It's been in the back of my mind for a few months now. Lurking. But I've been ignoring it. Because don't nobody have time for that. Except for really, I do. I mean...I could. And it would be fun, right?
So here's the thinking. I don't really want to redecorate so much as re-paint. That's the main thing. I'm tired of the green. And while it's not quite as neon-ish and glowy as it is in these pictures, it's still a bit...much. I used to love it. Now it kind of gets on my nerves. But that's okay, right? I mean, we've been in our house 4 years. It's okay to want to change things up after four years.
I'm just over this green. Not all green, which is convenient since my kitchen and laundry room are two other shades of green (which I still like)...just this one. And I want to lighten things up. I'm thinking I want a light bluish-gray for the walls now. Lately most of the decor I've acquired (via yard sales, crafting, etc.) has involved varying shades of blue, and I think most of my furniture/textiles/decor would look nice against a bluish-gray backdrop on the walls. Obviously I don't have the money to do any kind of FULL makeover, with new furniture and all, so finding a color that will look good with what I have already is key. Oh but I do want to get a new rug. That's part of the plan. New paint and rug(s). Matt agreed to that much.
Source: decorpad.com via Erika on Pinterest
Not that my house will look anything like this (way more minimalist and trendy than my stuff!) but I like the overall colors. I might want the walls to have slightly more blue in them? Who knows.
Source: buddysrecipes.tumblr.com via Erika on Pinterest
Anyway. So I've decided that as much of a huge pain in the booty it's gonna be to paint our living room (hello super high ceilings...and heavy bookcases...AND GIANT PIANO), I seriously think we could do it in a weekend. If we worked really hard. And got a super fantastic primer so that we maybe only have to do one coat of primer and 2 coats of paint...??? Or actually, I wonder how much it costs to have someone come paint your living room for you. Professionals. I'm 30...should I not be doing my own dirty work at this point? Ha.
Here's a final thought/question: What's the deal with Benjamin Moore paint? I notice lots of people using this...and not just Rich Bloggers and Magazine People. Like...real people that I actually know, that I know are just regular people with regular redecorating budgets. But in my mind, Benjamin Moore is like...really expensive (not that I've ever been inside one). I usually just get my paint at Lowe's. It seems expensive enough there. What's the draw with BM? Is it the quality of paint, the colors, or both? Does buying that brand of paint somehow make painting a living room a magical, delightful experience? I need to know this stuff.
Alright. So. Operation: Redo the Living Room. It's gonna happen. Get ready. And if painting walls is a deep passion of yours and you want to come help, feel free to let me know.
My parents only wanted BM because it covers better and you need fewer coats (they said), but for me Benjamin Moore was one of the only brands that has completely No-VOC paint- no fumes in either the base or the tint. When you have a newborn and a husband with asthma, and you're painting in the middle of winter, it can make a big difference! It also covers better so you need only two coats, sometimes one, which makes it less expensive than it seems. The paint is expensive, however- you can also take the colors from BM to Lowes and get a cheaper low-VOC or any regular paint easily matched to the same color.
ReplyDeleteOh, and also, the color selection is considered the best- that is another draw for people. But like I said, you can color match with Olympic. Behr is supposed to be awesome but limited color options.
ReplyDeleteLOVE that color palette! And I'm jealous... I wanna re-decorate too but there's just no time with summer activities and a toddler. Can't wait to see your before and afters!
ReplyDeleteI think the blues and grays would look great! We have a friend that has a BM (gross :)) store so we got their paint for our basement at a discount. Honestly, I was not impressed. We went to go do touch ups not too long ago and the paint had dried up in the can. Some of it even molded! Paint is paint to me but my husband prefers Behr and a Purdy brush.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing the (re)finished product! (And glad something good came out of your down time on Sunday!)
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love that color palette! We have brown furniture in our living room, too, with deep red accents...I'm kind of tired of it, it's just too "dark". I'd love to liven things up in there, but time is just not on my side these days. I suppose money isn't really in my favor either. Especially since I don't trust myself with a paint brush and would insist on hiring someone to do the dirty work for me.
ReplyDeleteI know enough about paint to make me dangerous, so I won't offer any advice there. But just the other day a friend of mine mentioned that Valspar offers a satisfaction guarantee. If you don't like the color you initially pick out, they'll buy your next can of paint...or something like that. Doesn't sound like a bad deal, but I haven't read the fine print. I'll email the link to you for more details!
We used BM's paint color tree moss just this weekend :) And the only reason we use BM is b/c my father in law is a contractor and is in construction, so he gets a discount at a local paint store.
ReplyDeleteChange is good!! I love the grey/blue colors, too! I totally would have done that if the furniture/decorations in my house matched.
I love the colour you are thinking of. It will look awesome.
ReplyDeleteAnd I will come help you paint if you'll come help me paint in August! We've got three rooms to do but one of them is small.
Also, we'll be painting everything ourselves because 1) we can do it and 2) it's waaaaay cheaper than hiring professionals. And my parents have also never hired professionals. It's not about age, it's about thriftiness :)
We went grey when we built our house last year. I've LOVED it. It goes with everything, so if I want to change the furniture (ha! who am I kidding?), it will still match the paint. warning: the world of grey is over.whelming. There's 9535 different shades and they change in the lighting. I hear Worldy Grey, I think Sherwin Williams, is a TRUE grey.
ReplyDeleteAs usual when you blog about domestic things, I have zero input. Except that all of the walls in our house are painted the same color, and although I think that's really boring, the idea of going to the effort of repainting sounds like too much work. So props to you for your motivation!
ReplyDeleteI think blue and gray would look really great together! Can't wait to see the finished product! :)
ReplyDeleteI love how bold you went, but yes, I can totally see getting sick of that color. Gray is a great choice.
ReplyDeleteMy mother swears by Benjamin Moore and pretty much anyone I know who has good taste uses it. It does cover better (comes in handy when you're covering up a bold color) and just looks better. I would go for it, especially since it's the living room and everyone will see it. That said... I'm usually too lazy/cheap to find a store that sells it and just go to Lowe's, too. But you should be better than cheap, lazy ol' moi.
I'm feeling like painting my living room too! Except I am totally clueless when it comes to what colours to choose (clothes wise too) Are you going to post before and after photos?
ReplyDeleteI used Behr from Lowes for all but the Master bedroom in the new house (Martha Stewart from Home Depot for the master). I only needed two coats in each room and got great coverage. I say you can definitely knock out the living room in a weekend, especially if you get the paint with Primer mixed in (which Behr does). Good luck!
ReplyDeleteTotally ok to paint. I've painted my kitchen 3 times in 7 years! I know, crazy! But, I think I love it now. Go for it!
ReplyDeleteIn my extensive design experience (re: watching hours of HGTV and Property Ladder), painting is one of the fastest and easiest (minus huge bookshelves and pianos) ways to spruce up a living space, so I say go for it! And for what it's worth, our living room is blue, with a dark blue accent wall, and grey furniture with a couple fun accent chairs...so obviously you have great taste in color schemes ;)
ReplyDeleteLOVE your inspiration photo. Although I think I'd love anything with those windows. BM is what we recommend to all of our clients. Better coverage and No-VOC paints (which will help reduce the toxins in your home.) I'd also do some super tall white sheers to add height to your window and change up the coffee table. There are some fun Ikea hacks out there.
ReplyDeleteAnd if I lived closer, I would totally come and paint with you!
Ooh! I love your color ideas! I also love your living room as is, but think that blue-grey color would look sooo pretty! Fun!
ReplyDeleteLove the color palette! I know nothing about painting, but it seems like a fun, easy way to freshen up the space. I read Tom Sawyer once and learned the ways of tricking others into doing your painting projects for you. That would make it infinitely more fun and easy!
ReplyDeleteLove the color palette soo much!!! Can't wait to see how it all turns out! And I'd still love to get bubble tea with you at some point!!
ReplyDeleteNew to your blog...and I don't remember who's blog it was I found you through. Anyway, love the color palette you're going with. I'm a huge fan of gray. And blue. Can't wait to see what you end up doing.
ReplyDeleteLove the color palette...it's kind of similar to what I have in my living room now.
ReplyDeleteI have used Behr in all my rooms and I can't complain. Usually when I have a crappy painting job, it's because of the painter (ME). I hate painting and I'm terrible at it.
However, my dad swears by Behr, but also quality brushes and rollers. I'm also cheap, so I use his stuff and buy Behr.
My living room walls are grey with white trim and we have brighter blue accent pillows etc. So, what I am saying is, I like your color pallet :)
ReplyDeletelet me know the weekend and i am in. well, likely in. potentially. if i am within 2 hours of your house.
ReplyDeleteGood luck finding the right shade of gray! I have more than "Fifty Shades" in my paint chip collection. So far all we've done is the fireplace.. the walls are next!
ReplyDeleteWe use Valspar paint, but I use other brand's colors as needed. No VOC and paint and primer in one. <3
BM paint covers better and you need less coats to make it look good. I tried, many times, painting with the cheap stuff from Loew's or Home Depot, and it always took me 3x longer. Paint is one thing I am willing to pay big bucks for (if I am painting a big room! If I am only painting a small little piece of furniture then I will go cheaper).
ReplyDeleteI've never used BM paint, but I do think the brand you use can make a difference. We go with Sherwin Williams (only on sale!) ... we don't prime and only have to do 2 coats of paint. I do ususally use Lowe's or Home Depot to buy small sample sizes though.
ReplyDeleteGray is such a tricky color! I would definitely suggest that you buy several samples sizes, paint them on the wall and watch them for a few days. I think that would have saved us from some buyer's remorse with a few of the gray colors we ended up using!
Eek this is so delayed, but ya know I've been taking care of my appendectomized hubby. I went through all those thoughts about our green living room and we made the switch (twice actually). Do it! We love BM paint and highly recommend them, they're much more helpful than Lowe's, especially with picking out the right shade/matching existing colors in the room. And gray IS tricky, definitely get samples. BM has larger chips available instead of the 1inch things, just ask to use those. How about we come up for a weekend and help!!
ReplyDeleteI really like your yellow room! I also really love the gray room. But that's the problem with Pinterest...everything in real life look like crap in comparison. Gray is my favorite color for walls. Just painted my bathroom gray. Crazy about it. Good look!
ReplyDelete