Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Let's get this project started

The guest room needs a makeover  – nothing too serious, just a fresh coat of paint, 
a new window treatment, new shade for the glass door, new bedding, new rug by the door, 
cut off the two posts at the foot of the bed. Ok, maybe it's a little more serious than I thought.

I've been wanting to start this project for months but have been paralyzed by indecision, 
and it's all because of the wood trim. To paint it or not to paint it, that has been my dilemma.
 Yesterday, after spending way too much time on houzz.com reading through hundreds 
of discussions on the topic, I've decided to paint it. The consensus over there appears to be: 
if it's painted trim you want, paint it, but don't paint wooden doors if they're nice-looking and solid.

So that's my plan. I will paint the baseboards, the windowsill, and the trim 
around the doors some shade of white and not paint the wood doors.

p.s. I'm going to the paint store on Friday, so there's still time to talk me out of it.


 

17 comments:

  1. I like trim painted white. It makes color on the walls stand out more and really makes a room "pop". We painted our 75 yr. old wood doors white as well, and have never regretted our decision - even though the prep was a lot of work (removing old varnish and priming). Can't wait to see your "afters".

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  2. Our living/dining area has lovely wood molding, window sills, and baseboards and I wish the entire house did. They are so easy to keep clean and nothing ever gets chipped or scuffed or dirty looking. I will definitely replace the painted white of all the above in the laundry room when I get around to updating the paint, door, etc. in there. That room in particular would benefit from not having the white to keep clean in a land of red clay soil!

    The doors inside the house are all very low-end and have so many of those inset pieces trying to look formal they too are a cleaning nightmare. I am considering buying good solid wood doors with the horizontal insets only and finishing them naturally with tung oil and a washable finish. I guess at this point everything I do is partly based on upgrading and partly based on making the long-term maintenance as easy as possible. Can’t wait to see your after photo and the process as it unfolds!

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  3. I second the trim painted white, in a different finish than the walls (usually semi gloss)due to it definitely making the walls pop. My doors were also painted but they were very grubby and not solid wood. There is an additive that you can add when painting doors called flotrol (sp) to make the finish very smooth...

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  4. Maybe move the bed so that the view when you sit up in the morning is out the window. Having headboard blocking window always looks funky to me.

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  5. It is your house, do as you wish, but I love the natural wood. Painted trim looks more formal...it is great in the White House...but I love the rustic, natural look of the unpainted trim. I think it is great with the exterior you have on your house.

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    1. I love wood too, and even more when the lines in it are showing. I love to waw wood, it becomes alive again.

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  6. no, no, no! Don't paint the wood trim. White trim around the doors etc is popular right now. All white..... paint those wood cabinets.... all popular now. Your place and wood trim, cabinets etc are all light and warm. You will never get it back unless you put up new trim and as Billie says above, chipping......

    I go with do not paint the wood trim. Then next you will want to paint your kitchen cabinets! It doesn't stop....

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  7. I like your wood baseboards/door trim, the fit with the style of your house. But the bed....I'd do something about the bed.

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  8. Paint it, you'll love the fresh feel and it does set off the wall coloring. I know an interior designer who said that you highlight things that need to be seen. You don't need to see the garage door, it's not interesting, so paint it to recede into the background. You don't need to see the door trim, it's not interesting, so paint it to blend in with the whole.

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  9. Don't paint Smooch! She is just too darn cute for words.

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  10. Input from J n I.......update baseboards and wood trim....color white....
    Consider putting an accent color (paint or even wallpaper) on headboard side (again wherever that might end up) of wall to tie in new bedspread etc
    Consider shade treatments (Roman etc) to match color motif...
    Check lighting...floor lamp with rheostat..
    Potential picture changr

    Keep repeating..”Retirement is soooooooo fun”!,,,,,, 👏👏🛠🤪🐾🥂🍸💲🙏🍺🍺 🤪
    .

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  11. This is my motto and mine alone, paint everything white. And I mean everything. Then you can throw down any color on your bed, pillows, floors, wall décor etc...and everything will just pop off that brilliant white! I think I watch too much HGTV. If I had it my way, my entire house would be shiplap.

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  12. sell the bed as such on ebay or other site (the bed is beautiful actually) and buy another one more fit for your taste/room/place (at ikea?) or make it yourself

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  13. I like the idea of you making a new bed! Go for it!

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  14. I am actually one of the many professionals on Houzz. If you had a historic craftsman with wood trim, I would say keep it natural. BUT you don't, so go with what you prefer. One item that would make a big difference is a back band moulding around your door trim. White or natural it would take the trim up a big notch. Just Google back band moulding.
    Love seeing all your retirement projects!!Lisa G in TN.

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    Replies
    1. I've googled it but I think I need to see it in person before I understand how it will work. Thanks for the professional advice!

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  15. I hear what “unknown” is saying about the wood trim looking more rustic but I vote for painting it. Smooch and I enjoyed that bed but we’d be just as comfortable in one that's less formal, the full size of one similar to yours (and then the trim could stay natural)?
    So much to think about! Wouldn’t it be fun to build the bed!!!!!!

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