Yes - you need to paint out those ceiling beams white and the ceiling the same colour. I would actually do all the trim white (even though I’m a wood lover). Those beams are just too distracting and not adding to the unique shape of the space.

I would probably remove the wood from the ceiling. That would dramatically change the look of the room. Then, decide whether to paint anymore wood or not.

Thank you for your input. We considered removing the wood, but there is a lot of it, and it would probably be more expensive. We have much more to do, such as the green tile, framing fireplace, etc.

Have to concur with @Hallet & Co. - To modernise a home doesn’t necessarily mean ripping out or painting out the features.

Agree that painting the walls is a good idea - I would leave the trim alone

have you gotten an estimate on removing the wood from the ceiling? It seems more tacked on than structural so it might not be $$ - if it were me, I would want to clean up the visuals a bit and remove the ceiling wood and some of the other wood accents like in the room behind this one (one of the panels wraps around a corner?)

is it an historic house or a newer home that is it built in the Craftsman style?

How old is the house? Is there a history?

This strikes me as a mid-century house with some Craftsman features. I really think you should remove the trim from the ceiling. It's odd, and not in a good way. The rest of the wood trim is excellent, so don't touch it. While I understand your desire to lighten up the wall paint, be careful not to use a cool white which would be jarring with the woodwork. BM Navajo White is the gold standard for a white/off white that looks good with woodwork like this. Start by considering it and let it lead you to something else if it isn't quite right for you. I just got done trying 5-6 off whites for my dining room - it is not unusual to have to try a couple colors (or more) to get to the right one.

I am in the camp of don’t paint the trim get rid of the ceiling trim. Frankly,if you want to get rid of the fireplace tile but not the ceiling trim I would throw my hands up and say “WTH”? I don’t know if that trim is legit to the period or the responsible party had left over wood and someone who must have been high thought it would look good on the ceiling but that is horrible. Horrible. Depending on the year the house was built and the location, the fireplace is not an eyesore. I spent time living in Cincinnati and saw many Rookwood fireplaces that I love and it reminds me of those if a different green-blue.

I also love the fireplace and think it's a feature worth keeping. If you remove all of the features that give the house character and originality you might as well not have bought the house and let someone else have it who would have appreciated it. Unless your taste in furniture is very traditional you shouldn't have any trouble finding a way to decorate that is compatible with the features. If you remove the ceiling accents it will look more normal and be easier to work with.

It is not clear if this is an historical craftsman or a newer house made to look like a craftsman. I agree the wood on the ceiling might be overkill, but I would not touch it until I have lived there for 6 months to a year. As for the fireplace that is a classic craftsman blue, I would not touch it.

The fireplace is pretty, the columns are fine but someone should have stopped before adding too much weird trim to the ceiling. The wood itself is nice but the effect is overbearing.

Can't answer without knowing the age of the house. Is it a real older Craftsman or a faux Craftsman from 2000 ?

It is a complete remodel by the previous owners in 2010

I understand the sentiment around appreciating the craftsman detail. The driving factor in purchasing this house was its lakefront location, and now we want to update it while keeping the craftsman style intact.

The comment from Kendrewspa regarding choosing the right color of white gives us a starting point.

How old is the original house?

When was the house built? re: remodeled in 2010, was the house a ranch they added the craftsman detailing or is it a true craftsman that they tore down walls in ?

The house was built in the early 1970s. The owners we purchased it from renovated it extensively in 2010 to it's current design.

Love the fireplace tile, hate the ceiling trim. I agree with getting rid of the ceiling wood.

If it was built in the 1970s it probably isn't a historic Craftsman, which flourished in the early part of the 20th century--1900-1930. The ceiling trim looks a bit haphazard to me and not indicative of a true Craftsman home. I wouldn't have a problem painting it the same color as the rest of the ceiling.

First, this is not a fair representation of the trim with the wide angle stretched photos. Take a few pics without the stretching so we can see the true proportions of the wood trim.

This is not a historic home, the trim is not original to the home and may just be a case of "More isn't always better."

I can't tell if it is just the photo or if the trim on the window by the dining table is painted. Looks painted, but could be lighting/reflections.

If it is painted I would want to make it wood to match the wood on the fireplace mantel. I like the teal tile on the fireplace. The glass on the chandelier seems too green. I would want that light to better match the teal or change it out to something completely different and just use teal in the centerpiece or chair pads or area rug.

As a collector of A&C/Stickley, I normally would be in favor of keeping wood trim, but this looks like ersatz A&C. Some of the design is lovely, but they really went over the top and strayed from A&C. Start small—just paint the weird ceiling trim first.

“Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.”
― William Morris

Built in the 1970s and 2010 remodel? Assuming these pics are of the previous owners’ furniture, they were clearly collectors of the ‘real deal’ (arts & crafts/ craftsman era). It looks like they were going for a prairie style craftsman look with their renovations, which appear very high end. Before touching the fireplace tile, I would do some research on it, as these may have been part of their antique collection and valuable. Same goes for those stained/ leaded glass windows as well.

Just to add: This room is clearly a lovely nod to A&S. There were no coffee tables in 1905 and no over stuffedfed, reclining Morris chairs. (See period catalogues.) That said, we as collectors have a few Stickley repos that are quartersawn oak and very well made. Many collectors have both for reasons of practicality.

The ceiling trim is a bit unique but at the same time distracting in a way. I wouldn’t call the home craftsman in my mind. More lake cabin want to be. Tearing out the trim I agree could be more than you bargain for? Wall color change and perhaps a lighter stain on the wood trim could lesson the distraction above. Are the beams real or faux?

Wow beautiful views, congratulations on your lovely new place.

I agree with @apb0

this is a pretend A/C but this doesn't mean you have to paint every bit of wood. Try a paint visualizer to see if you can paint some pieces and keep some wood. It's finding that balance and finding what works for you. If you decorate in a more contemporary style you might want to paint more of the trim and replace the tile.

I love this blog.

Emily Henderson Soulful Craftsman house

Keeping some wood and painting the ceiling.

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The interior architecture is clearly a nod to Frank Lloyd weight prairie and Usonian houses. The trim isn’t ‘historic’ but it won’t be improved by being painted. It’s a pretty darn good composition as is. Needs a good decorator not a paint brush.

Hahah Wright… wish you could edit from a phone.

Nice examples Boxerpal. May just paint the strips between the dark beams on the ceiling and go from there?

Strips of trim edit

There is just something not feeling right about the ceiling trim. With the vaulted ceiling I expect beams. When I think Arts and Crafts or Craftsman I think more of flat ceilings with beams or decorative coffered ceiling or tray ceilings. It just seems off to have decorative accents on the sides of a vaulted ceiling.

I think the craftsman needed to have his purple crayon yanked away sooner.

It just occurred to me that there may have been some sheet rock or what have you cracks (?) along section (s) of the ceiling that needed to be disguised. Hopefully not, more than likely cosmetic only though. Why the thinner trims were added, just a thought, no matter at this point but was to share.

@lisaam laughing out loud.

As an oak lover, I really like the floors, windows, built-ins near stairs, and door trims. I’d paint the rest. The fireplace wall: love the tile color and the mantel but, I personally, have not seen a craftsman fireplace tile area this large before unless balanced by built-ins on the side/sides.
I would tame the ceiling, crown molding and the wall squares near the stairs and built-ins first, then reevaluate.
Are these your furnishings?

As an oak lover, I really like the floors, windows, built-ins near stairs, and door trims. I’d paint the rest. The fireplace wall: love the tile color and the mantel but, I personally, have not seen a craftsman fireplace tile area this large before unless balanced by built-ins on the side/sides.
I would tame the ceiling, crown molding and the wall squares near the stairs and built-ins first, then reevaluate.
Are these your furnishings?

I love everyone's suggestions and appreciate being educated in the craftsman style. The Stickly furniture throughout the house was done so well, but did not come with the house. The pictures from Boxerpal are helpful, as well as the direction we are looking for.

The stain is darker but certainly not DARK. The room can handle it with all the windows. I would not touch most of it and the floors are lovely. You said it would be too costly but I do not see how painting out the ceiling frames would help in the long run. They are highly unusual and will be there looming no matter what color they are. If you dislike them, find them odd they need to come down. I don't care for the color of the fireplace tile--but even if I like it I think it is too much. That's a big statement for such a yawn of a firebox. Get a fresh light color on the walls, ceiling white, ceiling trim features gone and call it done.

Yes, the fireplace, placement and the yawn of a firebox will need some help. Any and all suggestions are welcomed.

I would first paint the ceiling trim on the side slopes of the ceiling. Then reassess and see if the trim at the top of the room now looks okay. If after a few weeks it still feels overpowering, paint that too.

Someone thought “more is more” when doing the trim in this house.