Choosing paint colors...

 
The dreaded task of choosing new paint colors for our interior walls has come to visit me. I've saved notes, collected paint swatches for some time but the perfect shade of a deeper, richer taupe/brown/neutral is eluding me. Either too much of a pink hue, or too much green, or not dark enough, or....

And, no! None of the colors found on the ends of my old mill spools are in the running...I just love the looks of them all gathered together as they currently sit in my art room. I'm removing the vintage trims I had wound around them because I've come up with a different storage solution for those...more on that in another post.

 
One thing's for sure though...I'm going to need to repaint! Scattered throughout the house are swatches of paint colors I've slathered on the walls in gobs of places. I'm liking this color up close (and how it appears in the photo)...but from far away (and in real life), in addition to the combo of our high ceilings and lots of windows, it gets washed out. Just doesn't add the warmth I'm looking for... 

 
As and added bonus, I was lucky enough to have the oldest son spend some time sanding down our breakfast table chairs. Or chair. Several hours later, one done, five more to go.

 Take a peek at the chewed up rung on the chair to the right. "Puppy love"...woof woof! Since Sophie {our doggie} is almost two, and has "matured" beyond the I-must-eat-only-the-good-furniture stage, I think it's now safe to repair or replace the pieces upon which she's placed her chewing signature.

  Yes indeed, time to step it up from the beaver chewed look to something more along the lines of this...

 

 The corner cabinet in the photo is a recent nab at a steal of a price from a dealer at the Scott Antique Market that comes to Atlanta once a month.

 
A shot of the top of the cabinet...isn't the detailing wonderful?

Even hubby loved the painted look and the warmth that it oozes... so much so, that he is trying to convince me to have our {GULP} cherry kitchen cabinets painted out as well... 
What a job though...not one I'd tackle myself. I would hire it out. What do you think? Would you?! On one hand, it seems horrible to paint over cherry wood...on the other hand, as my DH answered that question..."Happiness is worth a lot too..."

He's got a point. Sort of. Happiness may not be the right word. But still....I think we'll sit tight for the time being and when all is finished with the other phases of this redecorating project, we'll take another look at it. In other words....mull it over. After all, I'm an expert at that activity!

Comments

[Mrs. Magpie]

You have such good taste, Sue, that I would just trust your own judgment. Chances are if you like them painted, someone else will, too, and if they don't, they can strip them some time down the line when everyone is stripping wood twenty years from now. LOL! You know the drill.

Love what you found! Neat piece! And that's a neat thing your son did for you, sanding the chair. Looks great!

XO,

Sheila :-)

[Mrs. Magpie]

P.S. I am really eyeballing our cabinets and thinking they need to be painted white. But that means the countertop has to go, too. So what is a girl to do? It's like a house of cards. LOL!

XO,

Sheila :-)

[Shelley in SC]

Oh my word . . . that new cabinet! and the in-the-process-of-being-refinished chair! Absolutely perfect. Love that french look. Wow, it would be a big leap to take to have the cabinets refinished, but I bet as soon as you leapt you'd never look back!

Thanks for your sweet words on my blog : ). As usual, you have the gift of encouragement.

[Terri@PringleHill]

Having just gone through living with a painter and crew for a week, my advice is to take one step at a time!!! LOL!!! Don't know whether or not I'd have the courage to "distress" or "shabbify" those luscious cherry cabinets!!! But I LOVE the dining room and that wonderful corner cabinet. GEEZE! What a super find!!!

BTW - if you really like the color that you've painted, but it washes out, try going down the color chart to one step deeper. Remember, when you look at your walls, you're seeing them "surround" you. You're not looking at them "up close"!!! (That's my old Interior Design training coming to light!) Hugs, Terri xoxo

[Zuzu]

I am the worst at deciding on paint colors. One reason why I've gone with a mostly white interior. Ha-haa.
From what you're showing us, Sue, your home is GORGEOUS! I think your hubby is right - do what makes you happy! :)
Hugs,
Zuzu

[Karen DeCapite]

OK here is my two cents worth. LOL.
I think it would depend on if you are staying in this house forever or have any plans of moving in the near future. If not - PAINT them if that is what you love. But - for resale value - I would leave them cherry.
HARD CALL! They are gorgeous . . . but dh is right - you just need to do what you love.
LOVE the cabinet.
Aren't puppies grand?
:) HAGD! Karen

[Jill]

You know I don't have a problem painting over nice wood however, I think you can have too much of a good thing. I really think the warmth of wood and those cabinets are warm and beautiful!! really adds to a home. There's my 2 cents. It's fun to watch your projects come along!

[~*~Patty]

the spools are priceless colors!
your eye for detail is such a delight ... all around Sue!

I can see the temptation to transform your pretty cherry cabinets, if you're planning on staying in your home for a while ... I say GO FOR IT ... that shell pattern on your new cabinet IS fantastic AND what a great guy sanding a chair for you, there is a lot of detail to work around ... looks perfect in that state too!
oxo

[Cherie Wilson]

Wowie! Love it all. That's my problem. Love the messy painted spools, love the beautiful sanded chair and new fabric, the matching cabinet....and yes, the cherry cabinets. Love your taste.....LOVE it all!! Sorry, I am not much help, and never, ever take me to a candy store. haha!
I had a puppy once chew a cabinet and my hubby took autobody putty and sculpted it back in. You might need to use soemthing else that will allow your finish to look good, but thought it was a gas! Thankyou for sharing this great inspiration Sue. I can't wait to see the fun as you go along!! Happy week!! XO

[Dianne]

The cabinet is awesome... Can't wait to see the chairs when they are done!