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Lately, I feel a little scattered.
There are a lot of projects going on around here.
All at once.
It's not an easy way to live and certainly not the optimal way to decorate.
So if my sharing seems a little random and out of order.
It is.
Take the hallway renovation for example.
We fixed our mess, after choosing the wrong color paint.
And it looks great, but it's not nearly finished.
The construction is done, but the decor, sadly, is missing.
I haven't even thought about what I might put in the space, there's just been no time for that kind of contemplation.
Nope, my marathon DIY guy keeps moving from one project to the next, and I'm just here trying to keep up.
Making decisions along the way so he can keep to his schedule and get that couch out of the kitchen.
One of these days, I'll get back to that hallway, but since we've been talking about the family room, I figured I'd continue that tale.
Last week, I shared the overall design plan for the room. Green checks, floral wallpaper and creamy matelasse...dreamy.
Well, that was the fun part of this project. The rest of it focuses on the structural renovations.
It would be very nice to say that we just painted and put down a new floor, but that's a simplified version. As DIYers, it was actually a lot more involved.
Renovation realities are not pretty.
There was a ceiling that was painted. Twice.
Taping and spackling uneven or damaged spots on the wall.
Leveling compound that had to be added to the subfloor, that was part linoleum and part plywood, tearing out, buying new and recutting mouldings.
Oh, and an unplanned window replacement that happened along the way.
And I'll share it all.
But today is about the paint. Which I adore and, unlike the hallway hue, took the time to choose carefully.
I knew I wanted color. I briefly toyed with the idea of going with cream or white decor, but every time I do that in a room, it doesn't sit right.
For example, whenever I pass the white hall bathroom, I seriously think about bringing the red back.
I just love a pop, I love the drama and I love the depth that color adds to the walls.
Besides, when sitting on the sofa in that room, my view is of the antique white kitchen walls.
Yes, they're flanked with red check curtains, but I knew I wanted contrast.
The old color was a very gray green and it was beautiful. Serene.
However, recently it looked a little drab to me. It'd been on those walls since 2002.
This time around I wanted something a more vibrant.
So, I went to the a paint store with my fabric and wallpaper samples to choose that perfect green.
And it was not easy.
There were an endless number of them to choose from and what I thought I wanted in the store, turned out to be all wrong in the room.
They were about six bucks each and very worth it.
I also picked up a few of these mini rollers/ paint tray combos. Also cheap and disposable, again, totally worth it.
I literally added large patches of colors on every wall.
Since this room gets a ton of light, I wanted to see how they would look everywhere.
Unlike the hallway, we only wanted to buy paint for this room once.
The winner stood out immediately. Benjamin Moore #487 Liberty Park.
Like Goldilocks said, It was just right.
Plus, it got even better as it cured over the next week or so.
Deeper, richer.
Of course, when the floor went down and the mouldings went on, it really sparkled.
The best word I have for the room is fresh.
Warm, inviting, cozy without feeling stuffy.
And so bright.
Exactly what I was craving.
Well that all depends on the big guy. We may be hanging wallpaper...or we may not.
We haven't decided if we should put it up now or if we should wait until the cottage style sofa arrives.
After all, that couch in the kitchen is going to go back in that room very soon, and that particular floral on floral combination is...um...hmmm...let's just say it's not ideal.
Maybe next, I should get back to that hallway.
What do you think of the color?
Love, love, love!!!! I'm getting more and more excited to see how everything fits together. P.s Can I borrow your DIY dream team for a bit. I won't promise to feed them, coz that would be dangerous but I'll lend a helping hand and the weather is divine on this side of the world :D
ReplyDeleteThanks Michelle!! Oh, my friend, that's a dangerous proposition...we're all a little winter weary here. Your weather is divine and you are quite entertaining. I'm afraid they might now want to leave. You might end up with permanent house guests!!
DeleteI love that color and that is the one I picked immediately. Great choice. Everything is coming together beautifully and I bet you can't wait to get your new sofa! Love it, love it, love it! xo Diana
ReplyDeleteThanks Diana!! I really can’t wait to get that new sofa…the old one is back in there now and let’s just say it’s a bit of letdown. I might need to bring that couch back into the kitchen and leave the room empty for a few months! Ha!! Of course, my husband would have a lawn chair in there, parked in front of the tv in a matter of minutes. So maybe I’ll just throw a blanket over it instead!! 😉 Happy Weekend! xo
DeleteLove it!! I love your style ..and how you come up with hyst the right colors and design !
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! It's fun to play with the colors and design. It's been a long time since I've done so in this room. It was time for a big change!
DeleteI love it!
ReplyDeleteI choose paint colors the same way.
A patch on each wall so I can see how it
looks everywhere in the room.
I have been trying to choose a green for our guest bathroom.
It has 10 year old brown "stone" tile I can't replace right now.
I'm going to be giving your green a try!
Margie, it was so much easier with those samples scattered about and thank you. I should've been doing this for years. I love this color, but I also loved Sherwood Green (my bedroom color) and Kittery Point Green. I hope you'll share what you choose. Good luck!
DeleteI love the color! it looks great with the floors too. LOVE the wallpaper. I am still toying with doing our bathrooms.
ReplyDeleteI have to get myself to the wallpaper store. I have to see it in person. On the computer doesn't work for me at all.
When it warms up a bit and isn't raining, we are going once and for all
Can't wait to the couch covered.
Thanks Cindy!! I love the floors and the wallpaper. I can't wait to get those flowers on the wall and new sofa delivered....and yes, the colors are not the same in person at all. Good luck at the store!!
DeleteI love the color! I tend to just pick a color and go with it. Well, I bring those cardboard samples home and look at them. But I find picking colors/shade of paint tedious and confusing. I don't really paint much anymore, so it doesn't really matter. I think all your choices are excellent!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Brenda, picking really is a tedious job and I really haven't ever done it this way before. It was easier for sure, I didn't have the "what if it's wrong" knot in my stomach, but it did take more time for me to choose. I'm not usually this patient!!
DeleteAhhhhhhhhh Perfect!!!! I'm in love. I can't WAIT to see it with the sofa!!! You have spurred me to get off my duff and springize my living/music room. The chosen accent color is............. Green :-)
ReplyDeleteI've always used a dark green in there, but I may have to rethink a brighter version!!!
Good luck with the hall way :-)
Blessings,
J
Thanks so much, J!! I had a darker green in there, too and I loved it, but this house has been firmly rooted in "winter" tones for so long, I thought it was time to move it closer to a season I love...like summer (and spring!). Hugs my friend!!
DeleteYou definitely chose the right green, Kim. As you know, green usually isn't my 'go-to' color, but our last house had a green dining room. I originally thought I'd repaint it but never did. I ended up loving it and everyone who walked into the house commented on that color! I can't wait to see your room finished - especially that wallpaper - it's gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Ann! Your dining room sounds like my bedroom. Wasn't sure when the green first hit the wall, now it's my favorite room in the house. Well, for sleep anyway!! Haha!!
DeleteLove it Kim. That is the one I loved the best. I love the new floors and the trim in white with your Liberty Green color is gorgeous. I cannot wait to see the new sofa and wallpaper this is going to be a beautiful cottage room. Bravo. I know patience is hard but this is turning out so beautiful. xoxo Kris
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Kris!! I have to say I’m really happy I took my time choosing…that’s not usually my strong suit. It’s a good thing I have other projects to focus on, because that room is making me a little crazy waiting for the sofa!! Haha!! xxoo
DeleteGoodness! You have a lot going on Kim! I love the color you chose, just perfect, not too bright, but brings a lovely light to the room. All the projects you have going on is a lot, so many decisions! I know it will all be wonderful in the end!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Marilyn!! This is what happens when you don't decorate for 20 years! Everything falls apart - or needs updating - at once! I'll be happy when this marathon repair/ redecorating stint is over. Happy Spring!!
DeleteMy it is looking gorgeous! Mine is a lighter spring green & has been for at least a decade. I'm still loving it. I painted mine this shade of green because that's what color my grandmother's kitchen was & I want my house to feel like her house.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jenny!! It sounds like a gorgeous color...and I totally get it. There are some rooms around here that I will never repaint. When you get it right and it makes you smile you want it to stay that way!!
DeleteKim, it is perfect and you are putting together a beautiful room. I fixed my parlor mantel and decided that was the best combination I would ever love, but I know when I see yours all done, I will change my mind. That is what is so scary about me. Whenever we have painted a room, I go into the store with my head in the clouds and think I will bring the right color of paint home and once we get it on the walls we almost always have to do it over because it isn't. The way you are doing it is the right way and I love the green with all you are putting together..Can't wait to see it all done..Happy Weekend..xxoJudy
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Judy! It's getting there. I thought about this one for a long, long time before jumping in. That's the benefit of having a DIY husband who is not ready to tackle a job for 2 or 3 years! Hahaha! It gives me lots of time to plan...and re-plan...and plan again!! Happy Spring!! xo
DeleteI'm a fan of paint samples too. Me picking colors drives my husband crazy, but I've had to live with the wrong color before.
ReplyDeleteYou picked the perfect color! Fresh, bright and cheerful!
The paint samples made all the difference, Mari!! I really do love the color, but without putting them on the wall, I totally would've picked a different - and potentially bad - color!!
DeleteKim, I love love love that color. I cannot wait to see the wallpaper up as well. I think in order to do something right to have to invest time and energy into it. It's not like the quick befores and afters we see on Instagram. I know all about all those hickups along the way and setbacks because you uncover something you were not expecting. I'm in the middle of a costly one right now in my bathroom. Haha!! I think your living room is coming together beautifully!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary! You're right, I wanted to take my time with this one, because I don't plan on changing it any time soon! I'm sorry about the bathroom. Been there...I hope you get it wrapped up soon!!
DeleteI love greens and have them on a couple of accent walls in my house. Used to have an entire giant dining room/front room in it, but it was a dirty shade of green and I suffered with it for years before it all got painted over. I think your method of painting the big squares is the the best. It definitely helped you in the long run! Can't wait to see it all put together!
ReplyDeleteThe big squares were very helpful, Gina. I think that the mistakes in the hallway served me well in the den!! Silver lining for sure.
DeleteLOVE the color! It is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Penny!! Your caps just made my day!! ❤️
DeleteWOW, it is beautiful. I am so excited for the next tour. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Carla!! I'm working on it!! Can't wait to see the full kitchen tour!
DeleteGreens are my favorite color and I love what you picked. We've never thought about buying the little disposable mini rollers and pans for the samples but will next time. It must be exciting having so many projects going on at one time but it has to be stressful too. Just remembering how beautiful it all will be someday will carry you through.
ReplyDeleteIt's a little bit stressful, Dewena, yes. I like to focus on one room at a time, but I guess having the bulk of the renovations done so I can take my time to decorate is also nice. So far the reviews for my green paint are all favorable and I'm happy others like it, because I really do!! Happy Spring!!
DeleteLove the green. I think settling on a wall color is so satisfying. When you get it right, you know it and it's like a huge weight has been lifted. At least that's how it feels to me. Glad you found a shade you love. Your floor is gorgeous, too! Hugs.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Nancy! I'm glad it worked out and my poor husband doesn't have to paint again!! I think he's just about painted out!! Haha!! Hugs!!
DeleteI love the green! I am in the midst of choosing a green for our master bedroom, bath, and hallway and it's driving me totally NUTS. We are going with Sherwin Williams paint because it's local and what our painter likes to use. Sadly they no longer sell the samples due to paint shortage. Wish there was a way I could figure out which SW paint would be compatible with your BM paint. I want a bright green....not too much yellow! Our space is now Avocado green but it's been there for years and I want something brighter...just not too bright. It makes me want to pull my hair out!!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Cheri!! I love green, too, and the samples were so helpful! If you can't get the Sherwin Williams paint samples, you can take the Sherwin Williams paint swatches to Home Depot or BM and they will make you samples of them there. They have the formulas for them and then you can try them on the wall! I hope it works out!! Keep us posted!!
DeleteI love the color Kim! It is fresh! I'd be inclined to wall paper now, but I know what you mean about the florals clashing. So maybe paper the week before the new couch is due to arrive!
ReplyDeleteSo funny, Deanna, I didn't even think about the florals until last week, now we are in a holding pattern for sure!! 🤣
DeleteI LOVE that green color paint you chose Kim. It will look beautiful with the furniture and the wall paper. I love your new floor and we have green walls in our office and that we just love. Green walls seems to just brighten everything up!
ReplyDeleteThanks Julie! The room is coming together and I'm getting excited. The green just makes me smile. Happy Spring!!
DeleteLove the green! You are lucky you have such a handy husband. Neither me nor my husband are DIYers. We have to contract out for everything. One reason why not a lot of updates happen around here!
ReplyDeleteHe's very handy, Melanie, I am lucky, for sure. The best part is that he enjoys it. If he didn't nothing would get done around here...trust me!!
DeleteHi Kim, although green is not my first choice for my house, I like this green for yours. It is very fresh, as you said. The wallpaper is beautiful. I hope you can use it, if not in this room, somewhere in your house.
ReplyDeleteLOVE the color!!! Is it the one in the top left of you samples you painted??
ReplyDeleteLOVE the color, Kim! It has just the right amount of "life' to it. I'm looking forward to seeing the room all put together. You are so lucky your husband likes to do all of these projects! I'm just back from FL and catching up on blog reading, and will be working my way through your latest posts.
ReplyDelete