I would paint:
The mantle
The wainscoting. OR the built in in the dining room. ( if you paint the built in I’d go black. Wainscoting something a lot more neutral) and definitely the doorway trim.
For the kitchen. What are you redoing in there? Is this a keeper? A gut job? Halfway? I would say to definitely paint either the ceilings or the cabinets. Or maybe the uppers and the ceilings white.
Bedroom 100% paint trim.
All in all this is a gem of a house. So so much amazing detail and character. Love it!!! Can’t wait to see, hear and add more!!

Hi Sara-

I think your dilemma is fairly common in older homes. I have the same issue in my current home, and of the 3 older homes I've lived in only 1 had the same wood trim throughout, and even then some of the rooms had painted trim when we moved in. In homes that are nearing 100 years, I think it's common unless it was a high-end home that if the budget was tight, the nicest trim was put into the public rooms, so generally the living and dining rooms. Also, I've seen if homes had what was once a walk-up attic space that was finished later or porches or other seasonal spaces that were converted to living spaces, that trim work might not match. Redoing the floors, updating your paint colors, and doing the bath might be a good place to start. Sometimes with an older home, it's good to live with it for a bit to get to know the home and not rush into a decision. That built-in is gorgeous BTW.

@JudyG Designs Oops, sorry about that! You can try this one if you're curious: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1425-Highland-St-Martinez-CA-94553/18489755_zpid/?mmlb=t,0

The interior of the home definitely feels craftsman to me, but the exterior is more cottage. I need to figure out the vibe, I think! The house was built in 1926, and I don't think that the two additional rooms with painted trim were added on-- I'm pretty sure that they were original to the house. It is totally possible that the trim in those rooms was painted white later on, but I have no idea. The built-in cabinet in the dining room does have the original lead glass, and it reminds me of the one in the photo you included in your post.

@HU-187528210 Thanks for sharing your ideas-- I really appreciate it! We're really excited about the house; it has tons of charm, but could use a little love.

For the kitchen, I think it will likely be a half job. I imagine we'll keep the same layout (ish), with the exception of moving the fridge to the sink-side of the kitchen (where that white cabinet currently is), and putting in open shelving where the fridge used to be. I'm thinking we'll get new appliances, a new countertop/backsplash, new cabinets (or reface the current ones), and add an island. I love the wood ceiling in the kitchen, but I feel that it would look so much better with white cabinets up top. I also don't know if it would look better if the wood was stained a slightly darker color, more consistent with the rest of the trim in the house?

@katmumn Thanks so much for sharing your experience and perspective! I think it is a good idea to live in the house awhile before making big decisions. This wouldn't be too hard to do, since we have minimal furniture and could store things in the garage while work is being done later on.
I think the bathroom is going to be the first major thing we do! I'm just trying to be strategic about which order to do things in. Have you ever changed the trim/floor stains in your old homes, or done anything to make them feel more consistent? Or did you grow to like it/decide to live with it?

Age of house?

Hi Sara-

Yes, we ended up refinishing all of our floors in this house, and painting the trim in the 2 first-floor bedrooms as that was the trim that had been previously painted and didn't match the oak in the public rooms.

Charming house with loads of light and inviting woods outside. Seems like every northern California influence is there — a little craftsman, a little Japanese, and little last centrury ranch and a touch of Mexico. I think I wouldn’t want to lose the wood in some places because it really does link the house to the outdoors. Also for me I think the mismatched woods allows for bringing in multicolor and texture in the furniture — it will be easy to furnish. I would need to paint out the green in the dining room and pick a less cottage-y white for the walls to a more natural stone or cotton hue, but otherwise I’d be looking at spending my money on furniture and deal with the tweaks later.

@User I love the idea of a cotton white!

cute house. Do you plan on having the floors refinished? they prob have life in them to get redone.

I'd paint all the trim in the bathroom and get a new vanity top/sink. (unless you plan on redoing it all)

For the kitchen, I love the ceiling, but everything else would need a redo for me. At the very least I'd paint the cabinets and bring in a new countertop that fits the era. soapstone, marble, etc.

the living room, I don't care for the 1980's added bookcase. looks out of place. I'd prob remove that completely.

Dining room is nice w/the built-ins. I like the sage green too.

I've see rooms in these homes where the wood looks great

but I've also seen them where everything was painted white. Some people are horrified that the old quarter sawn oak would be painted, others don't care. It's a personal choice

Some of the wood paired w/white, and blue in the coffered ceiling.

This is a darker stain color on the oak trim. the floors have been redone as well. two diff shades are fine

A lot depends on if your decor will reflect the Arts/Crafts design.

I'd suggest you look at a lot of pictures of Craftsman bungalow designs and see what you like.

you can do both. both wood, and some paint.

I like this one. the wood trim has been refinished, white walls w/a diff color below the picture rail.

period lighting. appropriate furniture. this dining room is very pretty.

if you want it white and bright, do that! Since you have a plain brick fireplace, I'd prob get some replica arts/crafts tiles and redo the surround