We our remodeling our 80's living room. The plan is to retrofit the built-ins to open shelves, add new "X" design cabinet bottom doors, place tv over fireplace, paint the millwork, built-ins, fireplace and mantel BM White Dove or Simply White.
My husband wants the keep the ceiling detail the wood stain to match the flooring, but I'm leaning towards painting it white. I love a rustic beam, but ours looks more like a coffered ceiling to me than a "beam" and since it's not solid there is no way to distress. The shiny finish really makes it feel dated. We are adding a pop of gray on the back of the shelves and adjoining wet bar and a antique brick herringbone pattern in the firebox, so not everything will be white. I welcome any and all advice!