Interior finishing thoughts please

[Spissgatter W-9]

So, interior cabinetry has been made, installed and removed for painting (white). I'm thinking easier to spray paint having access to an HVLP. Inner hull (doug fir) has been sealed with a mix of pine tar, linseed oil and turpentine (1:4:4). Being out of the water so long I gave her many drinks of lumber essences. I was planning on varnishing the portions that show and painting white those that are concealed by cabinetry (reflect light for aging eyes) Area to finish is probably about 120 sq ft.

My conundrum? Iit looks so damn glowingly golden I feel compelled to finish the whole thing bright. What would you do and what brand/kind of finish.
Thanks
Geo

[Bob Smalser]

Few things are as awful as the modern fad of finishing interiors entirely bright, IMO.

Especially dark wood. Depressing teak caves.

Always figured the Herreshoffs had it right with all white panels and brightwork trim. Light and cheerful.

[paladin]

The guys at the yard where i built mine were artists in teak...they did the Hans Christians...but I didn't want the cave look either...
The overhead is off white, the hull interior is off white, the ceiling is bleached varnished ash as are the cabinetry and bulkheads and the trim is varnished rosewood...the exterior has a minimum of raw teak..which is oiled....

[Andrew S/Y Rocquette]

Rocquette is white inner hull (fully varnished in the forepeak though), varnished ribs, off-white deckhead, varnished beams, and cabinets/settee fronts/ other trim and floor all bright.

All varnished can be too dark. Would also tend to go semi gloss rather than full gloss for some of the white to prevent it looking too "plastic". Don't forget the impact the floor will have on the overall impression - is it to be finished bright, carpeted, or covered otherwise?

The white/bright combo is popular for a very good reason!

Andrew

[ 07-01-2005, 08:38 AM: Message edited by: Andrew S/Y Rocquette ]

[kc8pql]

I think it's hard to do better than the clasic look of white and brite trim. That's how I did mine. http://tinypic.com/6jj6dl.jpg

[Spissgatter W-9]

Yep, certainly don't want a dark hole. Have reafirmed intention that cabinets will beSG white with bright trim. Except for cabin side (bright) should look like that lovely pic. Angst persists over the hull. Not much will show unless open a door or lift the settee or v-birth. What does is the few courses of original planking (60 yrs of patina). Maybe I'll just varnish those sections that show and paint the rest. If ends up a dark hole, then paint those as well. Guess need some more help to make a clean break and cover all in white. Easy time to do it.

[Andrew S/Y Rocquette]

of course it's MUCH easier to paint white over varnish than the other way around...!
;)

[Noah]

I think it will look great with the bright planking. Once white, you won't be able to go back, either. My Hinckley is a mix of Varnish and paint. Both are nice, and the varnish will last a long time in the cabin.

http://www.morebutter.com/hinckley/interior/InteriorTablePort.jpg

[Stephen]

What about leaving it with just the treatment you have already given it, and varnish in visible areas?

[Stiletto]

I think Andrew's point about being able to go white over varnish is a good one. Live with it as it is for a while and see how you like it.

One other thing, I have found a slightly off white to ivory a little more harmonious with varnished wood.

[PeterSibley]

I'd agree with that Stiletto,I like the paint /bright contrast but not white ....it seems too hard somehow.I visited a very pleasant boat recently,George and Julia Maynard's "Zulu",their interior outfitting is probably the most comfortable and livable I've seen.There are some good interior photos of their boat in WB #129.Their choice was varnished high ring count fir,what we call oregon pine with everything above the sheer(interior) painted a semi gloss off white.Unusually that included the cabin top beams .The effect was very pleasing.

[kc8pql]

Originally posted by PeterSibley:
I'd agree with that Stiletto,I like the paint /bright contrast but not white ....it seems too hard somehow.I agree with that too. My interior in the photo above is a high quality acrilic semigloss exterior house paint called Williamsburg white. The slightly off white gives a more mellow contrast with the cherry than a stark white would.

[Spissgatter W-9]

Have been in internet neverland or would have replied before now. Thanks for considered comments. If all goes well will post by end of Aug.
Happy 4th.
Geo

[Bayboat Jr]

Originally posted by Noah:
Both are nice, and the varnish will last a long time in the cabin.

http://www.morebutter.com/hinckley/interior/InteriorTablePort.jpgNice Noah. Is that a late 40's Sou'Wester by any chance?