What to Do When You Have TOO much WOOD in a Space.....

Oh my goodness this is SO-O much better!  The leather sofas just faded into the background in the before shot.  HOW did you talk them into painting WOOD?  I see a lot of houses with CHEAP, even faux wood and the man of the house says..."you're not going to paint this wood."  I've tried the come-back, "not all wood, means it's good wood" and that fell on deaf ears. 

I'm really impressed! 

The wood floors were lost in the first photo.  With the walls painted the floors look like a million dollars.

Removing all the stuf from the mantel really helped

Great job, it looks so different.  I have not had to stage this much wood but will keep your ideas in mind for when I do.

What a difference!  I've had several "you can't paint the wood" clients and it is so frustrating.  I have bookmarked this post to use as an example the next time I have such a client.  Thanks!

Oooo, aaaah!  I love the new look.  We have painted out a few fireplaces as well and the client in both cases loved the change.  I like wood, but only in certain circumstances. The below is one that turned out great, although only the fireplace was repainted.

http://activerain.com/blogsview/639163/To-paint-or-not

Julia, once again you've transformed a room by simply painting. It looks so fresh and updated, great job!!! Can you tell me what colors you chose for the walls, fireplace & paneled wainscoting? Thanks in advance.

Love the new look!  Your color selections look great and make the fireplace feel more important.  Nicely done!

Julia - and Ginger too - what's with that "you can't paint wood"? I love "not all wood is good wood"!  Even if you were only able to paint out the fireplace surround, it would have been soooooooo much better.  Talk about an elegant update - congratulations, Julia!  Julie

very nice job.  I love it.  You are so brave to paint like that. 

Julia,

Here's to all those folks (mainly menfolk) who freak out at the very thought of painting wood. This looks soooo much better!

Yea I bet most men will still like the wood, the other things you did in the room I like, but you still have a cord (looks like phone) hanging out the wall ?? 

Beautiful work, not sure how easy it is to get them to paint the wood, but you did it!!  Good job, cause generally people are attached to their oak. 

Hi Julia-

Beautiful update! Can you share the paint color that was used on the paneling? Thanks.

Kathy

Gorgeous.  You created contrast and drew attention to the fireplace and the great floor.  You really made a difference in the appeal of this room.  I too would like to know how you persuaded your client to paint out wood.  Too often people have this attachment to "wood".  It's a mystery to me why.

I am so over oak, this was a great change.

The fireplace went from OW to WOW!  I love this transformation. 

Haven't been on in a while, and missed this one.  It looks so much more classy and rich.  Great choices!

What a difference Julia.  You are so right about the paint.  It can make the largest impact.

Great idea with the fireplace.  It really makes the room pop.