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Friday, January 22, 2010

Paint Metamorphosis - From Bare to There (Click pics to enlarge)

I'm so sorry if you've seen this post at other recent linky parties. But, I couldn't pass this one up since Layla is the one who introduced me to Sherwin Williams Rice Grain, which eventually ended up on a lot of walls here in blogland, including my kitchen below.

When we built our home I had several of the walls just left builder white so I could take my time, get used to the house - - its moods, our moods, how the holidays would change things, how lighting at certain times of the year would change, and then decide what colors we might like best.



After taking five years, I decided it was time. THANKS TO LAYLA at The Lettered Cottage who blogged about Sherwin Williams Rice Grain. She found the color we knew immediately would work in our kitchen. See below.




A better indication of its true color and true metamorphosis is evident in the next two pictures. Seems subtle I know, but it's a HUGE difference to me. No more stark white builder's paint. It has really warmed up the space.



Hard to even detect a door before (of course the night vs. day shot helps.)



A couple more shots of the kitchen. To see how it really makes the white cabinets pop, just click on a picture to enlarge.







From the family room looking into the kitchen.



The family room.



. . . and rounding the corner, one final image of the family room. I had one wall already painted dark brown and left it. Thought it might detract from the traditional feel I was going for, but I like it. Plus the electric cords that would jump out against a lighter wall blend with the dark wall behind them. I'm really pleased with the look, but keep thinking a yellow accent rug or an animal print chair in front of the fake tree or at least something else on the brown wall would make a nice addition, but I have seriously tapped all my creative juices. I'm thinking some kind of window treatment would help soften the edges too but can't take the plunge. I'm really a less-is-more decorator and am feeling like my spaces are filled up.



And a little table I painted blue. Wish I had a before pic. I used about a tablespoon of blue paint, mixed it with water and let my 10 year old paint it with a foam brush while wiping with a cloth. Love the way it turned out. It was a fun way to repeat the blues in the blue willow and blue transferware displayed. I'm planning to distress the corners and drawer a little more.


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A glimpse of a project that isn't quite done but will rock to the top of my 2011 Completed Projects List:


This picture was just taken on Christmas morning. Isn't it beautiful with the freshly fallen snow naturally flocking the trees.

I can't wait to do a post when the garden is full of blooms and the interior is completed.

But nature's hand here is just as stunning.


Linking to Layla's party.

32 comments:

  1. You have a beautiful home! I like the new kitchen color. It does offset the cabinets. I would recommend looking at many magazines and cutting out window treatments and rooms that grab you. Once you have quite a few, look through them for that common thread and it will help you begin to define your style. Good luck with your decorating. Your home is a good canvas!

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  2. Amazing what a little paint can do for a transformation. It looks wonderful. You have a lovely home.

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  3. Great job. I think you may have the color that is the answer to my dilemma!
    Beckie in Brentwood, TN

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  4. Becky, I used the semi-gloss finish and didn't use a primer since most of the walls I covered were white. Though it ended up taking two coats so I'd probably recommend a tinted primer if you're going to have to do two coats anyway. Also, Sherwin Williams has what is called "super paint" and they first talked me into that saying it only takes one coat. I didn't realize until we had about four walls painted that the formula changes if you're using "super paint" and it is tinted with a mauve which makes the color more green. We kept wondering why the color was different and finally compared the two formulas and figured it out and had to redo more than just the four walls b/c we'd trimmed other walls with the super paint. The formula for "rice grain" appears to be the same in all the other finishes. Long story short. We really like the color, no hint of green (and honestly the difference wasn't huge in the super paint) but watch the formulas if you start changing paint finishes.

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  5. In the kitchen: it's amazing what a slight change of color can do for the room! Kudos.

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  6. I really like the paint color and how it warmed up the space. You have a new follower now!!

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  7. Nice kitchen! Very attractive home.

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  8. Thanks for linking to my first party. Your kitchen and home is gorgeous. That wall color looks perfect. Still light but a nice contrast with the white trim.

    Kim

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  9. Very pretty girl...your kitchen is so big...sighs I'm having kitchen envy now...Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

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  10. Love the new paint color and your kitchen is beautiful!
    Hugs, Sherry

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  11. Your home is gorgeous and I love the color of paint!!!

    Happy new follower!
    Jennifer

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  12. That really is a nice color! You have a lovely kitchen.

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  13. Wow! It is amazing how such a sublte color change can make such an impressive difference! Love the new color!

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  14. I love your kitchen! It is just beautiful!! Love the white!!!! :)

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  15. Ooooo... I love that color. What a huge difference it made. Love it.

    :)
    ButterYum

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  16. Beautiful makeover!

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  17. That BM colour is such a nice soft colour - I can see why you like it. It's still neutral, but warmer than the stark white.

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  18. Hi! I just found you through Kim's party and your kitchen is absolutely gorgeous! Really your entire home is! I scrolled through some of your posts and you definitely have the decorating gift. :-) It is so fun to meet new folks here in blogland and I hope you will pop over and say hi sometime!
    Vanessa

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  19. Hi Angela-

    I can see the difference in the color of your kitchen. It is just enough change to make the white moulding pop and it brings more interest to the room. It looks perfect. I found you through Kim at Savvy Southern Style.
    My best- Diane

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  20. isn't is amazing what a little paint can do? You have chosen a lovely color to compliment your home, and it will look good with all holiday decor. {always in the back of my mind :-) }
    Love your print over the fireplace too!
    Happy New Year
    Sue

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  21. What a beautiful home you have. I love your pretty kitchen color. Love that sweet little house with the green door.
    Be a sweetie,
    shelia ;)

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  22. Your kitchen is just lovely and that shed in the backyard is sooo freakin cute!!

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  23. oh my gosh, how adorable is that shed! can't wait to see what 2011 holds!

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  24. Hey there- back again after seeing this linked up to Kim's party- loving that kitchen all over again- it is absolutely gorgeous! Stop by and say hello sometime- Happy New Year!

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  25. Great job! I love the color you selected. The whole kitchen looks fantastic, Happy New Year!

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  26. Love the kitchen and the new color is great. Your kitchen looks very similar to mine -- white cabinets, some glass doors, dark counters & I have wood floors. I'm not a less is more type person, though. I aspire to the belief that more is better. Lol Happy New Years!
    CAS

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  27. Oops, forgot to tell you I'm a new follower.
    CAS

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  28. I love your kitchen! Very pretty!
    Hope you have a great day.
    Beth.

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I enjoy all fussy comments.