The Post 4 Years in the Making

September 2, 2010 · 31 comments

in Musings

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I wanted an end to the outdated, dark woodwork.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 }

marybeth @ www.babygoodbuys.com September 2, 2010 at 7:40 am

Oooooh, that looks FANTASTIC! I heart bright, white living spaces. I want to come and sit on your couch right now :)
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Shannon September 2, 2010 at 7:53 am

I love it!! I love the brightness and, cleanliness feeling of the room. Beautiful.
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Sommer J September 2, 2010 at 8:33 am

Looks gorgeous and so spacious!

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Kris September 2, 2010 at 9:08 am

It looks awesome Rachel!

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melissa @ the inspired room September 2, 2010 at 10:16 am

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!!
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Rachel September 2, 2010 at 10:46 am

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!

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Hannah Noel September 2, 2010 at 10:25 am

I LOVE IT!!!! It’s so peaceful and makes me wanna breathe in really deep and relax :)
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Emily@remodelingthislife September 2, 2010 at 10:36 am

Oh my, what a difference that makes!! I love love love it!!

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Rachel September 2, 2010 at 10:46 am

Thank you so much, Emily — me too! I no longer cringe when I see my living room. :)

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Tricia Fikes September 2, 2010 at 10:40 am

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!

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Rachel September 2, 2010 at 10:43 am

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!

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Jamie September 2, 2010 at 10:46 am

WOW!!!!!! it looks amazing!!!!!!!!!!!
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Allison September 2, 2010 at 12:10 pm

It’s seriously like night and day! It looks amazing!
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Tammy September 2, 2010 at 12:21 pm

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!
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Virginia from Lady V dZine September 2, 2010 at 12:57 pm

Love the invisible rug, compliments so well!

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Brandy September 2, 2010 at 1:12 pm

Now that is awesome!!!
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Lindsay September 2, 2010 at 2:49 pm

I’m with you – SO much better!! Men don’t know what they are talking about when it comes to interiors….
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Lauralee Hensley September 2, 2010 at 3:17 pm

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.
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Robin September 2, 2010 at 4:04 pm

I like the brighter look, as well.
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Rachel September 2, 2010 at 5:11 pm

LOVE LOVE LOVE!! The new fresh coat of paint definately brightens up the room!! :)
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Rhea September 2, 2010 at 7:27 pm

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.

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Cyrene September 2, 2010 at 10:37 pm

That is an absolutely beautiful improvement!! A change of color really does wonders. :)

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Crystal @ Simply Being Mommy September 3, 2010 at 11:14 am

It looks lovely Rachel! I love how bright it is.

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emsmom1210 September 3, 2010 at 3:38 pm

Wow! What a difference!!!!

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Frantic Holly September 3, 2010 at 8:35 pm

Oh I am so with you It was just too dark before. It looks beautiful now!
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Lisa@gardenofmany September 4, 2010 at 1:28 pm

Wow that is amazing, I love it ! It looks clean and elegant !

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JenniferG September 4, 2010 at 5:30 pm

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?
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Rachel September 5, 2010 at 10:03 pm

Thanks, Jennifer! I wish this was my final project around the house, but, alas, it’s really only the beginning. (sigh)

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Jenna @ For The Love of Baby September 5, 2010 at 9:14 pm

That looks awesome!
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Rachel September 5, 2010 at 10:02 pm

Thank you, Jenna!

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Virginia from Lady V dZine September 7, 2010 at 10:52 am

What a difference a fresh coat of paint can make! Looks great!

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