When Three Trips to the Paint Store Isn't Enough

Can't believe it is almost the end of January. Our boys are back at college and I am feeling bittersweet, sad, and mostly thankful. Thankful to have time with my guys home, grateful to have 10 days off of work over the holiday break, and mostly grateful for all that God has blessed me with.

However, with all that I have been feeling a bit lost and at lose ends. Usually I have a project(s) and can't wait for January where I can start my indoor projects. Although I do have a project, but with all of our college expenses, I can't afford to do what I would like. That project is a kitchen gut job but alas, it is not to be at this time. But what better way to spruce up a tired kitchen than a fresh coat of paint.

So off I go to the paint store, a.k.a. Ace Hardware. I knew I wanted a darker grey but other than that...wasn't sure. So I got some paint chips and looked at them awhile but by the time NY Day hit I knew my window of opportunity to paint had arrived. My first choice was a color called Cobblestone Street, but nope, it wasn't the right one. It looked lavender when I put samples up!! Off to the store I got go again to choose color #2.

Loved the color but didn't like it in my kitchen. There wasn't enough contrast and it didn't flow with the grey in my living room. My problem now? The next color down on the paint chip was Black Heron. That was too dark! Although I have always wanted a black room.

So I went back yet again to Ace Hardware! By this time, the staff was getting a little leery of me. This time, I wanted a custom color and that about threw them into heart failure! Luckily I was able to work with this great guy who took the Portland Twilight gallon that I had purchased and added more black and more brown and transformed it into the. perfect. color.

However I was sworn to secrecy as they are not supposed to do that. Shhhh. I am so happy to have finally found the right color. I think I need to find a name for it! Worse? I can't even show you a paint chip.

Pictures of the kitchen transformation coming soon.

Little Change, Big Impact

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Maybe it is because it's been 4 years. Or maybe it is time for change.
But probably, it's because I can.

This is how it looked when we moved in, minus the baseboard that is.)

Paint. What can I say? Paint is an amazing commodity. I love browsing paint samples and brochures. It is seriously like my favorite past-time. Ok, really, I need to get a life, huh?

This is what it has looked like for the past 4 years. Read more here.

My projects always start out with something little. I might bring home a new lampshade and before I know it, I'm tearing apart the room and totally redoing it. I guess I just need a paint fix every once in awhile and besides, what gives you more bang for your buck?

This, my friends, is how it all starts. My updated kitchen island and a little bit of paint.

Pulling from the navy in the dining room and changing out the island. Much softer and a little big of pop!

Ahhh, the Power of Paint!

Hooking up this week to:
Posed Perfection Between Naps On The Porch The 36th Avenue Imparting Grace My Romantic Home The Charm Of Home Chic A Shoestring Decorating FindingFabulous Rooted In Thyme Happiness Is Homemade

Painted Kitchen Cabinets

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I took the plunge a little over three years ago. But I thought about it for much longer than that. It took me a couple years to jump in. But now, over three years later, I'm so glad I did. 



A 4 foot wide wall, with a doorway on each side and no power outlet, graces the north side of my kitchen.

When I look back at the many changes to my kitchen, I love it's current state. However I also know that I'm not done. I suppose I never will be. But I do know that we are thinking, down the road a couple years, that we will be selling to either downsize and/or move to another area. That makes me look at my house in a whole different light.




From the kitchen looking towards the eating area.



In it's first life, well let's just say that 'country wasn't cool' and leave it there. We then went on to the start of our cupboard painting adventure, you can read more in "On my way to a dream kitchen." and The Painted Cupboards." Then we added a new laminate countertop and beadboard to the back of the island, read about that here.

Wainscotting project from several years ago.

Plastic 'tin ceiling tile' backsplash was a inexpensive and easy upgrade.

Gotta love those textured walls, huh? Every. wall. in. the. house. is. textured.

I knew, from the get go, that although I really wanted granite or quartz countertop, new cupboards, and a new layout with the recent drop in home values in our area (for the past 5 years) we would not get our money back.

IKEA kitchen island fits the limited space well.

So we have settled for inexpensive and simple upgrades that make a huge difference without a huge dent in the pocketbook! And other than a couple high traffic areas, the painted cupboards have held up great!

Touch up area.

Linking up this week to:

Fabulously Frugal Thursdays

Link'n Blog Party at Makin' It In The Mountains

Grace at Home at Imparting Grace

Treasure Hunt Thursday at From My Front Porch to Yours



I'm Almost There...

Well, that really isn't true because if I've learned anything about myself over the years is that I like to change things up. It makes life interesting, keeps me smiling, and drives my husband crazy! But he loves me and he helps me out all the time with my little projects. God bless him.

Well, the kitchen project was a biggie. Small renovation in the big picture but a huge transformation. There are still many things I would like to change. In a dream world, if money were no object, I would replace my cupboards, remove the counter bar area and put in an island. I would add quartz countertops, rewire above the sink for more lighting, replace my refrigerator. Dare I go on?

But alas, this is not to be. So, I was able to change up my kitchen a whole lot and brighten it. You can see some of the before shots in this post, and the renovation shots here. Folks, we had oak. Now I like oak. really. Okay, not so much. Let me rephrase, I used to like oak a  w h o l e  bunch but I guess this is one of the things that has changed over the years.

I know many of you would 'decorate' much more than I have. With knick knacks and pretty dishes. I would love to but the reality of my life is that it very rarely even looks this clean. I mean come on, I have three high school boys that never stop eating! But I know that someday. in the not to distant future, I will miss the mess.

So, I am learning to be grateful. Grateful that there are so many wonderful decorating blogs out there where I can steal ideas and get inspiration. Grateful for paint. Paint is an amazing creation, it can change your world for a small price! Grateful that my oak cabinets could be painted, knobs added, and it looks like a whole new kitchen. And somewhere down the road, I will have a perfectly decorated kitchen with everything in it's place and clean all the time. But then, my boys would be gone, wouldn't they? So for now, I am enjoying the journey. I hope you enjoy!

Cabinets/counter top before.

Another before shot.

Linking up this week to:

Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

Today's Thrifty Treasures at Southern Hospitality

Power of Paint Party at Domestically Speaking

Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Creek Cottage
Strut your Stuff Thursday at Somewhat Simple