Decorating and Design - Dark trim

Hey there, I am new here and I need some help!!....

we are moving to a new place next week, and have a question. The suite has nice dark finished trim that is in good condition, and the walls are white. I am SOOOOO tempted to paint all the trim white, because I would feel that it would be more modern and contemporary, however I don't really want to ruin it, since it would take a lot of work to put it back to how it is. I am not thrilled with the white walls which I could paint, but I feel limited with paint colours that I would like because of the dark trim. Ideally I would love white trim, and neutral-ish coloured walls with maybe a few accent walls for some drama. Has anyone decorated their space with dark trim in a somewhat modern type of style? do you have pics?....I don't know what to do, and I'm not sure the landlord would be pleased with us painting the trim.

"I don't know what to do, and I'm not sure the landlord would be pleased with us painting the trim."
You best check with him first and/or read your lease.
We (my wife and I) have right in our leases that the tenants will lose their deposit if they make significant changes to the property - such as repainting a very different color. - which dark to light would be.

Yeah, in rental property you have to live with what's there unless the landlord gives permission first to do otherwise. You'd lose your deposit in one of our units if you painted this as well.

I agree, however the landlord may be ok with you painting the walls [he may want to approve the colors first] IMO dark trim looks better when pastel colors are used on the wall.

very dark ("espresso" finish) wood furniture is very popular right now with contemporary styles. i would think you could keep the dark trim and paint the walls in grayed pastel colors and achieve a very nice contemporary space, and not cause problems with your landlords. also, painting dark trim with white paint is a daunting task. there would be significant prep work and probably 2-3 coats of paint needed for good results.

but still...........check with the landlord before even painting the pastel colors on the walls.

sorry.. maybe i wasnt clear. I am allowed to paint the walls any colour i want, that is not really the problem. I'm just having a problem figuring out how to work around dark trim without painting it (which I would really like to do anyways.. but probably wont). I do have a lot of dark wood furniture, so maybe that would be okay??.....its just tough picking a colour, cuz i don't really want it to feel like a basement irish pub.....i would like something more contemporary and airy....thanks for the replies!, i enjoy everyone's opinions!

what sort of pastel colours were you thinking?\

Hello,
Glad to hear the LL is ok with painting the walls.

Most paint stores can help you cordinate colors. You can also buy small amounts of colors you are not sure about to paint samples on the wall. often you will pick colors that are in the different fabrics you have [curtains, upholstery]

The dark trim will not seem so overwhelming once walls are painted with warmer colors. White walls tend to make dark trim appear that much darker and dominant.