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garjen2001

House interior trim is wood

14 years ago
Our home is trimmed in wood throughout. Wood windows, doors..everything is wood. We replaced the flooring and now I have to decide if I want to keep with wood or replace with white trim. Which means window trim, baseboard and around door jams etc. I really am having a hard time deciding. It seems that wood trim is outdated in many photos I see. The home is a rather large custom ranch 90's home with lower ceilings. It sometimes feels heavy and other times I think beautiful...its not only the kitchen, the whole house throuout. I would love to hear some opinions.

Comments (15)

  • 14 years ago
    Yes, all doors are a beautiful straight grain fir. Thanks for the input :)
  • 14 years ago
    Painting wood trim is hard to reverse, so I'd be wary of painting it solely on the basis of trends that will pass (and I see plenty of beautiful woodwork in houzz photos). If your wood trim is good quality wood and attractive (which it looks like it is from the picture) and consistent throughout the house, I'd be inclined to keep it.
    I know this is a different situation, but I live in an old house (c. 1930) with woodwork that someone painted white sometime in its history. It looks lovely. But I used to live
    in another old house (c. 1920) that had the original woodwork throughout. After almost 15 years in the house with white trim, I still miss the natural wood trim of my previous house and I still resent the painted wood in this one. So even for woodwork that isn't historic, I still think it is best to think twice before painting.

    Some of my favorite houzz houses with woodwork:
    Ellen Grasso Inc · More Info

    Pemberley - Estate · More Info

    Lopez Island Residence · More Info

    Reservoir Kitchen · More Info

    Northwest Contemporary Kitchen · More Info
  • 14 years ago
    Sorry everyone, I absolutely hate wood trim. I had it in my old house and spent hours upon hours painting it white. Unless you own a period home with beautiful, original hardwood trim, I say go white.

    Your house was built in the 90s so I definitely think you should go white. But don't paint it, you'll curse yourself. Just fork out the dough and replace it.

    There are also so many DIY instructions out there to enhance your window and door trim.

    http://www.decorchick.com/making-your-doors-pretty-with-molding-and-a-how-to/
  • 14 years ago
    For most of the house, I would keep the wood. Once it is painted it is difficult to go back.

    Your kitchen is especially dark. In our former house I solved this problem by painting the walls white and selecting light color furnishings--rugs, upholstered furniture, and accessories. For example, you could paint your chairs white or ivory or at least select a light color cushion.
  • 14 years ago
    I am not a fan of wood trim but if you are not considering changing your door color I wouldn't paint the trim. Some of the rooms in my house have white trim and wood doors and it doesn't flow well.
  • PRO
    14 years ago
    It's possible that your dilemma is caused not so much by the wood trim, but by the wall colors adjacent to the trim. Darker stained woods seem to feel more comfortable when the nearby wall colors are of a darker value and a richer color. Changing the wall color may allow you to make the most of what you already have.
  • 14 years ago
    The wood trim looks good, not too guady or bulky nor too outdated. If you want to give it a little more Umph- I'd suggest adding a second layer of paneling alligned with what you currently have. If you really want a change you could re-stain (which is a job and a half) or paint. But it does look nice as is.
  • PRO
    14 years ago
    i'd spend the money on crown... nice stained crown :)
  • 14 years ago
    I do prefer white woodwork normally. BUT, your space is beautiful and the wood is beautiful and it doesn't appear dated. I think that depends on the type of wood. I'd leave it alone!
  • 14 years ago
    I think the reason you see so much white trim is that it isn't wood. Therefore-paint!
  • PRO
    14 years ago
    I would suggest an Oriental runner (a good one) in the galley area of your kitchen and chose a rich color from the rug for paint on your walls.
  • PRO
    14 years ago
    I don't think the wood trim looks dated at all, but I think the color on your walls is not highlighting it properly. Yellow would not be my first choice with wood trim. I really like sage/ green with Doug Fir. Consider Clarksville Gray by Benjamin Moore for your walls. This color will give the wood trim new life. Also, do not think the Doug Fir should be painted. Hope this helps. Charmen Neithart
  • 14 years ago
    I think your kitchen is great, but it is a little dark. I always heard that you should alternate light, dark, light, dark or vice versa. Start at the floor, to the cabinets, counter top and then cabinets. Have you considered a lighter counter top? The one you have is beautiful, so I hate to ask that. I don't think the wood trim is really the issue. Maybe painting the doors and trim, but even that would be a sad thing. Since they are beautiful wood. Maybe just change out some of the dark accessories to lighter ones (including the chairs). Just a thought. Good luck!
  • 14 years ago
    Thank You all for the great advice! I very much appreciate it.
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