No!! I would not paint under any circumstances. If you really don't like it, the only thing I recommend would be sanding it down and pickling it. The only problem... I'm not sure you could do it without ruining upholstery. Anyone?

Paint - maybe a bold red?

I would not paint it... Looks a bit tedious to me. And there is nothing wrong with having two furniture colors in one space. I have 3! Buy some accessories to tie in the new wood color. Thrifty finds are fun!

No. No no no no no. Take away a little black and add a little brown to the room. Brown and black only clash when you're talking belts and shoes.

I get nervous painting wood sometimes, but if you don't have any other dark woods in the room to tie it in, I think it would look great and even more "vintage" painted black

Unless the piece has particular value in it's original state then do what you like. It's yours. Make it so. I think the only issue is how to do it properly without mucking up the fabric. Also strongly urge you to check out sources for painting furniture. I spect you'll be doing some sanding and cleaning and priming and, well you get the idea. Plus figuring out how to protect the fabric. May be easy, I've never had to deal with it.

I think the black would look really nice against the fabric. And I like the idea of red, too. You could cover the fabric with a tarp and secure it with painter's tape.

i agree with bb if it will lose value by painting then don't but other than that - do what you like, black gloss paint would look great and it might be interesting to strip the dark wood.

Too late. You want to paint the wood before the upholstery goes on. IF YOU DO, NOT BLACK. I like the recommendation about a red or even an deep eggplant.

I agree with the point about it being very difficult to paint around the upholstery, however I think it would look smokin' with a black glossy finish.

I totally would paint it. As a decorative painter I would, if you are to keep the upholstery, I would paint it white to clean it up and make it a bit more modern. If you change the upholstery I'd gold leaf it and do something super fancy. Have FUN with what ever you do, and go for it!

I would paint it red then do a sort of rustic glazey black wash over the red to fill in and highlight those details (where you put it on then dry cloth it of). It would also tone down the red to match the red in the fabric.

I think it would look lovely painted. I say go for it!

i saw a great DIY once which turned a timber sideboard into a really nice piece by staining using a black stain with a semi-gloss laquer. It allowed the grain of the timber to come through with a black stain on top without looking tacky. Perhaps you could give it some thought. It looked very classy.

glossy black would be gorgeous. go for it. unless it would decrease the value of the piece (that is, if you care about that). or unless you have TONs of black accessories in the room already, in which case a little brown here would prevent it from looking too matchy-matchy.

Sit on it for awhile, and add pillows to tie it together. If it doesn't do it for you then paint it. A semigloss black Lacquer really brings out the grain but it is not forgiving so protect protect. If there is Antique Value I would really reconsider but that's me. I have sold my antiques to those that really love them to buy something I really love that suits my style. If you really love this piece maybe you can start on an eclectic path and add more like it to tie it all together. Live with for a while and figure out why you purchased it. Love the piece or need?

Either glossy black or a white wash look might be nice. I think either choice would be good.

Don't paint, reupholster, maybe a subtle pinstripe or even something unexpected, like a bold, contemporary print.

The fabric on the sofa now is, to say the least, unattractive.

Short answer: No.

Long answer: No. It would look fashionable, in a bad way... as if the piece is some shallow bit of disposable designerware rather than a smart and elegant old couch. It's a wonderful shape and a lovely, well-chosen fabric - let it speak.

I would suggest living with it for just a little while and see how you feel about it. It's YOUR sofa, and you should do what you want with it! But I remember when I bought my living room set (maple and cane sofa and 2 chairs), I wanted to paint them white or black, because I thought they were too "old fashioned" and didn't fit in. - I'm very, very glad I waited now. The desire passed, my living room evolved around them, and I wouldn't change my beloved maple and cane for anything.

No, like others have said, it would be far too difficult to do well. I think it's a beautiful piece as it is--I love the houndstooth with the wood, it would be great with a ski lodge/cottage chic/modern rustic look. I just think it's not the piece for you if you've got lots of black. Sell it.

Get rid of the black - Keep the sofa As-Is.

I wouldn't paint. I'd re-upholster.

By the way, ladymantle, you don't have to be rude just because people can't see your face.

I refinished my curvy old couch with wooden back and arms, kind of like yours. Only, I stripped it down, re-tied the springs, and re-upholstered it. Before I did the upholstery, I stained the wooden parts ebony. It's still got the wood look, not painted, but it's a nice glossy dark color that contrasts nicely with the light blue-grey upholstery. I'm very happy with the ebonizing process, but I wouldn't do it with the fabric on there.

I say re-upholster it before you paint because thats a less permanent fix. I had some similar chairs that I painted high gloss, and re-upholstered, and now it completely fits in to my decor and I love them.
I also agree with other posters that maybe it just doesn't fit into your style, and maybe you should sell it rather than going through all the trouble.
Also, what's with people being so rude on AT posts?? Lighten up a little, jeez!

NOOOO! It would be too matchy matchy.

don't paint. it would be better to reupholster it in a fabric that meshes with the other colors in your home.

plus ... painting it will definitely be more of a chore then you want and it will most likely get on the fabric.

Beautiful sofa!

I feel like painting the trim black would work for now--and maybe another 2 years. I see so much of black framed sofas and chairs and I think the wood is more classic. I think you're better off working with the wood tone and then adding some funky pillows to the sofa for interest.

Thanks for all the positive comments, they have been quite helpful. The only reason that I wanted to paint the trim is to make the sofa a bit more modern, and give it a brighter feel. It actually has nothing to do with the houndstooth pattern! The pattern, I believe is the best part of the sofa, and I do not think that I would re-upholster it yet.

Get rid of that godawful fabric and then see if you still want to paint. Sorry, but...plaid? Seriously?

Not trying to be snarky, but if you wanted something modern why did you buy an old couch? Also, how does painting it black give it a "brighter feel"? Trying to turn old furniture into "modern" furniture usually just ends up looking like neither.

It's not a modern sofa. It's not going to look a bit more modern. It'll look like an old sofa painted.
The sofa has such a great Gustavian flavor, why muck it up? The shape and sides are wonderful.

Dunno about the wood, but that is not houndstooth...it's plain old plaid. Unless you're trying to channel a hunting cabin, I'd reupholster.

Well, if you like the fabric, you can't paint it correctly without removing the fabric.

If you are willing to reupholster it -

Paint away!

It's your sofa!

If you're keeping the fabric, then no, don't repaint because it's a major problem for new DIYers if the upholstery's already done (unless you're willing to remove any piping and undo the base upholstery and then re-tack it post painting). However I really don't think that changing the base to black would suit that particular fabric well. If all you want to do is bring black over, to tie it together with the rest of your place, bring over some suitable pillows that have a black trim on them. The entire frame of the sofa needn't be black to visually tie in the color.

However if you're going to reupholster, choose something that really suits that sofa, I'd go with a true Belgian linen. For the base I'd sand & stain the wood on the sofa to a deeper richer brown and hand wax the wood (rather than using a urethane). Then I'd add pillows with a modern graphic print that has the linen color, dark brown, and black to help tie the sofa together with the rest of your place. Then add a color statement pillow in the center (something small - lumbar or nap size). That's my own best guess at an update for this particular sofa.

Hmmmm, the grumpies who've posted likely got a lump of coal this holiday season...

(grinning)