What colours to use with stained wood?

[Steve]

I have just bought my first house. I dont have a lot of money to do it up at present. So I'm looking for cheap fixes for the decor.

My problem is that I have stained and polished woodwork in my living room - skirting, dado, coving, doors and frames. Its beautifully done woodwork, and I really dont want to paint it if I can help it. All the paint brochures show white woodwork with their paints. I just cant decide on suitable colours for the room, because I have nothing to compare it to!

The room has anaglypta? wallpaper below the dado, looks like its made to measure with the pattern on it. The wallpaper above is just a plain texture.

The curtains (staying)

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• Steve
• 2 Jun 2010
• 1

The fireplace

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• Steve
• 2 Jun 2010
• 2

Colours I have been playing with.

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• Steve
• 2 Jun 2010
• 1

Any advice?

<edited to amend title>

 

[joe-90]

It looks like an old biddies house. Pull the dado off. Strip the wallpaper and paint it magnolia. Oh and get rid of that hideous wood colour. It looks like a 1985 Wickes brochure.

 

[Steve]

It looks like an old biddies house. Pull the dado off. Strip the wallpaper and paint it magnolia. Oh and get rid of that hideous wood colour. It looks like a 1985 Wickes brochure.

Did you READ my post?

I will add that I am not looking for something perfect right now, I just want to move in to something I can call my home!

Magnolia? The ceiling was matt magnolia, I have painted it silk PBW. Magnolia is an awful colour.

 

[joe-90]

If you don't want good advice then don't ask for it. Strip the room and paint it white.

 

[Steve]

Aaaanyone else?

 

[Robbie uk]

Dont use silk finish, use a matt. White ceiling. Always have a darker colour underneath the dado rail. Probably some shade of cream on the top and a darker colour on the bottom.

 

[Robbie uk]

And get rid of the dark cornice. Use a different finish on it like satinwood to accent it.

 

[CortinaV8]

The cornice, skirting and door does not look too bad, if it were me and I wanted a cheap fix I would probably do the following.

Remove all paper from the walls and dado rail, fill and of the major holes that develop, repaper with a thick lining paper or a slightly textured paper, then paint with the colour of your choice.

My house was decorated in the same style when I move in and used the above technique in a few rooms, I'm gradually getting round to sorting them all out though.

 

[joe-90]

He doesn't really want advice - he just wants to show his new house off.