Looking for suggestions/comments -- woodwork/trim colors

Connie
by Connie
Has anyone combined painting their woodwork white and having interior doors be different? My woodwork is oak with a clear stain and then varnish. I was thinking of painting my trim woodwork white but do not want to replace or paint all doors, etc. Was thinking of starting in my kitchen. Opinions on combining the two looks? Dumb idea or do-able???? If anyone has done same and can share photos, that would be great. Thanks all!
  12 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Dec 03, 2015
    I personally prefer the stained wood over painted wood.however if you are opting for a different look then go for it.I would suggest looking at photos first to see if you can visualize what it would look like.
  • Craig Craig on Dec 03, 2015
    I work for a custom hardwood door manufacturer and our customers do it all the time. I believe it is truly an individual taste of whoever has to look at it everyday. I did this in my house, not really my preferred look, but the previous people did not properly take care of the wood and it was beyond repair. So where I could reuse and paint the oak, it stayed and I replaced other pieces with clear pine and painted everything.
  • B. Enne B. Enne on Dec 03, 2015
    Lots of people do it, especially if there is a lot of wood. It brightens things up and makes everything look fresh and modern. IMO it looks best as long as you have colour (can be neutral) on the walls, not just white. I have dark doors with white trim and love them. They are similar to these: http://www.dimplesandtangles.com/2012/08/black-interior-doors.html I have friends who have some natural oak beams and doors but white trim and it looks good, almost a cottage-y, Scandinavian-look. Here are some examples of mixing the 2. http://www.houzz.com/discussions/2862900/mixing-oak-trim-with-a-dark-floor https://www.google.ca/search?q=mixing+natural+oak+and+white+trim&espv=2&biw=1455&bih=695&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjzzdWb6cDJAhWKXB4KHXLLDFMQ_AUIBigB#tbm=isch&q=mixing+natural+oak+doors+and+white+trim
  • Jhmarie Jhmarie on Dec 03, 2015
    I have this in my home and really love the look. I have oak cabinets and oak paneled doors with white baseboards and door and window casings. I love the combination of the brightness of white with the warmth of wood. It also gives me flexibility with using wood or white. For example, my family room had a very dark stained (pine I think) bookcase that really darkened the room, so I painted it white, but left the fireplace mantel and doors wood. This does look better with paneled doors than with hollow core doors. Here are some photos from another site - not my home: http://www.houzz.com/photos/31034/Beacon-St-Residence-contemporary-hall-chicago http://www.houzz.com/photos/714593/Mill-House-Kitchen-rustic-kitchen-new-york http://www.houzz.com/photos/93817/Quiet-Casual-Home-Entryway-and-Stair-traditional-staircase-columbus from my home:
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    • Jhmarie Jhmarie on Dec 04, 2015
      @Connie Glad to help:)
  • JoAnn JoAnn on Dec 03, 2015
    It would w work out fine. It all does have to do with personal taste. I have bold colors on the wall, white door trim with natural wood door. It works well together and pops.
  • Connie Connie on Dec 03, 2015
    You've all been very helpful. Thanks. This is my kitchen where I am thinking of starting with painting my trim woodwork white but leaving doors oak. I've experimented with painting furniture and have become a bit addicted to it and thus thought I might try painting woodwork to give it a fresh look.
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    • Connie Connie on Dec 04, 2015
      Thanks. It is kind of a slate blue color.
  • Jhmarie Jhmarie on Dec 04, 2015
    Your new kitchen looks very pretty! You might consider down the road getting some pretty paneled interior doors in the same wood tone as the kitchen. My home is originally 1970's, remodeled the kitchen in the 90s (and going threw a refresh right now - but staying oak) replacing broken dark cabinets -which are now back in style:) We had hollow core doors that were worn out and slowly replaced them with paneled oak doors. Painting the trim allowed us not to have to try to replace that also. The darker wood also looks good with white trim.
    • Connie Connie on Dec 04, 2015
      I would like to get paneled doors sometime. Much prettier than what I currently have.
  • Marie Caruana Marie Caruana on Dec 04, 2015
    Since my LR/DR has so many doors and windows, I painted the doors the same as the walls (a pale yellow) and the window trim is white. The doors almost disappear and the white highlights the beautiful windows.
  • Sarah A. Victory Sarah A. Victory on Dec 04, 2015
    White wood trim and wood color doors used to be the norm--granted I am 68. :) Nothing you want to change in your environment is ever the D--- word but is do-able. Our ability to accessorize is what separates us from animals (Steel Magnolias). Painting is also one enhancement that may always be changed again and again. My front door/shutters have been 4 colors in less than 2 yrs. Depending on what color you have on your walls white trim can really make it pop and lightens up the room. In my kitchen I have white ceiling trim, white chair rail and 2" white trim at the floor w/dark wood cabinets and I love it. Happy painting and Merry Christmas!
  • Connie Connie on Dec 04, 2015
    So for those that have combined oak look with white trim, if you do one room I suppose I should do all rooms at least if on the same floor? That could be a lot of work.
    • B. Enne B. Enne on Dec 04, 2015
      @Connie the common areas yes (hallways, LR etc)...nothing stops you from having different coloured trim in bedrooms, bathroom etc, if that is what you want.
  • I saw some photos of a house where the trim was painted black and white walls. It looked so good! Go on Houzz and search 'black interior trim" in Photos. Lots of ideas,,,here is one.. http://www.houzz.com/photos/44517/Goshen-Ridge-Model-Home-contemporary-kids-dc-metro
  • Connie Connie on Dec 10, 2015
    I received suggestions from folks which was helpful.