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Building a Home

dark trims inspiration?

12 years ago

H and I are trying to decide between the typical white trims/baseboards/doors/etc vs dark brown trims/baseboards/doors/etc. We've only seen one house in person with dark trims.

If your house/inspiration has dark trims, please post pics/links. Thanks!

Also, what do you think of dark trims? :)

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Comments (9)

tncraft
Original Author
12 years ago
I found the following:

Interesting. So, what do you think of combining light and dark trims? :)
allison0704
12 years ago
(Answered you in Kitchens, but thought I'd post here as well):

We have dark stained wood trim, doors, windows and beams. Contrasted with warm white (for the most part) walls. One bedroom, two baths, pantry, laundry and powder room are a soft green. Exercise room pale blue.

Lots of windows. Lots of light. Even with deep verandas (front, back upper and lower). Floors are hardwood for the most part on the main level (light walls and some furniture help lighten). Extra large travertine tile throughout the lower level and real travertine flooring on the main (kitchen, laundry, pantry, powder, sunroom, baths).

Dark trim and doors does not have to equal a dark home anymore than dark cabinets (which we also have in 3 baths, but wall paint and flooring choices contrast/equal it out).

We chose dark trim since we were building a new "old" cottage home, are located in the woods and used natural products (stone, cedar, etc) as much as possible (aka budget would allow).

Here is a link that might be useful: our kitchen
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I wish someone would post on here, because I have the same problem! I have two really pretty velvet-ish burgundy sofas that look beautiful on their own, but I'm having a hell of a time designing a contemporary-looking room around it. I feel like maroon tends to quickly move toward a 90s discount furniture showroom look despite the fact that it's pretty on its own. Plus, I also have the dark room factor (north-facing room in a small, run-of-the-mill townhome) and not a whole lot of space to work with. Ugg. Anyway, I've been reading up like crazy, so I'll just post my ideas and maybe they'll help you. I want to paint a warmish medium gray on the walls (like Benjamin Moore Reverie Pewter or Feather Gray) and incorporate a strong accent color or two on the wall art and throw pillows (coral, yellow, or bright teal are favorites). As for paint, dark rooms need mid-tones (so I've read), because light colors will feel nonexistent and super dark colors will feel, well, super dark. If your room is dark, it might be worth it to try some Jedi mind tricks with your trim too. I have a chair rail and crown moulding, but I'm thinking of doing wainscoting beneath the chair rail and extending the crown moulding by placing a thin piece of trim about six inches below the moulding and painting the whole thing white. Then gray goes between the chair rail and that bottom crown moulding. I've liked the pictures I've seen with this done in small spaces. (I forget where this attached picture came from, but it shows how the wainscoting can be useful in a small room.) My end and coffee table right now are just black, second-hand placeholders, but I'm going to look for an affordable tufted ottoman and some lighter, more organic end tables. Wicker baskets have seemed to help make the room feel more updated too. So now with that paint scheme, I'm thinking throw pillows in gray and very light linen ikat (which is very chic but still homey), chevron, pale gray zebra, and other contemporary patterns. I found a great throw pillow that had kind of a native American cross stitch in coral and gray tones against a linen background, so I think that would go with the couch. I'm a graphic designer, so I'm going to throw in some subway art and other typographic pieces to modern-up the joint. Also I'm putting a large mirror either on the wall adjacent to the windows or propped in the corner at an angle. If you get a nice one it can look deliberate enough go with the rest of the room. Or, if you're down with slip covers, you can always do that and then paint the walls however the hell you want. A lot of places have them, and upholstery shops can make you a custom one that won't look as sloppy as some of the off-the-rack ones. Good luck, and please comment back if you made any progress on your room :-)
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Hello everyone, First time poster here - heard great reviews of the advice on this site! So here goes - My house is overdue a total exterior re-paint. I'm quite happy with the white - not so sure about the grey trim and 100% want to change the colour of the door that is a drab dark brown at the minute. The window frames can not be painted as they are PVC. I'm liking the idea of a Juniper / aubergine coloured door? But what to colour the wooden sides and trim around the door? Would really appreciate your advice - i'm based in the west of Ireland so lots of rain and green! I've attached a photo - hope the quality is sufficient... Thanks in advance, Yvonne
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irishcreamgirl
12 years ago
allison0704,

Your kitchen is beautiful and I remember looking at it when I first discovered Gardenweb. I have stained trim in my family room and after years of agonizing over what color to paint the walls I've finally realized I like the pictures I see of dark trim with white walls the best. But now I am stuck trying to pick the right white. You stated you have warm white walls with your dark trim. Do you remember what color white you used?

Thanks

tncraft,

My husband loves dark trim but I struggle with it because I find it easier to paint walls with different colors with white trim. Just something to think about.
User
12 years ago
Wow...allison, that is an awesome kitchen.

We couldn't decide...so we have light and dark trim throughout the house. Here are some pics...
From .House Pics
From .House Pics
From .House Pics
From .House Pics
From .House Pics
From .House Pics
From .House Pics
From .House Pics
From .House Pics
From .House Pics
allison0704
12 years ago
Irishcreamgirl, thank you. After a half dozen sample spots, I went with SW Moderate White.

milz50, thank you also. Beautiful home. I like the mix of stained and painted. A more modern approach.
tncraft
Original Author
12 years ago
irishcreamgirl... thanks for the insight. i've actually been wondering what colors would go well with dark trims.

allison... thanks for sharing the paint color you used. :)

milz... WOW! it's a beautiful home. good to see that mixing trim colors would work. i'll definitely keep visiting your pics for ideas. i was wondering how a beadboard paneling would work; glad to see your mudroom with it which looks great. :)
Kathy Beebe
12 years ago
Milz,

What color stain did you use on your wood and what are your wood floors?

Thanks
irishcreamgirl
12 years ago
milz50,

Your house is drop dead gorgeous. The gray looks beautiful with your dark stain. Unfortunately mine is a warmer stain and I'm not sure gray would work with it.

Did you use the same gray throught the house? I'm looking for a gray for my dining room and love the gray in the room with the wainscoting.

tncraft,

good luck with your selections. If you decide on stained trim you have two gorgeous examples to inspire you.
User
12 years ago
bb19...The floors are walnut with a tung oil finish

irish...the trim colors are benjamin moore colors:

ivory white (all painted trim except bed/bath & office)
frappe (bedroom and master bath)
fairview taupe (office with wainscot)

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