Great Room Makeover

3 months ago

This room has not been changed in 35 years. It is multi-purpose - dining, family room, library - and is very dark with overpowering crown molding. I have never liked it! Woodwork in the rest of the 1927 farmhouse is white with the exception of the kitchen. I have been experimenting with chatgpt to see how it would look with a combination of painted and some stained woodwork to make it fit in better with the rest of the house. I'm attaching some before and after pictures and would really appreciate some feed back. I will also include a picture at the end of my living room to give you an idea of what the woodwork in the rest of house looks like.

Also has anyone had experience with having cabinets like these professionally refinished to have a painted surface? We would NOT do this ourselves. (Not that patient.) lol

Any inconsistencies between the various after pictures are definitely a result of my lack of AI experience but I think you can get an idea of the general feel. Thank you for any feedback you care to offer!

Featured Answer

Lyn Nielson

3 months ago

a professional painter can easily do the painting. A friend just had her kitchen cabinets, etc. repainted, it took 2 days. in Denver. once they removed the cabinet doors and hung the plastic

around the room.

I would paint in a heart beat, especially since you already have some painted already.

But, not stark white, a soft creamy white like BM White Dove. I'd paint the walls, ceiling and built ins and trims, crowns, etc. the same color different sheens. Ceiling flat, walls egg shell and the trims Satin. Leaving the features like you show in your AI image. Leave the brick surround natural too. The floor will look beautiful with the contrast.

Painting the crown will brighten up the space and make the room feel larger.

Lovely space, we all need a refresh in our lives.

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Comments (7)

katinparadise
3 months ago
Everythng Lyn said. I think it will feel like a whole new space for you!
Sue Roska thanked katinparadise
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Shazia
3 months ago
Love the suggestions above from Lyn! Especially the creamy white suggested.
And your renderings of what stay wood vs white are nice.

Good luck!
Sue Roska thanked Shazia
Edward Henderson
2 months ago
Lighten up well!

And I like all the suggestions by Lyn. Sometimes you should hear the expert opinion.
Sue Roska thanked Edward Henderson
PRO
Norwood Architects
2 months ago
To be honest, the wood trim and cabinetry give a homey feel that I like. Can understand your wanting to update and liven you room up though. If you do decide to paint will suggest that you paint all the trim and cabinetry and not try to mix painted and wood finishes. Will also suggest that for now you leave the brick of the fireplace as is an not paint to see how it integrates into the rest of the room. If you don't like it you can easily have it painted.
Sue Roska thanked Norwood Architects
Hellogardener
2 months ago
Beautiful wood but maybe too much. I would look into removing all the wood around the fire place leaving cabinets below. You still would have the cabinets and window seat on the end.
Sue Roska thanked Hellogardener
arcy_gw
2 months ago
It really is a personal preference. Your natural wood is to die for IMPO. My SIL did a similar thing and I shake my head every time I am in that room. This paint job will not be inexpensive. Have you done a value cost analysis? Natural wood has always held it's value over painted. I am assuming you won't be in this home another 35 years so the only return on investment you have is your enjoyment of the change. On the other hand matching this room up with the rest of the home sounds like a good idea. There may be other changes than paint it all. Maybe the crown could be replaced to a lower profile or just removed and the rest of the wood left....if that's your biggest frustration with the room. Maybe the cabinetry design could be lighter with the removal of the semi-circle trim? There's more than one way to lighten and lift, than just paint.