paint or leave as is?

16 days ago

Just replaced our dark slate fireplace surround. Now I want to paint the built - ins (thinking Benjamin Moore Pale Oak) but my husband wants to leave them as they are. I’m thinking if we paint I would leave the countertops stained as well as the mantle? Thoughts?

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Comments (13)

Lyn Nielson
16 days ago
looks like the walls are pale oak. Is that what you are after, all one color?

I'd consider removing the half moon piece if you plan to paint them.

I think I'd leave the mantle
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Kendrah
16 days ago
I don’t love the mantle and tile combo. I’d paint the mantle but leave the bookcases as unpainted.
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I have posted this before, and excuse the repeat, but...when I started playing with concrete I saw a guy in a store that was so spattered with paint he just HAD to be a house painter. Houses in these parts, Miami, are ALL concrete so I asked him what the best thing to paint my creations would be. DUH, I said to myself after he told me - Exterior latex paint. Concrete is concrete! We paint our houses with it and it lasts for years, our masterpieces are no different - just more beautiful, of course! Since then, I have been painting using exterior latex thinned with a little water and Bonding Agent. We rarely get any freezing in these parts but all of my things have been pelted with rain, hail and wind without missing a spec of paint. A good primer coat is advised however, as the only thing that seemed to scuff the paint was when I took a stiff brush to it to scrub off some hard-water deposits. I also use an airbrush so my coats of paint are very thin, but what a wonderful way to get dimension! I have had much better luck with the exterior latex than the acrylic but who am I? If you want a particular color, don't be shy. My best leaves turned out great when I marched into Home Depot's paint dept. with a giant elephant ear leaf in my hand and asked them to color scan it and mix me a quart of paint. When I saw the color they produced I was highly doubtful until they smeared a blob on the live leaf and I couldn't tell where the paint was! Coooool! The rest, as they say, is history! (Determine the vein color, undercolor of the leaf, paint that first, then gently apply the top color.) Sorry to have gone on so...when I find a picture as an example I will post it..I know I have it here somewhere! Email me if you want - buckyforce@earthlink.net Good luck!
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Thank you all for your responses! I think maybe I wasn't clear above. I LOVE my curtains, rug and accents. :) Including the baskets. I use them regularly and I like the look of them. So that would leave as options painting the walls, trim and cabinets. I was really looking for dark drapes and light walls when I found those inspiration pics. I do see that the trim is light too. I guess I did not have much luck finding dark trim and dark drapes. :( I will look some more. I have actually been moving to stainless appliances as they break down. I guess that is an old picture! It doesnt change things too much on its own Chispa! It is a good idea though. If there is very little painted wood in a house, would it look odd to have painted cabinets? Auntjen I was thinking of you when I was posting and as I have been thinking of painting. I love how your house transformed with your new colors. I loved it before too, but now it seems more, I dont know, serene? Your artwork and accessories are more the focus maybe. I think Pal did a post on that awhile back. Maybe it was someone else, but either the paint or the accessories standing out. Both maybe is jarring. madeyna - I am more worried about painting the trim and lower cabinets with the young kids. I know it will show dings and dents way more that way. I wonder if I can paint just the uppers or if that will look half done? olychick! you are so smart. I hadnt even thought about the old picture. It has a much darker rug in it. but you are right, the DR before painting had whitish yucky wallpaper, b ut it gives you and idea. I have to say, I didn't really like it like that at all. but I think it was because the paper is white. I am thinking of more a cream/light beige color which is warmer. I think I have to try a color visualizer or something. that might help. teacats I think you are right - start with the walls. then see how it evolves. lavender lass I like the idea of a warmer color. White I think would be too harsh. I am going to look at that matte color when I get home. I think that might be a good starting point. I would love to see pictures Kimberly, cindyloo and southerngal. :) LOL pattycakes. DH has a cousin that is a painter so luckily we usually get him to paint for us. I dont think I could do it myself at this point! :) I for sure need a new light fixture lascatx. well, actually two in the kitchen they are both terrible. Any other paint suggestions for the walls? Thoughts on painting the upper half of the cabinets?
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Thanks for the illustration! So you recommend painting the door left/right window accents (not sure of the technical name) the same tannish color of my siding? Why not carry the blue over with it or paint it white? I really want to give accents to the tan color. There is so much on the exterior of my house. I like the idea with the light fixtures. I was planning on doing this.
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A photo showing more of your kitchen space/layout would likely be very helpful in getting advice.
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littlemissdena
16 days ago
I agree, paint the mantle and leave the built ins.
You can change the hardware on the built ins.
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PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
16 days ago
That would not be an action I would take in this room.

Not crazy about the brick/tile used around the fireplace.
Nancy Murray
Original Author
16 days ago
Thanks for showing the Pale Oak - I agree does not look good. Can’t redo the surround - just installed it! Was challenging finding something that was not too gray and that is “warm”. Looked for months! Anyway, may try painting the mantle only.
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PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
15 days ago
I would paint with wall color if not entire built-ins, than bottom part or even only back on top.
la_la Girl
15 days ago
If you just installed the new surround, I would live it with for a bit and not rush into painting anything
Jilly
15 days ago
Just seeing this wall, I think it looks great as is and wouldn’t paint anything. It’s a nice-looking stain color and everything has a pleasing, balanced look. I like your surround, too. You have just enough contrast to make it interesting.

I agree with la la Girl to at least wait.

What is on the other side of the room? That might or might not make a difference.
Nancy Murray
Original Author
15 days ago
Open into my kitchen - island is same stain as built ins
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Mrs Pete
15 days ago
last modified: 15 days ago
Nope, nope, not into it. This is a tough one, but I think:

- the side bookshelves are fine -- wouldn't touch them.

- the mantle is the problem, but I don't know what to do with it.

- maybe, maybe if you did the dark wood above the mantle as well? Yes, it'd bring in a lot more dark, but it would be more cohesive.

- and something above the bookshelves. Or take them to the ceiling.

- in general, I like arches, but the arches on these bookshelves seem "wrong" somehow. If the fireplace were arched, I think it'd be better. More coordinated.

Yes, I'd like to see the whole room. This wall has a lot going on, and the whole room must be balanced.
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Sammie J
15 days ago
I think it looks great as-is. Painting the mantle will only emphasize the mis-match color difference between the walls and fireplace tiles. The bookcases look great with your floor. Everything is pleasing right now and the stain blends with the wood piece in your kitchen.

If you live with it for awhile and feel like paint is needed, I'd go with the trim paint, not the color of the walls.
Nancy Murray
Original Author
15 days ago
Forgot to mention that the walls in this room will be painted a lighter color - same family but lighter
Nancy Murray
Original Author
15 days ago
I would definitely do the trim paint if I paint the mantle - don’t want to introduce any more colors to this challenging space! Thanks to everyone for your comments!
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paint or leave as is?

Comments (13)

Lyn Nielson

Kendrah

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littlemissdena

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paint or leave as is?

Comments (13)

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