Hi,

We own a large art a crafts chalet style house in the Pocono mountains in PA. Originally buit in 1912 to an E. Nelson Edwards design, it has been a summer house until we purchased it 18 months ago. The walls are all aged yellow pine beadboard, which, over time, has assumed the color of light coffee. It's very nice - but also very dark. We need lights on in the daytime! We're toying with painting/staining the beadboard walls a neutral cream/beige to add some lightness the inside - something that would tie back into the trim and ceiling rafters, which we will leave as they are. Question is - do we lower the value of the house by painting/staining to lighten up the place. All opinions welcome.

Thanks,

Allan

you'd be totally insane to paint over it...if it's that oppressive, why not hang a light tapestry or drapes on one or two walls? That way it can be removed later without affecting the interior. I think anyone who would want to later purchase your house is going to want it as pristine and untouched as you did.

The Gamble family took their house off of the market when they overheard a prospective buyer talking about painting the woodwork. I would urge you not to paint yours. There are certainly better ways of lightening up a room.
-Jennifer

Hi,,,"how'd you make out"? Did you paint or stain,lol?

Dear Allan,

Since you need to reflect more light in your new home or walk around with cave lights strapped to your forehead, here are simple ideas to avoid painting the woodwork. (Yes, you paint the woodwork, the house loses value.)

Big mirrors. Hang two in the same room to help reflect light.(Buy them beat up at garage sales or look for something old and sorry looking at an in-expensive antique stores--new mirrors may look out of place in house that old.)

Get rid of any heavy and oppressive drapes. Use sheers or lace for privacy or just have nothing on the windows (not bedrooms or bathrooms, or course). Do this on the first floor to let in as much natural light as possible.

Any plaster or wall board, paint a light color--white or very pale shades of yellow, peach, green, blue, beige, etc. to help reflect light in the room better. Also, since color reflects color, pick a pastel that will compliment the natural tone of the wood in the room. Get rid of wall paper if you can.

From now on, when you buy an old piece of A & C furniture that needs new fabric, pick a light color. Put light colored pillows or throws on couches and chairs. And for your next area rug or oriental rug or A & C reproduction rug, get something with a light background for the floor. Hanging up tapestries or covering walls with fabric are excellent ideas. Not only will it be a sound buffer but it lightens up a room.

Also consider buying original artwork with four or six inch white mats surrounding the art. Or reframe what you have in that format. It makes the artwork stand out from the walls and brightens up dark corners.

Consider placing an up-light behind a table or chair that shines through a plant or dried floral/fauna arrangement. This casts shadows and throws light up against the wall and/or ceiling. (It's a great look.)

I hope this helps. I have friends who never open their drapes and their home feels like a cave. Good luck and resist the temptation to paint the original woodwork.

I have a lot more of these ideas if you are interested. The house sounds wonderful. Do you have any pictures?

Bev.

Bev,

Awesome advice but check the time stamps. The original 'Alan' posted a long time ago, and JW is out of step as well by a year or so.

Sorry, my pet peeve about replying to old threads - the original posters are long gone.

Well Stonecat,
This JW came up as a new post for me when I checked for new posts. So, I replied. After I wrote it, I noticed that Allan's was old and JW's reply was dated 10/10/06.

I am thinking of turning this post into an article for one of the A & C magazines. One of them has shown some interest in my last querry. They pay a lot more than the art magazines.

Bev.