I agree with your wife. Add more lamps, and make sure your bulbs are all led daylight type, and your room will be nice and bright.

I agree with your wife, too, and the above suggestion to improve the lighting.
The woodwork is amazing!

I would not like to paint the wood but there is a lot of it.

I don't know the real statistics. Some people are very much affected by how we feel in our homes. I think maybe women are more affected by the light and brightness of our environment. Dark feels depressing to many.

I have to admit those spaces would feel depressing to me, even as beautiful and historic as they are.

Some options...

If you want to brighten, I suggest maybe to paint 1 or more of the ceilings especially if they are 8ft. high. It won"t feel like they are coming down on you.

Maybe you can keep a wood accent wall, and paint the rest.

Or... to brighten walls, instead of paint, drape window walls extended beyond the window edges, as wide as is comfortable, covering the wood. Use drapes in light colors.

Or... Drapes on windows with normal mounting width. Any walls that you want to lighten, you could use mirrors.

Or... on walls, mount large artwork or art collages.

Or... fill some wall space with shelves and decor in light or bright colors.

Or.... use 'thin' large birch panels (any smooth wood) to cover a lot of the walls, and then paint the panels. Creating a painted wall panel with the original wood frame around it. Like a picture frame. Any dimension you prefer. Mount in 2-4 places, prevents a lot of holes.

And... Maybe paint ceiling crown and baseboard moldings off white.

Or...decide if you will be in this home a long time, if so, customize to an extent that you both feel comfortable.

Resale... I'm thinking that it depends where you are located? State? or Country. In certain areas, buyers like nostalgia and history more than other areas. It's personal preference.

Most all people here in Southern California want modern updated or a fresh take on older styles.

I feel you can paint some of the wood if you're both wanting an updated Victorian or options given. You can update without going too far. I hope you'll be very happy in your beautiful home! ☺

Lord no don't paint it. Embrace the "clubby" atmosphere. Cozy lamps and lots of them, soft furniture and reflective metal surfaces, like brass candlesticks, trays etc.

Paint the walls, leave the ceiling.

I love the historic feel of the room. I love visiting historic homes. I don't live in one nor would I want to. I need my spaces to be light and bright and cheerful.

You both have good reason supporting your decision.

What made you buy the home? Did this play a large role in your decision when you bought the house? What does the rest of the home look like? Does this flow or does it feel like a forgotten room?

Adding to my other comment. It appears you have glitz & glam going on, predominantly light upholstered furniture, rug, sparkling accessories and chandelier. That all helps.

If not painting walls, I would paint dark furniture pieces, (chair at window with small table, the cabinet at the right side of the fireplace). Neutral off white, or an accent color, repeating a soft yellow or light aqua that are seen in your accessories and art.

The fireplace has been updated, so it is not original anyway. I would paint the mantle an off white. Add more off white in window trim.

I think once you commit to some changes, it might be a domino affect. Redesigning tends this path. Each change will affect the building process of design.

This is all really helpful but still leave us with a lot to consider. The home is amazing. 7 bedroom brick victorian with a slate roof. We have always preferred an older home that's been tastefully updated. We're drawn to the Restoration Hardware "look". Knowing this room use to be a speakeasy, paint or not, it can be amazing. We live in the Hudson River valley north of NYC. We may need to take some of your suggestions and see how the room looks first with no paint. I do plan to replace the gray arm chairs with perhaps 2 velvet (maybe emerald green) chairs. Yes, we do plan to remove the whiskey barrel table with a new small table and funky stools. We are not big fans of drapes. I we like blinds. May consider a lighter color blind for the windows. We plan to be in the house for about 10 more years than retire.

J Dub... I know your area very well. I'm from near Cooperstown. That area tends to appreciate history.
I'm not sure that the younger generations feel the same. Send me a message if you'd like. I can only imagine how beautiful your home is.

The emerald green velvet chairs would be lush. The deep rich jewel tone colors are pretty but will feel darker.

I would just decorate the walls with light colors to brighten with options previously mentioned.

The previous owner started an update with the fireplace.

In the design arena, it seems to be out of place at the moment.

What does your vision and emotions say to you living in the rooms? A conflict with history? Or... how you feel in that atmosphere? You have 10 years inside your home. And both of you need to feel happy.

Your current light color furnishings choices are comfortable and moving in the brighter direction. I would use all light colors for your decor choices, like you mentioned, before painting.

After selling my parents' home.... new owners painted all of the original wood columns and moldings. It's the trend I guess. Our home needed updating, but it took away it's craftsman style. Walls were light, and a small home. Originally, it never had all wood walls. It's over 100 years old.

My family home. Renovated and sold again. Craftsman painted columns & trim. Lath and plaster walls were replaced with sheetrock, which was needed. Kinda sad, painting over beautiful wood that matched the floor.

Before Craftsman

I agree Samantha. Thank you! Great idea to meet both of your needs .

That is updated Victorian.

Lots of work, but might be worth it for 10 more years.

I believe this would be a good Real Estate financial investment as well. Buyers like light and bright. Mood and cozy can be created in many other design ways. Bright and airy is breathing in more life.

Samantha hit the nail on the head! Lighten that wood! Beautiful house. Inspos all have some white walls but the idea is to give you wood color ideas. Can't wait to see what you do and how it tunes out.

Please, please, please don’t touch that beautiful wood. It’s made it 100 years and has a gorgeous patina. You aren’t planning on staying in the house, leave it in it’s pristine original condition - future owners will thank you for it.

Interesting. I wasn’t sure if I could lighten the wood. That would certainly make a difference. We update the fireplace. We’ve lived in this house for nearly 18 years. We plan to stay about 10 more years than sell. You all convinced me not to paint. But I have to say I love your family craftsman painted. I think that update looks amazing!!!!

I’ll keep you all posted on how we continue to decorate. Just ordered the chairs.