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Paint Flooring Design Dilemma

Change trim/baseboards or change floor stain

6 years ago

We just found our first home and it all just feels too dark inside (some of it might just be the furniture). I'm at a loss for what to do or change. My immediate instinct was to paint all the trim white, but it's a huge job and most of it is original from 1920 and I'm wondering if I'll regret that later. The floors are stained more than one honey maple type color and perhaps it's those clashing. Help!!

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Comments (5)

smit2380
6 years ago
I would not paint the trim.
Mer thanked smit2380
apple_pie_order
6 years ago
Don't paint the trim. Add much more lighting. Paint the walls lighter and add very light colored rugs. Trim back any overgrown shrubs that may be blocking light from the windows (this happens a lot in established gardens).
Mer thanked apple_pie_order
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my mom has this same situation in her kitchen. my husband and i separately suggested to her to have the door stained. I think she will.... my grandparents apparently noticed it as well. I don't think they need to match, but there are a lot of shades that would clash or not look good together. maybe you can play around with some possibilities in photoshop-- it shouldn't be a big deal to fix. I wouldn't worry about the wood being the same throughout the house, but i know what you mean about having a different stain in the same room. Maybe you could post a picture-- in my mom's case it is definitely a problem.
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I think the doors you have pictured are very attractive. If all the trim is done the same way you may be better off replacing it though as the labor and cost of restoration may not be worth the effort. The antiquing job that was done seems to have held up well so it most likely has several coats of poly on it. If you like the cabinet doors those could be redone in a darker, richer antique finish which could look beautiful next to lovely new cream molding.
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Distressed and painted wood trim and doors, need to change color/look
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Comments (5)
try soy gel stripper. I use it all the time in my refinishing and it works great. cleans up with water, no harsh chemicals like the other strippers and there's no odor. those closet doors, are they down to bare wood or is there a finish still on them? like a clear coat of some kind? if not, why don;t you do a milk paint? (milk paint is not chalk paint, although you could also use that) I used milk paint on my own sliding doors in my bathroom. started w/raw wood and they came out great. if you don't want that, try General finishes Milk Paint (it's actually not a real milk paint but an acrylic). I've also used this on dozens of pieces as for the brown part on the stairs, what color do you want? I'd do black and redo the stair treads natural wood if you plan on removing the carpet. if carpet is staying, then just paint all the olive white and redo the wall color.
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Yellow wax on polyurethane stained floor to change the rednes
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Comments (7)
As Sophie and Johnson Flooring Co point out...there is nothing you can apply to this floor to "take the red out". And to be clear that is REALLY RED! I'm going to guess it was Mahogany. Sadly you have just discovered why professionals will apply "stain patches" and then a coat of finish on a newly sanded floor. The stain patches are for the homeowner to decide WHICH colour looks "better" to them. Normally I suggest living with the colour for a while (it is cheaper to paint than it is to redo a floor), but there is a bit of splotchiness in the finish that I can see in the photo. It appears to be rather large. Unless you cover it up with an area rug for the next 25 years, this colour variation would bother me. If a REALLY RED floor is not what you wanted, then it is best to sand down and start again. It is easier with all of the furniture out of the way.
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Mer
Original Author
6 years ago
I think this is a great idea, thanks. Or at least worth a try before I dump a lot of cash and paint!
PRO
Paint sales at Home Depot
6 years ago
I agree with the above idea by apple_pie. Even the existing living room looks so much better than the other rooms due to the areas rug and lighter furnishings. Lighten the walls and let the furnishings and area carpeting introduce color and pattern.
jhmarie
6 years ago
This home is lovely. Nothing is wrong with the trim or floor color. It is classic - and will never become "dated' - one of the perks of owning a well preserved older home. Do not turn it into something "2017" because then it will become dated. Lighten the walls and enjoy your lovely home - and turn off HGTV if you watch it much:)

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