A little scared

Renovation time! This has been the byword in my household ever since I came home from my stay with Diane from Melrose Vintage. I was so inspired by her creativity, home and store, (and don't even get me started on how beautiful Wendy's home was!) that I've felt motivated to get movin' on some projects around my house. Rick and I have decided that after almost 8 years of living in the same paint color we are ready for a change....a big change.

Our living room has been taupe/brown and after we changed our trim and fireplace from red (last fall) to white, we feel in love with the wall color all over again. However Rick (more-so than I) felt that it was time for a change. So for the past week we've been living with several large poster boards with sample paint colors on them so that we can choose a color.....it was SO nerve-wracking making our choice. Do we go with the 'safe' choice, a soft neutral, or go more bold with a color? Here's my thought process and dilemma as I've been pondering what to do:  I've loved aqua forever, but also really love tone-on-tone cream/ivory/white rooms and also Scandinavian gray rooms.

My dream house is either version of the designer Carrie Raphael's house. See these two magazine articles: Her home in 2002 and Her home in 2008. What an inspiration she is! (PS: remember to sign up for her newsletter when you're at her site!)

So, after looking at the paint again yesterday we jumped off the cliff and ordered a pale bird's egg aqua. Today Rick began painting....and now he's scared. Not sure if he likes it... just. not. sure. Ahhhh...what to do?? Do we keep painting? Stop now and cover what we've done???? My guess is that we'll continue painting tomorrow and see what happens...

I'm sure I'll be sharing much more about our renovation as it goes along, but I thought you'd like to hear what we've been up to so far.

Comments

[jerusalem]

oh my, the drama of paint! I am toying with the idea of painting the red dining room a calmer color. But will I like it in the winter when I really love the red? Or maybe if I just change the curtains and paint some of the furniture that would be change? Important questions... I can't believe that is the same girl. I have both of those magazines marked as favs. Guess I just haven't "read" the first one a while so I didn't put it together! Thanks for the links and the ideas - keep us posted on how it goes...PS- I have an pale pal auqa living room and love it!

[Mylene]

Go bold! I love pale rooms, I do, but bold, rich colours are enveloping and warm....like hugs from one's home. (grin)

Aqua, eh? Sounds splendid, Carolyn! Keep painting. Ü Those marvellous new chesterfields will look stellar against aqua....and you have tonnes of white accents.....

Oh, it will be pretty!

xox
~ M

[Julie B.]

Oh, I love the bird's egg blue; makes everything look bright and cheery!

[Kim Caldwell]

The fabulous thing about paint is you can cover it up in a flash. A matter of fact, I remember hearing one time that it is the cheapest home renovation. Can't wait to see the results -- hope you kept painting to see the final results.

Hugs, Kim

[Cari Locken]

Oh man! Paint colors are always such a hard decision. Off by one shade can made a huge difference. But I'm sure your room is beautiful!!

[sandra @7th St. Studio]

Love the aqua...painted my Living Room in that color a few months ago and I love it!! It is very cool, refreshing and just opens the room up. I think I may even spend more time in there lately! I say keep painting, if you decide it is too much, you can paint again in a few months...but I promise you will love it!!

[Heather~ Pretty Petals]

oh my gosh! I am laughing so much at this post because I just did the same. exact. thing. I had my heart set on the pale blue... with a tinge of green... sigh. But when I went to paint I got to the 2nd wall and FROZE! I just couldn't do it. Now I have a very SAFE cream wall and I keep thinking about that blue. lol!!

Good luck with your renovating! your colors are gorgeous. Heather :)