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Design DilemmaSondaggi
amber_d22

Trim, Trim, Trim

Amber D
6 anni fa
Ultima modifica:6 anni fa

Hi! We are in the middle of a house remodel. Bought the house a month ago, and didn't love the trim when we bought it, but didn't think about doing anything about it until speaking to my mother-in-law and a contractor who both say the trim has got to go. But I've had others say it would be a travesty to "downgrade" that woodwork. I'm just confused as ever and decisions have to be made fast. What do you think??? Does it date the house? Is there anyone who would be sad to see the trim go?? It is on numerous doorways (to dining room, study, family room, in kitchen and around all windows in the main family rooms. Would love to to hear any and every opinions. Set me straight!


And the outside of the house...


Risposta in evidenza
  • emmarene9
    6 anni fa

    I wouldn't waste money doing this.

    Commenti (50)

    • phuninthesun
      6 anni fa

      What style is the house? Could we see the outside?

      Amber D ha ringraziato phuninthesun
    • Amber D
      Autore originale
      6 anni fa


      Heres the outside. Embarrassingly enough, not even sure what style the house is???

    • Chessie
      6 anni fa

      I'm not a fan of ornate heavy trim. I would not miss it.

      Amber D ha ringraziato Chessie
    • suzyq53
      6 anni fa

      Well its a formal look that some people don't like. Most remodels are trying to modernize the space. Whoever installed it spent extra for the detail, but depending on what you are trying to accomplish it may not work for you. We need more details to establish context.

      Amber D ha ringraziato suzyq53
    • Amber D
      Autore originale
      6 anni fa

      Our style is not formal at all, but I do think in this neighborhood people may go for that look more readily than I would.

    • suzyq53
      6 anni fa

      You could replace it with clean, flat, square modern trim, but you'd have to redo everything. The existing trim is an elegant period style. I can't tell what style your exterior is either, but it could go either way.

    • suzyq53
      6 anni fa

      If you are planning a shorter timeframe for the house, there are some buyers who would appreciate the detail. What part of the country is this located?

      Amber D ha ringraziato suzyq53
    • Amber D
      Autore originale
      6 anni fa
      Ultima modifica: 6 anni fa

      Midwest suburb, I think you're right. Not sure how long will be in the house... but l the more I think about it, the more I'd like it gone to a simpler look. I think I could display my trophies on that molding. Haha!

    • sm m
      6 anni fa
      If it's a remodel- I would not waste the time or money on replacing. It's a pretty house. I don't think the trim will make or brake a sale.
      Amber D ha ringraziato sm m
    • suzyq53
      6 anni fa

      Garlands for the holiday season would look lovely. There are people who would totally embrace the traditional ambiance, especially in the midwest. What style of kitchen are you planning?

    • Amber D
      Autore originale
      6 anni fa
      Ultima modifica: 6 anni fa

      White cabinets, a bit fancier than shaker as they have a bit of a ledge around the frame with stainless appliances, wood hood and still deciding on countertops.. want marble but my clumsy in the kitchen self says no.

    • suzyq53
      6 anni fa

      Sounds like you're not going modern and you like traditional, so the trim could be a complimentary asset. I know marble is appealing, but even if you're very gentle, you will get a lived in look. Again, some people are fine with it and love the acquired character, but future buyers (millenials) may not be down with it.

    • daisiesandbutterflies
      6 anni fa

      I see their point about the trim. I would change the trim to something simpler. It will be expensive to replace a whole house of trim, so get a price from the contractor first before making a final decision.

    • suezbell
      6 anni fa
      Ultima modifica: 6 anni fa

      Liking all that natural light.

      No, the trim doesn't date the house -- it says someone paid for better than just basic.

      While I, personally, likely wouldn't have picked the current trim, I'd certainly NOT spend my decorating dollars removing and replacing them -- spend that money on the kitchen instead. Live with them a while because, after you finish creating other focal points for your rooms, they'll not be that obvious -- except, perhaps, to those who seem to have a need to criticize and/or have a need to be right about their first opinion.

      You can always replace the entire trim or just the top later.

      Amber D ha ringraziato suezbell
    • ecpt
      6 anni fa

      I wouldn't waste remodel dollars changing it out. It sounds like you have a transitional style; this trim isn't going to take away from that. If you were going ultra contemporary I could see, but otherwise it sounds like a waste of money. imho

      Amber D ha ringraziato ecpt
    • K Laurence
      6 anni fa
      Ultima modifica: 6 anni fa

      I agree, waste of time and money to change unless you're going for a very contemporary look (which is certainly not the look of the exterior anyway). I'd rather spend my money on other things unless you have unlimited funds. The contractor would appreciate the extra money for the additional work of course. And no, it doesn't "date" the house ( a word used too often & inappropriately thanks to HGTV et al )

      Amber D ha ringraziato K Laurence
    • Chessie
      6 anni fa

      I agree with the above. While I would never have chosen that trim, and would not miss it, I definitely would not spend the money to change it unless I had a very specific and good reason to do so. Just not that important in the overall look I don't think. It doesn't detract, really.

    • PRO
      Raegan Ford Interior Design
      6 anni fa

      I love the trim!! I think it depends what you do with the space. Maybe a new/lighter paint color like light grey or light greige. When a home has a lot of amazing molding I love mixing it up with modern lighting and clean lined furniture. It gives it such a rich, sophisticated look!

    • PRO
      Beckony Kitchens & Baths
      6 anni fa

      I love it and I would be sad to see it go but it is your house! If you don't love it and can afford to change it then change the molding to something more of your taste. If it's not as important to you and would rather spend the money elsewhere then I say do that too! I think this is a more personal decision.

    • PRO
      Fox Brothers Painting
      6 anni fa

      I agree with Raegan Ford Interior Design. I think the trim is beautiful! You can create a different look through paint colors, lighting and accents. Not knowing your budget for the remodel, I would suggest using that money towards another part of your renovation. Kitchens and bathrooms are what help to see a home, so keep that in mind if you are not planning to stay in the house for too long. Contractors will typically charge per linear foot to replace molding so it will be a very costly part of your project.

    • phuninthesun
      6 anni fa
      Ultima modifica: 6 anni fa

      I have had features I dislike in new houses, that in later years was glad I didn't destroy. Live with it for a year or two. If you never come to appreciate the look, then remove it then.

    • hummingalong2
      6 anni fa
      I wonder if you could remove the extra center and corner pieces of trim on the top?
    • PRO
      Beth H. :
      6 anni fa

      agree w/hummingalong....what if you just replaced the top piece w/something simple that matches the sides? none of the big corner pieces. It's very, very formal. maybe just leave it in the formal sitting rooms (Pic #2 since it has the side columns) but remove the top portion from the kitchen area.

    • PRO
      it'sALLart
      6 anni fa

      Agreed, just replace the top portion with the same trim as the sides. Simpler, but still elegant and fitting for the room. The top "mantle" work is just too much, over-the-top. (No pun intended.)

    • Judy Mishkin
      6 anni fa
      Ultima modifica: 6 anni fa

      leave it be. you can always change it down the road if it continues to rankle and you think you'll be in the house for a while more. right now its a fab job, who knows what a dogs dinner it could turn into by 'removing this, adding on that'. in your neighborhood it will sell better as is.

      if in the future you are staying on and if you dont like it, completely redo the casings and call it a day.

    • daisiesandbutterflies
      6 anni fa

      I am also in agreement to just tone some of it down, without replacing everything.

    • Belahn
      6 anni fa

      I like the trim and would leave it alone. Even if you don't like it, it seems trivial to tear it out and waste money on that when I'm sure there are other things money would be better spent on.

    • greenfish1234
      6 anni fa
      Just following up on my comment on your other post here. The trim absolutely dates the house, it is not an upgrade, it is not traditional. It is cheap wannabe fancy. It will look weird in a modern kitchen. If you had posted the bizarre window trim and mantle with this post I think the responses would've gone more in the direction of removing than keeping. Now is the time!! I retract what I said earlier about saving some of it. Tear it all out, replace everything. You will never regret it, your house will look amazing. Appropriate trim is so important to the overall look of a home. I wanted to post a picture of the mantle here for reference, but I didn't take one from your other post yet. See how the end windows in this bank of windows were randomly selected for the special treatment that inexplicably goes to the ground and juts out between the windows? Whoever designed this trim had no idea what they were doing.
      Amber D ha ringraziato greenfish1234
    • greenfish1234
      6 anni fa
      Also all the bulky trim, than the teeeeny tiny baseboard-totally out of scale. And here is the FP for reference. All that being said, congratulations on your beautiful home it looks like you are doing some great things there.
      Amber D ha ringraziato greenfish1234
    • Amber D
      Autore originale
      6 anni fa
      Ultima modifica: 6 anni fa

      Ha! That fireplace is just sooo wrong!! See your point on the trim. I was hoping to cover it with some curtains- just not sure if there are extensions long enough to reach past the ledge of a window casing I have haha.


      Oh boy.

    • greenfish1234
      6 anni fa
      Amber D. You are doing a lot of work on the house. This is your chance. Now. Get RID of the trim. Hiding it with curtains will not cut it. There is a KEYSTONE in the center of every door and window I have seen! There will be no other time for this.
    • DH
      6 anni fa

      Agree with Greenfish. That house is not old enough for there to be any intrinsic value in the trim. It really seems to be someone's idea of what "fancy" trim would be, and they spent more than they should have, especially since they obviously didn't have a clue what they were doing. They just layered on detail after detail, without much logic or sense of appropriate scale—it's just gaudy now. Unless there's some that we're not seeing that's more plain and worth keeping, it will probably be cheapest to rip it all out and do it again the right way. That will probably add value to the home, not take it away.

    • Amber D
      Autore originale
      6 anni fa
      Ultima modifica: 6 anni fa

      Oh, the panic. I get it and it is a relief thinking about it being gone and not dictating so many design choices. i felt I'd try and live with it for a while and see how it goes...but you're right it won't ever come back in style or ever be any better.

    • PRO
      Aaron Holland Painting, LLC.
      6 anni fa

      It feels a little top-heavy, and as others have said, out-of-scale to baseboard.




      Amber D ha ringraziato Aaron Holland Painting, LLC.
    • PRO
      Aaron Holland Painting, LLC.
      6 anni fa

      painters can return later to touch-up if needed. Not a big deal.

      Amber D ha ringraziato Aaron Holland Painting, LLC.
    • Amber D
      Autore originale
      6 anni fa

      Thanks, Aaron! I have to keep reminding myselfd that there are options!

    • PRO
      User
      6 anni fa

      The trim is neither expensive or attractive. Change it out and achieve a finished coherent look.

    • Amber D
      Autore originale
      6 anni fa
      Ultima modifica: 6 anni fa


      So without knowing about this post nor my anxiety about the trim , my husband went in today and decided he hated it all and ripped out a piece of the molding. Holy smokes... I think this is happening. Wish us luck that we can figure out how to repair the floors, walls, and trim on time!


      what do we replace with? Same stuff that is around the house? Since it's happening now's the time to change things up if I can.


      Also, what to do with the gap in the hardwoods? A plinth block??

    • greenfish1234
      6 anni fa
      Yay!! Have professional carpenters do the work. You need tall baseboards for your tall ceilings. Go to a lumber source recommended by your contractors-they should have displays showing the trim around doors etc. there are several styles to choose from, choose something simple but in keeping with your doors, home style, etc. A bit of decorative molding here and there will not be a problem, yours is just super tacky and small where it should be Big and Big where it should be smaller. And in places it shouldn't be at all (those end windows!)!! Take a quick look through Houzz and find some styles you like.
      Amber D ha ringraziato greenfish1234
    • Amber D
      Autore originale
      6 anni fa

      Yes on the professional, and by figuring out I mean finding a carpenter, drywaller, and painter who can do the work. Thanks!

    • DH
      6 anni fa

      I would ask around for referrals, like from the contractor who originally said they needed to go. Is your MIL local? Ask her, too. If you have any friends that have lived in town for years and years and seem like they know tons of people, ask them for referrals or ask them if they could ask their friends on Facebook who they would recommend. Or, check ratings on Yelp. And no matter who refers you to someone, still do your due diligence to check their references, recent work, and that they are bonded, licensed, and insured.

    • Steve Grimes
      6 anni fa
      Ultima modifica: 6 anni fa

      If you decide to remove more trim, make sure that you use a utility knife to separate the trim from the wall or wallpaper by slicing through the caulk. Then, when you pry (carefully!) the trim away, it won't tear the wallboard.

      Yes, those floor gaps are where the large door pilaster and plinth were. You'll need to find some original flooring and replace those sections with random-length flooring. I wouldn't just replace the small lengths that are missing.

      You have many options for the new trim. It looks like you've prioritized the door casing :-) I would look at high-quality options at your local lumber yard, the home store trim is badly milled and doesn't provide as many options. One way to decide about trim is to look at either this site or look in trim books like "1001 ideas for trimwork". Another option is to narrow your choice to 2 or 3 options and temporarily install them for a few days.

      I see that you have a "trim" ideabook. If you like any of the casings in those photos, users on this forum can probably identify a standard profile. greenfish had an interesting comment above about trim size, it should be proportionate to room size and ceiling height. As an example architects work with ratios to determine the total height of crown moulding and associated frieze mouldings in relation to ceiling height.

      Amber D ha ringraziato Steve Grimes
    • greenfish1234
      6 anni fa
      It will be a PIA and you may have to live alongside painters for a while (I knew I was DONE cohabiting with workers when my omnipresent painter said to me one day, "so I noticed you guys let it mellow when it's yellow...") but you will NOT regret getting it all done right the first time. Good luck and keep us in the loop!!
    • Amber D
      Autore originale
      6 anni fa


      Shot it or the window trim.. I didn't feel it was all that bad.

    • anomoley
      6 anni fa

      To each her own. I love the trim, and am a little amazed at all the panicky posts saying it has to be removed immediately.I'd love it if my home had such elaborate detail all over the place.


      The fireplace is obviously odd, so I'd change that mantel -- but I'd pick and choose what I'd want to change.


      Just because the trim hasn't been there for centuries, doesn't make it useless -- it's still a style, and to me, it's beautiful.


      I like transitional as well, and I think that with a few more modern touches, the home would look very elegant and classy, not pretentious or "gaudy."

    • anomoley
      6 anni fa

      PS: Beautiful view out of that window; I think you really lucked out and would love to see the end result of your reno. :)

    • User
      6 anni fa

      It’s definitely a formal look but it’s very pretty, so it would be a shame to take it down. I personally don’t think it dates anything. But, It depends on what style home You like n want. Go with ur gut instinct n forget what others tell u. Good luck. :).

    • greenfish1234
      6 anni fa
      IM not big on the word "dated" things that are done well and properly should be able to stand the test of time. This job was not done well or properly. It's not the kind of thing everyone can see because their eyes aren't trained to what it is supposed to look like. But once they are, you cannot unsee it. The fireplace was my first clue that the builders have no idea what they were doing. Then on closer inspection, the trim is all kinds of wrong. Just for starters, why were the end windows treated like doors? I get that they present a challenge in that they are larger than the others , but treating them like doors? Nope.
      Amber D ha ringraziato greenfish1234
    • PRO
      CJ's Custom Trim Specialists Inc.
      6 anni fa
      So I am from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada... and I specialize in custom trim and Moulding installations along with an amazing array of built-ins. My website is halifaxcustomtrim.com and would like to say this: your trim is to busy. You can get traditional/ornate without making it look over done. The proportion is off. I would love to help. Please check out our FB page: CJ’S Custom Trim Specialists Inc. Here you can keep up with fresh ideas etc.
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