Monday, April 12, 2010

Kitchen/Breakfast Nook Before and After


This is the breakfast nook with the previous owner's table and chairs. I really like the doors and the windows. But the colour just wasn't me. It was dark red. The kitchen, which adjoins this, was a dark reddish/orange. Definitely not me. On Friday I started painting. The first coat was just a primer to cover the dark red. It took me three and a half hours, with all the prep having been done the night before.


This is the primer coat. I do NOT like ladders, and I had to climb to the very top step and stretch up to reach some of the peaks. I have a bruise on my shin from leaning so hard into the ladder. Clutching the ladder with your shin bone is not an easy feat!

I took this photo at night, before we put the blinds back up. Believe it or not, this colour is gray. You don't believe me? Well, neither do I. We thought we had chosen a gray-blue. I had done a large swatch on a piece of white paper and it looked gray. But no matter how we tilt our heads or squint our eyes, we don't see gray, just blue. However, it's a very pretty blue and I think we'll keep it. 

The job is not quite done. The French doors need painting - they are still red, but I'll have to wait for a warm sunny day so I can leave them open to dry. That won't be for a couple of months. And one wall in the kitchen will be removed so I didn't paint that. But the majority of it is completed. 

And I'm amazed at how much I'm affected by colour. When I walk through the house and catch a glimpse of this colour, I smile. I can't help it. It's the only room so far that reflects my taste. And what a difference it makes. My husband laughs, and I have to laugh at myself, too. Who would have thought? 

What shall I paint next?

13 comments:

  1. What a difference that makes! I think it is what we would call a French grey, which is a faintly bluey grey. Most attractive.

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  2. Wow..what a difference the paint makes..great job..can't wait for the next changes...

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  3. WOW!! That is a huge difference, love it.
    Debby

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  4. You know that you've done the right thing if it makes you smile. I'm sure the lighter, calming color will be perfect for you and your family. Lovely doors and windows!

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  5. Your breakfast nook looks wonderful -
    so much more pleasing to the eye. I like the color even if it turned out to be a bit more blue than you has hoped.
    Hugs,
    Penny

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  6. I think this color is awesome! Perfect to wake up to in the kitchen :)

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  7. I love the new color. It certainly freshens the room and gives it a lovely summer day feel.

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  8. Yes, I can see that it's WAY better! I'm glad you're finding things that make you smile in your new house - I waved as we passed through your new town on the E&N yesterday.

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  9. Good Morning Lorrie,

    YES, I can relate to hanging onto a ladder with your shin bones! That does make for some nasty looking bruises...LOL

    Thanks for taking the time to stop by the farmhouse for a visit. I've been in AR visiting with my children and grandchildren, so I am late replying to all the comments to my recent "L" Alphabe-Thurs post. I am slowly learning about farm life and country living. I love to watch the cattle--they are so predictable. Last count, there were 30 head and they do have a "cattle trail" that they walk and eat and return to every day about the same time! Amazing!! I love to watch the baby ones play, they are too cute!!

    Don't you just love putting your own stamp on a new place. I know yours is gonna be magnificent when you are finished!!

    Have a great week!

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  10. Glad you are settling in and getting those jobs done. Always more exciting in a new place I guess.
    Resting shins on ladders become quite painful in the end, I know I have done it.
    Last year I b ought a great new
    ladder/come steps. High enough to reach the ceiling b ut no rungs, just deep steps and with side rails. It is brilliant. A bit heavy though.

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  11. It does look beautiful, what great windows and doors. Everything you touch turns to gold, you have such style. I must put in a vote though for the red...I love that deep color! I am slowly covering over all the pale blues in my house with deep tones, rust red all through the main living area, I can't wait to do our bedroom in a nice dark brown. In this cold climate I need warm colors in the house. To each his own!

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  12. What a fabulous transformation. It looks so much better lightened up. I have had the same blue experience with grays. Can't wait to see what you paint next.

    ~jermaine~

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  13. Hi ~ Thanks for stopping by! I love your paint color. I know what you mean about how color affects us! I want to paint some rooms but can't pick a color yet. Actually, I don't really want to paint, I just want it there on the wall, and that seems to be the only way to get it there : ) ~ I love it once it's done but it always seems to be a bigger job than I first imagined.... all the prep etc! Congratulations on getting that lovely room painted!

    ~ Violet

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