Skirting disaster

[Slippingcareer]

I bought a house 2.5 years ago, with oak skirting, architrave and doors. Most rooms had carpet. The skirting was in really poor condition, it wasn’t all the same colour and lots of paint specks.

We finally decided to get laminate flooring and new skirting. I was trying to find skirting that would match the architrave, but struggled, and was advised to buy unfinished skirting and stain it to match.

I tried various stains on samples and found the closest match I could. I ordered the skirting and stained all of the skirting and it’s now fitted.

I hate it! The colour doesn’t look right at all and I’m so disappointed.

What do I do with it now? We’ve already spent a lot of money and I’m at a loss as to how to fix it.

Not sure if it could be stained again as I have not got experience of that.

Would you consider painting it white? It is probably what I would do if I couldn't match.

I would leave it for a few weeks and see how you get on. The pictures look absolutely fine to me. I definitely wouldn't paint it white as you can't undo that. I think once you live with it it will blend in and you won't see it. Looks lovely.

I don't think it looks as bad as you think. I agree - live with it a few weeks. Wood is a natural material and as such there is a spectrum of shade, of grain, of knottiness (is that a word), even within the same type of wood.