Should I paint this 250 year old oak beam?

11 years ago

The ceiling beams in our very old cottage in France are painted white, as you can see in the photos. The beam above the fireplace has been stained to an almost black hue. When it was first installed, it would have been very light in colour. Should I paint the fireplace beam to match the ceiling beams. I would use a very light lime wash which would allow the natural grain to show through. Your thoughts would be much appreciated.

Featured Answer

Patricia Pelgrims

11 years ago

Here is a nice example of lime washed beams. Coincidentally it is from a Houzz article of a cottage in France.

French country home · More Info

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Comments (47)

boundsgreener
11 years ago
As I sit in my very old French farmhouse with my white painted ceiling beams (well, cream), looking at my fireplace with a big old beam in front, I say leave it :)

I painted the ceiling beams because they were new and left the big old supporting ones natural. But mine don't have a stain on them. From the photos, the beam looks really nice and I think it would be a shame to cover it up.
rachelsarah1986
11 years ago
I'm not sure if it's a similar colour/stain but we stripped ours when we moved in and finished with a wax. It was painstakingly hard word and there were times when we almost gave up but now it's my favourite feature of our house. The oak beam on the fireplace was added later but we stripped the ceiling beams.

I wouldn't paint it white....I think leave as is or try and strip maybe?

X
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Paint it white. Start with watered down chalk paint, and build it up until you're happy with the depth of white. If you're really uncertain, leave it a day or two between coats so you can keep an eye on it when it's dry. It's only a small area, so it won't take long to paint, or scrub it off if you went too far! I'd also put a wooden shelf/mantleshelf along the top, in an aged oak or pine, which would look lovely with the blue walls (judging by the tester marks in your photo!), or black/grey to coordinate with any furniture pieces. Oh, and don't touch the metal bit, unless you're blacking it! :)
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Hi Helen, However its done, trying to strip the beams is a long, messy and expensive project. Theres also no guarantee whats found under the paint is going to look substantially better (though I agree the black is too imposing at the moment). I would suggest first using white primer on them then painting them a pale soft greige/warm grey colour. Enough of a contrast to the walls that you still get to admire them as a feature but light enough to help keep the space feeling bright and relaxing. Something else you could also consider is installing some warm white led strip lighting on top of the lintel beams. These would face up to illuminate the cross beams and help reduce the gloomy shadows. I've tried to show how this could look in the mock up for you. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Flexible-Non-waterproof-Kitchen-Decoration-Lighting/dp/B00MHTNXRY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1481108213&sr=8-1&keywords=warm+led+strip+lights
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nic107uk
11 years ago
I would paint it. It is too dark for the room. Alternatively, strip it down to its natural hue.
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Okonik
11 years ago
No, its stunning as t is. the furniture / walls could be reconsidered to work better
PRO
Button & Sprung
11 years ago
I think it would be best if you tried to strip back the staining and bring out it's natural colour again. It's nice to have a mix of painted and natural woodwork.
smc63
11 years ago
strip - don't paint, it is a beautiful piece of very old wood -expose it, don't disguise it would be my stance.
PRO
Stella Michael
11 years ago
I would leave it as it as. The patina of age cannot be restored once removed by either stripping or painting over. It's a lovely feature of the room and is balanced by the stove and flue so I would leave it. I think it will look odd painted white or any colour, I would leave it exactly as it is, no need for everything to be matchy matchy, this gives it more personality.
PRO
Victoria Hill Bespoke Soft Furnishings
11 years ago
I would lime wash it, but that's just because I don't like dark wood.
cavgirl
11 years ago
I would leave the beam as it is. As someone said, that patina once gone can not be restored and its part of the beam's charm. I would however paint the walls. The bricks have a yellow tone, the walls read almost as pink while your sofa seems grey. Maybe a soft grey or off white on the walls to tone with the ceiling beams? And add more touches of dark if you're worried about the beam unbalancing the room- those old houses can take it.
Roslyn Lockhart
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks for the suggestions everyone. The walls are not painted. The pinkish colour you can see in the photos is the unpainted, newly plastered wall. We used British plaster which gives a very smooth finish and dries to a pale pink colour. The old bricks and stones in the fireplace do have a slight pink hue . We haven't yet chosen the wall colour but will be using something from the Farrow and Ball range.
Bruno Perrier
11 years ago
I would sand the beam. To remove the stains and to give it a new ilfe, you can after add some oil for the wood:
PRO
Yasmin Chopin Interior Design
11 years ago
If you decide to leave the beam as it is.... The beam does look heavy and unless you opt for a similarly dark wall colour it will always look heavy. I wonder whether you could consider painting the brick piers on either side of the beam a similar colour? It would give the beam visual support and create a frame for the stove.
J Price
11 years ago
I'm guessing you value the beam's age and history. Most of this is evidenced in its surface. If you want to change its appearance, do consider covering it with thin boarding, cloth or similar that's not glued or bonded. When conservators are replacing rotten woodwork they consider saving the top few millimetres of the old wood, discarding the rotten bulk, then attaching the saved surface to the replacement part. You can see how highly they value the surface.
PRO
Anderson Design
11 years ago
I renovated an old house in Antibes and was told the blackening on the beams was an old fashioned way of treating the wood to protect it from wood boring insects. The beams were briefly burnt before being used. The carbon protected the generally soft wood. It doesn't go deep in to the wood and can be sanded not stripped.
Tryphic
11 years ago
Leave it! I think the potential for regret is much higher if you do a job you don't like. Especially if it's something you are just mulling over and have only just started thinking about. If it's something driving you to distraction, then look carefully at all the suggestions. Good luck.
kerrul
11 years ago
Sand blasting wouldn't be that expensive for the one beam. It's vvvv messy but brings them up like the original oak- lovely!
dorothie
11 years ago
Try and find a similar sized piece of wood to the fascia size of the beam paint one side and stain the other and support it In front of beam to get an idea of what looks right to you. Leave in place for a while so you get the impact when you return to the room after sometime and when you are sitting there.
Roslyn Lockhart
Original Author
11 years ago
Brilliant idea Dorothie, thank you. I wouldn't have thought of that. I can then see which looks best and then make an informed decision.
PRO
Yasmin Chopin Interior Design
11 years ago
Another thought, you could decorate the beam by painting it with motifs in a lighter colour, a bit like stencilling. Creating your own decorated pattern will lift the wood from its heaviness and you won't have lost the original patina. Might be worth trying before doing anything major. Perhaps pick a motif that's relevant to the property and use it to make a pretty pattern.
Roslyn Lockhart
Original Author
11 years ago
Yasmin Chopin thank you for your helpful comment. I do see exactly what you mean but as we spent six months and a small fortune finding 250 year old bricks to restore the pillars - they had been partially cemented over and looked terrible - they are now my pride and joy and must remain natural. Over the years, several attempts had been made by previous owners to alter the appearance of the fireplace, usually to 'modernise' it, all with disastrous results. Ive attached a picture of how it looked before we started to restore it. We hope we have brought back it's natural beauty.
marivon1
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
I would leave the beautiful fire place you have bestowed love upon, and although I like your furniture, it would be a simpler choice to say paint/stain the white shelving a softer grey tone to blend more, even the ceiling too, rather than being stark against your walls (which I know you haven't yet decided on colour etc). It is hard when we don't know how these shelves fit into the rest of your scheme!
millybird
11 years ago
If you painted the brick above and to the side (it looks newer?) the beam would look much better,theres so much going on in the area that its awkward but the difference that would make could mean leaving the beam xx
PRO
User
11 years ago
If you use anything abrasive (electric sander, sand blasting etc.) you will remove any of the tool signatures that give it authenticity. Sanding it down to something smooth will render it lifeless and flat; something you can easily buy off the shelf anywhere.
If you limewash it at least nothing is lost and you haven't compromised it's breathability although for an interior timber this is not so much of an issue.
If you really don't like the stain (which is probably 19th century or later anyway) then you may find some success with a poultice stripper but with stain finishes any kind of stripper can struggle so it may be of no use. The only way to test it is to trial some in the corner; if it removes it then great - go for it! If it doesn't then c'est-la-vie eh?!
"Strippers" poultice is good: http://www.stripperspaintremovers.com/ and they used to sell tester pots of both types so you can trial it first at less cost.
Hope that helps, have fun, Rick.
Roslyn Lockhart
Original Author
11 years ago
That's really helpful Rick, thank you. You are quite right, the tool marks make this beam very special and whatever we do, I wouldn't want to lose that. I love the thought that 250 or more years ago a craftsman created this beam and left his signature through the tool marks. I will contact you via your website about ordering the poultice stripper. Thank you again for taking the time to offer advice.
PRO
User
11 years ago
It's not our product but I have seen it used a good few times. Often it works wonders but sometimes, particularly with stains, it doesn't work. Once it's into the cellular structure of the grain you're doomed really but if it's sat on top it's usually pretty good.
Have fun with it! Rick.
PRO
The Thatching & Building Company
11 years ago
I would also recommend the poultice stripper. Sandblasting is a definite NO as it will affect the surface of the beam. Embrace the joy of a fabulous fireplace.
Simmy C
11 years ago
White? Ô mon dieu, non!
Lara Imrie
11 years ago
Strip it back to original state then oil it to make it glow.

Lol I don't mean oil it with radioactive oil that is day glow yellow in colour.

Sorry it was just as I read my suggestion it looked weird.

Best of luck

limrie
PRO
Diana Arnold Design
10 years ago
I think you can change the colour if you want to, after all its you who's living with it every day, don't feel it's wrong to do it just because its old. Especially if you do it with care as you mentioned.
PRO
JMW Interiors
10 years ago
It is a strange thing but there are a lot of people who get really evangelical about old wood and bricks but they can be very dark and dominant in a room. I have painted an old red brick fireplace cream and a very dark wooden beam similar to yours an off white and on both occasions the room has looked lighter and larger. Trust your instincts and go for it!
PRO
Amber Jeavons
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Hello Roslyn, It seems really late to be offering suggestions, but I think it really boils down to the character of the room and period of the property... I think it is right to carefully consider.... properties can have modern furnishings but need to retain their heritage. It may only be a beam but .. : ))
blackroses191191
10 years ago
It looks lovely as it is. it is gorgeous as it is!!!
georgiancottageliving
10 years ago
I love the darkness which contrasts with the light of the rest of the room. We've hot dark beams all the way through our house and are therefore leaving these but lightening the rest of the rooms up by using pale coloured carpets and white walls.
Roslyn Lockhart
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you for the 3 most recent comments. The beam is still the same colour and we are still considering whether or not to try and lighten it.

We thought before we did anything we should live in the house for a full year so we can see how the changes in light throughout the seasons affect the overall feel of the room.

The pinkish tinted walls now have a white undercoat. We have tried various wall paints but have painted over each different coloured test area with white as none have been quite right.

My admiration for interior designers, who can choose colours with such apparent ease and skill, grows by the day.

I have a feeling we will still be equally undecided this time next year.
PRO
Amber Jeavons
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Hello Roslyn, That's gr8 to hear! I also like the pinkish look... It reminds me of plaster... which is actually rather beautiful unpainted.. If you wanted a bit of contrast.. I found a few colours that would compliment both the walls and the stone work.. .. They are the period range from Little Greene. The other thing of course is that if you wanted to pick out the beam with dark wood furniture of a similar colour.. That might also help you decide whether to keep it.. Or not.. but I would definitely :))
Vincent
Grace
minnie101
10 years ago
I would leave the beam personally. It could look nice against the stone if lightened but then you'd have the contrast with the woodburner plus it adds personality to the room. If you like the plaster look Farrow and Ball do a colour called plaster but it's a little more peachy. I think a white with either a green or pink undertone would work. Lovely room btw!
stabmonkey
10 years ago
The beam and fireplace are lovely as they are. Please don't change them.
Roslyn Lockhart
Original Author
10 years ago
Well, after a year of indecision and giving thought to everyone's very helpful advice, we finally took the plunge. We painted the beam using a very light wash ( I part paint to 2 parts water) of Annie Sloan Old White chalk paint. I then waxed it with Annie Sloan light wax and then used the dark wax in the product range to bring out all the marks in the wood. If we do change our minds eventually, chalk paint is easy to remove without damaging the wood. Thanks to everyone who offered advice. Happy New Year to you all.
PRO
Yasmin Chopin Interior Design
10 years ago
Happy New Year Roslyn! It looks very welcoming. Annie Sloan would be delighted. You could send her a pic via Twitter.
Roslyn Lockhart thanked Yasmin Chopin Interior Design
Karin Madgwick
10 years ago
I would paint the brickwork above and the brick piers to the same colour as the walls. The beautiful beam would then be a feature. As
It is so old it needs to be retained as is . See if you could get a brass plaque telling the date and history of the beam.
Roslyn Lockhart
Original Author
10 years ago
Karin, thanks for your suggestion . The bricks surrounding the fireplace and forming the canopy are over 200 years old and each one is handmade. Although you can't see from the picture, each one is unique with different shading, sizing and surface markings. This style is very traditional in the part of France where we live. Where we can, we are trying to restore and retain the original features of the house. If we painted the bricks we would destroy something that took a craftsman almost a month to restore . The bricks had been cemented over at some point in the last 50 years and we rediscovered them when we restored the fireplace . Many of the original bricks couldnt be saved so we toured salvage yards to find authentic replacements. The entire house is over 250 years old so each room and every feature in each room has a different story to tell. The roofing timbers for example came from the hull of a ship and date from about 1700. When the ship was no longer in use the timbers were salvaged for the roof. How they got them here is a mystery. We are 150 km from the sea. That's a long journey by horse and cart.
PRO
Pillar to Post
10 years ago
If you don't want the mess of stripping or sand blasting, try this company: www.pillarpost.co
PRO
Pamela Langbridge Curtains and Upholstery
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Please don't it will take someone else living in your home so much work to remove the paint. I have 400 year old beams in my house and I love them as they are. Just get the varnish cleaned off. I would do the same with the ceiling beams
PRO
The Classic Barn Company
10 years ago
Don't paint - embrace !
Jen B
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
If you are going to comment folks please read all the thread... the deed is already done, see picture. I think it looks great btw!
PRO
Rodrigo Pissarra, Building Technician
8 years ago
I would remove the white paint, and keep those beams in their original colour, reintegrating the environment with the fireplace area.