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Paint Design Dilemma

To paint or not to paint?!

2 months ago

Hi all! I own an early 2000’s golden/honey oak home. We are having the walls, trimwork, window trim painted white/cream to take away all the yellowness in this home. My question is- paint the fireplace white too? Or keep as is? Or restain a different wood tone? Thanks!!

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Comments (9)

Jenny
2 months ago
I personally would not paint the wood. If you do paint it, you will have one monotone look to the room. If you leave it wood toned, it will become the feature of the room. With a great piece of art in your blue box, you'll have a lovely space. Since the wood matches the floors, I'd be prone to leave it its current color.
kandrewspa
2 months ago
The wood around the fireplace doesn't look orangy in the pictures. It looks close to the floor color, so you could leave it alone. I don't really care for it however, no matter what color it is. I would remove it. Because you have those high windows on either side of the fireplace those walls look like they need a built-in, or a console under the side without the TV. Or leave the horizontal piece as a mantel but remove the sides.

Elegant Traditional Kitchen in Greenwich · More Info
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Sorry, it was late last night when I sent you the two links. I understand the hesitancy. Simply white is the right undertone, but may feel a bit too yellow, a bit too colorful when you are looking at samples vs looking at an entire wall. I also get that painting trim and ceilings is not inexpensive and something you don't want to make a mistake. @Beth H. : is one of the pros who posts often on Houzz and I believe I remember some posts from her where she stated that she had used White Dove and re-painted with Simply White. I think she used it on her Trim, Walls and Ceilings, but maybe she will see this post and chime in. There is not a color out there that works 100% of the time in every home. There is a reason that I didn't pick a ready formulated white and used the color match to icing. Although it is very slight, the difference between Simply White and Icing is that Simply White has a bit of gray added to the yellow, where Icing has orange. Both are very light whites, both give you a touch of warmth to soften the feeling, but I notice the slightest green tinge in Simply White that I don't see when I use Icing. Simply White would be my first choice if I had to choose a white from one of the stock formula whites from BM or SW. I am not sure that anyone would see a difference if I would have chosen Simply White instead of Icing, but my OCD took over the decision making process. Here are two photos of my foyer using BM Frosted Toffee (walls and ceiling) and Icing (door and trim).
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BeverlyFLADeziner
2 months ago
I would prefer the wood around the fireplace stripped and stained, but if you're not willing to spend the time and money then paint the wood a charcoal gray. NOT MORE WHITE.

Also, that wall is nothing but rectangles. Introduce another shape to make things interesting. If you add a round mirror you can include candle wall sconces with flameless pillars.
cat_ky
2 months ago
I rather like all the trim, left stained. I wouldnt paint any of it. What I dont like, is the dark dingy yellowy color on the walls. Its definitely not a color that goes well with any of the wood.
ci_lantro
2 months ago
I would remove all of the wood around the fireplace. Too big & bulky looking and painting it would only make it look even bigger and more bulky.
elcieg
2 months ago
last modified: 2 months ago
Paint it white, but leave the mantel as is and see how you like it. You can always paint it later if needed. Just make sure your white matches the white of the ceiling, but do trim in semi-gloss and walls in eggshell finish.

You have gorgeous floors.

Remove the valances on the windows...thinking Groucho Marks.
Kendrah
2 months ago
Leave the wood unpainted around the fireplace. The tone of the wood goes with the floor. Live with it for six-months. If you feel you made the wrong choice, then have it painted.
wdccruise
2 months ago
I'd leave the wood, remove the window shades to maximize the light, and paint the walls. Ideas:
- BEST WALL PAINT COLORS to Pair with Wood Trim
- The Best Paint Colours to Update Oak (Wood) Cabinets, Floor or Trim
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BeverlyFLADeziner
2 months ago

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