Painting house interior 2023

 Tech guy approached the topic of our To-Do List this week. None of which included the item I've talked about for several months and put as one of my resolutions- painting my living area.

After the house purchase, we initially painted the living area white with a wallpaper border. We wallpapered in the alcove (dining room) beyond it. I loved it. I'd nurse my kiddos, look about, and think how clean, crisp, and chic it looked. I didn't, and still don't, have a lot of faith in my decorating skills. And this was way before we could search online for ideas. But somehow, I'd done it.

Old wallpapered dining room

In 2004, and I know this via pictures because it was BTB (before the blog), I had a "decorator" friend help me redo the area while tech guy was out of town. We started by choosing fabric for a decorative window treatment made by my MIL and FIL. From there, we took colors from the material and painted. Why I allowed yellow and red, my least two favorite colors, is beyond me. But I did.

Yellow area with red accent wall

Window treatment fabric

I had tons of painting help from my gal pals. The red went on two walls as an accent (used as a backdrop in all Halloween photos) and in the foyer, where we sponge-painted gold blobs. We also used the same gold to paint my picture frames. We didn't touch the ceiling. 

Halloween photos against the red wall

It's been that way for almost twenty years. I needed a change. And I wanted the ceilings painted because we missed too many spots in our first go-around.

Tech guy argued, citing obstacles that I shot down. Eventually, he saw my side and had me pick a painting date over a weekend. Oleg's family signed up to help. I went to the paint store to choose colors.

With the help of numerous decorating sites, my first thought was gray. My family made faces, so I agreed to give the accent walls something cheerful. It didn't go well.

I suffered. I went to multiple paint stores, and then I remembered how my friend had made me take colors from the material for my window treatment. Madison and I set off one evening after dinner to look at fabrics. We both found one we agreed upon, and I purchased the last yard. 

Taking a periwinkle color from one of the flowers as my accent wall, tech guy and I headed to Lowe's. The two ladies in the paint department steered me away from gray. I got annoyed. Dammit, I wanted gray!

So, they pulled up colors on the computer and showed me how the colors that make gray are not in periwinkle. Gulp. They chose my colors, and because I'm unsure of myself, I went with the experts, forgetting how I did that last time. Remember yellow and red? 

But I did insist on bringing home samples to slather onto the walls.

Then, using the non-accent sample, we painted the hallway. I LOVED it! I purchased both colors. Then, I painted the foyer myself. It took me all day, but that night I danced because I LOVED it!

Painting weekend began at nine. I assigned tasks from the ceiling to edging to around the picture hangers (which I wanted right back up afterward), etc. 

Before

After

There were six painters, and at one point, Oleg appeared and jumped in. We worked with a lunch and dinner break until eleven that night, but we got it all done, including returning furniture and pictures to their spots.

Before with gold frames

After with new frames

The last area, turned into our dining room years ago, was painted a few days later. It took two full days. I had help at the end from my friend SueG.

Before

After

Then, I reupholstered the window treatment and my dining chairs. I bought new rugs and picture frames. Oleg's family purchased pillows, flowers, a blanket, and a colorful vase for my china cabinet. 

Everyone LOVES it. My living area is lighter and brighter. It's cheerful and happy. Ten out of ten. I returned to Lowe's and let the paint ladies know they had done a superb job. They were so right. They were thrilled.

Check off a resolution!