Thanks,
eak
COMMUNITY FORUM
I am in the process of repainting my dark stained woodwork to a white semi gloss paint. However, I have two problems. One is the bannister and 8' spindles that are seen as you come into the entry way (it's a split entry house) are also this dark stain. I am considering leaving these the dark stain, but the baseboards are white in the entry way. I am afraid that if I paint the bannister and these spindles white, it would be too much white in this area since the tile entry floor is also white. Also, should I paint the inside of this door white to match the molding and baseboards, or should I leave it the dark stain like the bannisters and spindles. I would sure appreciate any suggestions on the problem,
Eak,
Please reconsider painting your woodwork. Unless there are seriously unusual circumstances, most folks hate to buy a home with beautiful old woodwork that's been painted. If yours has made it this long without paint, please help it continue.
If you want to lighten the look of the room, you can do it in other ways. If you are painting because it looks worn, you can "flow" the old finish, a much easier task than painting, with beautiful results. I don't know exactly how you do it, but it basically consists of using something like alcohol to make the finish somewhat wet again and all the cracks, scratches, etc. fill in. My mother-in-law did this to an antique bed and it looks marvelous.
I know this isn't the advice you are looking for, but perhaps it will help.
Sincerely,
Jaclyn
Please reconsider painting your woodwork. Unless there are seriously unusual circumstances, most folks hate to buy a home with beautiful old woodwork that's been painted. If yours has made it this long without paint, please help it continue.
If you want to lighten the look of the room, you can do it in other ways. If you are painting because it looks worn, you can "flow" the old finish, a much easier task than painting, with beautiful results. I don't know exactly how you do it, but it basically consists of using something like alcohol to make the finish somewhat wet again and all the cracks, scratches, etc. fill in. My mother-in-law did this to an antique bed and it looks marvelous.
I know this isn't the advice you are looking for, but perhaps it will help.
Sincerely,
Jaclyn
eak,Just remember that you can do whatever you want.My suggestion is;paint the woodwork white,the door white and the spindles white.Leave the rail stained.Now one question;are the stairs carpeted completely so that no woodwork is visible?If they aren't then paint the risers white and stain the treads.This entire process is called a split finish.
In reply to Randy Colin,
Yes, the steps are carpeted an emerald green color. I like your suggestion of painting the spindles white and leave the handrail stained, but my problem is with these large 8' spindles that are in the living room that are seen as you go up the steps to the living room. Any suggestion on an easy way to paint these? Keep in mind, I am a novice painter and kind of messy when I paint. Thanks for your help.
Yes, the steps are carpeted an emerald green color. I like your suggestion of painting the spindles white and leave the handrail stained, but my problem is with these large 8' spindles that are in the living room that are seen as you go up the steps to the living room. Any suggestion on an easy way to paint these? Keep in mind, I am a novice painter and kind of messy when I paint. Thanks for your help.
eak
Having stripped wood of ill-advised coats of paint several times, I agree that you should re-consider painting woodwork if it was designed that way and made it this long without paint. I also prefer stained decorative wood over paint. I own one of those "inherited pieces of junk-furniture that nobody wanted" in my home, off of which I stripped eight layers of paint to find GORGEOUS white oak wood underneath: making the person who gave it to me regret it quite a bit after it was restored. Paint is the answer for cheap wood, not fine wood, of which I presume this trim work is made. That rejuvenating technique could work better than paint, and it could lighten the color of the stain by removing the crud that has built up in the finish over the years.
But it is your funeral. :-) You really should do what you want. I frankly would avoid any advice you receive over the Internet on a chat board on this question because color is an incredibly subjective design element that depends entirely upon your preferences, design objectives, the lighting, the dimensions, and the surrounding environment. My bright and cheery white room could be your blinding headache. There also is no way I can tell you whether I think there would be "too much white there" because I have never seen what "there" looks like, no less considered all the other design objectives. I feel your pain of trying to get a second opinion to make sure you do it right, but there is no way we can really help you without being there.
Reply to Lawrence:
The wood banister and spindles were only installed about 5 years ago, so it is only pine, not a beautiful oak grain. You mentioned something about a rejuvenating process that would lighten the wood. Exactly what is that because that sounds like something I may consider doing if it is not too difficult.
The wood banister and spindles were only installed about 5 years ago, so it is only pine, not a beautiful oak grain. You mentioned something about a rejuvenating process that would lighten the wood. Exactly what is that because that sounds like something I may consider doing if it is not too difficult.
eak
