Is your home by chance on the National Registry of Historical Places, if not, should it be? if there's theres a possibility for either I'd learn to love the woodwork untouched.

It is not on the registry. Some of it we will definitely leave alone. There are hand-carved stair parts that even I wouldn't paint. :)

I would not paint it, but I am obviously more of a historical preservationist than you.

And why on earth would an 1894 "house built by a guy who owned a lumber company" not be historical, Cara11? This seems like a bizarre definition of what counts as historical. Some of the most beautiful and architecturally important Victorian mansions in Northern California were built by lumber barons, and are on the National Historic Register. It isn't about who built it. It's about the house's architectural beauty and historical value.

I just took a peak at your idea book and see mostly very modern interiors which makes me wonder why you would be attracted to a home built in 1894. But that aside, I do think that when you buy something that has been around for over 100 yrs. and has apparently been well taken care of during this time, you assume a certain responsibility to preserve and maintain it for future generations. How many homes in the USA are that old? In a land of tract houses and new subdivisions a house that old is truly a charm even if it is not on the Natl. Register. So I urge you look at this from a perspective of stewardship, rather than ownership.

Ruthmand, I am 36 years old, have been married for 13 years and this will be our 9th house! We love houses and my style varies depending on what house I am in. :) Right now we are living in an ultramodern cube-style house in Johannesburg, South Africa! We have had old houses before, built a brand new "transitional" style house, etc. I always joke that houses are my hobby. This new house we are hoping to be in for a long time. Also, I wouldn't have posed the question if I didn't feel a certain sense of responsibility to the history of this house! :)

Eligibility is based on architectural integrity (original materials and design, no vinyl etc...), design, uniqueness for the region and/or contibution to local history of its builders, occupants and what happened at that location. Homes built by lumber barons where showpieces of their goods and definately should be preserved, and if it is not listed, it is probably eligible or could be in a historic district. Local regulations vary, and even listing alone does not prevent you from painting or whatever, but inappropiate changes can lose the building's eligiblilty, esp. window replacement and vinyl siding.

Anyway, I would urge you to live with it for a while, and if you paint, the most appropiate places are in the kitchen, service hallways, bathrooms and bedrooms. If you feel compelled to paint more, try to keep it to the simple stuff and not the ornate moldings, spindels and paneling so the next owner isn't cursing you out for doing so.

I also think it could reduce the value of the house, esp. in the long run. Those houses are built with old-growth timber--some of those trees were hundreds of years old, and we will never see that again, including the framing and the window frames. It is far more durable than anything you can buy today unless it is reclaimed or very pricey.

Keeping wood can look modern and contrast nicely with more contemporary or transitional furniture if everything is kept light and or colorful. People pay big money to add in character like that!

Also, it is a trend to paint some rooms very dark to get that cozy feeling, and yes, even paneling (the good stuff with real wood) is making a modest comeback. It may be good to consult with a sympathetic designer to figure out the right balance for you.

Tastes change, but houses aren't like clothes and easily changed and changed back.

If you bought a Queen Anne with a lot of ornate gingerbread and woodwork, you also bought the maintenance that goes with having a grand home, and unpainted woodwork is less of a maintenance hassle in the long run--you have enough to worry about outside in that department!:)

If you post pictures that might help with any paint decisions.

Design, as you know from the experience is comprised of parts of a whole. Make it so that the painted woodwork works with the interior, and your guests say: This painted woodwork is truly making the room! Post pictures! :)

P.S. Work with what you have and make the best of it, some rooms may work with stained or clear fininshed and some will be better with painted.

As someone who has spent many, many dollar and hours stripping old woodwork, I say leave it alone, at least in public areas.

That said, if you decide to paint the woodwork, I suggest not removing the current finish before painting. So, if some future owner chooses to remove the paint, the original finish will keep the paint from getting into the pores of wood and make it much easier to remove.

Oops, I did not see you were in Australia. I have no idea what the historic regs are there, but I hope it is easier to do than it is here! Still, I hope you can preserve the best of what you have.

We are currently living in South Africa but the house is in the US. We'll be moving back to start our renovations in a year or so. I think all of this discussion makes me realize that I do have a plan. There is some woodwork in the house that has already been painted so I will give that a fresh new coat of paint. there is an office/library that may get a new look :) but other than that my plan is to leave it as is. The other issue is that the color it is currently stained isn't great. Its pretty gold and, in my opinion, doesn't do the craftsmanship justice. I'm so excited to start my Victorian/Ecclectic project! Thanks for all the good feedback!

My house is 100 years old and has white painted moldings. I added an addition and decided on continuity. Painted walls a strong colour and the whole home is beautiful. Still has its heritage...and I'm a heritage activist.

Lepstein, I LOVE your comment. THANK YOU! It is not a disregard for history to paint some of the woodwork. It is the love I have for the house to make "her" even more beautiful! :)

Lepstein, I LOVE your comment. THANK YOU! It is not a disregard for history to paint some of the woodwork. It is the love I have for the house to make "her" even more beautiful! :)