Need help for my niece's Living/Dining room

mtphill1

10 years ago

I am helping her redo her Living Room/Dining Room, but she is on a limited budget. I thought I might tackle refinishing her wood trim and staining it a darker color, like an espresso. I wanted to paint it white, but she doesn't want the woodwork painted. The house is close to 100 years old, and I'm sure the woodwork has never been re-done, by the looks of it. Would it be a good idea to do that? If I do, my thought is the walls need to be a beige or cream color, but does anyone have any suggestions for color options? Also, what should she do for window coverings? If she goes with cream walls, I thought cream wood blinds would look nice to lighten up the room from the dark wood, but I'm not sure and would really appreciate any feedback! The floors are medium tone wood for the perimeter of each room, but there is a darker stained square in the center of both rooms. It's a little weird looking in my opinion, but again, she wants to keep it as is. The top two photos are the same (tried to delete one, but couldn't), and were taken standing in the living room looking into the dining room. The bottom photo is also in the dining room, (just a different wall). The third photo from the top is looking into the Living Room from the Dining Room. The fourth photo from the top is the right side of the builtin that separates the LR from the DR. To the left of this builtin on the opposite wall is another builtin like this, and you walk between the two to go from the LR to the DR. I should have gotten a better pic showing both of them, sorry. ANY advice anybody can offer would be GREATLY appreciated!

Featured Answer

Elizabeth Z

10 years ago

I like the juxtaposition of dark wood trim and creamy white walls. Good idea!

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Comments (10)

Architectural Notice
10 years ago
The dining room looks nice although I would suggest maybe a new coat of paint and removing some of the wall art to the right of the window in the top two photos.

The living room seems to have a lot of brown furniture. Is it an option to slip cover one of the chairs?
Bev
10 years ago
I would definitely not paint that beautiful wood in a house that is almost 100 years old! My sister lives in a house that will be 100 next year and she has gorgeous wood in her house. Anyway, I think restaining the wood would look great because I'm sure it needs it. There are so many light colors, besides white or cream, that would look great with that wood. Pale yellow looks fabulous with wood and I just noticed that's the color she already has; also pale blues and greens will look great. One thing I would do is paint the ceiling the same color as the walls. Painting a ceiling white visually lowers the ceiling (I found this out on PBS).
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PRO
Shoa Gallery
10 years ago
I would focus on decluttering, painting the walls a lighter color, and changing up the furniture. Don't paint the nice wood.
Angel 18432
10 years ago
Beautiful room. I agree, don't paint the wood. Paint the walls a lighter color and remove the drapes, they don't seem to do the room justice.
Maureen
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
I would look to modernize by editing - it will make a really big difference. For instance, where faith is written, remove all items and add only the round mirror. Have matching prints on either side of the window for symmetry. Edit the console and have a nice centerpiece on table. Remove items from ledge in room dividers. Keep it simple. Home Depot has some inexpensive chandeliers and I think a new one would make a big difference along with paint and roman blinds placed on the inside of frames, so they don't hide the trim. When painting (I would suggest a cream - see 2nd picture) I would include the narrow molding at ceiling, as it's breaking up the wall and not very nice looking..if it was wider, I wouldn't be suggesting.
Dining Room · More Info
In regards to the living room, it's hard to comment without seeing the far right. I would change the lamp shade to lighter and more modern and try to adjust the seating arrangement if possible.
PRO
HMH Development Inc
10 years ago
The woodwork is beautiful. Freshen it up...do not paint...if needed. Please remove the drape/curtains. This will immediately update the rooms. If privacy is need a simple shade is all you need. SW Steamed Milk is a beautiful creamy white with just a hint of yellow.
decoenthusiaste
10 years ago
I would suggest inside mounted wood blinds to match and to reveal all the woodwork around the windows. The fireplace/media center is off-putting and I don't care for the buffet in front of the window.
jck910
10 years ago
Beautiful home. Leave the woodwork alone. Do not stain it darker or paint it. Choose rugs for both rooms before finalizing wall color. Also agree window treatments should be inside mount.
Stewey
10 years ago
I agree with the other Houzzers: don't paint the wood. I wouldn't be surprised if the dark flooring in the middle of the rooms is pine, with oak around the outside. The idea is to put a rug over the lesser wood, although if your niece likes the looks, leave it.

The best thing you can do with these rooms is put in some recessed lighting on a dimmer switch (maybe a pot light in each corner). You can leave/change out any hanging lights and put in a double switch.