Need much help with what to do with our mudroom/foyer

12 years ago

Help, we're stumped on what to do with this room. Our home is victorian style built in 1904 with beautiful dark wood trim throughout the downstairs (see photos). My husband and I don't want to touch the trim in the living room and dining room but are unsure if we should keep the foyer dark. In my opinion it is TOO dark. We are thinking of painting the trim and built-in white since the entire upstairs is white as well and our soon to be remodeled kitchen will also be white.

Question: Will the transition between the two rooms downstairs and a white foyer be weird? If you notice as well the trim in the foyer is in rough shape with chips all around.

What to do, what to do?

Featured Answer

brickln

12 years ago

The woodwork should match the adjoining rooms- it would be a shame to paint it. Kitchen is OK to change.
Painting the walls a lighter color, and adding a rug and cushion for the built in can change the look dramatically. Repairing the stairs will also give opportunity to add color in the spindles, railing and carpeting. Maybe add recessed lighting in addition to a ceiling fixture, or even a small table with lamp or candlelight. This house obviously has great bones- bless you for taking on the challenge. Wonderful home!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (15)

noellani
Original Author
12 years ago
I should also mention that we are stripping the stair posts and pulling the carpet to refinish the hardwood. We plan on a carpet runner and restaining the posts and handles wood with white accent on the stairs.
abbyjean
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
Can you find some stain and polish up the chipped parts of the wood and then leave them alone? I just feel the wood is perfect in that area.
noellani thanked abbyjean
Related Professionals
Alexandria Interior Designers & Decorators · Williamsburg Interior Designers & Decorators · Fort Dodge Interior Designers & Decorators · Bridgeport Interior Designers & Decorators · Concord Architects & Building Designers · Waco Architects & Building Designers · Peoria Architects & Building Designers · South Sioux City Architects & Building Designers · Lancaster Architects & Building Designers · Bend Architects & Building Designers · Enid Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Moline Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Rochester Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Eureka Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Salt Lake City Kitchen & Bathroom Designers
dclostboy
12 years ago
Getting rid of the blue will make it feel so much fresher. I reclaimed this beadboard for use in small bathroom, but two light coats of a gel stain unified the color and made it so much cleaner.
noellani thanked dclostboy
brickln
12 years ago
Can I add that a dark, cozy entrance can also feel quite welcoming? In my experience with these homes, the right lighting makes all the difference.
marley67
12 years ago
Personally, I wouldn't touch the trim. It seems to dark because of the dark blue but when you change the wall color to a lighter fresh color, the contrast of that natural wood will be beautiful.
noellani thanked marley67
marley67
12 years ago
Congrats on the home btw. I've always wanted a home like that.
noellani
Original Author
12 years ago
What if I said I like the paint color :) ....
PRO
Day Interiors
12 years ago
Hard to see the colors in the living room, but what about a light- sky blue color with a runner up the stairs that brings the blue, brown trim with a gold or tan and a splash of green ( or something to tie in the living room ). You can add blue accents into the kitchen. Will brighten up the area, but preserve the Victorian look and ad as light bit of color.
noellani thanked Day Interiors
reggiesmall
12 years ago
Congratulations!

If you're going to keep the dark stain, it's probably better if a professional is called in to strip the varnish/stain, touch up the damages and then refinish it. It'll look new/old world again and not tired and worn. It will look like you cared about the beauty of the wood and not just the concept of the beautiful wood. You anyway need a new newel post.

I'd definitely lighten the paint and I agree about very good lighting, from multiple sources.

Good luck!
noellani thanked reggiesmall
User
12 years ago
I also live in a Victorian era home and while I love beautiful woodwork I also understand how in some of the smaller homes the foyer can seem very dark. I would keep the trim the same but I would not be opposed to painting the builtin or the newel post and sides of the stairs.
noellani thanked User
reggiesmall
12 years ago
Sorry, finial! Haven't had my coffee yet
User
12 years ago
http://houzz.com/photos/379961
noellani thanked User
User
12 years ago
Here's a sort of example of a white builtin in (could keep seat wood) with wood trim
http://houzz.com/photos/785944
noellani thanked User
User
12 years ago
Unsolicited comment - i would think about removing the little banisters from the wall
noellani thanked User