Should Wood Beams be Painted or Left Natural?

April 18, 2016

Should Wood Beams be Painted or Left Natural?

Because I painted out the wood beam in the lakehouse living room, I've had a few readers ask me if I recommend painting wood beams out as a rule. That's a good question! For anyone who is on the fence about painting a wood beam - or keeping it natural - I rounded up a little inspiration, and share my two cents, below.

via My Domaine

When we moved into the lakehouse, it was very woodsy: wood ceiling beam, oak trim, oak cabinets, more oak cabinets, pine panels flanking the fireplace, and, oh hey, okay, more oak cabinets...

I am not opposed to wood tones and although I've long loved teak and walnut, I find myself appreciating wood grain more and more, thanks to the influence of my woodworker Father-in-law and grain-loving Hubby. I was slow to make peace with the wood kitchen cabinets in the townhouse, but here in the lakehouse I've even added wood, like the walnut bathroom cabinetry, pine-topped Ikea fauxdenza hack, and DIY solid maple wood kitchen counters.

So, if I had to pick, I'd pick "team wood," but I think that - in the eye of the beholder - there can be good wood and bad wood. I appreciate the hardwood floors the former owner installed because the stain is beautiful and works so well with the teak and walnut I love. That, in my books, is "good wood". However, the skinny, cheap oak trim purchased at Home Depot in the late 1990s is "bad wood," in my purely personal assessment. Painting the skinny trim was no question because I didn't want the eye drawn to it. The 1990s oak cabinetry was similarly easy to paint (no regrets!). Painting the sauna wood flanking the fireplace helped modernize the whole wall and I like the quiet texture the painted wood panels now add to the room without screaming, "I used to be a cottage".

Why I Painted the Wood Beam in the Living Room:

The wood ceiling beam made me pause, though. I kind of liked it, but ultimately decided that it clashed with the flooring and all of our teak furniture. For a few days, I actually did consider leaving it unpainted (true story!) but, in the end, white paint won out. I have no regrets because painting the wood beam makes the 13 foot tall ceiling feel even taller, but doesn't draw the eye up toward our popcorn ceilings. When the beam was natural, the ceiling felt a lot lower and the eye definitely traveled up there - even more once the walls and trim were white.

It wasn't a solid beam - it was just wood strips, laminated together - so it truly wasn't anything super special, although I'm sure it cost a pretty penny when the house was built. As my Mom pointed out, if I ever have a strong desire for a wood beam, I can clad it in walnut veneer (drool), which I think is a genius, incredibly tempting suggestion!

The Case for Keeping Wood Beams Natural...

Architectural Digest

If it's solid wood and complements a home's aesthetic, then I'd be tempted to keep a wood beam natural. Ultimately it's a matter of personal preference, but I think that wood beams work especially well if the decor has a mix of wood tones and lots of textures, so the beams don't stand out and draw attention away from other design elements.

Even if the decor doesn't boast a generous mix of wood tones, wood beams can work if the same tone is picked up elsewhere, like in this mid-century influenced home. The wood beam looks great with the wood kitchen cabinetry and looks like a thoughtful detail. That was the problem with my beam: I was slowly and purposely eradicating anything in that orange wood tone.

via Apartment Therapy

I can't even imagine this home - which boasts one of my favorite kitchens of all time - without wood beams because it just suits the rustic feel so well!

Style at Home

The Case for Painting Wood Beams...

White painted wood beams - along with white ceilings - do wonders for making a space seem brighter and airier. Once painted, beams no longer draw the eye, which is perfect if you have other, more beautiful, elements to highlight in a room. Paint can also help modernize a rustic-looking space, especially if the wood beams are weathered or worn and that doesn't complement the decor style. If an airy vibe is what you're after, painting out wood does wonders, while still offering more visual interest than a plain ceiling:

via Better Homes & Gardens

via Apartment Therapy

via Plastolux

via My Domaine

via Apartment Therapy

Ultimately, you can't loose! After years of DIYers painting every piece of furniture they could get their hands on, wood is newly appreciated and natural wood is definitely on-trend again, but I am a firm believer in turning a blind eye to trends and following your gut to create a home you love. Beams look gorgeous either way - painted out or left au naturel - and any homeowner or renter is lucky to have them. There are even tons of DIY tutorials and products for adding faux wood ceiling beams to naked ceilings!

If you're faced with this decision, the best thing to consider is whether the wood complements your design plans and whether it's irreplaceable (like a 200 year old solid piece of lumber). It's far easier to paint later than strip primer and paint from a tall ceiling, so if you're on the fence at all - live with the wood for a bit!

What are your thoughts on painted wood beams?

Reader Q: How I Get Such Shiny Wood Floors (Ha Ha)

If I had an FAQ page, one of the most-asked questions would be how I got the wood floors to gleam in the townhouse. I never really answered this question, because I wasn't really sure.

My readers with kids and pets, prepare to laugh . . .

Because I was trying to provide an answer, I really paid attention to my cleaning habits. At the time, I used a dry swiffer once a week to catch dust bunnies and then I mopped with a Vileda sponge mop and Murphy's soap once a month (sometimes every six weeks). Was this why the floors were so gleamy?

Maybe a little (Murphy's soap is awesome), but nope, not really.

Now I know the answer: we were pet-free and child-free, plus we had radiant heat instead of forced air. Of course it's easy to make floors gleam when nobody is smearing peanut butter all over them!!

Once Szuka arrived on the scene, her smudgey little paw prints and nose prints made our wood floors much less shiny and she necessitated a weekly, not monthly, mop. Truthfully, we could benefit from a daily mop. Moving to the lakehouse, which boasts darker wood floors and forced air, I found I was hauling out the swiffer or mop every couple of days, and sometimes multiple times a day, to maintain any semblance of cleanliness, never mind gleamy-ness. My system had limitations, however, and I really yearned for an itty bitty vacuum just to pick up the larger detritus Szuka tracks in. I started sweeping up Szuka-grit using a broom left with the house, but that seemed a little 1800s. We casually shopped for a little dust buster, and almost bought one at Costco, but online reviews revealed that the battery life was disappointing: ten minutes - twenty at best for the models I was considering.

When I was given the chance to review the Rowenta Delta Force Extreme Lithium 18V Stick Vacuum (which is new to Canada, and available in stores like Sears) - with up to 45 minutes of use on one charge - I was eager to try it, but skeptical all the same. It's similar to their Air Force model, but with an even longer battery life.

I was instantly smitten. First of all, it's really cute. I know that shouldn't matter, but in a house this small, with so little storage space, it matters because there's no where out of the way to charge it. I store it in a closet but once a week I charge it in the office or laundry room. It's designed in France and the French must know what I love because it's teal and sleek, plus it stands upright on its own. It also has headlights (!) which seemed like a silly feature until I realized I can see under the furniture and catch little bunnies lurking in the shadows. It's also great in the hallway and laundry room, which get so little natural light.

It takes 6 hours to charge, but that charge really does last 45 minutes. Of course, it's new so the battery still holds it's charge well, but I cleaned intermittently for two weeks with nary a charge. Just in case, it's got a battery level indicator so I'm not stopped mid-task by a dead battery. It has three settings and I usually use it on the highest because I don't have any carpet. I have little experience with full-size vacuums, but this one seems to be impressively powerful - it sucks up dust bunnies from a few inches away.

I am loving the fact that it's cordless, and super light, because it makes cleaning so much faster. Because it's so easy to use, I find I'm using it often for a quick maintenance clean. Instead of reaching for a swiffer cloth (and burning through dozens a week) and then following up with a stupid broom, I just whiz by with this and pick up all the dirt in one fell swoop - it's excellent at grabbing gravel, luckily. When it's full, it's a snap to empty and the electro brush is easy to clean too. Here's Hubby, in the rattiest pants ever, showing us how:

CONS: There's a bit of a learning curve to work with the way it tilts and swivels to move under furniture and around obstacles. I'm getting the hang of it, but I have never owned a proper vacuum so I'm particularly stupid in this regard. (Okay, technically we had a clunky vacuum that the former townhouse owners left but that was short lived because it caught on fire while I was using it). I also find that this vacuum is not the quietest thing around. The media kit contends that Rowenta products are exceptionally quiet, and maybe they are quieter than other brands - I don't know - but I find it a bit loud. I used to swiffer the floors while anytime I talked on the phone (I have ants in my pants), so I miss that. In the video below, you can get a sense of the loudest setting, and how the vacuum swivels and moves. It has a MSRP of $269.99, which isn't the cheapest vacuum around, but the company has been designing and developing household products since 1884 and has devoted 40+ years to vacuum cleaners specifically, so there is a lot of research and development behind their products. I'd never heard of them before, but they are an industry leader in Europe, which piqued my interest! Only time will tell, but I think there's a lot of quality behind Rowenta vacuums, which hopefully makes these a good investment.

All in all, I think it's a fabulous little vacuum, high on style, power, and easy of use.

With this new tool in my dirt-busting arsenal, I think maybe, just maybe, I might be able to keep the floors townhouse-clean. Now I need some kind of robotic mop that just swirls around the lakehouse, cleaning up peanut butter paw prints.

Disclosure: I was provided the Delta Force Extreme Stick Vacuum for review by Rowenta, but not compensated or otherwise motivated to provide a positive review. We have been in the market for a small, cordless vacuum for months and hadn't found one with a long-lasting battery. This suits our purposes perfectly and not only would I purchase one of these if they took mine away (please don't!), I would certainly recommend this to friends and family. As someone who doesn't need a big clunky vacuum, but gets frustrated with cheap little dust-busters, this is the perfect combination of quality + small size.

My Favorte and My Best: September

Another month has flown by and it's time to share my favorite posts (plus revisit the ones that were a big hit with readers).

Because I don't pen a travel blog or shopping blog or sightseeing blog or stuffy "yammer on about my research" blog, it's been tricky incorporating my temporary life in Hungary into the blog. I've been trying to balance, switching between the DIY projects and fun decor themes I love and this newer, temporary aspect of my life. Are you curious about things I've seen and done in Hungary??

So far, I've shared a DIY-themed Hungarian post: my (untouched) Hungarian embroidery project . . .

. . . plus photos of my new digs:

I also shared some photos of my new "office," but that concludes the Hungarian themed posts.

Should I share more?? If so, what?

I'm more used to this kind of content: the makeover and then makeunder of a turquoise chair (I also shared some tips on the Liquitex Professional spray paint I used) .

On another note, I am so behind on answering reader Q's! I hope none of you think I'm a rude blogger who doesn't care. I love that you folks email with so many questions and I reply to every single email!! But I am not always speedy with answering questions with a post. My goal starting this September was to answer more and I replied to two common queries: why do I love white walls and what storage solution did we come up with for out TV?

Another special something for this month was a giveaway! It's been awhile since I hosted a giveaway because I'm super picky - I only say yes to things I would want, and things I think you'll like. Because I'm extra excited about working with local shops, of course I said yes to a giveaway hosted by Truly Swedish Design. Click here to enter! And stay tuned for more DIY goodness, peppered with a little Hungarian flavor (which would be paprika)!

Reader Q: Shades of Light

I have received many emails from readers asking about our various light fixtures and table lamps. Unfortunately, many are vintage or were bought pre-blog, back in the day when, "We got them at that place that closed down, beside the hotel my parents stayed at when we were renovating," was a sufficient answer to the question, "Where'd you get this cool light?"

I don't know what brands most of them are and the store has closed. How useless am I?

Luckily, Shades of Light, the newest company to advertise on Dans le Townhouse, has a fabulous selection of lighting and I hand-picked a few light fixtures and table lamps that are similar to ours for folks looking for something like what we have. Hope this helps!

Oil Rubbed Bronze Fixtures:

We picked oil-rubbed bronze fixtures for our upstairs hallway, stairwell and main floor half bath. We liked the bit of punctuation against all-white walls. These stylish Fresnel Glass Restoration Bath Lights (with two or three lights) would be something we would pick if we were renovating again. So chic!

White Drum Shade Pendant:

I think I probably get the most questions about our simple, drum shade pendant in the dining room. Shades of Light has so many to choose from I couldn't pick just one to show you, so here are my favorites: ones that are simple, but have thoughtful details.

Clockwise, from the top left, I love the subtle pleating of the Pintuck Pleated Silk Drum Shade Pendant and the unusual metal accents of the Loft Shade Chandelier. The soft shape of the Flower Drum Shade Pendant works perfectly with the on-trend gold hardware, while the last option, the Sheer Champagne Shade Chandelier, is a pared-back fixture made more fancy with a sheer drum shade.

But there's more I like! The double shade of the aptly named Double Drum Pendant looks so fancy but if you really want sizzle, take a peek at the Dripping Crystal Shade Chandelier. It looks like a snowfall! The trim on the flower-shaped Fluted Shade Lantern Pendant makes it look a little different from the rest, while the Springfield Linen Lantern Shade Chandelier is very refined and classic.

What I Pine For:

For our next house, though, I've already been lusting over something a little more dramatic, but my taste is pretty eclectic, ranging from a sparkly (turquoise!) Fluted Murano Style Glass Chandelier to the cool Modernized Rustic Iron Chandelier.

Vintage Lotte-look & White Table Lamps:

A few of our table lamps are vintage, so it breaks my heart when readers ask where to buy them. But I found a few table lamps I'd like to make mine, so maybe one will tickle your fancy too? I pinned the Sizzling Colour Geometric Ceramic Table Lamps ages ago but still heart it. Of course I love the white, but it comes in bright pops of colour too. Next up: the lovely Long Neck Ceramic Table Lamps reminds me so much of the Lotte lamps in our living room and guest room. I get so many questions about those but this option is just as cute - and less expensive!

We are currently shopping for a flush mounted fixture for our in-progress laundry room reno, and this is what I'm eyeing: the super funky Convertible Ceiling to Wall Colour Pop Sconce, or . . .

. . . the matte black Nantucket Ceiling Light or maybe the ultra simple Dual Ring Ceiling Light? There are too many gorgeous options!!

Hope this helped any readers shopping for similar styles! Be sure to check out Shades of Light for other styles (plus rugs, mirrors, and other home decor items). And if you have any other Q's for me, shoot me an email: dans.le.townhouse@gmail.com. I love hearing from you!

Reader Q: My Research

I am surprised one person has asked about my PhD research, never mind the dozens and dozens of comments and email questions I've received. I'm pretty excited some of you are interested, but I promise to keep it brief (although I'm happy to answer questions). Without further ado, now that you've had the full tour of my office, here's some info on the work I do in there:

As you might have guessed from my recent feminist DIY project, I'm a feminist. So it is probably no surprise that I am doing my PhD in Women's Studies (although my department is soon to be renamed). My HBA and MA are in philosophy (you can read my MA thesis here, but I highly discourage it - I completely ignored the intersections of racism, classism, nationalism, etc., that are so integral to my research now). The switch was a bit of a challenge for me because I had a lot of catching up to do, and still feel behind in my new discipline. But, apparently this feeling is common enough that there's a name for it: "imposter syndrome," the feeling many of us grad students have of feeling inferior and not smart enough.

My broad area of interest is the social construction of motherhood and non-motherhood. Specifically, I'm interested in the way women without children are represented in media, which is really interesting work - I even wrote a paper titled Child-free Women & Chick Flicks! Basically, I'm contesting ideas of "womanhood" necessarily hinged on motherhood, and women without children - either by choice, by chance or circumstance - labelled unfulfilled, selfish, immature, un-womanly, etc. But I'm also interested in the social construction of motherhood: whose motherhood is encouraged and whose is not, how (certain) women are expected to desire motherhood, the unattainable mothering standards demanded of women to be "good" mothers, how parenthood is gendered, etc . . .

My dissertation research overlaps with Hungarian Studies, as I am currently studying representations of women as mothers and women without children in a popular Hungarian women's magazine, Nők Lapja (here's a link to the google-translated website). Conducting research in my rusty second language makes things doubly hard, especially because I will have to actually go to Hungary to conduct some of my research . . . details to come.

P.S. The day I left for the conference I recently presented at (I mentioned it here - and also in the comments of that post) a few Lily of the Valley opened up. It is my absolutely favorite flower. Since childhood I have been obsessed with the gorgeous scent. As I hopped in the car, I grabbed what I could and put them in a makeshift vase (an eye makeup remover bottle). When I got to Toronto, everyone's had already flowered and by the time I got home mine had too! Gah! So this is all I got this season and it's making me super sad.

Is it weird to get all bent out of shape over this?

Reader Q: Tufted Ottomans

I started my new blog series, Reader Questions, with a post on how to pick the right frame for artwork. Although I have privately answered hundreds of reader questions, with topics ranging from help designing a space to suggestions for cleaning hardwood floors, I have yet to answer many on the blog. With a number of projects in a stage of half-completion (including a play kitchen, basement plans and a frame for a DIY painting), I thought I would answer one of my most frequently asked questions: where did I get our ottoman?

Our faux leather ottoman was a clearance purchase from The Brick, the same source as the sofa that disintegrated (so much so we could barely give it away, once we snagged a nicer leather sofa from kijiji.ca). I don't recommend the brand, but I recommend the item.

A large ottoman in lieu of a coffee table is so comfy and practical. It's a cushy place to put your feet up, seat extra guests during a cocktail party and kids are obsessed with it. Add a couple of trays, and it becomes a handy place to put snacks or drinks during movie night. Plus, when you walk into it, frantically cleaning before family visits, it won't hurt like slamming into the edge of a coffee table does (which also makes it desirable for homes with small children, whose soft heads seem to always find the sharpest edges in a home). The tufting is truly optional, but I like the look. However, you should be warned that tufted anything seems to attract lint, cookie crumbs and dust better than anything else in this world.

I rounded up a couple that look a lot like our ottoman:

Pemberly Dark Brown Bonded Leather Ottoman (currently about $250); Amazon (currently less than $100)

But I also found waaaay more stylish versions of the tufted ottoman:

Overstock ($344); Ballard Designs ($399-599, depending on fabric choice)

Ours was very inexpensive, but cost can be prohibitive because some tufted ottomans can be over a $1000. Wow. Luckily, there are a ton of fabulous tutorials for DIY tufted ottomans. I think next time I might try making my own, so I rounded up my favorite projects:

Less-than-perfect-life of Bliss; Five Days Five Ways; Fancy Goods; Sheer Serendipity

Reader Q: Framing Art

I get a lot of emails from readers asking me various things and I always reply. But one lovely reader asked that I create a post to answer her query and I thought, "silly blogger, why don't I ever do this?"

This reader asked for some tips for choosing frames for artwork. I'm no expert, but I'm passionate about this topic because Hubby & I both come from families peppered with artists. We each grew up surrounded by art and continue to make art a priority in our home.

Whenever I have something professionally framed I take it to a smaller, local shop - as opposed to a big box retailer that does framing. In my experience, the service is better and the materials (frames and matting) are typically more modern. I always pay less at a local place, even compared to a certain retailer's 50-60% off coupon.

As a rule, I don't believe in rules, but there are a few things to think about that might help to pick a frame that will complement your artwork. A professional can help guide you to the best decision, drawing on years of expertise and professional training. But if you're looking for something simple and inexpensive and are standing in an isle of ready-made frames feeling overwhelmed, here are a few tips:

General Tips & Tricks

In general, choose a frame that suits your piece. Whatever conversation your art starts, let the frame finish it. Don't pick a frame that competes with your art, unless a funky, irreverent look is what you're after (like framing a child's doodle in a gold, ornate frame). Try your piece in a few frames and see which one complements your artwork best. What frame makes your artwork standout or look good, without drawing attention only to the frame? Importantly: what frame makes you love your artwork even more?

DIY frame makeover; plastolux

Also consider your decor: is it modern? Traditional? Eclectic? The right frame should complement your artwork first and foremost, but also connect the artwork to the rest of your space.

Style at Home

Black Frames:

Black frames can lend a graphic or dramatic feel to artwork and can look good with many pieces of art, from black and white prints to rich and moody oil paintings. However, if the contrast between the artwork and dark frame is too high (like pairing a thick black frame with an airy, pastel watercolour), a black frame can detract from the artwork. To play it safe, choose a black frame if your art has black, or another darker element, in it. Or if your walls are painted a deep, rich hue.

Here are some examples where I think a black frame really works:

Photos (clockwise from top left): Sketch 42; Desire to Inspire; From Scandinavia With Love; Style at Home (photo by Rachel)

Like I mentioned, sometimes a black frame can drown a piece of art, like the black frames I chose to frame two small and subtle watercolours. The white frames let the watercolours "breathe" and you notice them, not the frame (but this is highly subjective):

If you're after a graphic look, a black frame can work with light walls and a lighter piece of art. I think the artwork just needs enough "punch" to hold its own when competing with the frame:

Anthony Burrill

White Frames:

Personally, I love white frames because white frames a little easier to use. Paired with white matting, a white frame can create a nice, neutral backdrop and let your artwork shine, whether your art is a whisper of a painting or a bold photograph. Generally, white frames look very crisp and modern - sometimes even if the style is more ornate.

Here are some good examples:

Photos (clockwise from top left): A Little Sussy; Style at Home; More Than Words; Parlour

If you have dark walls, a white frame will really stand out more, drawing attention just like a black frame against light walls. But, in the case below, it works because it draws attention to the artwork, which might otherwise be lost:

Little Brown Pen via Little Bits of Lovely

Wood Frames:

Wood frames offer good flexibility because they can easily be stained and refinished to suit your decor as it changes. Simple wood frames can look very modern but still add warmth to a space. Some very simple wood frames seem to have a mid-century feel to them (see top right). Avoid wood if you have a lot of wood furniture or wood accents - it can be overwhelming.

Photos (clockwise from top left): Jute Home; My Home Ideas; My Photo (of our DIY desk); A Cup of Joe

One thing to note: wood frames can look rustic and cabin-inspired. Unless you're looking for a bit of tension in your decor scheme, avoid a weathered frame if your decor is modern or traditional because it will draw too much attention to the frame.

Etsy seller Dandrus; Anthropologie

Metal Frames:

I opted for a silver frame when choosing a frame for a watercolour we bought from a street artist in Paris. Clean-lined, metal frames are chameleons, blending well into crisp, modern decor or glamorous spaces. Add a bit of ornamentation and the look becomes more traditional (unless you pair it with something quirky, like a painting of some scribbled poetry). A metal frames adds a welcome dose of sparkle to a space and is perfect for when you don't know if you want a really dark or really light frame - it's a good compromise.

Photos (clockwise from top left): Houzz; Style at Home (photo by Christine); Adore Home via La Dolce Vita; Desire to Inspire

Colourful Frames:

I'm not a huge fan of a frame matching a colour found in the artwork, so it's hard for me to make suggestions. That was a huge trend in the 80s and 90s when the matting was also layered so one layer matched the frame, matching the art, so it has the danger of looking a bit dated. I do think that colourful frames can look fun and quirky, like my framed bakelite pins. And if the colour is really dominant in the artwork, a coloured frame might be just the things to make the artwork standout. A frame with a very modern style in an updated colour could look really fresh. So, in small doses, give it a whirl.

Art Hung En Masse:

The trendy gallery-style wall (whether jumbled collage-style, or hung in a neat row) can successfully incorporate art framed in similar frames, or a mix of frames. Similar frames creates a more orderly look while a mix of frames creates a more casual vibe. If you mix frames, make sure to have some repetition (a few white frames, a few black frames, a few metal frames) to keep the look from appearing too thoughtless and thrown-together.

Here are some examples of gallery style walls with a mix of frames or similar frames that each result in an interesting but cohesive assembly:

Photos (clockwise from top left): Apartment Therapy; Desire to Inspire; Pure Style Home; Southern Living;

Take Away Tips:

Take my advice with a grain of salt (these are just my personal thoughts)
Try a few different frames before committing
Narrow in on which frame(s) lets your artwork shine
Consider your decor
Pick what you like, "rules" be damned!

Speaking of art, I'm working on a fun DIY art project and I hope to have it ready for tomorrow, so check back to take a peek.

Dans le Lakehouse

April 18, 2016