So a while back I showed you the painted trim in our living room. This unused living room later became my sweet mom cave. I also painted the dark trim in our dining room, and the before and after on that is awesome because it is the same furniture! Really shows the magic of the transformation.
But we ALSO painted the trim in our hallway. I still have a few things to do before it is finished, but that is stopping me from showing you an amazing before and after. Here is what it looks like today:
The wall straight ahead is the only one that's been painted, and it only has one coat. I used Martha Stewart's "Heavy Goose" (at Home Depot), a very light cool gray. The rest of the walls are primed only, but were previously a peeling gross peachy beige color. I would still like to add a runner on the floor (maybe a black and white striped rug?), change the light fixture (the attic door hits it), add an instagram wall of pictures, and oh yeah finish painting.
But blah blah blah! This house will be never finished. And this space might not be finished until we decide to sell the house. So sit back and enjoy this awesome before and after:
It's so light and clean! That is the biggest difference. Our hallway actually looks and feels clean. As I mentioned in other posts, painting the trim was a tough decision to make since it would be such a big job and I almost felt like I was committing a sin painting over wood. But the trim was pretty beat up and since our house is small, it made the rooms look small and dark. We left the doors wood because they are old and I thought they'd stick if we did.
If you're wanting to paint the trim in your house, know that it's a huge pain to do it. My hand was actually swollen and wanted to fall off. I wanted to throw in the towel. But six months later, I'm SO glad we did it and you will be too. Everything feels so much cleaner now, which is a bonus because with four kids, our house is rarely clean. Magical optical illusion trim, I tell ya. 😉
What do you think?
Sam
Hi, amazing transformation! Quick question on how you removed the old wood finish , did you sand it off or use a paint remover? Thank you!
Eva
I always feel a little bad when I paint original wood too. But it sounds like you made a good call! It looks wonderful.
Guerrina
I love white trim over wood anyday! Beautiful job! Stunning change!
Amanda
I love it! White trim just makes everything feel cleaner. We bought a house 6 months ago and I'm still debating painting the oak trim! It feels wrong to paint it but the stain is very dated and 90's looking... like the wallpaper 🙂 Plus I need to replace a few doors and matching the stain is going to be a pain! I should probably just cave and paint it white.
Melissa
I Sooo love the painted trim!!! You gave me the courage to try it in our 95 year old house- our baby girl now has a lovely soft pink room with painted creamy trim and it's just delicious! Now to tackle the rest of the house...
Flower
It looks very chic! I love the grey on the walls, I have been on the hunt for a light gray for my bedroom and bathroom and I love the one you used. I'm afraid of going too dark, but your selection is perfect.
Ann Marie Heasley
thank you! This color looks a bit warmer in this picture than it would in other rooms, but since it's dark it works in here. If you are looking for a warm version of this color, Martha Stewart "Whetstone Gray" is another good one. It's a shade lighter than the paint I used in our dining room (link up above in the post). Hope that helps! Glad to hear of another person who loves light gray 🙂
Flower
Grey is very on trend right now, actually! I attended a presentation by Houzz at a conference recently, along with a few other presentations and grey in very in, from cabinets to walls, to accents. It's so soothing, and funner that white or beige.
I did see your kitchen, and it looks really nice! I liked the paint you used there as well.