It’s like I’ve got a fire under my pa-tooty. Or toes. Or, well, anyway, the fire’s lit and I’m a woman on a mission. There were some updates behind the scenes this weekend on the blog, and not being able to think about posting was good for the project column.
Projects are trumping blog posts by a few points right now. I’ll hopefully even that ratio out a bit this week.
Since painting the kitchen white (the whole downstairs soon to follow), I am tweeking almost every room down here. The attic was such a joy to create from scratch…and we have these spaces that almost 100% us, and that is a GREAT feeling. It’s time the rest of my home reflected that.
Because I am a mama first, the part that takes a while for us is the finishing. The wall galleries, the artificial and real greenery, the little vignettes on tables and shelves. But, I suppose that’s all of us.
You will be blown away when you see what difference the painting made! Simply from a lighter beige to white. It’s monumental. Every single item we own stands out more…and I am either loving them or hating them. Beauty and flaws are brought to attention in front of a white backdrop.
And I love it. I’m highlighting things I love, getting rid of things I don’t, and repurposing many outdated pieces.
Hence, the painting of the coffee table. You’ve seen it here before, and it was begging for something. It was naturally distressed from little hands and lots of hot wheels, but not quite beautiful. There is so much I want to do downstairs that buying a new table is not an option…and honestly, I love the size and storage space.
It still has to be waxed to deepen the color and seal it, but I just HAD to show you the finish. I’m using a new product, and can’t wait to share it all with you. One of my sweet, sweet friends here in the blogosphere told me all about it and man, she was right. It’s the best thing I’ve found in ages. See how smooth that is??
If you could have seen me painting, you’d know there was no way it would finish so smoothly. I just stippled and swiped, painted in a hurry. You’d never know.
I am, therefore, addicted.
And equally addicted to unifying the rest of our home. The paint alone is taking care of every room. Switching some things around and adding more pops of greens, blues, (and even a little coral on the way), and washing paint on items that need a fresh look.
Every room is easily updated. Every room except the dining room.
I’ve been eyeing that furniture for a while now. The wallpaper. The lack of personality…of the finishing. Layla and I got to talking about it….I was telling her about some of my vision for the room, and she, of course, had brilliant ideas and suggestions.
We began talking about how to revamp the room and keep the furniture. But the more we talked, the more I (and she) felt like there was no way to head in the direction I wanted and keep the furniture.
After running into the deal of a lifetime, I found the table of my dreams. It still may be a bit small for the space, but the point to this long, rambling confession….
is that Matt is up for it! I was so fearful he would never get rid of the furniture…please don’t get me wrong. It was the first thing we bought before we married ten years ago. It is beautiful. It’s masculine, and a little feminine, comfortable, and yet, very formal. I love it.
But…it doesn’t fit the kind of life we live now. I have fully embraced casual meals, sticky fingers, and lounging around in my pj’s. Stacks of dishes rather than perfect display…that’s our real. Our happy.
I want every room in our home to reflect that. I still want a touch of elegance in our dining room. But I definitely want more casual. I’m sure we won’t be chunking the furniture to the curb or even listing it on ebay, but I think it will go into storage for a while.
I’ve never been so excited. I’m pulling together some inspiration today. And I think I’ve convinced Layla to put together some inspiration herself.
There’s some farmhouse vibes floatin’ all around…
🙂
I am very excited to see your new table in that room. That will be some undertaking, the table & chairs. But I am sure it will be beautiful when you are done!
Excited about the paint too.
Susan
OOOOh I know EXACTLY the kind of paint that your referring to. I want some SO bad after seeing her post about it. I love your table but I totally get it…not very fitting for a house with young kiddos! I can’t wait to see what you do to that room and GREAT job on that coffee table. Super CUTE!
Thanks, Kelsey! Yep…it’s awesome. Thank you for your sweet comment…such a great way to wake up.
🙂
shaunna
so glad to hear you loved the paint….I think I know what it is…I’m waiting for my shipment and can’t wait to try it out…your table looks amazing!
You’re gonna love it, Cathy!
🙂
shaunna
Can’t wait to hear more about the table. A product that finishes like that is something we need to have on our shelves…..Looking forward to seeing the room as well.
Girl, I, too, know about this … am *this* close to placing my order! I wanted it to paint a bookcase in my sitting room, but simply couldn’t wait. 🙂 Your table looks fabulous. And, I look forward to seeing what you and Layla come up with for your beautiful dining room … LOVE your coffered ceiling! Have a great night, Becca
Thank you, Becca! It really is the best out there. And I know what you mean about not being able to wait, either. Thanks on the dining room, too…I’m getting pretty excited!
🙂
shaunna
I can’t wait to see the table, from what I can see, it’ awesome!!! 🙂
I agree, I totally love the casual look and would trade my furniture in and paint everything light and airy colors, but I can’t. I may try one room at a time. 🙂
Take care…jodi
Thanks, Jodi! I know, it’s hard to do. The only reason we’re even considering it is that we’ll either build our own farmhouse table or we’ll use the one I got the other day…chairs and table for 100 bucks. Low budget re-do. 🙂
shaunna
I can’t wait to see what you have in store for the dining room! Oh and I wish I had that fire under my pa-tooty too – I’ve been so lazy lately!
Oh, that’s okay. I totally go back and forth between being lazy and productive. lol
🙂
shaunna
Love the coffee table! I am also in a “paint it white” phase… and am loving every second of it 🙂
Oh yeah, Ashley. I’ve been painting it white for a year and couldn’t be more happy.
🙂
shaunna
Ok, I’ve GOT to order some of this paint. You guys are making it sound almost magical!
You are making all kinds of wonderful changes (not that your house wasn’t fabulous before, but I understand about making it fit your family now). I just can’t wait to see all the white!
Kacey
You really do, Kacey. It is magical. I can’t wait to show you guys either!
🙂
shaunna
Can you tell us what kind of paint you are talking about?
Hey Sidney! I can, and definitely will, but I told the sweet lady I bought from I wouldn’t mention their name on the blog until they had time to get their new inventory in. 🙂 Pass it along asap!
🙂
shaunna
Okay, I confess, I’m old enough to be your..cough, cough, ever so slightly older sister, but I seem to be the only one without a clue about the paint you used. I have a whole slew of recently acquired finds that I plan to paint white as soon as we get rid of the never-ending snow in Minnesota, and I’ve never painted furniture before. I will be so excited to see your information, because I really want to do it right! Thanks so much for posting this.
Hey Dorothy! You are not without a clue. 🙂 I just told the shop owner I wouldn’t mention the store name until she had re-stocked…I will give you all the goods soon!
🙂
shaunna
Well, tell that shop owner to get a fire under HER patooty, LOL! Cause I’m ready to tackle my loveseat to be followed by the sofa then the recliner. And I want to paint those light oak (UGH!) ball and claw feet with that paint! Hurry, Hurry, please?
Beautiful work! I just purchased your e-book and can’t wait to be able to sit and absorb every bit of knowledge you have to offer. Please don’t forget to tell what that paint is; I don’t even know what it is, but I know I want it!
We have an old farmhouse table that i absolutely adore. it completley fits our family with kids and sticky fingers seats a lot of people when we need it to can be dressed up or completely casual. can’t wait to see your stuff. love the coffee table by the way 🙂
Where did you get your FANTASTIC coffee table? I have been looking for one exactly like yours for ages. SUPER cute redo by-the-way. Can’t wait to see the rest!