Thursday, August 21, 2008

Goodbye White, Hello Color!

Years ago when we painted our living room "New England Red", I was very apprehensive about it. I had been talking so long about doing it (but concerned I wouldn't like it once it was up) that Jason finally said, "Come on, we're getting the paint." "We're going to do it...if you don't like it...we'll paint over it." Sometimes I need a push like that, and he knows it. Well we did it, and I never looked back. I've always loved that red room. It's a warm and cozy color.

From that point on, I knew I would never have a white wall again if I had anything to do with it. I just love color! So slowly, since our whole house was white....Dover White to be exact....we've painted rooms. Now some of those colors I want to change! Can you believe we painted a bathroom peach? What WAS I thinking? It's the upstairs bathroom luckily and it's not even on my list to change anytime soon because they're many other rooms and projects ahead of it on the list!

Jason thought of doing the chairs on the angle instead of straight in on each side and it gives us more room. It never occurred to me to try this....I told him I was impressed...he's becoming a decorator. I think he's pretty proud of himself! (And my windows do need a good washing outside...you notice it more at night...another job!)


The kitchen was probably the boldest, darkest color we've done though, and I love it. I can't wait to walk in there in the mornings when I get up. I do wish it was all completely done...countertops, new cabinet knobs, chairs painted, all primly accessorized...but it will all take time and money so I must be patient. Until then, I won't be putting things back on my walls until I can get what I want. That's my motivation to save for it. I'll just be picturing it "in my mind's eye" and gathering my plans and ideas. That's part of the journey and the planning and collecting IS fun!

Notice the two black knobs? We were trying them out to see if we liked them. I like them so much better with everything than the white. What do you think? You can also see the color against the cabinets here.



It may be a bit before you see more progress, but I promise to share as we are working on it (I'll try to hurry, Mary)! For now, I'll show you the new completed "bittersweet" walls.

I took this one when it was still daylight outside. This backdoor I want to be burgundy/barn red. I think it will really pop against the bittersweet.

35 comments:

Kindra-At Home With K said...

The new color looks great!! I still think it's amazing when a can of paint transforms the room! And the back door would look great painted red!

As for the tools, only you can see them on your blog. They appear after you are signed in on blogger. I think it's so you can "edit" it better.

Have a great day, my friend!

Gettysburg Homestead said...

I am lovin it Tammy!!!! Seems like you've a sudden burst of energy. Must be that detoxing your system... still doing ok???

I'll tell you when you do the door look at the Cabin Red in the same section and maker of your paint. It will match perfectly.

Thanks for the update. I like the black knobs.

Mary

Unknown said...

What a change paint can make! I really like the black knobs also.

Seeing this makes me want to finish my yellow living room even more..LOL..

Have a Great Day,
Heather

Rosemary said...

Tammy,
I love it!!!! The color looks great with the cabinets, counters and the table and chairs.
Great job!!!!!
Rosemary

Oh and vote for the black knobs.
lol

Linda - Behind My Red Door said...

OH Tammy - it's a gorgeous color! And I love the idea of the red door of course! It will be funfor you to get it all together over time. Gives you something to work towards! I bet you can even prim up some of your old things! Love the black knobs too.

Black Sheep Lisa said...

Oh girl, that is Awesome! That color makes those cabinets look so rich, i think they just blended with the white walls before. Great job, love the black knobs too! Everytime you go out you will be looking treasures for your new kitchen! LOL
Blessings

Yankee Ridge Primitives said...

Tammy, the color is gorgeous!
I love how it looks with your table and floor

Anonymous said...

I love the color! I did the same thing two years ago-took a leap and painted with a bold color and just loved it!!! I've since done two more rooms bolder, it brings an instant uplift to your mood I think!!!
smiles,
Shayne Louree

Leslie said...

I am like you with white these days. I see white walls and I just start dreaming of paint colors...and I'm not in my own home! LOL (I found myself painting the paneling in my mind in the camper we stayed in last weekend and making new curtains and cushions covers!LOL)

I love the new color. It really compliments everything :)

I put our table on the porch angled like that. That way nobody is shoved up against the railing :) Works great!

Have a great rest of your week. Enjoy your "new" kitchen! I'm still enjoying mine!

Julie said...

The new color is wonderful. I like the black knobs, too. The door would look great painted red---or black. I love black-LOL!! Keep us posted as you finish--love it all. Julie

CozyGirl said...

Oh I love it ! The black knobs look great. The red door would look perfect against that bittersweet. Can't wait to see when it's all done ! :-)Janae

the said...

That color is perfect ! You did a great job ! And you will have a red door? You are so lucky to have such talent to put all these colors together. I do like the black knobs, thats what I just did in my kitchen. Im doing black granite counter and sink now too. I wish it could all be done in a snap of a finger, but we have to wait for some other things too....... oh well - gives us something to look forward to!
Have a great day and enjoy your "new " kitchen!!
Stephanie

ps- are you painting your kitchen table? I have one similiar and was considering painting it black? Let me know what you think :)

Raggedy Angel said...

Looks Great yes to the door yes to the black knobs! Beth

Anonymous said...

Tammy, the new color looks fantastic!! I absolutely love it!! I also think your door will look really pretty red, and the red and bittersweet colors will compliment each other soooo nice!!

Love those black knobs on your cabinets too!!

It is so much fun working & then decorating with a new slate so to speak! :) I'm getting the itch to do something a little different in our livingroom!! Haven't decided as to what exactly yet...

You and Jason & Joy are doing a really beautiful job in your kitchen Tammy!!

Just totally lovin' having Daniel home!! It's been a week and a day now!! We really hope he doesn't have to go back to Iraq for a loooong time from now!!
Won't be long now before Richie comes home too Tammy!! That'll be sooo great, and I know Missy and his children will be sooo happy when he is back home too!!

You and your family have a great day!

Love & Blessings,
Lynn/OKC

Kim @ Home Is Where The Heart Is said...

Tammy,
I absolutely love the color you picked out for your kitchen. The black knobs look great, too!

Robin Beck said...

BEAUTIFUL! I love the color so much and yes on the black knobs and on the door being painted red-You are going to love it. (I have a red door that brings me so much joy)
I'm so glad you shared the "after" photos...They are wonderful.
Have a great day!
Robin

Farmchick said...

Looks great!! Love it!!

Stop by my blog--I have something for you!

Hugs~

Sandy said...

Oh WOW...I am liking the color ALOT!
Can't wait to see the project completed, it's all going to look wonderful.

Sandy

Wendy/TheCozyYellowHouse said...

Hi Tammy I love it! I can't wait to see it all done!! Have a great day!!~Wendy
OH yeah don't forget to send me your address!!!:0)

Katy said...

I love the color!!! It looks FANTASTIC! And bravo to hubby for the table change!!! hehe!

And yes...I like the black knobs on the cabinets better than the white! :)

Linda ★ Parker's General said...

The color makes a huge difference!
And the black knobs are perfect. The white knobs would look good on darker wood, like a dresser, maybe even painted wood.
Red for the back door--really good choice. Remember I suggested pulling in the red from the living room. Makes it flow.....
I can't wait to see the finished product.
How about some pictures of other rooms?

carolyn@simple~primitive~devotion said...

It looks great! I think your bdoor will look awesome barn red! And the black knobs really tie in with your stove.
I am excited for you and look forward to seeing the completed kitchen one day!

Colleen/And Baby Makes Five said...

Wow! I just LOVE everything, Tammy! I also think red would look fabulous, but I'm partial to reds... And can I ever relate to the waiting, imagining, and saving. You are well on your way to having a gorgeous prim kitchen!

Have a terrific day, my friend!

Anonymous said...

wow, it looks great and I love the color. You have inspired me to think about painting my dining room next while I am on vacation!! I live with white walls and am a total paint scaredy cat except for my kitchen and bathroom. weird huh?
Anyway, it looks great!!!
Jill G.

Tammy said...

Love the new color, Tammy! :D This is inspiring me to get hubby and the two of us start painting a few more rooms!

I love the ballet girls in the post below...and how sweet to give it to all on your blog roll!

Come on over and read Part 1 in our little recent adventure when you can!

~Tammy :)

Dawn said...

Tammy, I think you are going to love the new color, you are going to be able to do so many things with that shade. Did you ever think about a black door, black knobs? I had a hard time getting rid of the white walls too. When we built our home, every wall was eggshell! We wall papered the kitchen and dining rm. I love my wallpaper in each rm the coordinate, and I don't see myself tiring of it anytime soon. But I probably would't paper the entire wall again because it is so much work to put up. Love the look you are creating!! Dawn

American Homemaker said...

I love color... when I switched from white walls to color, I swore I'd never go back. After my divorce last year, I had to move into a rental house with all white walls. I miss my colorful walls, especially my dark brown Ralph Lauren suede texture wall in my living room ($5 on the oops table at Home Depot)

www.theamericanhomemaker.blogspot.com

Cottage Rose said...

Tammy what you've done to your kitchen is soooooooo beautiful looking. Love the color and with the door painted barn red wow what a wonderful contrast in color. I will be waiting for you to finish it. I can be patient and wait. lol; well maybe... have a great Friday

Hugs;
Alaura

Anonymous said...

Tammy,
Beautiful color....the door will be great in burgandy/red barn. Can't wait till it finished. Thank for stopping by...and you welcome. Your red platter you won would looks great in your kitchen. And I'm feeling much much better. Thanks You have a wonderful night. Smiles and Hugs Kathy

Deb said...

I love the Bittersweet Tammy it's the color I have in my den. Thank you so much for thinking of me when you passed on your awards. I really feel blessed. Deb

Sandy said...

Congratulations on you winnings!
How lovely...the prizes are all great and you know if you don't want anything you can send it my way...LOL

Can't wait for some more pics...keep bringing them on.

Sandy :)

Back in the Day said...

I love the kitchen remodel! It looks great and the Bittersweet is a great color - good job picking that out! I never get the color I am thinking in my head! I also went through the entire house and made sure there are no more white walls! We've already painted the kitchen twice in 3 years! I love your after photos! Aren't you glad all of that work is over!
By the way, I like the black knobs!

Yankee Ridge Primitives said...

Tammy,
Stop by my blog when you get a chance:)

Tammy said...

Oh Tammy,
That looks sooo good. I love the color.

I think black knobs would be great. And the door could go either way for me, black or red.

LOL, I may not be much help.

But it's lookin wonderful.

Have a great day, Tammy

Daffodil Hill said...

Loving it! So warm and cozy! Can't wait to see it all finished. : )