Painting 101: Shortcuts that will make the next homeowner hate you

Why isn't everyone a perfectionist?

Some things are out of my reach. I understand that I can't have perfection because of certain budgetary restrictions or other limitations. But really, you can't paint between the creases?!?

Can humankind just do one another a favor and color between the lines, PUH-LEASE! Let me show you what I'm talking about.

My hallway.



I realized upon painting the hall that they had once been a bright green and yellow color, before turning brown, and now, gray. How did I notice this, you ask? Well, because it was SMEARED on the ceiling at the crease of the wall. WHO DOES THAT? Better yet, WHO LEAVES IT THAT WAY?

Thanks to ceiling paint, the issue was fixed. I took a slice of the ceiling out to Lowes to have it color matched. A real object is the only way you will get a true color match. Pictures on phones and even some fabrics, depending on the material, will not match accurately.

The extra step came in painting all the creases of the ceiling and walls before cutting in the trim paint.  While it added to my timeline, it made it so I could be sloppy in covering up what was on the ceiling without worrying about excess paint on the wall.

1. Always do what will look better in the long run, even if it takes some extra time. You will be rewarded with it looking good, and the next owner down the line won't secretly hate you.

My other hatred of the prior owner comes from this....

Who paints with switch plates ON THE WALL???

I mean, I know they're only like a dollar, but those
dollars add up, and some of these were completely stuck to the wall and not salvageable even with a little soap, water and scratch from my fingernail.

2. Don't take short cuts. (Which goes back to number 1) But seriously, who wants paint on things that aren't supposed to be painted. Don't be lazy!

3. Always test the colors first. I made this huge mobile swatch with my final choice grays to be able to see how the light hit it in each room. It took 16 gallons of paint to cover my 2000ish square foot house... you don't want to buy that much before you see what it looks like beforehand.

4. Paint in long, easy "w" strokes. You want to get a good amount on your roller before you go for it. I prefer 1/2 inch nap.

5. Buy the best paint. I use Sherwin Williams Emerald paint. In some spots, you only need one coat, but I like to do a second just for good measure.

6. When in doubt, call a professional. 15 foot ceilings like the ones in my house called for a 12 foot ladder. My contractor brought his 12 foot ladder and massive roller with an extension pole to get the job done, and it cost very little compared to what it would have cost to rent the ladder and do it myself.

7. Seams are important. Tape is important, but so is caulk. Finishing caulk over your tape can be a helpful way to keep the paint from bleeding through.

Show me what you've painted or have run into in renovating your projects. I would love to share your tips!

Once You Go Black....

Let me tell you about the most exhilarating, terrifying moment of my life.

Black.

Paint.

I popped open the can and poured. I have painted over black walls before, but never with black on a wall. Furniture, of course. But that's different.

To be clear, this paint is not black. It is Caviar from Sherwin Williams. I love finding out the base of every color I commit to. Caviar has a maroon base, so instead of being a hard, concentrated black it is more of a dull, seal skin black.

It was pretty scary not knowing if the black really would make the wall look endless, or if it would be a big bad barrier that says. "HERE I AM, THE WALL." Period.

The Master Bedroom started like this. Old curtains that were too short and hung too low by the previous owner's renter. Crown molding that was beginning to fall slightly. And this brown paint. It was all. over. the house... and made each bedroom feel SO closed in. 

First step in painting an accent wall is painting the walls around it.


I chose Sherwin Williams Repose Gray for the house in its entirety. This is what went on the left and right walls pictured.





I made sure to paint the seam beforehand and overlap with Repose Gray on the black focal wall so that the dark paint would not be in the seam of the wall.  Finally, I taped on the gray side.











Then I started rolling the Caviar......
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The more I rolled the more scared I became. Then, it was like the most insane feeling of elation. Like being on a thrill ride when you can't go back, and you're bracing for the big rush.

The next step was justifying the black with lots of white to give it a really glamorous, cozy feel. I loved the line of the headboard on this bed from Target, so I gambled. The directions were really crummy and not bed specific. It took two hours to assemble by myself, and a little help from Ryleigh and Sydnee. But we got it done and I love, love, love it.

The chandelier was pulled from an old Las Vegas home that the contractor described as "burlesque." I threw in the Roar and Rabbit sheets, duvet and pillows from West Elm, and added existing nightstands and Pottery Barn table lamps I already had. Finally came the West Elm boho textured rug. It added all the color and intrigue to perfectly frame the bed between the rug and the wall. The room feels open, romantic, and so inviting. Tell me what you think. More pictures of this redo to come...

Mob Style Hit On The Yard!

I would like to call this meeting to order.

Agenda Item Numero Uno: 

Whack...

That....

Bush....

This bush reminded me of one of Dr. Seuss' Truffula Trees. Not only was it a security hazard blocking the view to and from the front door, it was just plain ugly! 

View from the front door

These pictures tell the story of when a little trimming and uprooting... 

 ...goes a long way. 

I CAN SEE!!!!

 d

As for the HOA, my motto is it's better to ask forgiveness than permission. SSSHHHH!

ALL BETTER!