Paint, on top of paint, on top of paint
One of my favorite things about living in Chicago is the amount of character that comes default in apartments here. Even the crappy apartments have vintage charm. It’s not hard to find a three flat Victorian with awesome hardwood floors and a clawfoot tub. But, seriously, what is up with wood trim?
Every single apartment I have lived in that had wood trim has always had 300 layers of paint. Beautiful and intricate molding around doors and ceilings – ruined by decades of painting and repainting.
What is it with wood trim in Chicago? It is like the city passed a law somewhere around the turn of the century decreeing that all wood trim be painted. Every generation that followed did the same, and now I can barely see the details in my previously gorgeous molding.
I would imagine that wood refinishers make a killing in Chicago.
Huuuuuge pet peave of mine! When you actually see what’s underneath, it’s beautiful. I’ve spent hours picking paint off of the doorknobs alone.
The worst is when someone paints over paint that has varying levels of chipping. You can’t see the intricate details, but you CAN see thousands of paint chip craters.
Also, painting and painting over light switch and outlet plates, so that they become anchored to the wall and when a light switch or outlet needs to be replaced you have to *lever* the plate off the wall and it rips a jagged edge of paint with it. That one drives me bonkers.