Monday, June 18, 2007

House Update

OK, this is supposed to be a book blog, but I haven't been reading much since I've been working on the house so . . .

. . . brace yourself for a pretty scary 'before' picture. (Two people had the same reaction on seeing this bathroom for the first time: "That paint looks just like baby poop!")



And here's the after pictures:



(I think the first picture is a truer representation of the paint color.)

Here's the master bedroom, which also has a scary 'before' (yellow and gold/orange spongepaint; mercifully, I don't have a picture):



Now, I think that wall needs something, but I don't know what. Also, should I paint the nightstands white or black?

Here are a few more views of the master bedroom:




I'm pleased with how the stencil turned out; definitely the best way to cheaply add interest to a huge, blank wall.





And this if from my yard (how cool is that?):



This is the library; over the bookcase, it reads "I have always imagined that paradise is a kind of library."



This is the master bedroom. I like the tile but I don't like the paint. Any ideas on what color would be better?



This is one of the walls in the gameroom (AKA the DMZ):

12 comments:

Mindy said...

Okay, so you can come over to my house anytime you don't feel like reading...I've got a dozen projects that could use your touch!

My impressions on your photos:

1) Downstairs bath. Nice rehab! Much more calming.

2) I still love your bedroom. Stencil is awesome. I think because you have the white in the desk, bookshelves, and stencil, that you should introduce some blacks. Painting the nightstands black and adding some black and white photos in a black frame could look cool. Like 3 11x16 pictures (your choice) in black frames that are on sale at Kohls or something.

3) I am envious of your cuttings from the garden. Beautiful!

4) Wish I could offer some suggestions for the bathroom. I like your tile, too. You could do just about anything in there because of how neutral the tile is.

5) LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that wall in the game room!

Thanks for sharing the photos. You've done some really good work!

An admiring fan,
Mindy

Jenni said...

LOL! Before I read what you wrote about the first picture I thought, "Ooh I love the walls!" Of course it's pretty similar to the color/texture effect on my walls. And I love the green in the master bath. I'm thinking our tastes must run pretty opposite:o) Oh, well. To each his own. I do think you did a great job with colors that are more "you" and I *love* the stenciled quotes. Let's not you and I do that Trading Spaces thing though, okay?;o)

Jones Academy said...

This is just so lovely! What a peaceful place you have made for your family!

Angela

Anonymous said...

Bathroom--very pretty! Did you paint the cabinets black? And is the color a reaction against having only boyz?

Master Bedroom--I love the color and what you have done so far. I think what your bed wall needs is height--can your headboard go higher? Or what about using a row of those stencils above your headboard? Or getting one of those breezy canopy things made out of the same fabric as your curtains? I use a trifold room divider for my headboard; its height helps balance the size of the king bed. About the nightstands; I would go with black. I love black accents.

Master bath--are there some blues in the tile? I think it would be nice to flow from your restful blue bedroom into a blue bathroom, maybe a lighter or deeper shade of the blue you already have. Maybe you could put a row of those stencils (or a motif from them if you don't want the design to be too big) a few inches above the baseboards or a few inches below the ceiling. Some white fluffy towels to echo the white in your bedroom?

Library--awesome! What about putting some plants in there to warm it up?

I love: your wall words, your colors, your bookshelves/books, and especially YOUR WOOD FLOORS!

Great house! Can't wait to see more!

my5wolfcubs said...

My favorite is "the library," quote & all! :)
Lee

Unknown said...

Julie,
Thanks for the pictures. How fun! For the bathroom, I would go grayish blue, no I think I mean bluish gray. What ever color would be more gray than blue.

I am so jealous of the library and the flowers from your garden. Did you stencil the letters, or are they vinyl letters?

We moved at roughly the same time. How come you have been able to accomplish so much more than I have? You are amazing.

Janean

Anonymous said...

Julie,

Love the house! What a beautiful white bookcase in your library, great contrast with the floor. The stencil/vinyl lettering above adds a perfect touch! Did you order the lettering online? Where?

Definately paint the nightstands black. You can't have enough black accents in that room! What refreshing, clean white curtains. Way to go decorator! A cluster of photos on the wall with black frames would look great.

Perfect mirror for your bathroom. I really like the bookshelf in your game room. How did you do that? Perfect phrase above.

Thanks for sharing the pictures Julie. I can't wait to walk through your home in person!

love and miss you,
Christine

Anonymous said...

Hey! I just moved too! Sadly, we're in Navy housing, with no painting allowed. All I can really do is hang curtains.
I vote for a beach-glass green for your master bath.
I love your book-wall, but unless they were cemented to the wall, I think that would last maybe 10 minutes at my house. :)
Where did you get your letters? FYI, Sarah has a machine that cuts them!
When you finish redecorating, make it a book/gardening blog.

Paula said...

My kids' bathroom is painted much like your gold sponge-painted before photo. I admit it. I did it myself. I like it still. I had found a wallpaper frieze which covers human history from about the time of the pyramids, to the space launch, over about 16 feet, which 8 years later, i still like a lot. I did the room back when I had a 13 year old and 8 year old-- and one of the 8 year old's friends walked in and said, "Oh cool, now you can pee on the walls, and your mom won't notice." Sigh. I hadn't associated the colors with any kind of bodily substance.

On a different note, I'm thinking of painting my family room using Michelangelo paint:
http://www.michelangelohome.com/

It sounds easy, and since I have a lot of windows, even though the paint is expensive, it shouldn't cost too much. I'm sure it won't be as easy as it's supposed to be in the end.

Julie M. Smith said...

Thanks for the comments!

(1) Black definitely wins for the nightstands. I think i will find some family pics I like, have them developed poster-size in black and white, and put them over the bed.

(2) Jenni and Paula--I think people are either predisposed to warm colors or cool colors.

(3) Yes, I painted the bathroom cabinet black. High gloss.

(4) I agree with the neutral-blueish-greyish-greenish in the bathroom.

(5) The letters are vinyl letters--easiest thing in the world to apply. You can get them (any words, font, color, size) at www.wallwords.com

(6) Janean: I'm obsessed with getting the house 'finished.' I've got a few large projects coming up this Fall that I need to focus on. . .

(7) Bookshelves are from IKEA.

(8) Paula, can you link me to where I can buy the wallpaper you have? Sounds way cool!

Anonymous said...

Julie! I was so glad Lia sent me your pictures.Love decorating and seeing what people do.Its all SO lovely.Love the library and wall of books with saying above.I'v got to get Sarah busy!So proud of you....being a mom,homeschooling,church activity.....your wonderful.But, we always knew that. Love , Linda

Anonymous said...

I saw your link on the WTM board (I'm milovany) and wanted to say your house is gorgeous! Very beautiful job. I esp. like the quote in the library -- sounds very apropos! :)

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