Design Crew
Sat, 6 Aug 2011
Got a problem? Need some help? Just standing there shaking your head? Don't know what to do? You're not alone. Send us a link to photos of your design quandary and let the Desire to Inspire design crew help you .... that's you lot ... the readers! Here's a good one to sink your teeth into. Danica emailed about her beams.
I am looking for help with my design problem involving exposed beams. I have a 35 yr old Cape Cod that has exposed beams through out the main floor. They are in ceiling in the kitchen, dining room and living room. They are also in the hall and continue down the walls in all these rooms too. Some are stained a 70's chocolate brown and others are painted the same brown. At first I liked them as they lent a sort of chalet look to the place but now they are just too dark and dreary. They are large beams about a foot thick on all sides. I really don't want to paint them white and I can't even think about striping them. We have natural cedar walls everywhere too. I would like to brighten the kitchen by painting the cupboards(green) and the walls(white) in that area. I was also thinking of painting the ceiling a nice blue. But what to do with those beams? I also have a part wall of exposed brick.
I have been trying to come up with a practical solution to all of this for over five years now. So here are some pics of the kitchen/dining room and living room. Looking at them all I am thinking is "Yikes, that is a lot of wood!" We live out in the woods in East Coast Canada and have a eclectic style. I love the house but want it a little bit brighter.
Reader Comments (31)
Ouch! It's really a bit dingy in there. Part of the reason is of course of those wood, but i think the low ceiling played a part too. It just bring those dark timber beams nearer to you.
In order to reduce that feeling and to bring more lightness, i think you have no choice but to paint the entire ceiling ( with those exposed beams ) in white, so that they will blend into the ceiling and recede higher back.
For the walls, have the timber panel behind the open shelving in the kitchen painted white too but leave the tall and lower cupboards as they are. That way, they will form a unity with the window cum timber panel which you have in the dining room. But paint the two cupboards flanking the kitchen window white. i think they will stood up like a sore thumb amid all the white over there. Blend them in using the same colour.
Also, paint those vertical timber beams, the timber panel behind the computer desk, and the exposed brick wall white too. With all the introduction of white, i'm sure the room will lighten considerably.
Oh, and please do some de-cluttering.
I have white beams and I love them! They are not too clinical because all my bits and pieces on the walls, furniture, rugs etc are full of texture and colour so they just act as a back drop. When the beams are white it shows off everything else. If you didn't want them white, what about matt black.
What about getting rid of that wood on the walls and just painting those bits white? That would give the place a brighter look straight away.
I would start with the walls that you are looking at painting white and the green cupboards and then take another look once that is done. You may find that with brightening that area the focus is taken away from the beams. I would also, personally, continue the kitchen white to cover the exposed brick bit of wall.
Cheers,
Madana
I think a whole lot of white paint is the solution here...paint anything and everything: cabinets, beams, ceiling, walls. This will give you a nice blank canvas for decorating while helping to visually unify, brighten and enlarge the space.
Since your house is only 35 years old, you don't have an historical gem on your hands that needs to be preserved. Paint, paint, paint. If you want color (blue) you'd be better off painting the walls blue rather than the ceiling since the ceiling feels so low already. But, if you are painting the cabinets green, maybe blue is not a good idea?
If you really won't paint them, then you need to clear out all the furniture, wall deco, nick-knacks, etc. Get all new furniture, and store away the STUFF. If you really clear out, and streamline the interior, you may actually find that the beams are lovely when not competing with clutter. Seriously, the computer/desk in the living room is depressing. Christmas lights are for trees in December. Get rid of them now. And plastic storage containers? Those are for the garage. Go to Ikea already and get some attractive, inexpensive storage furniture.
Embrace the "chalet" idea, but do it in a Swedish way.
I would leave the ceiling beams as they are but paint the support beams white as well as the paneling in the dinig area and in the kitchen where you have the shelves. I think painting the cabinets greens might be a great idea if you stay in a bright green, maybe like the plate hanging above the fridge.
BUT, i would recommend before any painting to remove all the artwork and hanging decorations, so you can have a blank canvas before you decide on colors, there's just too much going on to think.
good luck
It's interesting that everyone still feels you should paint it all white despite the fact that you said you didn't want to do that. I have to admit that is what I would do but then again I'm one of the biggest fans the all-white-look ever had.
Two things in defense of white: To echo what Sarah said above, it does look kind of "clinical" when you go very minimalist but if you remove all your stuff and edit first, as the others say, you can carefully return you favourite display items until a desired degree of warmth and visual saturation is achieved. Also, if you do decide to go for the white, spend some time looking at the various different whites there are. Whites are deceptively tricky, I've found. Some go grey, some green, some blue, some pink. Bring home samples and paint a corner with a few to compare in different lights.
If you just hate white, I think Marie's idea of the lime green is fantastic! An orange, red, or even fuschia (oh I love fuschia!) would be bold choices too. Or all three (yummy). I'm not a fan of blue and brown together but if it's what you love go for it. One way to add visual interest with colour would be to paint the beadboard behind the open kitchen shelves a different colour than the rest of the cabinetry.
Bottom line: I would leave either the dark brown beams or the lighter wood paneling as is but not both. One is orangey and one brown, a colour combo that will always be very 70's to me. Leave the stone and brick unpainted. If you don't want white with the rest, go bold.
Oh, Oh! Look at this! Right here on DTI, some painted ceiling beam inspiration. Scan down, there are some with black walls:
http://www.desiretoinspire.net/blog/2011/7/28/something-old-something-new.html
That´s a lot of wood! White is really the way to go on the wide ceiling beams, I would paint the rest of the ceiling a very pale grey, and also the kitchen cabinets, and put mirror on the back splash and also behind the Tv. And rest white, white, white, the exposed bricks, the fireplace. The paneling on the window I would paint the washed grey we used on the ceiling, but the window frame, white. Hope I could help, a lotb a painting to do, a lot of painting!
I agree with other comments that "white-out"+ a good dose of de-cluttering is the solution that will transform your dark east woods Canadian chalet into a cheery, airy Scandinavian-style country house.
I'd also back off on using color on painted surfaces, such as the green and blue you mentioned. You can bring those colors in as accessories such as pottery, textiles and the like. As accents against a white backdrop, they will really make an impact.
If you are set on some color in paint, consider a light neutral tone, like a stone or warm light grey, to use on some features such as the larger, rougher timbers. Unless you paint the brick (which I don't endorse) remember you have that color to harmonize with, so less is truly more.
And, BTW, how I envy your wonderful spot in the woodsy countryside-! You do have a potential jewel there.
I think the beams are beautiful, as is that gorgeous stone around your wood burning stove. The grass window covering, the rush-seat chair, the natural-shaped wood console in the kitchen, the basket, the little red bench-- a lot of your choices work with these elements. It's almost a Japanese country house aesthetic I think--very natural and rustic yet with the possibility of being really modern and stylish with the right touches that contrast with the earthy elements. I agree with those who say empty the space so you're not distracted by the various furniture and art--you'll be amazed what pops out. Were it my home, I think I'd leave the beams (maybe even darken the painted ones to an almost black), paint the rest of the walls and paneling a creamy white like the ceiling (maybe the brick, too, but leave it until last in case it works after everything else is white), and as budget permits, swap out the floor for huge concrete- or taupe-colored matte tiles and the kitchen chairs and table for something more modern (or just paint 'em black or white). Quick, inexpensive update would be to change the lighting in the dining space to an Akari-style Noguchi pendant lights (Ikea sells inexpensive version) and a more modern fixture in the kitchen--maybe an Ikea Fado light. I'd stain or paint the kitchen cabinets a warm, sage green-undertoned grey like the stone around your stove. Now the base colors are all soft white, black, natural wood, and greys/taupes. Then I'd add a few modern, bright accents in a favorite color--the lime green suggestion would be fantastic, or the red in your little bench. Beautiful! I think you have a gem...embrace those beams!
ps. but if you're really hating those beams and loathe to paint your kitchen and paneling...I recommend you check out http://www.designsponge.com/2011/03/sneak-peek-philip-newton.html for an example of a beautiful, warm home that celebrates its natural brick- and wood- paneled walls.
It seems that natural cedar is a keeper, although the kitchen will lose it completly, to break it appart from the rest of the room. Such a woody brown could be used on beams and brick wall, to tie it all together.
I think the cabinet and the floor need to be white! That would lighten the entire room and reflect all the light that comes in from the windows. Clear away most of the trinkets to give visual breathing space. Probably would let you leave the brick, beams, and cedar alone!
You could also play with different whites. For example the brick in a very glossy white would look beautifully sleek. The stone wall could be done in a more matte white, and the beautiful window in your dining room would make an amazing and cozy reading nook if you throw some oversized white cushions and replace the woodsy blinds with white blinds. You don't need everything to be matched, that's the beauty of wood, just a touch will liven up a space, but too much of it can overwhelm the senses. The wood is so warm that you really need a bit of white coolness just to balance it off. Good Luck! You have a great place there!
I agree with going white. I would paint everything white, except the exposed bricks. I would lighten up the floor as well...maybe bamboo? White ceiling and white beams would definitely make the ceiling look higher.
I'm going to go in a different direction. You've got the rustic parts covered in spades...so how about some refined elements. Did I see any textiles anywhere in there? Forgo the paint for now, do a little tidying up, maybe a rug, some curtains, some pillows, just something that isn't wood and looks soft and cozy. Live with that change for a while and then start thinking about painting something.
Also, it's not so much the color of the wood, it's the amount I think...walls, cabinets, ceiling beams, chairs, desks, benches, blinds, things on the walls. Introduce some elements not made from trees, it'll break up the view a little and tone down the amount of wood you see.
If you're going to paint, make sure you paint the brick wall white. The combination of wood paneling plus timber beams plus brick plus that busy floor pattern is too much. At the very least paint the walls in the kitchen white. I'd also strongly consider getting rid of the floor for something lighter. Take a healthy amount of wood cleaner to the cabinets, and see if that doesn't lighten them up. Also consider replacing the glass shades in the ceiling fan with clearer ones. You'll see more light out of those immediately.
If you're averse to painting the ceiling beams white, maybe paint them black. It'll make the white walls seem whiter.
A lot of the problem is how *many* colors of wood you have going on. And you're going to have to bite the bullet - you know that. But no reason to paint white, when a lovely warm cream will do far better. I would recommend plastering over the beams first, to change the texture - that will remove them from registering to the eye as wood at all. Both ceiling and wall beams. ALL of them.
The concrete & stone work around the wood-burning stove is just so... Use sledgehammers. Violently! If you like the brickwork, you could match it as a replacement. OR! You could update and lighten by covering the brick over - and replacing any slanted styles of paneling (so very 70's, you might as well just bring in the gold-veined mirror squares) - with cream-painted beadboard, which is both modern, light and attractive. It would look good around the w/b stove, as well. That will give you just selected cedar panelling to represent natural wood, which will allow you to highlight it, rather than having it overwhelmed amid wooden turmoil.
The kitchen cabinets as they are, even painted, will scream "DATED!" If you want to lighten that area, you'll have to look at more modern cabinets. I love the cedar panelling behind the cabinets - if you were to use cream paint on the cupboards, paint the interiors a soft green or blue, and insert translucent panels into the doors - and use open glass shelves - wow. Of course, the kitchen is a good place to leave the heaviness of wood out altogether - if you can afford it, you could go with metal cabinets and open shelves. You're certainly on the right site to find examples of that!
I'm with everyone else. Declutter. Kitchen especially, it's a good place to impose your green/blue palette on the dishes, glasses, etc., without spending a lot of money. Lose *all* the brown, dust-catching deco. Just as much as the beams and over-abundance of woods, those are adding weight to the atmosphere. Every decoration should stand on its own, and choosing one showcase piece that reflects the calming blue and green palette that you want to use will do far more to capture the feel you're after than any wash of paint. Try for reflective surfaces, and bring in lots of light - lamps in your chosen colors - avoid the opaque, use clear and translucent glass. Change the pictures for landscapes that offer a vista, and again, bring in green and blue. (I keep picturing the modern Italianesque abstract landscapes).
P.S.: I love the primitive furniture pieces you have - the computer chair, the kitchen sideboard. If you like those pieces as well, it would be an excellent idea to look for other pieces that will match that sensibility - replace your dining room table, *definitely* the computer desk, likely the coffee table, end tables etc., with furniture that reflects a more cohesive POV. Not overly-matched, but of a particular era, movement, or quality. The problem for almost anyone who has put together a household over a number of years is the disparity in styles and quality. You can get away with the cheapest of Ikea products, and look stylish - if the room is a cohesive whole.
Can I direct you to some other blogs for inspiration? Painting wood paneling & beams white: http://www.younghouselove.com/2009/08/how-to-paint-wood-paneling/
Painting wood beams grey (rather than white): http://www.younghouselove.com/2011/02/glad-thats-out-of-the-way-part-2/
And as for changing your cabin style into cottage style (I don’t know if other people agree with my delineation between cabin & cottage, but to me cabin/chalet style is dark wood & cottage style is light & bright). Anyway, another blogger’s home that has the light & bright eclectic look that you mentioned, that you might be able to pull some inspiration from is: http://rosylittlethings.typepad.com/posie_gets_cozy/
I think you kitchen is going to look great with a new coat of paint & some new hinges & knobs.
I don't necessarily think it's the beams that are the problem. I think there is too mauch variation with the brick and the wood and the tiles and the walls. I would find a light neutral colour (I've lived with all white and it can be nice, but choosing a light neutral works just as well), maybe a colour from the lovely stone wall behind the fire and painting ALL the walls in both the lounge and kitchen the one colour. We had a pine lined room painted dark red with natural pine ceiling that was sooo dark. I chose a light skmoky wood colour for the walls and painted the celing whiite (leaving the dark exposed beams) and it is such a light and lovely room now. DTI did a fantastic post recently with a cabin that had had the pine walls all painted white and it looked brilliant and is what inspired me, but it doesn't have to be white. Athough if you don't want to paint the wood, you could give it a white wash look, by bleaching it, and then paint the walls and brick white. Either way, you need some cohesiveness, as there is too much going on visually. Then, once you have all the walls done, depending on what you have decided to do with the walls, you should be able to see what colour would work with the kitchen cabinets. If you've gone white on the walls for example, the lime green would look fantastic on the cabinets. If you've gone neutral in the rest of the room, you may find a blue or even white that looks good on the cabinets. Another trick I've found for brightening up low dark ceilings is to paint them with a white semi gloss as it reflects more light (and you could just paint between the beams). The same is true with painting cabinets. Hi gloss or semi gloss not only makes it easier to keep them clean, but reflects more light into the room. Good luck.
I actually like those beams the way they are. I'd rather paint all the other wood white..? then look at the room and decide if anything needs to be done to the brick wall.... just an idea. good luck!
Hello and thanks for the opportunity to comment! I love your home and have lots to say.
First of all, if you and I were really interacting in a design situation, I wouldn't dream of responding to your questions without getting, from you, these 3 things:
1. At least 20 pictures of different interiors or pieces of furniture that you like, collected straight from your intuition without judgment as to whether it would work in your situation or be practical. Straight from the heart, pictures of anything you like.
2. An idea of your budget, money and time and what you are willing to do yourself versus what you must hire done.
3. I would want to know why you don't want to strip the beams or paint them. Simply, your reasons for not wanting to do this.
With these three I would be much more successful at making a response that would be to your tastes rather than to my own.
Lacking those three I will do the best I can.
There are two very strong and unchangeable features of your home that must be considered:
first -- the incident light coming from your windows is heavily filtered through what looks like large trees or very heavy foliage. This will affect any color of paint you apply anywhere in the house. Paint is simply a reflector for the light that is hitting it. Your light is going to be very different from light in the paint store or anywhere else. You'll have to look at large samples of color in your own home. Try and bring home sample cans, and you may need to adjust them. I'd buy some at least some raw umber UTC and some burnt umber so you can drop a couple drops of color in to adjust your paint yourself if you need to. Raw umber will make colors more neutral and a shade greener, the burnt will shift towards the red.
second -- your ceilings are low.
Those two things above make the whole seem very cozy and enclosed. I would play that up.
I would not use white - again due to the heavy influence of large trees and foliage, white -- especially semi gloss or gloss whites will look cold and have a rather false teeth glow. Ick. Instead I would use your stone around the woodstove as a starting point and get various light neutrals derived from colors that look good with the stone. Much lighter than the stone, but derived from those hues. I would not use cream or ivory for your major colors. I'd go for very light soft greys, driftwood-browns, taupes (but avoid pink, you don't want beige) use light sages, very light warm grass greens. But mainly centered around various light soft greys. Some with a little more brown in them, some toward the blue side. It looks as if your house has a "great room" concept in which the openings between the rooms are larger, and rather than having discreet rooms, it is more like a large open space with different areas. You're going to want different colors for interest, but keep them very neutral and natural. Just like in nature. The human eye craves variety. So I would treat it as one room with different areas. I would go ahead with your desire to have the kitchen green -- and yet just barely green will be enough. The green shouldn't contrast very much with the other soft greys. All your colors should be pretty close to each other in hue and value. You could do the cabinets in a light soft sage, with the backsplashes and other parts of the room in a soft grey picked up from somewhere else in the big room to unify it. And then put a green, maybe a more yellow dead-grass green, elsewhere in the big room to bring some green out there. Again, barely different from one another in hue and value. And flat. You want the sheens to be flat. You can use General Finishes milk paint for a durable cleanable high quality kitchen cabinet paint. It has a flat sheen. You'd have to get the colors and mix them yourself. Experiment with several of the small sample cans and keep it light.
Regarding the stone around the woodstove - I saw a response earlier about substituting beadboard there but that would violate code. It must be nonflammable within a certain distance of the stove. I would stay with the stone, give it a good cleaning maybe with TSP and then see about dye-ing the mortar around the stones a darker grey to reduce the contrast as much as possible between the stone and mortar - any dye will probably penetrate into the mortar since it's so porous. Use very dilute dye so that you can adjust the color as you go along. Then I'd see about painting your woodstove in a nice soft lighter grey slightly lighter than the stone. There are heat resistant paints in rattle cans that you can use; then first burn you would open up all the doors and windows to let the fumes escape. Wear a mask when using the rattle can; it's awfully fume-y.
I would avoid yellow or orange tones in your wood toned furniture and accessories. Someone recommended bleaching which is nice except you won't be able to get the bleach to soak in if there's a clear coat on your wood. You'd have to strip it first to get the bleach to penetrate. Also, bleach tends to make wood go light yellow and then you'd have to wash over it with a grey wash to correct that tone. For furniture I would go for driftwood tones, medium to light neutral natural browns... As such, the cedar on the walls I would go ahead and paint with one of those various light neutrals. Regarding the beams -- I am noticing a line between the ceiling material and the beams that is wavy, as if either the ceiling is textured and meets the beam at an uneven line, or the ceiling was painted with a shaky hand. If indeed there is ceiling texture that will make a clean cut line between colors difficult or impossible, I would have the ceiling and beams in the same color. An alternative would be to paint the beams a contrasting color but then apply a diluted wash over the beams and the ceiling. Use a very high quality paint or the wash will peel the underlying paint. This will unify them and make that wavy cut line not be a problem.
Re. the brick -- you must determine whether you like that brick or not. Is it a nice softly colored neutral older-looking red brick or is it a jarring dark 70's era brick with those vertical lines in it? It looks more like the latter to me than the former. I would tend to want to make them recede into the background by painting them one of those neutral light tones you're going to create. I am seeing overall a variety of things that you like to have in your home and up on the walls, and am guessing that a lot of those things have sentimental value to you and that you may have collected them over time. A light neutral background on walls and ceiling and floors (paint the floors a soft grey, darker than the walls) will allow your things to look great against them. Certainly decluttering of any things that you don't really need or don't like to look at would help.
Hope this is helpful --
Suzanne