplify this room are welcome! The combo of white/black wooden sectional flooring, green counters (with tile trim), and mahogany cabinets are making it hard for us to find the right solution...

Oh bless you, person who suggested painting the beams red! What's wrong with a bit of colour? Black and/or white are so last century. Red doesn't float my boat, but it represents healthy lateral thinking. How about a soft pumpkin against pale cream walls? An interior is about how the space reflects and influences how people feel. Not many folks actually feel in black and white. Though, come to think of it, painting beams and posts in blackboard paint has some potential for play. Go on, have fun! Painter Tim