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Look! Coloured Trim

atla-082608-trim02.jpg

Here, navy blue trim on the frame invites you to treat the windows as art
Nervous about adding colour to a room? Thinking about painting the walls but not ready to make the plunge? Why not add it in a way that has a lot of impact but still lets you stick with the white walls you're so comfortable with?...

 
 

atla-082608-trim01.jpgPainting the trim can add visual punch to a room. White's the usual route taken but why not consider something with more pop? Yellow, green, orange, red, blue can all add to a room and, while they're a natural if your furniture's neutral, don't hesitate to try it if your stuff's got colour or pattern. Here, yellow trim sets off the green comforter and green leaf-patterned lamp shade adding a nice sunny feeling where yellow walls would have been overwhelming. Consider this option in your own home for a high impact way to add a little colour.


[Opening Image: Josh and Raphael's Modern "Salvage" Love; second image: David Prince via Family Circle Magazine]

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painting, fixing & repairs, paintig the trim;

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Comments (17)

ooh, i love the idea of black trim... really makes your windows pop. i wonder if this is only effective with a very bright space?

posted by meredith on August 26th 2008 at 10:26am
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oops, i mean, navy blue

posted by meredith on August 26th 2008 at 10:26am
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Colored trim can be so very lovely on the right casements, doors and windows like those in the photos.

posted by Seaside on August 26th 2008 at 10:30am
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Love the black and often see black trim on the exterior trim of homes. Trim, doors, windows are such a pain to paint though, especially those paneled glass doors and windows. After just painting all mine, I realized that is why everyone usually keeps them white:)

posted by 2lastnames on August 26th 2008 at 10:36am
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I would kill to have wood mullions that I could paint in a dark color. I love this look!

posted by LilyC on August 26th 2008 at 10:38am
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off subject- where is the red-orange chandelier in the photo from?? that makes the room pop more than the window frames. i want one!

posted by myherozero on August 26th 2008 at 10:40am
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I'm in love with the color of the kitchen cabinets! That is a gorgeous green and definitely helps (along with that chandelier, myherozero :)

posted by Jocelyn<3 on August 26th 2008 at 10:43am
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I have to say, I have white trim, including a picture rail at about 7'. It takes only about 3 hrs start-to-finish to paint the walls, but painting the trim instead would take soooo much longer. I remember painting the trim dark once when I was a kid, and boy was that a nightmare to paint over!

posted by erica on August 26th 2008 at 10:52am
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A wonderful use of color and design!

posted by ClaireMojher on August 26th 2008 at 11:12am
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I have golden oak trim and hate it. There is a grain in the wood. What type of paint or any special prep work is required to paint trim?

posted by BigIRF on August 26th 2008 at 11:35am
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Very stylish.

posted by MissL on August 26th 2008 at 11:55am
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"I have golden oak trim and hate it. There is a grain in the wood. What type of paint or any special prep work is required to paint trim?"

You'll need to use a good primer - go to your local paintstore and tell them what you're trying to do and they'll steer you in the right direction.

posted by bepsf on August 26th 2008 at 12:03pm
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that top picture with the dark trim is fabulous!

posted by mcq on August 26th 2008 at 12:10pm
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I painted my trim in my master bedroom and living room black. Glossy jet black. I thought it would be totally different, and would look awesome in a room full of black frames. I think I succeeded.

posted by iheartmini on August 26th 2008 at 5:30pm
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myherozero, the red chandelier is a salvage find that was auto spray painted. I know because I've seen that house in person since it belongs to my designers! If you like that style, you should contact them at www.FORMLosAngeles.com. AT featured their home last year and it was how I found them. (BTW I bought a salvaged chandelier from them too and have gotten so many compliments for it!)

posted by allora on August 26th 2008 at 6:33pm
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Thank you very much allora!

posted by myherozero on August 27th 2008 at 5:02am
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nice! I really love the colored trim and the plain white walls.

posted by kpetuck on August 27th 2008 at 11:11am
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