My little LR is now green! (Lots of pics ...)

12 years ago

Thought I'd start a new thread since my previous painting thread was bogged down with paint samples ...

Boy, am I ever tired! I thought I'd talk DH into going out for a beer after I finished (if I finished), but now all I feel like doing is putting on my pajamas and watching last night's DVR'd episode of Doc Martin. I'm so pleased to have completed my painting project over the weekend, and absolutely thrilled with the results! I initially wondered how the green would "play" with the blues in the room, particularly the dark-blue-almost-navy rug. I think it works wonderfully. I was also thinking that a dining room repaint would probably be next on the agenda, but I really like the way the green looks with the deep turquoise. (Oh, excuse me, I mean the BM Venezuelan Sea. ;-)) Thanks to all who assisted, inspired, and encouraged me to get this job done! I'll rest well tonight, without a doubt!

Oh - before I forget, someone had asked about the BM Aura paint in the other thread. This stuff is hands down the best paint I've ever used. Highly pigmented, easily covered my doo-doo colored walls with two coats and dried (as advertised) in an hour. I went with the eggshell, which has a very rich finish in person that may not come thru in the pics. Anyway, I'm sold on it!

First of all, how about a "before" shot of the dirty diaper walls ... ::shudder:: -

{{!gwi}}

And the AFTERS!

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Comments (57)

moonshadow
12 years ago
O.M.G. - I LOVE it!!! (Must've missed the other thread, haven't been on this side in awhile.)
Wow, it's a whole new space, really opens it up. Bright & cheery, warm & cozy at the same time.
I am really loving that color!!...
jab65
12 years ago
Green is suggested so often these days, I thought, "Oh no, not again!" Shut my mouth. Looks great and shows off your artwork beautifully.
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Glad you have enjoyed them - I had a good time rediscovering them all over again as I flipped through so quickly. I'm going to see if DH or my MIL can take the kids away for a few hrs. so that I can enjoy them over a cup of tea in peace & quiet & plan some more. I think that I really noticed some recurring theme's in what I like - especially color wise w/ all of the green, purple, pink combo's. In fact the page that says Floral Essences w/ a pic of the lady in the green dress is about to help me round out my color palette for downstairs! Her green dress is similar to my LR wall color. Her basket: close to the shade of brown that I've chosen for the top 1/3 of my kitchen walls. The brick wall: My house is brick I was trying to pick a red for my DR but the consensus on the forum is that the deep reds I liked were too dark for my dark trim BUT when I saw that pic I thought "Why not a color similar to the flowers in her basket?"! The whole pic flows so I know it would look good in my house as I already have so many colors in the layout. Color inspiration can be found where you least expect it! And it looks romantic but still earthy. As for my organization: That's a long way coming but thanks! I just used a 3 hole punch one weekend & just shoved my tear outs into 2 binders that I found laying around. I slipped a piece of blank white paper between each article to separate them. I still have tons to add. Soon I will begin looking for some decadent binders to organize them in. A few for decorating, gardening & entertaining. Right now they're all mixed together w/ no rhyme or reason. I need to add the little white thingies to the holes to reinforce them & I've learned that if I break the binding of the magazine I can easily pull out an entire article out w/o having to use scissors to score the pages & risk an uneven tear.
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kmcg85, I saw that thread and thought, gee, those look familiar. ;-) Yours look gorgeous, too! Nice to see the drapes paired with another wall color. Love the saloon sign. I was tempted by the matching shades, too, but I've decided that adding a band of the fabric (I'm taking apart a panel to do this) to the top of the silk Dupioni drapes I bought ages ago from PB for the LR will be enough. Well, maybe. I also need to have a half-moon valance made for the window above our entry. I have an extra silk panel I intend to use for that area and I might add a band of the print along the bottom edge. Or maybe 3 vertical bands. Or maybe ... I'm still mulling possibilities but the more I think about it, the more I like the idea of adding a bit of this fabric to the entry valance. Are you crafty? What if you added a band of the fabric at the bottom of the shades you already own? They sell 24" pillows in this fabric so you wouldn't need to buy a whole panel for this small job. Or maybe add a band of trim that is the same color as the background of the drapes? Perhaps crazy ideas but what the heck. Sometimes, great ideas sprout from crazy ideas. schoolhouse, the holidays' craziness will make the time fly by. Before you know it, your panels will be here.
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nancybee_2010
12 years ago
It looks great! I can't believe how fast you got it done!
cliff_and_joann
12 years ago
It looks awesome...ain't change wonderful!?!
maddybeagle
12 years ago
I LOVE IT! Sorry, just had to shout, I love it so much :-)
DLM2000-GW
12 years ago
Veddy, veddy nice!!! catch that bit o' British ;-) ??

I stayed out of the color suggestion fray but followed along - you made a great call.
Valerie Noronha
12 years ago
Excellent choice! Thanks for posting the after pics. I'm impressed how quickly you got that all done and the artwork rehung.
htnspz
12 years ago
What a great transformation! Whereas your living room felt too hot, it now feels balanced and more interesting. It looks fabulous with the dining room color!!
denali2007
12 years ago
Love the green, but then again I'm a green person. I,too am impressed that you have everything back in place.
catherine_l
12 years ago
Gorgeous!
Sueb20
12 years ago
It looks great!

I may have missed it, but what is the color you used?
flowerpwr45
12 years ago
That colour really showcases your art! As an aside, and please take this in the spirit in which it is intended, I appreciate how none of your frames "go" together; obviously not required as you have a really wonderful gallery feel to your home.
dianalo
12 years ago
It makes everything in the room look new! I love how perky it is and how it made the room so much brighter despite not being much lighter than the old color.
Classic example of how much difference some paint can make!
mitchdesj
12 years ago
It looks amazing, what a great move, you worked hard, it looks perfect !
User
12 years ago
I liked the way it was before and wasn't convinced I'd like it better green. I was wrong. It looks stunning and makes a great backdrop for your furnishings! :)

Glad to hear you like the paint, too. I'm planning on trying Aura in the near future and I've read mixed things about application.
natesgram
12 years ago
Perfect choice. It seems cozier to me too. It really lets the artwork stand out in a beautiful way, especially the one over the fireplace.
yayagal
12 years ago
Kudos!!!! The aura is a wonderful paint, it's all I use now. Goes on like silk. The room looks expanded and a lighter feeling. Love it.
PRO
Lori A. Sawaya
12 years ago
Sassy! Truly a cozy, beautiful space, AJ.
loribee
12 years ago
Truly fabulous! So crisp and pretty!
I had asked about the paint quality...so thanks for selling us on the Aura paint, too!!
beekeeperswife
12 years ago
Wait a minute....that was really fast! Are you sure you didn't just learn how to do some computer trickery? I am so jealous that your dh brought home paint sample, what? Thursday or Friday night and your room is painted an put back together! You're good, girl.

The Agave is gorgeous! The first word I thought of when I saw it was "Fresh". The whole room just seems to have come alive. And I agree, the Aura paint is pretty fantastic.

Your artwork just really is highlighted now, and the dark dining room color looks great with it.

Can you come over and help me paint?
Bethpen
12 years ago
Wow Jen, I can't believe you got all that done. I really like the green.

Beth P.
Oakley
12 years ago
I agree with Shee, it showcases everything in the room perfectly!

What I want to know is, where the heck do you get your energy? lol
indygo
12 years ago
It couldn't be more perfect!! It has to feel so fresh and comfy. I absolutely love it.
IdaClaire
Original Author
12 years ago
Wow, what nice comments! Thank you all so very much! I'm still rather amazed that "going green" made such a big change in this one small room, but it definitely did! It feels fresh and inviting now, whereas before there was just something off about it.

I can hardly believe I was able to get it all done so quickly too, but aside from a couple of hours to go out to an early dinner on Saturday, I worked uninterrupted all weekend. To be honest, my biggest motivator in finishing yesterday was realizing that I wouldn't have to worry about cleaning the brush and roller again ... they were pretty much ready to be discarded by the time I was done with them. I hate paint cleanup!

Flowerpwr45, you are absolutely right about the non-matching frames on my walls! I really want that "collected cottage" feel and I think having a bit of this and a bit of that helps achieve that.

Thanks again, everyone! (I should probably mention that I'm so sore today! Surprise, surprise.)
justgotabme
12 years ago
Oh Jen it looks absolutely, totally, awesomely, beautiful! I love it. WOWZA~ girlfriend!
If you have a whirlpool hop on in it for an hour or so. You might come out wrinkled, but you're bones and muscles will feel much better. Ahhhhhh in fact.
terezosa / terriks
12 years ago
Love the new color - it's so cheerful!
WalnutCreek Zone 7b/8a
12 years ago
To be truthful, I did not think the room would look good painted a green. But boy was I wrong! The color "agave" is just perfect for the room and looks absolutely wonderful. You did a superb job.
PRO
Diane Smith at Walter E. Smithe Furniture
12 years ago
The room turned out so nice! So are you going to share the formula for your energy? Coffee, Red Bull, a magical potion?....:)
katrina_ellen
12 years ago
I love the mix of color in your room now. I agree it works with your dining room as well.
leahcate
12 years ago
Good grief! Reminiscent of renofan: chat about it one minute and it's done the next! My immediate reaction was a chest lifting sigh....really lightens, brightens and freshens this lovely and unique space. Way to go!
lazy_gardens
12 years ago
I am definitely not a lover or even a liker of green ... but in that room, it's clearly an excellent choice to bring out the art and lighten the look.

It sort of has a "New England missionary who spent a lot of time in the West" look to it.
User
12 years ago
Really, really beautiful. Just perfect, in fact.

I need to find a place to use that color. I really love it.

Another lover of Aura. That stuff is awesome.
dawn25
12 years ago
I love it! It's so perfect with the teal in your dining room, too. What a beautiful house.
sweeby
12 years ago
Wonderful! Absolutely the perfect green for your space and stuff --
desertsteph
12 years ago
the gold made it a very heavy room. with the green it seems to be able to breathe...

"Wait a minute....that was really fast! Are you sure you didn't just learn how to do some computer trickery?"
you did this in just 1 weekend? not possible... (covering my
ears and eyes!)
IdaClaire
Original Author
12 years ago
LOL! I have the bruises on my shins (I always manage to bruise myself when I'm up and down on the ladder!) and blisters on my palms to prove that I did it in one weekend! I'm sore head to toe. (Somehow, even my boobies are sore from fast and furious paint-rollering! TMI??) ;-D
Tracy Walker
12 years ago
I just wanted to say, wow! I love the new green paint color, makes me want to re-paint my LR.
always1stepbehind
12 years ago
Oh that is gorgeous...and yes, very fast getting the paint up on the walls.
teacats
12 years ago
Wonderful job -- the green looks great with all of your decor!! :)

Such a fresh and welcoming room! :)

Time for a party! :)
cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)
12 years ago
The green looks absolutely marvelous. I love the view into the dining room, too-the green with the blue (pedestrian names for such amazing colors) is fabulous!

Also, I agree about Aura paint. I love the way it looks. Now, I want to try the BM full spectrum paint!
nutsaboutplants
12 years ago
Jen, it looks perfect. I've watched your recent transformation with interest. I love your style (your styles actually, your former vibrant style and the recent one). The trip to England seems to have whetted your appetite for something different decor-wise. Your home, your style and your collections are amazing. Your home is one big smile. Make that one big happy grin!
jessicaml
12 years ago
lol Jen, I liked the idea of green when I read your original thread (but then, I am a green lover), but your actual choice and the speed with which you put it all back together blows me away! Thanks for the TMI - good to know you're human and I'm not the only one who looked completely abused after a paint project! ;)
kellyeng
12 years ago
The whole package is just perfect!
ttodd
12 years ago
I thought I missed something at first. Weren't you just talking about it 5 minutes ago and now it's DONE?

My immediate reaction was how much better it showcases your beautiful art.

A truly wonderful transformation - you nailed it!
IdaClaire
Original Author
12 years ago
Thank you all again for your wonderfully kind comments! I'm now looking forward to just enjoying the room. Haven't been able to spend any time in it yet, and I want to just curl up in my comfy chair with a book, a cup of tea, and cat or two and while away an afternoon.
lala girl
12 years ago
auntjen - Wow, I love it! Such an amazing color - fresh and energetic, but definitely a cozy room you want to curl up in. So lovely - thank you for sharing! Laura
Shannon01
12 years ago
Wow, I love it! Really brightens and lightens things up. When I saw the before pic something triggered in my memory that I know this house, know this person. I had not looked at who posted but thought someone was copying auntjen or it was auntjen. And it is! Isn't it amazing how we can take something as simple as wall color and make all the things we love look that much better?!

What I love about this home is that it is so personal yet done so well. Not everyone can pull of what she has.
oceanna
12 years ago
Wow, you really chose the right color! It's amazing. Bright and cheery, I'll bet you love it. Good job!
B H
12 years ago
Wow! I've always loved your rooms but this move to the green really showcases your artwork much better. It never occurred to me how much the warm gold/yellow walls blended too much with everything you have on display.

This is really fabulous now. Love it!
arcy_gw
12 years ago
I am just in shock at how much brighter the space is. The one chair used to look like the wall color, now it too has transformed. Well worth the effort, in my estimation!

My little LR is now green! (Lots of pics ...)

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