How to lighten up a dark room
March 24, 2010
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I don’t know what’s come over me lately – but I want to paint everything in our house cream. I mean, that’s typically not me. I’m more a warm, cozy, Black Suede paint from Behr kinda girl.
I don’t know if it’s spring or just that my tastes are changing just a bit, but it’s happening and I’m not sure why. I’ve been making minor changes lately to see if I like the lighter colors around here and so far I quite like it!
I’ve shown you the steps of my mini family room redo I’ve been working on over the past couple of months. Last week I was going to do a final post with the changes because I thought I was pretty much done.
Buwahahahaha! Pushaw…that is just something I should never say to myself. Very much like I should never utter the words “This should only take a few minutes.” Because that is the project kiss of death.
I made a few changes to this wall in our family room:
Some of you remember when I moved this Ballard Designs art to this spot last month. I like this so much better because it adds some color to this spot – it was all brown before.
What? What is that you say? It’s STILL ALL BROWN? Ummm…yeah. That was bugging me too. I’ve mentioned lately that I’m obsessed with contrast. I was craving more of it in this space, especially because the brown table, chair and storage ottoman were all melting right into the floor.
My first project was the ottoman – it was a half off purchase at Joann’s a few years ago. I bought it to house diapers and wipes when the Bub was born and it’s turned out to be great extra storage. It now holds toys. (Lots and lots and lots of toys. Help me.):
And realized I was inches short – because I am so freaking cheap!! Argh. So what should have been really easy (simple wrapping the fabric all the way around the ottoman and stapling inside) turned into just a project that was (just a little) less easy. I had to cut a piece of fabric for each side:
I just hot glued it down on the sides. Then, to cover up the rough edges, I made a hem using hot glue as well, and just applied each section, covering the rough edges as I went:
Then I stapled the fabric down on the inside and on the bottom and did the same with the lid. You can see how I made the “seam” here:
I cannot even tell you how much I love it now!:
The print is a cotton fabric and was $10 a yard and I used a 40 percent off coupon. The top is a cotton duck and was $8 a yard, then 40 percent off. Not bad for hot glue and a staple gun, eh?
I was so excited at this transformation, I just kept going! Whoohoo! I took a dollar frame from Goodwill and then covered a leftover mat with the same green fabric:
The frame has no easel, and the Plexiglas that was inside was a mess, so I propped it up on my own easel and will get a new piece of plexi to go inside soon. The picture is about two years old, but it’s got a cute baby Bub, so I’m OK with it. ;)
The pull of HomeGoods forced me dragged me lulled me in the other day, and of course I couldn’t walk by the lamps. I fell. in. love. with this glass beauty:
It was $30 with the shade – a beautiful luscious creamy drum shade. I walked past it five times and tried so hard to get it out of my head…but I couldn’t. It came home with me. And it is is SO much brighter than my cute button lamp I had there before.
My next project was the Bub’s cutie patootie little rocking chair. I spray painted it brown last year and loved it…but my cream obsession was whispering in my ear…
“Spray paint it Sarah. Do it! And use that Heirloom White color every decorating blogger in America has used but you. Do it. C’mon. You know you want to!”
So I did:
Heirloom White had me hello. I also added a simple initial on the chair, which is one of those little things I have been meaning to do for the past year anyway.
It positively pops now! I adore it!
I rearranged some of the accessories, and found these beautiful chunky candlesticks at Target for less than $10 for both:
The price tag was hung by the jute and I just left that on – I love it! The little birdie was from the Dollar Store and I spray painted it with HW (now that I’m a user, I can make up nicknames for Heirloom White.) I have another project in mind for these cuties – I’ll show you soon. Aren’t they precious?
I added a huge basket from another spot in the house to the bottom of the table and piled it with blankets:
And now this dark spot:
Is now light, bright, creamy, loveliness!:
Many of you will not be surprised to know I have one more idea in mind for this wall – I’m just not digging the candle sconces anymore so I’ve got a project in my head. Let’s just hope it turns out like it does in my noggin.
You just never know. ;)
I bought those same adorable little birdies from the dollar store... and I painted mine white too! I love how they turned out. Can't wait to see what you do with yours.
ReplyDelete~Jennifer
You never cease to amaze! You do realize that I pretty much copy whatever you do so now I'm totally hitting Home Depot tomorrow for some Heirloom White. I've been using regular white and it's just too bright!
ReplyDeleteIn my defense though, I've been PLANNING on going to Home Goods for over a week. It just so happens that I'm actually going tomorrow, so I'm NOT copying you on that! hmmpt.
Have a great evening! Love your new look. Green is the new pink.
Yes, yes, it all looks so fresh so light so bright ! Lurve. Heirloom White owns me, I can't get enough of it. I think I have about half a dozen cans on sight at all times. I love all your fresh changes, and that fabric is gorg ! Your lamp? Swoon ! Have you thought of spray painting the sconces HW or apple green ? No doubt, since you are a spray paint queen ! Loving this new look friend, how inspiring !
ReplyDeleteWOW - what a change! Really love this. Especially how you changed up that ottoman - very clever! I'm never passing up a brown ottoman like that again...
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my favorite transformations of yours!
Lovin' that lamp!
ReplyDeleteDi
The Blue Ridge Gal
The first thing I noticed was the cord!!!! I thought, "What the heck?? She never leaves an exposed cord...but then I read your comment below the pic, and all was right with the world again.
ReplyDeleteI love those birdies--I have several of them and I painted them HW as well!!
I am loving the green on the ottoman! But I need to ask, why is it when I use HW I see yellow??? It looks like a nice creamy white when everyone else uses it! It's driving me nuts!
ReplyDelete~anita
It looks so bright and cheery! I love the white :)
ReplyDeleteHealth and happiness,
Angela
http://angelawalkerjewelry.blogspot.com/
Guess I'm going to have to try that Heirloom White....definitely loving the look. So perfect for Spring!
ReplyDeleteYou definitely solved the "brown melting into the floor" problem. Looks so much more cheery! I love adding green as an accent color too. Amazing what can be done with a can of spray paint. Great job!
ReplyDeleteI love the transformation! I have an ottoman I really need to cover, I think I may be inspired now!
ReplyDeleteLove the colors on the ottoman! It all looks so nice, good job. :)
ReplyDeleteI love, love, love that glass lamp. You simply can't find them at a good price in Australia! Oh well, I'll keep hunting and will be sure to post an excited story on my blog when I eventually find one!
ReplyDeleteKristine
http://thepaintedhive.blogspot.com.
I found your site today and have been on it for HOURS now! Ironically, I just used spray paint on some frames I bought last week! I was on a hunt for some pics to go in my loooong upstairs hallway and found great prints in ugly-colored frames. So I painted them! After reading about your loooove for spray paint I don't feel so silly anymore! Thank you! I love what you did with this space..
ReplyDeletewww.5reasons2save.com
Love the little birdie! I bought one too and have been trying to decide what to do with the little guy, I think you just made up my mind!
ReplyDeleteYour transformation looks great!It's like the little birdie flew in for spring and everything around him is saying the same thing. I've little birdies showing up all around my house this spring as well.
ReplyDeleteI love the little bench! So cute!
ReplyDeleteThe fabric is to DIE for!
Thanks for sharing!
Shelley
Love that fabric...I had in my old home a lot of that apple green fabric...loved it!! All the changes look so nice and do add the light and bright look you wanted to achieve. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Victoria
I have a yard of that same fabric! I haven't yet found a project worthy of it, but I love what you did with it!
ReplyDeleteThe cream touches really make the molding behind the table pop. It looks great!
This looks great! I did like the original look you had going on, but I can understand about wanting some change and lightening up. I just tried Heirloom White for the first time myself and really like it, too. I'm sure I'll be looking for more things to use it on. I think a trip to Good Will is a must!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great improvement! It looks wonderful. I'm curious to see what you do with the sconces :-)
ReplyDeleteLooks great! I like this version much better. And, I also adore that lamp. :o)
ReplyDeleteThat ottoman looks great! Everything is so good.
ReplyDeleteGreat Job!!! You have been busy and it looks great.
ReplyDeleteBonnie
http://creatingahouseofgrace.blogspot.com
I swiped up some of those dollar store birdies as well, and the roosters too. I liked them as they were but now I'm thinking of painting it white like you did. Love it. I usually go back and forth with the light and dark accessories. Light for spring and summer and darker for fall and winter. I love the changes you made!
ReplyDeleteLove what you did with the rocker. I have one just like that in our garage that is oh about 30 something years old because it was mine when I was little. Now I want to spray paint it but my mother would probably kill me!
ReplyDeleteMary Ellen
You and I suffer from the same disease. Except I call it DADD. Regardless, it's an illness. Heirloom White is my mistress. I just bought three cans yesterday.
ReplyDeleteOOOOh--now those are good "Before" and "After" shots. Good examples of having a really good spot, but making it even better by not being afraid to make some adjustments. :) I love the new look!! I've got a really cute Giveaway up today. Hope you might stop by to check it out, chica. :)
ReplyDeleteOK, this is just an awesome post! Funny, funny, funny! You did an awesome job. I am completely amazed @ the trunk! I am going to go buy some HW-don't have that color~yet!
ReplyDeleteYou must make life very exciting for the husband.....he leaves for work and when he comes home....no telling what the place will look like...great job.
ReplyDeleteGreat job-looks so much lighter and ready for spring! I love the dark wood look, I like how you kept it in the furniture and flooring while still adding those touches of cream. I like the idea of just removing the sconces for now, and putting them back up when/if you revert back to dark.
ReplyDeleteI *love* that lamp!!! I was at TJ Maxx the other day and so wanted to buy a lamp very similar to that for $39. But ended up not buying it. :( I love the freshness of this space now. Spring is in the air. I've been painting everything white too. ;)
ReplyDeleteSo cute! I love how much brighter everything is, what a difference. I love the little bird. Everyone seems to be finding cute little birds to spray paint but me...maybe I don't get out of the house enough to go hunting. :)
ReplyDeleteWow I just love how you did the storage ottoman, what a great and easy way! Love everything.
ReplyDeleteI love it!!! :) And what you did with that ottoman -- fab!!!
ReplyDeleteOh my how I LOVE that ottoman! That space looks great! Love it!
ReplyDeleteThose little birdies are so cute that they are forcing me to disclose that I live in a town with three, (yes, three!) different "dollar stores". We have a Dollar Tree, a Dollar General, and a Family Dollar. I know. So could someone please save me some gas money and tell me which "dollar store" the adorable little birdies are from? Because I MUST HAVE THEM. Thanks ladies!!!
ReplyDeleteso pretty! i love the contrast between the dark floor and green basket...
ReplyDeleteadorable beautiful fantastic.
ReplyDeleteI need to know where these birdies came from exactly too!
I like the way you lightened up! And I'm proud that now you're a user of HW too. Maybe we should call it the default color. When in doubt, try HW. You just can't go too far wrong!
ReplyDeleteYour lighting might have been bad, but I think your picture looks great, cord and all. A beautiful spot!
Okay, now I have to get me some "HW" too! I am thinking some chippy HW shutters on either side of the picture would look great...like looking out a window into a poppy field!
ReplyDeleteI just bought the SAME green and white fabric! But I wont tell you that I got mine for $3 a yard at Home Fabrics. Anyways, I've been debating what to do with it and one of my options was to line a trunk I have with it. I like the idea of covering it though. Very cool.
ReplyDeleteSee how the little things make such a difference. Very creative, I like it all. Esp the picture frame with the fabric, cute!
ReplyDeleteThat bench looks AWESOME!! I haven't been by in a while due to illness and I have sure missed seeing your amazing work! Thanks for sharing everything you do. It is truly inspirational.
ReplyDeleteTeresa <><
Okay, seriously. You are genius!!
ReplyDeleteI love the transformation! The green is so fun and great for spring!
ReplyDeleteI love the makeover- and I love how you pull pieces from other parts of the home :)
ReplyDeleteI really like your changes. It did brighten things up quite a bit. Good job.
ReplyDelete-FringeGirl
I love how airy it looks now. Great choices. The Heirloom white bug hasn't bit me yet. We'll see.
ReplyDeleteRecently used the same wrought iron easels to prop up some frames I had that were otherwise flat and not wanting to sit right on a side table...great minds think alike! And all your spray painting has inspired me! After all, isn't that what Spring is for?! :)
ReplyDeleteI have been totally in to contrast lately myself. I have a black cabinet that has a shelf that goes above it (hutch style) and I recently removed the top because its just too much black. A year ago I loved all the black in my home, now I'm brightening things up and adding lots of contrast. Your post was great timing!
ReplyDeleteBy the way... Heirloom White... what brand do you all use? I see reference to this color a lot and looked for it but have yet to find it. I can't even find off white, just glossy white. Annoying! The cabinet I mentioned has some baskets below it and they could use a touch of HW. :)
Just want to know, I have given you an award. Check it out at http://stayhomeandplay.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteOk, my friend, I can't even stand how creative you are! I'm creative with paper...scrapbooking and stamping...but not as much around the house like you. I must visit your blog every day to get inspired and bring my house up a couple notches. You are awesome!
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing
Maybe it's spring fever, but I've been lightening up a lot of things in my house as well.
ReplyDeleteOh, you rock! I have a trunk that the cats claimed as a scratching post, and now I know just what to do thanks to you!
ReplyDeleteLove it!
ReplyDeleteAnd I am overwhelmed with cuteness from your last post!!
I really like the paint color in the room with the ballard painting. Can you tell me what color it is???
ReplyDeleteIsn't it funny how fabric just jumps out at you? I fell in love with that EXACT fabric last year and made a purse out of it...one in the same green shade you used and one in black. You can see the results here:
ReplyDeletehttp://bricck.blogspot.com/2009/04/ive-got-whole-new-bag.html
Love how you used it to recover the container/ottoman thingy.
I've been looking at your blog for inspiration. I'm going in. The garage that is. My husband says it's all my "stuff" but funny how the first 10 things I touch are his. Whatever! I've consolidated my Flower Shop into the house & need to work on so much. Spent Spring Break with the strong college guys from church purging from 6 storage units to 3. Can I get an Amen? Now the garage, which is like a monster that eats everything. I won't quit till it's done. Thanks so much for all your great ideas.
ReplyDeleteThat little nook is so cute with all the bright white and green! LOVE!
ReplyDeleteThat little nook is so cute with all the bright white and green! LOVE!
ReplyDeleteI just stumbled upon your blog...and the beginning of your blog sounded like I was writing it lol!! So glad I'm not the only one! I too have been obsessed with green, & white (not cream). I've always had darker, warm, cozy colors & lately have been going to the lighter side. And yes spray painting everything!! Btw your changes look great!! Much brighter, now you can see everything!
ReplyDeleteHey! There's writing on that rocker. AND you painted it white. HEY! You stole my ideas! ;) Looks great.
ReplyDeleteI just love all the changes! It's so funny that you posted this as I am also going through a 'light period'. The blacks and warm colors have lived in my house for so long...but there's some white and cream sneaking in and I love it! YAY for spring and lightening up!
ReplyDeleteI soooo know exactly what you mean about lightening up. I'm even itching to do an all white/neutral room. Yikes. That is plain scary. I've been spray painting like crazy since Michigan is unusually warm and sunny. Some crazy weather fur sure. But, it's great for getting the spray paint out. Great job with the changes.
ReplyDelete