Should We Paint Trim or Stain It?

 When it comes to trim color, which is best? To paint it white or stain it?

I know a lot depends on the wall color, ceiling color, ceiling height and the rest of the homes decor but it's really an important decision. 

If you paint it white, it'll blend in with the ceiling color and the wall color. If you stain it as shown in this picture, it becomes a feature in the room and draws the eye up to the ceiling.

• Do we want our eye to be drawn up to the ceiling? 
• Is stained trim a dated look?
• If we decide to paint the trim, now ALL the trim in the home will have to match.
• What if we don't like painted trim? We you have the option to go back to a stain?

These are all legitimate questions when it comes to the trim in our homes. For the most part, most of my clients here in Charlotte have white trim but most of the older homes such as the one shown in this photo are stained.

Which do you like? Painted trim or stained?