I have a 1960's apartment that has all original woodwork...window and door trim along with wood baseboards. While I have been happy with the look after 6 years, we recently replaced all furnishings from a traditional look to a more contemporary look. Question I have is there anything I should be aware of while making this design change? I plan on using Zinnser primer followed by 2 coats of Behr or... [more]
I have a 1960's apartment that has all original woodwork...window and door trim along with wood baseboards. While I have been happy with the look after 6 years, we recently replaced all furnishings from a traditional look to a more contemporary look.
Question I have is there anything I should be aware of while making this design change? I plan on using Zinnser primer followed by 2 coats of Behr or SW semi gloss enamel.
I am rather experienced in home renovations having performed many for myself and assisting many friends with theirs. I am now officially over the all wood look...all wood trim and hardwood floors and mostly large wood trimmed furnishings and love the look of painted wood work. One idea I have regarding the wood trim around the windows...I would like to keep the wood surrounding the window glass itself as it is as the wood and finish is in relatively good condition. I also don't want to paint over the latches locks and other window mechachnisms so was thinking of painting only the wood trim itself. Good idea? A mix of the wood frames on the windows might look great if the window wood is left the original color. Every other appearance of wood would be painted over.
Thoughts or comments? Thanks in advance for your input as I have much admiration for the pro renovators here and the excellent advice you have all always given to DIYers.
And no, I do not in any way care to hire any outside help as I am an accomplished painter and feel my work compares if not surpasses many in the home improvement industry.
Thanks again and I look forward to hearing what you all have to say regarding painted wood trim.
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Response by front_porch
over 13 years ago
Posts: 5321
Member since: Mar 2008
I find semi-gloss very drippy and hard to work with; you might want to thin it out before you paint with it -- the Home Depot guys (or Lowe's guys, I forget which sells Behr) might be able to tell you the right proportions.
And then, of course, it all depends on how obsessive you are. The more you sand between coats the prettier it'll be. Definitely buy a sanding block if you don't already have one.
ali
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Response by nyc10023
over 13 years ago
Posts: 7614
Member since: Nov 2008
I'm of 2 minds on painted woodwork. For all that people hyperventilate over original woodwork, much of it was nothing special - the Dykes equivalent of the late 19th century. Some woodwork was designed to be painted over.
You say your woodwork is 1960s - that doesn't sound like anything that can't be reproduced today of the same quality. I'm not familiar with your apartment, but my own place is a blend of painted woodwork & unpainted woodwork (because the original woodwork in bad shape and $$$ to restore to nothing special). I decided to patch and paint over to blend in with new Dykes-sourced baseboards and moulding. There is some remaining woodwork that is prettier and of higher quality, so I had that restored on the cheap.
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Response by drdrd
over 13 years ago
Posts: 1905
Member since: Apr 2007
Buca, your ideas sound just fine. Enjoy!
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Response by NYCMatt
over 13 years ago
Posts: 7523
Member since: May 2009
I second nyc10023's comment.
"Original" 1960s woodwork? What's that, cheap picture framing around the windows and 1/2" firring used as "baseboard"?
I find semi-gloss very drippy and hard to work with; you might want to thin it out before you paint with it -- the Home Depot guys (or Lowe's guys, I forget which sells Behr) might be able to tell you the right proportions.
And then, of course, it all depends on how obsessive you are. The more you sand between coats the prettier it'll be. Definitely buy a sanding block if you don't already have one.
ali
I'm of 2 minds on painted woodwork. For all that people hyperventilate over original woodwork, much of it was nothing special - the Dykes equivalent of the late 19th century. Some woodwork was designed to be painted over.
You say your woodwork is 1960s - that doesn't sound like anything that can't be reproduced today of the same quality. I'm not familiar with your apartment, but my own place is a blend of painted woodwork & unpainted woodwork (because the original woodwork in bad shape and $$$ to restore to nothing special). I decided to patch and paint over to blend in with new Dykes-sourced baseboards and moulding. There is some remaining woodwork that is prettier and of higher quality, so I had that restored on the cheap.
Buca, your ideas sound just fine. Enjoy!
I second nyc10023's comment.
"Original" 1960s woodwork? What's that, cheap picture framing around the windows and 1/2" firring used as "baseboard"?