As some of you might (or might not) know, I bought my first house a couple of months ago *yay*

Well since that time Ive done quite a lot of work to it and I am finally at the last stages !
I am just in the process of cutting and fitting all of the Skirting and Architrave into the Living and Dining Rooms

The choice I am having trouble with though is whether to paint said mouldings in Gloss, Satinwood or Matt (Eggshell) finish White :/

There are pictures here (Its just the 2 rooms shown in the first 5 pictures).

I have a feeling that against the colours I have picked, a shiny finish will look over powering. On the other hand though, having everything in Matt may look a bit too soft :/
I know that Satinwood is the happy medium but Im just not sure.

I should mention that the Skirting is 5" Torus and the Architrave is also Torus, so its a bit bigger and more decorative than standard moulding.


Take a look at the pics and let me know what you think, Ill probably ignore it anyway

Stained in a suitable colour and left as wood.

wow.... the wall colours are a bit.... LOOK AT ME!!!!! dont you think?

just done mine in some eggshell paint - my parents use it in the student houses as its hardwearing it looks kinda matt ish

i like the colours in the rooms, especially the blue and the red. But like you im not certain what would look good with them. Im probably inching towards matt

Matt would do the same thing Zpyder, the main thing is that its oil based when it comes to wiping stuff off. Personally Id go with matt, I did in my place.

I used Diamondmatt paint for my walls from Dulux, thats washable and takes a fair amount of abuse. Its waterbased too, very good but a bit pricey for paint afaik.

Also, that red wall of yours is gonna need some extra coats, loads. Red is the worst colour to paint according to a painter and decorator in the family and also from our own harsh experiences.

Gloss white (for me) always looks a bit cheap/tacky and not contemporary. A nice matt would be my preference for those rooms.

Tradition is to paint it white gloss but thats gone out the window since Acrylic paints came in. Matt is probably a bit too flat though.

Ultimate preference is to let the wood show and use varnish if possible.