My dear readers…..I wish you could see what I am doing.
Yes, me…the impulse Queen….or the one who once she makes a daring move …..steam rolls on to infinity and beyond!
You see, I have a paint brush in hand and a Sherwin Williams Paint wheel AND a Benjamin Moore Paint wheel and I am painting swatches of color on the walls near the powder room…and on an old piece of sheetrock leaning on the wall!
A couple weeks ago, Only daughter asked me what my next project was going to be. This was after the completion of the Hall/Guest Bathroom. See link Hall/Guest Bathroom Reveal in case you missed it.
I responded a bit hesitantly…not that I was not certain of my next project….just not certain how she would react when I said the words out loud.
I had said those words to the Captain while he was busy …deep in thought…hanging the wainscoting in the bathroom make-over!
He had been working all morning, measuring, cutting…going in and out of the house to his garage workshop…back and forth, concentrating deeply on his mission of installing the half-wall paneling in a very small bathroom.
Yes, I knew when to broach the subject of painting our mahogany-stained woodwork white in our Spanish/Mediterranean home. He mumbled something about “sounds good honey”…as he lined up the bead-board on a very crooked bathroom wall.
I smiled confidently, knowing that when I approached the subject again with the Captain…when I had his complete attention…I could say, “Remember? we discussed this and you said “sounds good honey”!
I have to admit that the second time we discussed painting the dark woodwork white….my comment was met with a blank stare. I quickly took advantage of the awkward silence to remind him that he thought it was OK….. and I found myself talking very fast as I laid down all the convincing arguments of updating our home and repainting the Venetian plaster walls and how much better the existing furniture would look in a neutral space and…and…and….
So you see why I was a bit apprehensive awaiting Only Daughter’s reaction when I told her I was going to paint all the woodwork white. Only Daughter lives in a Victorian Home with all natural stained wood floors, cabinets, doors, etc.
I was concerned of her response when I told her of my new project.
Oh, sorry….I guess I should have “warned” you earlier in this post, my dear readers…If you are a member of the anti-wood painting club…and you have a visceral reaction to white, painted wood, you might want to cover your eyes and look away.
Quickly.
Back to my phone conversation with Only Daughter after I told her my plan.
I could feel her thinking on the other end of the line.
And then she said, “Oh”. And then she said something about ‘what was I going to make for dinner‘ or some such thing. I really can’t remember, because I just knew she would have a comment about painting over beautifully stained woodwork.
(pause)
I ignored whatever she said, I took a deep breath and continued….
I am also going to paint over the Venetian plaster walls.
“Okay”.…she said rather quickly.
I know the house is Spanish/Mediterranean, but I think it needs lightening up…it can be dark in here, I said defensively.
“Okay” she responded again.
I’ll send you pictures when I am done.
“Okay”…….
And with that encouraging and hearty endorsement, I took up my paint brush, grabbed the white paint and began my painting journey. Our house is huge and I have only just begun. 13 more doors to do.
I will tell you the same thing I told “Only Daughter”….I will post pictures when I am finished.
With all the woodwork and doors.
And all the walls.
And ceiling….vaulted, that is.
And double Cove ceiling in Master Bedroom!
Sorry, a ladder is calling my name!
“…And when the evening comes, we smile
So much of life ahead
We’ll find a place where there’s room to grow
And yes, we’ve just begun…”
Do you, my dear readers have thoughts on painted woodwork?
Blessings and Hugs Always
Hi Kari,
Your blog today really hit home. I, too, wanted to paint white over a built-in bookcase that was in a dark, narrow hallway. My thinking was like yours; the white paint will brighten up the hallway and also update the bookcase in the apartment that was built in 1957. Yes, the wood is beautiful, and that is why I couldn’t convince Jim to go along with my idea, but you made my day today, because now I know I wasn’t crazy to want to do that. Thanks, Kari! I am really enjoying your blogs!
Thanks Tam…I am really loving the clean crisp look of painted wood. Tom is finally on board with me on this. I think the guys know how beautiful and painstaking a job it was to have natural wood finishes…..but white is oh so pretty too. So glad you are enjoying my Blog, I have such fun writing it, and I will be sharing all my decorating tips, mistakes, etc as I make my way through the whole house. Hugs!
Oh Tam…I almost forgot…did you ever see your mention in my post Cocktails and Dreams? That drink has become my favorite and I owe it all to you (or Jim Or both) at your beautiful home in KC when you made the Boeing gang a dinner. Remember?
https://www.meandmycaptain.com/?s=cocktails+and+dreams&x=17&y=11