Stripped wood or painted archetraves and skirting boards? What's Mumsnet's view on this?

[ScreamingBeans]

I've got a Victorian house and I spent nearly a decade stripping the old paint off the wooden archetraves, skirting boards etc. and there are still some where they're painted.

It still looks a bit meh where the skirting boards join the wall but I haven't touched it for about another decade.

The advantage is it's no maintenance - I don't have to repaint it.

But if I painted it all white it would look really nice. Much better probably. But then I'd have to maintain it and have it painted again in about 7 years or whatever it is. And also I might be horrified that I no longer have stripped wood skirting boards and doorways.

WWYD?

Whatever looks best,so what if they have to be painted every seven years or so?

That's the problem, I don't know what looks best until I've done it and then it's too late if I have to undo it all again!

Also the thought of having to do them all again in 7 years is a bit dismaying. (I am lazy.)

How long does paint last? If I do it, maybe I can move before I have to re-do it.

Stripped pine looks cheap and the Victorians painted it. It’s often knotty and poor quality wood. If you use an eggshell paint you really won’t need to repaint it. Stripped wood is a bit old now and you rarely see it in renovated houses. I would choose eggshell and do it. You won’t need to go near it again.

Painted as pp says, the Victorians would have painted it.

Make sure you use water based eggshell as oil based (whilst a bit more durable) will yellow.

It lasts reasonably well and doesn’t mark like walls (any marks just wipe off) but skirtings and doorframes etc do chip especially if you have small kids or dogs. You can just touch up the chips though, it’s not as neat as a full repaint but a lot easier.

Well what do you prefer? It doesn't matter whether it's dated if its what you prefer. I know that painted woodwork is more fashionable but it's a pretty classic look having stripped woodwork

(mine's all painted in various shades of F&B eggshell by the way...)

I'm not sure woodwork needs doing every 7 years anyway. I know brilliant white loses its brilliance quite quickly, but it still looks good years later.
Seems to be a trend at the moment for putting a colour on the woodwork whilst leaving the walls pale. I like it, and certainly in keeping with the Victorian era.
I actually find some of the decorating forums hugely helpful, even if it's just to look at the pictures of other people's projects. Certainly gives you some good ideas.

Stripped pine isn’t classic anything. It’s a dated look and often the wood is poor quality so filling it, sanding it and prepping it for painting gives you a better finish. I’ve never had a dog spoil skirting boards and architraves. Nor my children. A high quality water based eggshell is pretty bomb proof. Even if you get a chip you can fill it and paint it. It gives a lighter airy finish.

The only wood I would consider saving is oak. More often used in expensive 1930s houses or earlier arts and crafts houses of quality. No one else could afford it. These interiors should be preserved.

I can't help because I have exactly the same dilemma. I know my hall would look lighter and less dated with everything painted, but I'm scared to do it in case I regret it.

The doors are really good quality, and the flaws in the skirting look ok in an older house, in my opinion. It also looks very warm.

Everything looks dated in the end. And I like the natural wood. The rooms in the darker part of the house are painted off-white though.

Paint hasn’t dated. Colours might date but paint is stills going strong over several generations. For good reason. Warm colours can be attained with paint. It’s just that most people don’t choose a pine brown colour for paint. With splits and knots. Look at the paint manufacturers for inspiration. All the niche companies have wonderful ideas.

I think its a matter of personal taste. Im not keen on stripped wood but a lot of people are. I think painted is nicer in most houses.

have to agree with above, the victorians painted the wood because it was poor quality; it's also hard to get a decent finish on that type of wood.
there are some very good quality tough paints out there but they do tend to cost; but then again it's all about what makes your house your home, so good luck which ever way you go

These are interesting paint finishes. It could be a pine door in one of the pictures but it’s a beautiful door and in first class nick.

I generally prefer stripped wood if it’s decent stuff to begin with.

@PresentingPercy

These are interesting paint finishes. It could be a pine door in one of the pictures but it’s a beautiful door and in first class nick.

Yes I like those, just what I meant. I recently joined the farrow and ball Facebook page, some great ideas there. Not to mention aspirational houses!

Everything looks dated in the end

Very true.

I'm a bit nervous I'll hate it but at the same time, I think it probably will look better.

Good tip about doing a water based finish btw, thanks for that.

Apropos of the wood not being great quality, I sort of feel that about this new-fangled fashion of stripping walls back to the brick. The brickwork is often not very pretty because it was never designed to be exposed. I'm a bit baffled by this fashion.

I'm a bit nervous I'll hate it but at the same time, I think it probably will look better.

My feelings too. I've had the stripped wood for many years and I do like it.
However I've been wondering for a while what to do about flooring so it would be a good time to have a completely new look.

I've learnt something new about water based wood paints too. I thought all interior wood paint was oil based, and mostly gloss.

@ScreamingBeans

Apropos of the wood not being great quality, I sort of feel that about this new-fangled fashion of stripping walls back to the brick. The brickwork is often not very pretty because it was never designed to be exposed. I'm a bit baffled by this fashion.

Agree! But then, I don’t understand the industrial trend, unless you live in a converted warehouse or factory 🤷‍♀️

I cannot remember when I last used gloss paint - inside or out. I’ve been in my current house for over 30 years. It’s quite nice on the door of N10 Downing Street but for most houses an external water based eggshell is much better. Just wash brushes out in water. Inside it’s a no brainer. The internal eggshell paints for wood are tough and produce a slight sheen but the finish is very flat. They don’t change colour at all. They don’t age. Good prep is essential and,unless you want a change of colour, you get many years of wear out of them. I love the F&B eggshell. Not cheap but worth it for the quality.

Do you still have to use an undercoat with water based eggshell?

You should always prime bare surfaces (wood and plaster) for a better top coat.
I quite like exposed wood around windows but not skirting boards.
As for repainting- if it was an annual thing that might put me off, but 7 years? Get someone in if you can't face it.
And definitely not gloss! Yick!

You need to prime bare wood and fill any imperfections. Sand it smooth. Make sure you then undercoat and then a top coat. It makes for a better finish.

Thanks all, I think I've decided... Paint it is.

It will refresh your house!