Painting all of the wood in a craftsman house... (room, resale value, stained)

[JMC49]

I am looking at a craftsman style home with all the stained wood interiors everywhere.I hate stained wood is a crime as some would say to paint the wood and trims white.I prefer white painted wood and mouldings and doors.Should I say to he** with what people think and do what I like,After all I will be paying the mortgage and High taxes.Would like your thoughts on this issue.

[TexasHorseLady]

Arrrggghhhhhh!!!!!!

Sorry, I hate to see people paint moustaches on the Mona Lisa, too, but, as you said, it's your house.

I prefer white moldings, too, but I'd never do that to a Craftsman house.

[JMC49]

What's the big deal? Why are people so adament about this subject?

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by JMC49

What's the big deal? Why are people so adament about this subject?

Because you are not supposed to paint the wood in a Craftsman and you may find it reduces its resale value. People expect it to have dark gloomy wood.

If you do not like that look maybe you should ask yourself if you should be buying a Craftsman in the first place.

[superfly10]

do what makes you happy. I'm facing a similar situation... Perhaps there's a way to find a lighter finish that still brings out the character of the wood.

[Uconn97]

Hmm, i like painted wood too, but I would never even consider painting wood in a craftsman home, or an old victorian etc. It is your house though. You may change your mind about painting all the wood after you do a room though. Not as easy as most people think.

[Cosmic]

If there is anything standard or common in real estate it is peeps that make the same mistakes, time after time. Some houses are best painted, some fit best with what has been traditional. Some peeps are not happy unless they are making the most beautiful creature available into some pig.

But like you say, it is your house and yes we sure ain't going to help with that mortgage and high taxes but if we hit that door we expect what we want. Also nice dinner with wine, music on the stereo. After our third bottle of wine, do not be surprised if some clown goes; "Tiss, tiss..... You have something so perfect, so beautiful and you had to went and go do this; while waving the hand in the direction of the moon. Just because it your house does not mean we have to love it. I hate being in a hospital or anything that looks like it.

Plus you also have the problem of finding the other fool who will like a hack job that feels like a hospital. We will be willing to come back for more dinner and wine to listen to the moaning. For sure we probably will get some of it here.

It is so lovely to be in the navigator seat right next to the driver and inform them which turns to make. We ain't buying no gas for the car either. All the bills are yours, we know what we like.

[Ohiogirl81]

Have you ever heard of someone walking into a house and exclaiming: "Oh, look at all that lovely painted woodwork!"?

I rest my case.

[LizzySWW]

White woodwork in a craftsman is so bright & clean looking. You'll really enjoy the painted look & it will feel much more uplifting than all that dark wood. Paint on my friend! Be happy!

Look in Better Homes & Gardens for lots of featured craftsmans with painted woodwoork....it looks so good, no wonder they are so often cover page worthy!

[TexasHorseLady]

On another similar thread, someone mentioned (from experience) what it takes to get paint off of woodwork to return it to its original beauty. And what the woodwork looks like after a few paint jobs down the road (read: tacky).

As I said, it's your house. But why on earth would you want to buy a Craftsman style home if you don't like stained woodwork? If it's because people love Craftsman style and you're thinking towards resale, you'll have, as someone said above, pretty much eliminated the appeal to those who love Craftsman when you go to sell it, so when you have people come in to look at the home because they want a Craftsman, they're going to turn around and leave as soon as they walk in the door.

Sounds like you need to be looking for a different style of home that suits your taste, rather than buying a home that doesn't and then changing it.