OldHouse guy: I posted a response here because the original post asked for ' very unique to bring out a one-of-a-kind feel ' Our home is definitely NOT one in which we tried to stay true to the original style, but it's definitely one of a kind. We were just 2 kids when we bought our house 35 years ago with the intent of fixing it up according to OUR style. I grew up down the road and that's the way this little town is. My dad grew up 2 miles away and I credit him for my 'uniqueness.' That particular room the photos are from used to be a dining room, but is now my sewing room (we added on a new dining space 20 years ago.) I'm sure that is not typical Craftsman style either, but it's typical ME. But then, we have a dishwasher and air conditioning, a central vac and light switches that don't require a button on the wall to be pushed to get light. We also have a septic tank instead of a small metal tank in the ground! When we bought the house we decided then and there that we would be here until we die. So, our 'fixing it up' was done with that in mind, not thinking we'd resell it, or turn it into what someone else thought it should be. To be honest, we were not concerned about what the next owner would have to do to it, nor are we now. The owner we bought it from bought it when it was 2 years old, was a recent invalid, and hadn't remodeled since the 20's?30's? Out here in farm country people just seem to do things the way that pleases them, both then and now. We hired a guy to add on the 2400 sf shell to the existing house, but we did all the rest, we did it OUR way. I suppose staying in business requires other people to recommend you, so it matters 'A hundred people will tell you it looks beautiful ' We NEVER did anything to this house to get anyone's approval, unless we needed permits! It sounds like your post was assuming the original poster wanted to do things 'the Craftsman way.' When I read it I thought he meant he wanted unique ideas. Taking a home back to it's original style is NOT unique. I did not read it that way or I would have not responded. Unique to me is adding one's own details, but keeping a one of a kind feel(original post) Come to think of it, isn't that Arts and Crafts?

I have an older home with V-groove wainscoting and board-and-batten paneling, and when I've painted have always painted them the same color as the baseboards and other trim. I think it would be really awkward to try and transition from stained baseboard and door casing to painted paneling. Maybe someone else can come up with some encouraging inspiration pics.

I think it can look great. You presenting a formal welcoming area and defining your entryway. Your entry looks to go from the front door to the end of the hall where the closet is. I would do just that area. You can add a trim around the opening to the right near the kitchen. At the end of the hall just have a trim that ties into the wainscoting. What 3 styles were you wanting input on?

I would hazard to guess that the rest of the trim in your house was brush painted and if it was done well you hardly even tell. Having a background in historic preservation, I prefer the brush technique anyway. Minimizing brush strokes though is all about the quality of the painter, their paint, and their brushes. Don't let anyone roll this though; the texture won't be convincing that it is all wood like I assume you want it to appear. As far as the tight joints, any joint can be caulked, but a narrow joint may be more difficult to get a proper caulk bead and may crack with the change of the seasons. The back side of the panel molding against the stiles and rails may also be difficult to caulk without losing the sharp shape of the molding the way those pieces come together. It's definitely much easier to embrace the tight joints here if you can handle it.