personally I like the oak build ins. Would it lighten things up to paint just the backs of the shelves either white or the wall color?

Sea salt will look beautiful, good choice. You can certainly paint something white and it will still blend with the wood. I'd do the sea salt first and see how you like it against the wood, you may be surprised. If you don't like it, white will look wonderful.

I think that if the walls are not white and the trim is oak, it will be weird to have white built-ins. I like April's idea of inserts for the backs of the built-ins (easier and less permanent than painting the backs directly.

Really, I think that once your furnishings are in, you won't find the oak so obtrusive. Oh, and I think Sea Salt will look fabulous.

We tried Sea Salt it in the kitchen with oak and it didn't work. And it was a do-over for the entire room :(. It was too pastel for that space. Just want you to try a large section near the kitchen cabinets to be sure.

Agree with inserts for the back of the bookcases. It would be fun and you can switch them up from time to time.

I would leave them oak. The room needs painting, and sea salt, will look fine. It wouldnt be my choice, because, I am not fond of sea salt, but, many seem to like it. I would prefer a bit more aqua color. Once your furnishings are in, and you have added some pretty pillows, and other accessories, the room should look very nice. Congratulations on your new house.

There is so LITTLE oak, I do not see how painting will "lighten" the room. Frankly I do not think you would like oak painted. The grain really shows through. Your cabinetry is BEAUTIFUL. Give it a year, try embracing it, PLEASE.

I think white would look good, and Sea Salt SW

I like oak grain on painted surfaces. If you want it less then use two coats of primer.

I know very little about wall paints but I do have one question about Sea Salt. Since this is a cool color would this be a good choice with warm-colored oak? When I googled pictures of Sea Salt it seemed to be mostly used with white or white and beige interiors.

The same color as walls

It looks not so contrasting

I would paint them, but not stark white. Try to pull a color/shade from the fireplace ( close to the color of the mortar would be my first choice) that will look good with the Sea Salt. I don't think having them different color than the oak trim is any different than if they were painted freestanding bookcases.

I can only speak from experience, Ingrid. It just wasn't right. We went with a slightly more sage-y green...Not too different but still light.

1. What if I decided to just change the back of color of the bookshelf and not the shelves themselves?

2. The neighboring room will be accessible beige

3. Would It look better to do the window trim in white or baseboards in white? if I chose to go that direction, we would not paint but buy new trim most likely.

4. All painting will be done by a professional

"1. What if I decided to just change the back of color of the bookshelf and not the shelves themselves?"-yes that what I meant

as for the question number three I've no problem with your trim, I suspect because I'm not from here and don't have some specific previous associations with oak trim. I either like a room or I don't. I do like yours.

Annie, why don't you get some paper/posterboard or such and cut it to fit in the back of the shelves (just tape it up) and see how you like the look?

Here is some idea , the bookcases are the same color with walls.

Квартира серого цвета с розовым. г.Димитровград . · More Info