Brown woodwork

[AccountantsDilemma]

I have lived in an early 80's built house for 4.5 years and having initially thought I could live with the brown window frames/doors, I'm now wobbling.

The door frames and skirting boards are white (I'm guessing dulux trade white as the previous owners did an all over quick paint job before selling). The doors and windows are stained dark brown (matching the exterior).

The house feels a bit dark and gloomy and I'm hoping that getting the doors and frames painted white would help things. I've had two quotes to do this, both in the region of £5k as it's a large property, and I'm worried it'll be painted and still not like it or prefering the brown (will be impossible to go back - will brown ever be back in fashion?!), the brown suits the era of the house and the doors and windows are beautifully crafted in solid wood.

So questions:

1. The outside will have to stay brown (restrictive covenant on a private road, is it odd to have a contrasting internal colour)
   
2. Has anyone done this and loved It/hated it?
   

Thanks

[Belleview]

Could you post a photo, please?

[AccountantsDilemma]

I'll post some tonight when I get home

[wowfudge]

I'd have one window frame done and see what I thought. The dark brown, now dated wood, is what puts me off 80s houses. They also went in for leaded lights then. That cuts down the light.

[AccountantsDilemma]

Completely outing (don't think I say anything too controversial on here.....) but I have found the original advert from when we first bought the house 4+ years ago, you can see the brown in its full glory here.....

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-17819808.html

[AccountantsDilemma]

While you are looking, thoughts on painting the kitchen? I'm ultimately planning on a back extension (replacing the conservatory) but until I can convince my husband thinking of getting the decorator to paint the units (no idea what colour as the floor is quite orange)

[BovrilonToast]

I have painted mine. It has made a HUGE difference!

[minijoeyjojo]

I'd do it - I hate dark wood it just makes everything look so depressing. Our actual windows are white, but all the skirtings, doors and window sills are stained oak - gone orange now! I'm looking forward to finally starting the renovations and painting bits white and lightening the doors.

I don't think you'd be bothered by it being one colour outside and a different colour inside. Go for it :)

[Belleview]

Yes, I wouldn't hesitate to paint it. It will transform the house. I'd paint the banisters and yes I think your kitchen will look wonderful painted, it will take the paint really well. Lovely house.

[SwedishEdith]

Oh, paint it. We've got brown wood in our hall - so dingy and light-absorbing.

Those who've painted over your brown wood - did you use anything special of just normal undercoat/top coat with lots of coats?

[BovrilonToast]

I used Zinsser cover stain - two coats then one coat of satinwood.

[AccountantsDilemma]

Paint it it is then!

So, can you guide a non artistic numbers geek, just white? Or an off white? I don't like gloss so I think satinwood?

And as for the kitchen units, any colour suggestions? Should I replace the dated tiles (can't replace the floor flags as has underfloor heating)

Thanks in advance!

[OrangeOwl]

I would keep the dark wood. It is in keeping with the period of the house and will be easier to maintain in the long run too. I think it looks fine.

The banister looks like it is painted in brown gloss as opposed to varnish though and if so I would paint that white.

I like the idea of painting the kitchen units as they would compliment the dark wood windows. I was going to say a taupe colour but then I had another look at the orangey floor so not sure. Are the wall tiles a pink shade of beige? Maybe look at picking up the shade of those lighter wall tiles?

I'm all for enhancing what is already there in a house and keeping it unique. And keeping it simple.

Lots of options, enjoy choosing, it's a lovely house.

[AccountantsDilemma]

Now you've thrown a spanner in the works OrangOwl!

[orangina01]

My aunt had the same and painted hers white, leaving the dark brown outside. It made her house look brand new inside! Go for it, your house looks amazing.

[SwedishEdith]

Thanks - we've got some Zinsser. Was hoping there was a simpler way though [lazy] as have read it's quite difficult to apply - dries quickly?

[Belleview]

Yy to changing the kitchen tiles. Idk wha colours you like or gave in your furnishings. If it were me I'd go for a green or blue. I love green or blue kitchens.

[ixos]

It really doesn't look fine. Paint it! Looks terribly dated brown. It will make a huge difference. Don't hesitate!

[BovrilonToast]

Swedish, I painted two coats of Zinsser and one satin in four hours on a Sunday afternoon. That includes washing the woodwork with sugar soap and a bit of sanding here and there.

I just lashed it one and then scraped the windows clean a few hours later... it's quite sticky to apply but you get used to it

[AccountantsDilemma]

I love that blue but think it would clash with the existing floor (which doesn't look quite as orange as in the pictures), I'll get some sample pots

[wowfudge]

I've been using Zissner and it's great - you just have to load the brush sufficiently. You can paint over it after 45 minutes. The only prep I did was a bit of filling and sanding (wearing an attractive dust mask). I wiped the door down with a cloth and white spirit.

[OrangeOwl]

Ooops sorry op. Take no notice of me, I have fantasies of accesorising an avocado bathroom suite and making it look good.

Anyway, blue or green shades for the kitchen units could be good.

[cunningplan101]

Our windows were dark wood when we first moved in ... and I was also nervous about painting them white ... but we had to do repairs anyway, so we did. And it made such a difference! It transformed the room, making it feel much brighter and airier. I'd go for it.

I think we used Dulux Trade eggshell in Jasmine White ... a slightly creamy, period, soft white.

[DayLillie]

I live in a house from that era.

I have refrained from painting the inside of the window frames as I have seen a really bad paint job on another house and it looked awful. It is much easier to maintain the stained ones.

I am gradually painting the window reveal white and the window sills white. I have found that it does not matter that it is not the same as the wall - it just looks like the light is coming in.

The previous owner liked his 'wood to match' so everything inside was painted mahogany (ie purply red stain) which is dismal. I do not have as nice a staircase as yours, so painting it would not look good (it is badly finished and there are gaps that would show) and I am considering replacing the banisters. The matching bath panel has gone though.

Some of the houses nearby have replaced windows with white upvc and it does not look good.

[SwedishEdith]

Oh, that's good news about the Zinsser. I've got all the staircase panels, spindles, banister and skirting board to do so could attack it during the summer holidays.

[wowfudge]

Edith if you've got a lot to do I strongly recommend you tackle and finish one area at a time otherwise it starts to feel like Mission Impossible and nothing is completed even though you've spent hours on it.