Yes, I'd paint all of them. I think the oak doesn't go well with the colours you have in either of the upstairs rooms, and doesn't go at all with the tile in the downstairs. You will find that the decorative element on the fireplaces will look better once you've painted and it is the same colour as the wood behind it. The carvings are made of a different wood and thus don't really look right on the oak.

Very open, pretty rooms!

YES! I wanted to mention it on your other thread but your kitchen was already getting ripped apart, I didn't want to start on the fireplace. If you think you will keep the white cabs in the kitchen, then paint it white. It depends on what your furniture looks like, but you can also restain it in a dark color. I used gel stain on my oak cabs and now they are dark (very dark) walnut. Lovely!

I vote for trying darker stain first. If you don't like it, paint it white. Lots easier to do in that order than the other way around.

Give me a minute, I'll do a mock up while I'm in the mood...

Yes -- I would paint the family room fireplace -- and add a mantel and surround to the one in the living room -- and then paint that one white too!

In the basement -- I would paint it black and add black accents around the room (photo or artwork frames; shelving; lamps; end tables etc.)

If you want a white one I'll do that to... click the thumb...

Wow greenthumb - I don't know how all of you do the photoshopping, but it is fab. Both options are better than the current light oak, IMO.

Oh wow!! I just love it painted white! LOVE it! Thank you so much! I am absolutely going to paint it white... can't wait to try it!! Do I need to sand down the wood first?

mlraff53 - feel free to make any suggestions. I didn't design the house, that's not my furniture... I honestly wouldn't take offense to anything. I appreciate all the help an suggestions. Think of me as a blank canvas. ;o)

You shouldn't need to sand it as long as you use a good primer first.

Usually, you must sand and prime bare wood before painting it. In this case, since the wood might have a polyurethane coating, I'm not sure whether sanding it would be advisable. In any case, you certainly will want to prime before painting. You also might want to post a question about it in the paint forum: there are a couple of professional painters who are regulars on that forum and would be able to give you an experienced point of view. :)

If it is coated with polyurethane you will need to sand with very fine sandpaper to roughen up the surface. If it's not coated with polyurethane you'll need to prime with a stainkiller primer.

I like it white. By the way, your house is very pretty.

I think the white will look great. My only other thought is to remove the scrolly thing on the front. It looks early american to me, and not in style with the rest of the house.

Did you decide what to do with the kitchen yet?

I'd get rid of the yellow on the walls before painting the wood mantel. I would much prefer a dark stain on the mantel and a different color on the walls.

I agree with sarschlos remodeler that a different wall color would work better with the wood of the fireplace. I love yellow, but it seems to fight the color of the wood of the fireplace. As long as it is OK to critique everything, I think the carpeting is a big problem, as well.