For years — four, as the title reveals — I have been BEGGING to repaint my living room.
Begging, people — cajoling, bribing, threatening.
I even blogged about it (that’s when you know things are serious) . . . twice.
I wanted an end to the outdated, dark woodwork.
This is what my living room looked like:
DARK, DARK, DARK, DARK!
I couldn’t STAND it . . . I love light, bright spaces (hello — ever noticed how much white space is on my blog?); living every day in such a dreary room was DRAINING!
But, Hubby and his Father (a carpenter) were adamant: no, no, no, NO.
I tried enlisting the help of others, via this humble blog, but when I put up a poll over the issue, 50% of y’all said leave it and 50% said paint it.
(you were no help to my cause, people)
THEN . . . a friend of ours who is a professional interior designer, told my husband that we needed to paint the wood. And, since someone other than “ME” said it needed to be painted, all of the sudden Hubby felt it would be a good idea to paint.
OH, HEAVENLY DAYS!!!!!
This past week, my Father-in-Law, the Michelangelo of Latex Paint, painted every inch of trim AND our fireplace AND the rest of the living room.
(I soooooo owe that man some homemade cinnamon rolls!)
The Results
Obviously, there are still changes to be made (fabrics, the invisible rug, etc.) BUT I am soooooo much happier now! I love that it’s BRIGHT!
YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!
Later today, I’m heading out to a few of my favorite stores to see if I can find find a few things to finish it all out.
And. . . yeah . . at some point, the duct tape on the fireplace will be gone . . . once Mr. Boy decides the inside of the fireplace isn’t the most FASCINATING place in the WORLD. (sigh)





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{ 31 comments… read them below or add one }
Oooooh, that looks FANTASTIC! I heart bright, white living spaces. I want to come and sit on your couch right now
marybeth @ http://www.babygoodbuys.com´s last [type] ..Get a FREE Breakfast Sandwich for Joining My Starbucks Rewards for Free!
I love it!! I love the brightness and, cleanliness feeling of the room. Beautiful.
Shannon´s last [type] ..Wordless Wednesday- Look! Momma- Im ready for my race!
Looks gorgeous and so spacious!
It looks awesome Rachel!
Oh my word, that is an amazing improvement!!! It really pulled the room together and made it so much more relaxing to look at!! Nothing wrong with natural wood but that was just too much trim type work, I agree you made the right choice!!
melissa @ the inspired room´s last [type] ..Inspiration- Staircases & AWESOME Photo Wall
Thank you so much, Melissa — I completely forgot to mention that we followed your advice (from your post about doing monochromatic trim/walls) and used two different finishes of the same color. Semi-gloss on the trim and satin on the walls . . .or did we use satin on the trim and flat on the wall . . . well, either way, there are two different finishes!
I LOVE IT!!!! It’s so peaceful and makes me wanna breathe in really deep and relax
Hannah Noel´s last [type] ..Compilation
Oh my, what a difference that makes!! I love love love it!!
Thank you so much, Emily — me too! I no longer cringe when I see my living room.
WOW!!! It looks SOOO much better!!! I am so glad that Aud told him to paint it, it looks GREAT! Does Curt like it? And we are having taco soup tonight too. When you called I just couldn’t resist. I just put it in the crock pot! YUMMY!
LOL — that’s what I have in the crock-pot too!
He “says” he doesn’t care either way about the trim . . .BUT he keeps talking about how good it looks . . . he just doesn’t want to admit that I was right!
And, yes . . thank GOODNESS Audrey told him to paint; she saved my sanity. Will you tell her about these pics? It’s all b/c of her!
WOW!!!!!! it looks amazing!!!!!!!!!!!
Jamie´s last [type] ..Oh Fever You are NO FUN
It’s seriously like night and day! It looks amazing!
Allison´s last [type] ..Zhu Zhu Pets Wild Bunch Party!
It looks fabulous – sigh, I hate it when my husband won’t listen to me, but take the exact same advice from someone else, but at least it gets done!
Tammy´s last [type] ..“Picnic-in-the-Park” World Premiere of Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue
Love the invisible rug, compliments so well!
Now that is awesome!!!
Brandy´s last [type] ..Yo Gabba Gabba There’s A Party In My City @mrmeadowbrook
I’m with you – SO much better!! Men don’t know what they are talking about when it comes to interiors….
Lindsay´s last [type] ..She Sells Sea Shells
Call me crazy, but I like it alot both ways.
The first way it has a more rustic homey feel,
the second a more comtemporary bright feel.
Lauralee Hensley´s last [type] ..So You Want To Understand Us Women A Little Better Do You
I like the brighter look, as well.
Robin´s last [type] ..Nautica “Sleep in for the Cure” Robe Giveaway
LOVE LOVE LOVE!! The new fresh coat of paint definately brightens up the room!!
Rachel´s last [type] ..Tastey Turkey and Bean Chili Recipe
WOW Rachel! What a difference!! It looks great. My husband is the same way. If I suggest something he ignores it. If someone else suggests it, it’s got to be right. Men.
That is an absolutely beautiful improvement!! A change of color really does wonders.
It looks lovely Rachel! I love how bright it is.
Wow! What a difference!!!!
Oh I am so with you It was just too dark before. It looks beautiful now!
Frantic Holly´s last [type] ..Frantically Linking Thursday!
Wow that is amazing, I love it ! It looks clean and elegant !
That looks fantastic! Such a dramatic difference!!
Kinda reminds me that I need to paint my bathroom. I guess I should get on that, huh?
JenniferG´s last [type] ..Using Death To Solve 4th Grade Word Problems- Appropriate
Thanks, Jennifer! I wish this was my final project around the house, but, alas, it’s really only the beginning. (sigh)
That looks awesome!
Jenna @ For The Love of Baby´s last [type] ..Affordable Website Hosting While Helping Others!
Thank you, Jenna!
What a difference a fresh coat of paint can make! Looks great!