Decorating and Design - Baseboard Question

I have a high ranch house that has those run of the mill baseboards. I would like to enhance the baseboards and heard about running another board along the wall about 9" above it and then painting it all one colour to look like a higher baseboard. I'm not sure whether the 9" is correct or not, or what shape I should use for the upper board. Plus, the livingroom/diningroom now sports my Grandmother's furniture, which is high end French Provincial...do you think this kind of baseboard would work? I was thinking of painting the baseboards white. Right now they are just varnished wood and seem to make the house look as old as it's 35 years. I would also have to paint the front entrance closet doors and all bedroom doors in the hallway. Would I keep this new configured baseboad on the floor, or go up and around all the doors as well? Any thoughts would be most appreciated!

That's an interesting idea for the baseboards but it would be more work and just as much money as simply replacing the baseboards. There are many profiles available at home improvement stores and lumber yards. I would look for something preprimed 5 to 6 inches tall with a bit more formality than the commonest styles. Given your furnishings I would also consider a chair rail, that is a decorative rail, about 35 inches above the floor.

Gee, I thought I would be saving money by not having to replace all the baseboards, but you've given me pause for thought! I like the idea of it, but then this house is not the "antique" type and I don't see beautiful 10" baseboards in it either. I am about to paint my livingroom/diningroom and noticed that the windows all have minimal trim around them. They are painted with the old wall colour and blend in....probably what they deserve....nothing to shout about. Guess I'll stick to painting all in the new colour the same way. The baseboards, however are brown and don't give that "put together" look, if you know what I mean. It's about honey-coloured. Not too dark, but just seems so "dating?" I think you are right, actually. Heightening the baseboard would also look unmatched with the trim above it and probably would give the feeling of the wall being bottom heavy...better to replace all. I have some painting questions, about colour, but I'd better get over to the painting section for it. I'm still digesting the chair rail idea. I'm not a fan of wallpaper at all. I've had problems with wood stove "air" and seasonal peeling, plus the pain of taking it all off. Told myself that I'd never go there again! LOL! Thanks!

i'm not sure painting that kind of woodwork will be the answer either. i've seen it painted, and it still looks dated, just painted. replace it with something more elegant & interesting (i'm assuming it's the really plain style that gently curves to one edge), but don't exceed about 4" or it will look out of scale & style. and of course that means changing out the door & any window trim, too.

I think you are right about it being painted and still looking dated. I did paint these baseboards and the window frame in the bedroom. (small room, white baseboards/tan walls) It looks alright and probably passes muster in this bedroom because it's so small, but the livingroom is a different story...much larger and wanting it to be nicer. Since the baseboards in the whole house are this kind of baseboard, and all match, plus the fact that once I buy the paint for the walls, I'm going to be pushing the budget already.....would you advise that I could, for now, just paint the baseboards in the livingroom the same colour as the wall and make them disappear like the window frame already does? If so, dare I paint the baseboards in the same latex paint that the walls are or would I need to match the wall paint and get an oil in the same colour to get it done? (Just the baseboard lengths I need for "new", I'm looking at over 100', never mind the doors etc. I will price it, but then I have a sinking feeling that the cost may be the straw that breaks the camel's back.) Thanks for your help, all! I've been wallowing for a long time!

i think painting this woodwork the same as the walls would be better than painting it white & have attention drawn to it.

and i think you're okay with latex, but you'll probably need to clean it well & prime it first (i don't "think" you'll need to sand it), so the paint will stick to the stain/varnish existing finish. post that question in the Painting forum for the best advice.

If there was anybody that could get me from being overwhelmed with this huge project, it is you. I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel...thankyou! You are a Godsend! LOL!

My husband, a painting contractor, would recommend that you go over the wood with a cloth (or sponge) soaked in Rubbing Alcohol (not dripping, just wet enough to do the job). It cuts down the 'shine' (and dirt) and will preps it nicely for the new paint.

Sounds good! Thanks! So, if I'm looking at a layer of old varathane, I don't have to take them away and go thru the sanding process, just alcohol and then paint everything with latex and I'll be o.k.?