Do we paint our original dark wooden beams white?? (floor, ceiling, pictures)

[Lyndsay77]

We are buying a flat that is in a converted church. You would think that would mean high ceilings, but no - as we are on the 2nd floor (there are 3 floors) we have pretty low ceilings. What makes it even more obvious are the dark horizontal beams on top of every wall. There are beautiful vertical arched dark wood beams and brick arches that we love and want to keep original, but I want to paint the horizontal ones white. Is this a good idea?? What paint would we use, do we have to get a professional in to do it?

There are many small church windows throughout the flat, so my idea is to lift the space as much as possible.

I have attached two pictures - one of the master bedroom and one of the corner of the living room, so you get the idea. We have not moved in yet, these pics are from the agency's website. Thank you!

[K'ledgeBldr]

I'd leave as is.

[Chango]

Originally Posted by Lyndsay77

We are buying a flat that is in a converted church. You would think that would mean high ceilings, but no - as we are on the 2nd floor (there are 3 floors) we have pretty low ceilings. What makes it even more obvious are the dark horizontal beams on top of every wall. There are beautiful vertical arched dark wood beams and brick arches that we love and want to keep original, but I want to paint the horizontal ones white. Is this a good idea?? What paint would we use, do we have to get a professional in to do it?

There are many small church windows throughout the flat, so my idea is to lift the space as much as possible.

I have attached two pictures - one of the master bedroom and one of the corner of the living room, so you get the idea. We have not moved in yet, these pics are from the agency's website. Thank you!

No! Dear god, no!!!! People pay a lot of extra money for unique features like that!!!

[3-Oaks]

I love them the way they are. Please don't paint them as you (or someone in the future) can never take them back to how they are now.

In the living room, find a couple wooden pieces of furniture like a chair, coffee table, bookcase, curio cabinet, or end table in the same tones....see how nice the beams look with the wood dressers in your bedroom?

[Ohiogirl81]

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooo

[TFW46]

OMG, how gorgeous! What an awesome idea, to live in a converted church. I agree with everyone else -- there should be a rule against painting that woodwork.


And I'd love to see photos of the rest of your flat.

[Lyndsay77]

Thanks to everyone for your replies, definitely giving me food for thought.

I've attached more pics of the flat so you can see how the wood runs through it. Don't get me wrong, I love the beams and love the features, but the flat feels very low and the horizontal beams I feel add to that massively. My husband isn't keen on painting them either! I was thinking of a whitewash though, like limewash - so you would still see the beautiful wood grain.

Thanks for everyone's input so far!

[PippySkiddles]

Originally Posted by Lyndsay77

Thanks to everyone for your replies, definitely giving me food for thought.

I've attached more pics of the flat so you can see how the wood runs through it. Don't get me wrong, I love the beams and love the features, but the flat feels very low and the horizontal beams I feel add to that massively. My husband isn't keen on painting them either! I was thinking of a whitewash though, like limewash - so you would still see the beautiful wood grain.

Thanks for everyone's input so far!

it's such a lovely home! I agree with everyone else-don't paint the beams. Please DO post pics once you've moved in.

[karen_in_nh_2012]

Those beams are GORGEOUS -- all of them! -- and I too would leave them as they are.

Those ceilings look like they are at least the "standard" 8' -- or are they not? Do you have higher ceilings where you are now, so "regular" height ceilings look low?

[Pitt Chick]

Please do NOT paint those beams!