We painted a bedroom Hawthorne Yellow and it was too strong a color - and I love yellow. I suggest you try a small section before committing yourself. Our family room is Ben Moore Standish White which is a toned down yellow. It would probably really fit in a tudor and not turn off potential buyers. It looks like butter.

Are those balusters iron? If they are, I would strip the paint from them. Cameo white is a great choice to repaint the pink with. Do post pics when you are finished. Good Luck!

mirrors on the walls!!!

Don't make it so complicated. Remove all the pic's, move that wonderful mirror to the top of the steps to amplify the light and space and provide an inviting approach to the second floor. Replace that light with a small shade or no shade one that does not show the ugly bulb. Get rid of the pink with any of the color suggestions you like best. The stair is now inviting. Simple and done.

-Take down all the pictures
-Strip the wallpaper
-Repaint the walls in a creamy color which will brighten up the area. Use a satin eggshell finish for light reflection
-Paint all the molding and the risers white
-Take down the chandeliers and replace them with some inexpensive ones that you can purchase at Home Depot that will give more light and make the area look updated.
-Through out the rest of the house , pack up the clutter until you have the sale

GOOD LUCK IN THE KEYS. YOU WILL LOVE IT.

I would not start painting or ripping down wallpaper. I think your house is pretty wonderful and the people who buy it will too. They will pick their own colors so why go guessing? As you said, remove the personal photos, then make sure you have as much light as possible and the thing that always impresses me, make sure it is as clean as possible! De-clutter and get into all those corners with a toothbrush if necessary. (Not saying that you haven't already!) Best of luck!

I'm sorry to say but unless you paint, this is an eyesore. The walls look like a dorm room freshman decorated. Family photos done right are fine but that's tacky overkill!! That lighting is atrocious.

octoberjamie, If you were truly sorry to say it, you shouldn't have. No need to be so cruel.

What a fabulous house! The only change I'd make is to take down the photos.

Whoever ends up buying your home will most likely have some very specific changes they'll want to make to make the home "theirs". Ornate homes such as yours always attracts people who are creative and enjoy all the unique detail of a home. I'd buy your home in a heartbeat, just the way it is. Then I'd change it dramatically to fit my own taste.

Save your pennies and time for the new home YOU'LL be buying! I'm sure you'll want to make changes on that home once you move in.

Always think neutral colors and declutter. Neutral colors are also less expensive. The new owners, after purchasing, will want to put their own touch in the house, so you need not spend that money like that. You will want to spend your money in the new place. You will find colors in Florida are lighter and beach oriented. Like the ocean, sky and sand. It will be blues, greens, corals, and some splash of citrus, you'll see. Good luck. I'll be on that exodus to Florida, hopefully in a couple of years. LoL

The negative things we hear always seem to stick with us but I hope you won't let the one from that October person stick. They are just wrong, so wrong.

Octoberjamie, your dorm room was way nicer than mine. I see a beautiful house with a gallery wall devoted to family. For sale it would be distracting as people will focus on your photos instead of your gorgeous home. We all have clutter to pack but in your case as strangers will be touring the house be sure small valuables are kept somewhere safe. I am sure you have lots of treasures.

saratogaswizzestick, Wow. I would definitely want you on my side.

What a breathtaking house. Lovely, lovely wood trim, gorgeous coffered ceilings, and I don't even like stained wood trim, like mine painted, ma'am! If you are still looking for advice, this is what I would do: paint the trim in hallway a cream color (like some posters said), declutter, remove heavy and or extra draperies that block light coming into house. Hire someone to professionally clean the windows inside and out. Let people have clear sight lines going out the windows. One of the things people first look for when buying a house, LIGHT!

You have a charming home. I love family pictures but in this situation I can understand wanting to see a fun change. Hopefully you can find another special location for you wonderful family photos, a den could be lovely. I imagine seeing the trim around the stairs and doorways in two cream tones. I would combine a satin with a high gloss. Satin on backsides of stairs will soften all of the shine. Perhaps satin on doors as well. Play with two cream tones, one may have a slight deeper and maybe a bit of a dove gray tone. You may want to check these colors in the appropriate historical shades popular in the age of the home. I think this will add elegance, brightness and will open up space. Along the stairs I would consider placing cream and white mirrors (will appear spacious and brighten) in various sizes and maybe even throw in some antique blue and white patterned plates in a small grouping. Simplifying some of the accessories in dining room and bringing the white and creams will make the spaces flow together. A large ornate white mirror flanked with two sconces and a white/cream tablecloth will brighten up the space. The vintage homes have a traditional style that seems to want to go with darker tones but you can compliment the home and bring in your own style; gosh you can even throw in a modern piece hare and there to add a touch of surprise. Yes, I agree with Yvonne P., simplify and de-clutter. Feng Shui promotes light and clear spaces to make the energy flow and give a person a sense of freshness. Look into that and you may find some really fun tips to help you with your design project. Good luck :)

Check with you local Sherwin William store; some have designers that go to your home for a small fee to help you make color decisions and that fee will apply to the purchase of the paint as a credit. Hope that helps.

Opps, I just noticed that you are selling your home. Consider hiring a staging pro. They always suggest putting your personal trinkets and photos away so the new owners can visualize their own personal stuff in the space. Bright always sells.

@purplehoneypie Your maths and history is terrible!!!! How can you have an 100yr old Tudor home?!?!?!!

Leave the wallpaper. Paint the pink and teal a neutral. Put up the 4 sale sign. Done.

Always advised to take down personal pictures when selling.

@seasnail: Your grammar is terrible! Her home is in the Turtor Style aka Tudor Revival. I'm sure the OP knows the difference.

There's a difference between honest and being negative or mean. I'm being honest. A hallway like that would have me running the other way. I just sit back and wonder, if people live in the real world where we see home magazines that show walls uncluttered by so much junk and how homeowners see these mags or tv shows and then think there's nothing wrong with their hoarder style walls. People looking to buy a house don't want to see that. They want to see empty walls and neutral colors. This home is fine and reminds me of my grandmothers house but it's just not the way homes are usually decorated now. My hallways is empty. I see the people I love everyday and don't feel the need to clutter my walls with photos of them. I see them everyday and know what they look like.

A nice uncluttered well lit staircase.

http://houzz.com/photos/3641452 a nice way to express yourself with family photos; note, there are no Walmart collage frames over killed in the link.

Please. You were being mean. If you did not intend to be mean, you should have tried being more gentle with your phrasing. Words like eyesore, tacky overkill, and atrocious are not constructive. This is someone's home and their taste. The OP came here for help not your criticism. If your hallways are indeed empty, that just shows you have a lack of any style.

My house is so full of style that most days I feel crowded. Tons of color and unique pieces. To each his own :-) I guess I just have issue with the frames. Those words I used are real word words. The same things I'm sure you would share with friends or people when discussing anything. Calm down.

*real world words oops!

Octoberjamie. can we see some pictures of your own home to get an idea of how your style differs? Melissa is right . You can offer suggestions here in a kinder way.

De-personalize the home, remove the family photos (which you said you plan to do), change the paint color of anything that is pink - to white - all of it, including the doors. The wallpaper can stay, but if it's peeling or coming up at the seams - fix it. The dining room looks very dark in the photo. If you have the time and the money, please paint the walls a warm, but neutral color. (buttercream) Do not paint any natural wood - it's too beautiful. Remove the heavy draperies - blinds would be best, or, if the view is good - no window coverings are needed. Make sure all the windows are sparkling clean. If you have fake plants, remove them. The dining room rug doesn't look fresh - since you have beautiful wood flooring, you may want to remove the rug to show the floors. Change the tablecloth to something less busy, or remove it entirely. Set the table with your best china, crystal and silverware to "stage" the room. Remove the artwork in the dining room. Good luck to you, wish I could be there for the estate sale!

Beautiful, historical home! I agree with so many who suggest removing the pictures and drapes, as well as painting out the pink and teal with a warm white (Ben Moore's Cloud White would complement your wood). This would be a quick, easy update and would brighten up those dark spaces. Most people love light airy rooms. Leave the wallpaper on- it's too big of a job to tackle if you're going to sell The new homeowners will change things to personalize the home. Best of luck with your sale!

I'm not the one on trial here lol. I'm confident with my home and don't need to share to get opinions!

I have lived in Key West since 1970. I too am getting my house ready to sell. I am also a real estate agent. Have you found your little bungalow yet? My house is not little but I could find you one that is. It is hard selling your home of many years. I know what you are going through. I have another home here so I am not moving out of Key West. Check me out at www.RealtyinKeyWest.com. Small world. I can't believe I saw your post!

Leave the wallpaper and paint all the trim creamy white. Update the chandelier and removing the pictures, hang multiple mirrors of various shapes and sizes on the landing wall to bounce light. Consider adding more light fixtures through the ceiling such as wiring in spots to focus on the stairs since it is so dark.
Downstairs, your beautiful woodwork is the highlight of the house. Remove heavy drapes and dark wallpapers. Declutter and pack up most of your beautiful antiques. In your dining room, keep only one buffet on display. Paint the wall a lovely, creamy tone to allow your paintings and woodwork to pop out and show how truly spacious your home really is. Gorgeous!

@purlpehoneypie, you mentioned holding an estate sale. If you plan on selling any of your chandeliers that are "fixed" to the home, make sure you remove them prior to pictures hitting the internet. That way there is no confusion over what stays with the home and what can be sold.

Beautiful lamp in the stairwell! The woodwork (doors, frame & stairs) that is pink or teal, I suggest painting it white or off white. Remove some of the pictures, the stairwell walls look too busy. Remove the corner shelf on the stairway to make the landing appear larger. In the dining room, use a solid color table cloth. Move in the mirror on the wall in the staircase area so that's directly in front of the descending stairs. Good luck!

I would paint the teal and pink a warm white like Frazee Swiss Coffee, a stark white will be too harsh for your vintage home and will not complement the beautiful wood work. You are right, pack up all of your family photos, and furniture on the landing. Dining room I would remove all plants if they are fake, open up those drapes to let in the light, remove all furniture but table, chairs and sideboard. Remove busy tablecloth. Clear horizontal surfaces and leave only a select piece or two per shelf. Your home has wonderful vintage charm not found in new homes, let it shine girl!

@octoberjamie, you may be honest, but you ARE negative and you ARE mean. @seasnail, you too.

The pink has got to go as people just cannot see past the vibrant colors. Teal also needs to go. I'm sure you are dreading removing the wallpaper so my suggestion is to remove all of the personal photos (leave the wonderful baroque mirror which looks great on the dark wall.) You may have to be rid of the paper once all frames are down as there may be just too many holes to ignore. Paint your trim crisp semi-gloss white, the walls a nice deep color (grey is very 'au courant' and a dark brownish-grey might work well blending in with your other rooms (eggshell finish).

It is hard enough these days to sell our homes...just don't be your own worst enemy by ignoring 'first impression'. Good luck! :)

You are welcome... Someone once suggested to me that 'the camera doesn't lie' meaning to do just what you did. Take photos of every room (especially first line of sight) then look at the photos detaching yourself from all the personal items that are dear to your heart as a prospective buyer would/will. You'll do fine even though it will be a daunting task...such a large and lovely home!

Good luck with the sale and thanks for sharing.

I'm telling you, it really is just amazing how some posters here can be so freaking rude, immature and just plain nasty and then claim they're just some sort of beacon of taste. It's especially distressing when one sees such a person with a child and imagining what poison the hapless child will be fed.

I want to see the dog that just barely snuck into the bottom of each picture!!

Yes my friends the location of your house matter too, which can add woes to your problem, for which i believe you need to re paint the indoor walls with light shades. Also you can add good lighting fixtures or light wall painting to further enlighten up your house in a better manner.

****THIS dilemma is resolved already**********

The pink would make me turn on my heels and walk out. I understand it is a matter of personal taste, but is is a real turn off for a lot of people. You reduce the number of interested buyers dramatically. A neutral color is a must.

I disagree with the suggestions that so much needs to be done. I am a flipper and do these types of corrections constantly and I stand by my previous suggestions for that stair area but keep in mind your selling in a much better market now. Here in Michigan home prices have increased substantially and Now is a great time to sell. That holds true in most parts of the nation so don't make so much work for yourself. Concentrate only on the declutter and minimal paint and enjoy moving on to your next adventure.

AS chookchook2 HAS ALREADY SAID................. PEOPLE!!!!!
****THIS dilemma is resolved already**********

Can anyone tell me why this was posted Jan. 5 and this came in my inbox a WEEK after that? I read through every single comment and almost feel cheated because my opinion on this house doesn't really matter because this issue is moot. Over. Done.
I'm glad purplehoneypie received professional advice that will serve well. I hope you are successful in selling your house, and buying another one. Life changes like this are hard. Your house is beautiful--but then you already knew that.

ceilings lighter would help...

OK.. maybe I just eccentric or something but I love it the way it is! Pictures and all! Yes you have to use as much natural light and make sure there are many open windows to have a much light as possible to show off the natural wood and the colors... actually sometimes the best thing is to do less... YES pull back all the drapes! Open up as much as possible.. having done two home purchases by shopping on line for homes in the last 14 years... nice clear bright pictures are the way to go... it does not matter really what the colors are or what you change as the new owners are going to want to change things to their own taste. Yes remove the excess things... make sure you use all the best practices.. . learn to make a bed look like a designer dressed it... that is one of the worst mistakes a real estate makes in taking pictures... poorly cleaned up rooms and bad bedding, furniture choices turn off much faster than paint colors.... funny as usually the furniture goes but apparently it is hard for people to replace in their minds the furniture in the picture or the home with their own belongings ... LOL Good luck with your sale! I wish I could have found a house like this in my location at a price I could afford :) Just bought a new home in May of 2015. :)