A painted silk finish when done right looks great. The downside is removing it for recover, even more work.

I have an old kit Aeromaster that I'm chipping away at getting the old silk, dope, and paint finish off so it can see more air time. I've about a third of the airplane yet to strip it could take a couple of years at the rate I'm working at it. Too many other fun things to do vs. stripping dope and silk.