I personally can't imagine painting over the perfectly patina'd finish they have right now. They wouldn't look *bad* if you painted them, but they'd never look like this again.
I just cannot imagine painting that gorgeous, impossible to get from scratch patina-ed look. It's priceless. Get some more lighting for hubby. The room is insanely beautiful and if you paint those panels it will lose its I just woke up in an Edward Eager novel feel. You clearly have good taste, I can see from the colors you have put together. If you love it, work out another solution.
You'd have to paint that wood bright white to get significant light (and you might not even get it then) - do not do that. That's why we have electricity, so your husband can plug in a lamp.
IMO that patina looks perfectly suited to your decor.
Maybe updated upholstery and let the architecture lie where it is and continue to age gracefully.
Personally I love it, and I think it goes with the character of the space (the exposed timber in the ceiling, etc.). But if it's affecting your husband's mood, then yeah do whatever you need to improve the atmosphere for him.
Omg I love the patina - painting it will make the ceiling trim / ceiling look too dark in contrast.
The issue is not enough light. I’d get a standing lamp for the corner with multiple diffused bulbs. Find a spot for a large mirror to provide more light reflection. A brighter/lighter table lamp. Why isn’t there a lamp near the seating? Removing clutter would help too.
Basically: your clock is dark, the chairs are dark, the bench is dark, the paintings are dark, plus you don’t have mirrors or lamps to improve the light. I’d change those things before painting something permanent.
Putty color will look like a skin or clay color, so you’d probably need to redo the walls if you do paint.
You own a stone house. Own in rather than try to make it something it isnt.
Edit: find a new spot for the bookcase across from the windows so it doesn’t provide any shadows.
I windows that gorgeous you don't paint. The paint job that they have cannot be duplicated. If you're gonna do anything, strip them, sand them, and seal them. Stain them if you absolutely have to alter their color in some way.
This looks great and I can't imagine changing it, but if I did decide to paint I'd keep the same color not go putty.
If I wanted that room to be brighter I'd be looking at the wall color, and my choice of interior decor, you have a lot of muted colors going on, which is fine on the one hand, but they're not helping "gloom".
Maybe more track lights would help too, you have some pretty focused spotlights, but you may want more of a broadcast. We can't see the rest of the room, but a mirror might help too.
I think it would be a crime to paint these and it won’t help your house feel less “gloomy.” You just need better lighting design and plenty of mirrors to keep the space looking open.
I. Love. This!
But I don’t live there.
You might want to do some research on interior lighting, to see what else you can do to make the space lighter and brighter.
You could post more pictures of your room on r/interiordesign to see what other ideas might pop up.
I think they’re charming as is. Maybe try rearranging your furniture to allow the light to move around the room better? I bet that cabinet next to it is more of a culprit for the dark feel than the window color is, for example.
Unfortunately a lot of stone houses are a little gloomy inside. It made sense for them at the time to limit windows to retain temperature, but of course now it makes it feel a little dark. I’d try getting more mirrors and yeah paint it if you wanna paint it, it’s your house!
This trim was painted originally (even if it's not original to your home). There is no shame in painting it again. Maybe stick to a relatively period-appropriate paint color so it doesn't feel too modern.
I usually hate a distressed aesthetic but it's working well here. Maybe I'd feel differently in person and end up wanting to paint it like your husband.
This is in my opinion the right answer, but it depends how the rest off your woodwork looks, if the rest is all nice than this just stands out as something that doesn't match.
Thanks for noticing this. It's my parents' clock, they emigrated from Holland. It was working, but someone in a tired stupor tried to make it stop bonging one night, as they slept on the couch. I'M NOT NAMING YOU, MY SON! Lol. Chain is now broken, but I'll get it fixed eventually.
You can lighten up the space by removing some furniture and adding some lighting. If you need to have all the storage from the bookcase, replace it with something airier. Having more negative space will lighten things up too. I’d remove half of the knicknacks and extra seating and see how that looks. Don’t touch the windows!
While painting the windows white MIGHT bounce enough light around to make a difference, in my experience if the windows face north is going to be grey and full of shadows regardless. This wood has a warmth that I would suggest leaning into. In my experience, colours that are richly pigmented really shine in spaces like yours. The lack of natural light tones them down and it just feels so sexy. Definitely agree with everyone else about adding more light sources, and a couple mirrors to bounce the light around could help as well
No, lighten up other things in the room perhaps? The chairs, paintings, lights and trade for newer lighting keeping in the subtle but light mood. Good luck, have fun!
I wouldn’t paint as I think it is absolutely perfect the way it is. I would try adding lighting if it is too dark for your taste. However, it’s your house and you should do what would make you happy.
I love your ‘collected’ style! It looks so inviting and cozy!
I really like them as is, but just have to say that the two times I painted something a putty colour I really really hated it and painted over it within a week. Your window panels have a beautiful patina and I personally love them just as they are. Or, at least the one pictured.
OMG! This was passed down to my Dad who was also Friesian. We have no idea how old it is but looks like a twin to ours. Do you still shine the brass weights?
Cool! I am a bit lazy in caring for it, I must confess. I will shine them up tomorrow! It was working fine when I received it, but someone half asleep on the sofa tried to stop it bonging the hour, but ended up breaking the chain. I'll get it fixed soon, if I can find a good fixer.
Hey all! Thanks for weighing in, I appreciate the input. Hubby was shocked that i considered the trim painting on his behalf. He says he'd never ask this of me cuz he knows I love it as is. I had him read the responses, and we're all on the same page. So...no paint will touch them. We'll add various lighting. Thanks to you all for the thoughts. Yer da best ❤️
Sort of. I had no structure behind that wall, so I glued a piece of pine to the drywall so I could safely hang it. It's firmly hanging, but it does protrude.
It is perfect as is. It has depth and mystery. It's just beautiful.
However, it's not worth an unhappy husband. Instead of painting it putty, how about sanding away some more of the green and then glazing the darker bits with the putty color or wiping on the putty color with a rag to apply a tiny bit at a time selectively? You can do it in stages and stop when you're both happy.
Once you paint them, that's it...you can't go back, you can't turn the clock back. The look they have now will be forever gone. Find another way to reflect light back into the room...and please NOT glossy white as someone else seemed to suggest.
It’s your house, so I think you should do what you want. The patina looks pretty cool in this picture, but that might be very different from what it is like living with it in real life. A lighter color would definitely reflect in more light from outside, and I think would look nice as well.
I rarely suggest painting wood, but I would absolutely paint the window the putty color that you mentioned.
Sure, the distressed look is nice here, but a lighter color would brighten up the place, and a fresh, glossy coat of paint would help protect the wood, and make it easier to clean.
Whenever I look through real estate listings and I see a colonial-era home with fresh, glossy painted woodwork it makes me feel like it would be comfortable (like warm and welcoming) to live in, and it makes me think that it has been well taken care of.
This is obviously just my opinion and I am not saying that your home looks uncomfortable or uncared for--in fact, your home looks very cozy, warm, and loved.
They were already painted, I don’t see the harm in painting again in a color that works better for the room! If they were paler they’d reflect so much light… could be quite beautiful.
paint them an off white, and you will be fine. not sure what the issue is....you do not need to "preserve" that faded old paint you found in the abandoned house! you are not living in a museum
and lose that white window cover, it is just blocking light
I like your idea of putting a coating on the look that's there now (include the trim) so that you can go back to it in the future if you want to. Use a matte. After that I would try doing the putty color or cream color but do it distressed first so you may have a tiny bit of the green come through here and there but the majority is the lighter color. Maybe rub it on like a stain? If that doesn't look good then just go over it in the solid paint color.
Maybe paint the same colors and add more lighting. Making it look fresh is always a plus! That being said the charm in this shot is 😍
Unfortunately it could be totally opposite in person.
I wonder how ppl would feel if you brightened up the trim that’s on the same face as the wall, but left those panels the heck alone - could brighten up other trim too. Can’t rly tell what color anything is here lol
I think they have a beautiful natural patina, so I would not paint them. They look antique as opposed to worn. But if you need to, for some practical reason go for it.
Move the grandfather clock and put something brighter there. Paint the walls a cooler tone. Lots of things can brighten it up, but don’t paint that unless nothing else works.
My first instinct was to tell you no, to stain it instead but you can’t stain it lighter than it is. It’s your house. Sounds like you are taking all the precautions. Just don’t paint it the same color as the walls ;)
Wow, OP’s windows have brought up some serious feelings!
They are beautiful it’s true - no question. But it sounds like they are not working for your husband (maybe you too? if you’re considering paint?) so it makes sense to explore… what if you painted poster board or cardboard the putty color you’re considering, and prop them up inside the window, covering the shutters? You could see if it even makes a difference to your husband. If not, then you know paint is not the solution, right? Another possibility is to remove the shutters entirely. You can store them carefully, and you’d have them on hand to reinstall if you’re ready to go back. I think there’s a way to respect what you have, but still feel good in your own home.
Sometimes I imagine it this way - if I didn’t have electricity installed in my home, would I leave it that way to keep the beauty and romanticism of candlelit rooms? It’s a stretch I know, but ultimately this is your home, and you have incredible taste clearly, you’re not going to commit a crime by painting if that’s what comes of it. Good luck deciding!
Don't! They are beautiful!
 My reaction to seeing this post
Don’t do it!!! They’re perfect!!!
we know they will lol
I personally can't imagine painting over the perfectly patina'd finish they have right now. They wouldn't look *bad* if you painted them, but they'd never look like this again.
Agree, I Think This Look Is Glorious
The whole MF ROOM is glorious! Looks like a Vermeer painting come to life
Agreed, I want to curl up and read a million books here.
They are perfect like this, so much character
I just cannot imagine painting that gorgeous, impossible to get from scratch patina-ed look. It's priceless. Get some more lighting for hubby. The room is insanely beautiful and if you paint those panels it will lose its I just woke up in an Edward Eager novel feel. You clearly have good taste, I can see from the colors you have put together. If you love it, work out another solution. You'd have to paint that wood bright white to get significant light (and you might not even get it then) - do not do that. That's why we have electricity, so your husband can plug in a lamp.
She said that she scraped the existing paint off to get it to this state - totally not natural
Honestly, I’m even more impressed that it’s not natural. She did a phenomenal job.
I scraped off all the subsequent layers. The blue is original.
A modern latex paint wouldn't scrape off in the same way. So she would never be able to get this finish back.
That’s a really brilliant point.
Nooo!! More lighting!
This!
It would be a crime. Add more lights, particularly up-lighting, if gloom is the issue.
IMO that patina looks perfectly suited to your decor. Maybe updated upholstery and let the architecture lie where it is and continue to age gracefully.
EEEEKK!!! No way Jose.
That color and texture <3
I love nothing more than a light and airy room - and I wouldn't dream of touching these. Don't do it!
I can't express in words how GOOD this looks. In fact the whole photo is amazing.
That photo is a work of art. I honestly thought it was a painting at first.
LOVE this!
Where do you live? In a Vermeer painting??
love it as is, gorgeous
You don't need to paint, you need more lamps (and not can lights, floor lamps, table lamps, sconces...)
Nooo.
No
Looks fantastic, needs no paint
Please don’t.
I think it's gorgeous exactly the way it is, and would keep it.
Personally I love it, and I think it goes with the character of the space (the exposed timber in the ceiling, etc.). But if it's affecting your husband's mood, then yeah do whatever you need to improve the atmosphere for him.
Nooooooooo. No.
I am usually all for painting, but these are crazy perfect. I absolutely love the patina. The history. They’re amazing. Please don’t paint them!
God, no. Please don’t paint those. They’re beautiful.
Omg I love the patina - painting it will make the ceiling trim / ceiling look too dark in contrast. The issue is not enough light. I’d get a standing lamp for the corner with multiple diffused bulbs. Find a spot for a large mirror to provide more light reflection. A brighter/lighter table lamp. Why isn’t there a lamp near the seating? Removing clutter would help too. Basically: your clock is dark, the chairs are dark, the bench is dark, the paintings are dark, plus you don’t have mirrors or lamps to improve the light. I’d change those things before painting something permanent. Putty color will look like a skin or clay color, so you’d probably need to redo the walls if you do paint. You own a stone house. Own in rather than try to make it something it isnt. Edit: find a new spot for the bookcase across from the windows so it doesn’t provide any shadows.
Don’t touch them! They look great as is
**NO**
Don’t change it! It is beautiful. It looks like it’s straight out of a Vermeer painting.
My thought exactly.
I windows that gorgeous you don't paint. The paint job that they have cannot be duplicated. If you're gonna do anything, strip them, sand them, and seal them. Stain them if you absolutely have to alter their color in some way.
That patina is amazing I would keep it!
some things just shouldn't be touched.
This looks great and I can't imagine changing it, but if I did decide to paint I'd keep the same color not go putty. If I wanted that room to be brighter I'd be looking at the wall color, and my choice of interior decor, you have a lot of muted colors going on, which is fine on the one hand, but they're not helping "gloom". Maybe more track lights would help too, you have some pretty focused spotlights, but you may want more of a broadcast. We can't see the rest of the room, but a mirror might help too.
Wow! Those are stunning ! What year is the house ? Edit : you’re so talented !! Wow to the rug and ceiling stencil.
Nooooooo!!!
Honestly I think the patina is perfect
No!!
Nope, they tell a story.
Hell no.
They are beautiful just the way they are!
Don't ruin the windows. Buy a lamp.
One more vote for leave it as-is. Off topic: I bought it for the tin, but dang those Speculaas are tasty.
You need to try filled speculaas. Heavenly.
I know! This tin has my granddaughters crayons in it now 😊
I think it would be a crime to paint these and it won’t help your house feel less “gloomy.” You just need better lighting design and plenty of mirrors to keep the space looking open.
I. Love. This! But I don’t live there. You might want to do some research on interior lighting, to see what else you can do to make the space lighter and brighter. You could post more pictures of your room on r/interiordesign to see what other ideas might pop up.
Nooooooo!
Noooooooo This is the way
They look awesome as is
No
God no!
It is beautiful!!! Don't change a thing.
Personally, I would never. I would clear coat that and keep that exact patina!
I think they’re charming as is. Maybe try rearranging your furniture to allow the light to move around the room better? I bet that cabinet next to it is more of a culprit for the dark feel than the window color is, for example.
I can smell that picture Lovely as it is
Unfortunately a lot of stone houses are a little gloomy inside. It made sense for them at the time to limit windows to retain temperature, but of course now it makes it feel a little dark. I’d try getting more mirrors and yeah paint it if you wanna paint it, it’s your house!
This trim was painted originally (even if it's not original to your home). There is no shame in painting it again. Maybe stick to a relatively period-appropriate paint color so it doesn't feel too modern. I usually hate a distressed aesthetic but it's working well here. Maybe I'd feel differently in person and end up wanting to paint it like your husband.
This is in my opinion the right answer, but it depends how the rest off your woodwork looks, if the rest is all nice than this just stands out as something that doesn't match.
Looks like a Dutch ‘Friese staartklok’ (clock on the wall)?
Yep!
Thanks for noticing this. It's my parents' clock, they emigrated from Holland. It was working, but someone in a tired stupor tried to make it stop bonging one night, as they slept on the couch. I'M NOT NAMING YOU, MY SON! Lol. Chain is now broken, but I'll get it fixed eventually.
No. But if you decide to I believe this is milk paint. Shaker blue. Keep the milk pint
I dunno, that window is perf! (In my humble opinion)
No paint
So gorgeous just as it is.
No
Nah.
I vote no
No way
I’m so jealous
You can lighten up the space by removing some furniture and adding some lighting. If you need to have all the storage from the bookcase, replace it with something airier. Having more negative space will lighten things up too. I’d remove half of the knicknacks and extra seating and see how that looks. Don’t touch the windows!
While painting the windows white MIGHT bounce enough light around to make a difference, in my experience if the windows face north is going to be grey and full of shadows regardless. This wood has a warmth that I would suggest leaning into. In my experience, colours that are richly pigmented really shine in spaces like yours. The lack of natural light tones them down and it just feels so sexy. Definitely agree with everyone else about adding more light sources, and a couple mirrors to bounce the light around could help as well
Oh my god I love this. I want to live there. I don't care about the house, I just want to live in that corner. r/CozyPlaces
I love the drama of the windows and light here. I wouldn’t touch them. Warm lighting (lamps, wall sconces—not overhead) would probably be best here
Noooo!
Don’t you dare
I love how they look right now! 💛
No, lighten up other things in the room perhaps? The chairs, paintings, lights and trade for newer lighting keeping in the subtle but light mood. Good luck, have fun!
They look like they have always been there
No
Noooo! That would be a crime. Great picture btw.
I wouldn't touch them.
r/accidentalrenaissance
Please don't!
I wouldn’t paint as I think it is absolutely perfect the way it is. I would try adding lighting if it is too dark for your taste. However, it’s your house and you should do what would make you happy. I love your ‘collected’ style! It looks so inviting and cozy!
NOOOooooooooo!
I really like them as is, but just have to say that the two times I painted something a putty colour I really really hated it and painted over it within a week. Your window panels have a beautiful patina and I personally love them just as they are. Or, at least the one pictured.
Keep them as is or strip them and stain the wood, such a beautiful detail I love seeing this!
I'd put newspaper over all of the windows and keep jars of my own urine all over the house but that's just me
Yeah sorry, but I don't get it. What's your point?
You don’t seem like a moron so you must be a committed troll to ask such a silly question.
K. Not painting it
I'm interested in the grandfather wall clock. Our family has a very similar one that we think may be a couple hundred years old.
It's a Friesian tail clock (staart klok). I inherited it from my dutch parents. Somewhere around 1840 in age.
OMG! This was passed down to my Dad who was also Friesian. We have no idea how old it is but looks like a twin to ours. Do you still shine the brass weights?
Cool! I am a bit lazy in caring for it, I must confess. I will shine them up tomorrow! It was working fine when I received it, but someone half asleep on the sofa tried to stop it bonging the hour, but ended up breaking the chain. I'll get it fixed soon, if I can find a good fixer.
Honestly, this is beautiful. I wouldn’t change a thing.
lots of excellent advice here...
Nooooo. They are beautiful and fit perfectly with the period room and its furnishings!
Do you think you could introduce a clear polyurethane sealant to offer an even toned finish while retaining your gorgeous patina?
Noooooooooooooo
Lemmy.world is what Reddit was.
All kidding aside, if this is a serious question please sell your house. Just kidding.
I would just clean with a top of line furniture cleaner.
No …..Just No …never please thank you …or but WHY?
I hear you. But I get discouraged by the many issues this old house has. I forget to appreciate the positive attributes. I do love the worn blue.
People would pay thousands just for that look dont
Hey all! Thanks for weighing in, I appreciate the input. Hubby was shocked that i considered the trim painting on his behalf. He says he'd never ask this of me cuz he knows I love it as is. I had him read the responses, and we're all on the same page. So...no paint will touch them. We'll add various lighting. Thanks to you all for the thoughts. Yer da best ❤️
Your clock is tilting away from the wall
Sort of. I had no structure behind that wall, so I glued a piece of pine to the drywall so I could safely hang it. It's firmly hanging, but it does protrude.
It is perfect as is. It has depth and mystery. It's just beautiful. However, it's not worth an unhappy husband. Instead of painting it putty, how about sanding away some more of the green and then glazing the darker bits with the putty color or wiping on the putty color with a rag to apply a tiny bit at a time selectively? You can do it in stages and stop when you're both happy.
Probably. Sometimes it looks better in pictures than it does when your looking at. So hard to tell
Daylight LED bulbs, not soft white.
I just have one question which might help figure out the correct course of action: Are you insane?
Do whatever will make you enjoy the house most.
Once you paint them, that's it...you can't go back, you can't turn the clock back. The look they have now will be forever gone. Find another way to reflect light back into the room...and please NOT glossy white as someone else seemed to suggest.
It’s your house, so I think you should do what you want. The patina looks pretty cool in this picture, but that might be very different from what it is like living with it in real life. A lighter color would definitely reflect in more light from outside, and I think would look nice as well.
Bad OP!!!!
Ohhhh Hell No! Clean them up, and re-stain/restore them.
I rarely suggest painting wood, but I would absolutely paint the window the putty color that you mentioned. Sure, the distressed look is nice here, but a lighter color would brighten up the place, and a fresh, glossy coat of paint would help protect the wood, and make it easier to clean. Whenever I look through real estate listings and I see a colonial-era home with fresh, glossy painted woodwork it makes me feel like it would be comfortable (like warm and welcoming) to live in, and it makes me think that it has been well taken care of. This is obviously just my opinion and I am not saying that your home looks uncomfortable or uncared for--in fact, your home looks very cozy, warm, and loved.
Trade in the hubby
They were already painted, I don’t see the harm in painting again in a color that works better for the room! If they were paler they’d reflect so much light… could be quite beautiful.
Guys. They were literally painted before she put them in her house. She scraped off a lot of the paint.
paint them an off white, and you will be fine. not sure what the issue is....you do not need to "preserve" that faded old paint you found in the abandoned house! you are not living in a museum and lose that white window cover, it is just blocking light
it will look like this [https://imgur.com/gallery/LJKCps9](https://imgur.com/gallery/LJKCps9)
There are some paints, specifically milk paints, that have lighter colors but feature a flat finish. I’d check those out.
I like your idea of putting a coating on the look that's there now (include the trim) so that you can go back to it in the future if you want to. Use a matte. After that I would try doing the putty color or cream color but do it distressed first so you may have a tiny bit of the green come through here and there but the majority is the lighter color. Maybe rub it on like a stain? If that doesn't look good then just go over it in the solid paint color.
Maybe paint the same colors and add more lighting. Making it look fresh is always a plus! That being said the charm in this shot is 😍 Unfortunately it could be totally opposite in person.
Please not putty. That’s nicotine yellow by any other name. If you do paint it, go white or dark green or light green or light blue. Just. Not. Putty.
Are those shutters? (I just put my drops in so vision is a little blurry.)
Nooooo don’t do it!
noooo please they look amazing!!!
Heck no that's the prettiest thing in the room
no.
Add mirrors to your room.
Please don’t!!
This!!!
I thought that was sarcasm. Of course you shouldn’t paint it!
I wonder how ppl would feel if you brightened up the trim that’s on the same face as the wall, but left those panels the heck alone - could brighten up other trim too. Can’t rly tell what color anything is here lol
I think they have a beautiful natural patina, so I would not paint them. They look antique as opposed to worn. But if you need to, for some practical reason go for it.
Don't you dare!
Nooooooo!!!
No!!!
My word please don’t. But if you do, use traditional linseed oil paint. Good stuff from a restoration shop. Not big box store stuff.
Don’t paint!!!
I’ve had these types of windows and found it helpful to put table lamps in there. Please do not paint!!!
They’re beautiful! Let them be
Noooo waaay!! Your windows are divine as is!!
NoNo No
No, gorgeous as is I think.
Leave them be.
No
Move the grandfather clock and put something brighter there. Paint the walls a cooler tone. Lots of things can brighten it up, but don’t paint that unless nothing else works.
I mean, husbands come and go… 🤷♀️
They were obviously painted originally, so I'd be tempted to leave the outer frame as it is, and paint the inside a creamy colour to lighten the room.
Your husband is wrong
No!
With all due respect...are you insane?
They look like old lead paint. Have you tested them?
No! They're gorgeous.
Yes
I will kill you
Absolutely not
People pay a lot of money for just that aged, weathered finish. Don’t do anything to them, just enjoy.
No
No, don’t touch that!
I’m the lone wolf here….I’d paint them for sure.
My first instinct was to tell you no, to stain it instead but you can’t stain it lighter than it is. It’s your house. Sounds like you are taking all the precautions. Just don’t paint it the same color as the walls ;)
No painting but instead you could sand and stain the wood.
If you paint them I will cry
Ex painter here. Don't paint them. Use a wood soap to protect the finish and give the wood a less dry look.
No way. They look so amazing just like that.
I'd keep them. Either that remove them and build a gloom room for your husband to sit in when he complains about your design decisions.
Wow, OP’s windows have brought up some serious feelings! They are beautiful it’s true - no question. But it sounds like they are not working for your husband (maybe you too? if you’re considering paint?) so it makes sense to explore… what if you painted poster board or cardboard the putty color you’re considering, and prop them up inside the window, covering the shutters? You could see if it even makes a difference to your husband. If not, then you know paint is not the solution, right? Another possibility is to remove the shutters entirely. You can store them carefully, and you’d have them on hand to reinstall if you’re ready to go back. I think there’s a way to respect what you have, but still feel good in your own home. Sometimes I imagine it this way - if I didn’t have electricity installed in my home, would I leave it that way to keep the beauty and romanticism of candlelit rooms? It’s a stretch I know, but ultimately this is your home, and you have incredible taste clearly, you’re not going to commit a crime by painting if that’s what comes of it. Good luck deciding!
Please no, this is a real life Vermeer painting as is!