What to do with mismatched trim?

9 years ago

Please ignore the dark green color of the wall in the initial picture of this room, which we've since reskimmed and painted. However, I need help with the closet additions in our 1909 Victorian. We absolutely have to have the storage of these closet additions and are keeping them. We also don't have the budget right now to create new trim. That said, what should we do about this mismatched trim and bifold doors on these closets? The trim is slightly less beefy than the original and is in a much lighter stain color. We are not interested in trying to restain as wood simply won't look the same and I prefer to lighten the room rather than darken it.

Should we simply call it a day and paint the trim a crisp white so as not to pretend that it's a part of the original? Should we try new bifold doors that are white? Should we hang a curtain? I've added a (poor) picture of the rest of the room so you can get a feel for the other side of the room with the new paint job and original tiled fireplace.

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PRO

Kelli Kaufer Designs

9 years ago

I would try to paint match your dark existing stain and get new panel doors that goes with the rest of your home this will help not make it so different. I would not paint them white as you have no white painted wood in the home.

Just a recommendation, take your oval mirror, turn it horizontal and place it over your beautiful dresser. Take the picture over the dresser and place the two pieces of art on top of each other. A tall floor lamp in the corner with a fabric shade will help fill in the space with minimal costs.

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Comments (7)

PRO
HMH Development Inc
9 years ago
Try painting it all, trim and bifold so, the same color as your walls.
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PRO
GMW / Architect
9 years ago
Do the right thing. Take the trim down and match the door and what looks like the entire house. It is not that big a deal.
Sarah Bryan
9 years ago
I'd say paint the trim and doors for now, but leave the room trim wood. Save up for french doors with the same six-panel design as the other doors in the house.
PRO
Design Inside - Milwaukee Interior Designers
9 years ago
Definitely agree with GMW / Architect.
Cat S.
Original Author
9 years ago
@Kelli Kaufer: Thanks for the great advice on the mirror and other artwork. Since this photo was taken we have a large Indian painting of an elephant on silk filling the space over the dresser (which is a great antique from my grandfather), but we should definitely look into stacking some of our artwork to make it look more intentional. I also like the idea of a corner lamp, as we're always looking for ways to lighten our rooms since the woodwork in our house makes everything so dark (we love the woodwork, but I (shamefully) sometimes wish it was already painted so that we could lighten everything--I grew up in old homes, but they all had painted woodwork)!

@GMW: I was skeptical about staining the woodwork, because other attempts to match the stain around the house by previous owners haven't worked out well and have just made more obvious the difference between the original and old woodwork. Maybe someone quite skilled at this type of thing could get it right.

The other reason I'm not eager on spending $500+ for new millwork, doors, etc. at this point is that we're thinking of an attic renovation. Depending on where the stairs go and where plumbing, etc. goes, some downstairs rooms might be effected. It might be that I'll wait on any solutions, temporary or permanent, until I have a better idea of if any of these closets will be effected by the build.

Thanks to everyone for their advice, and I'll post pics once we update these rooms! I'm sure I'll also be back soon for attic renovation advice.