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.