I had to make an executive decision today regarding something very crucial in my sewing room. I was a little bit nervous and a little bit excited at the same time.
When I was spackling in my sewing room yesterday I surveyed all the nicks and cracks and scrapes and worn spots on my walls and shelves. I realized just how badly my room needed a facelift. I looked at the jar holding what paint I had left from years ago and saw the tag I had kept when I bought it. It was bought in October 2005… That was 15 years ago!
Enter Rebecca… she asked me if I was going to paint it the same as her room? I actually had a few thoughts run through my mind last night in bed and this morning, the first thing I did, was go to the basement and look for the paint I used on the one accent wall in my kitchen. It was the same color as Rebecca’s room, but I had bought a better paint for my kitchen… and when I picked up that gallon in the basement, it was pretty heavy. I brought it upstairs and opened it up, and stirred and stirred and stirred until it came back to life. It was good and so the executive decision to change from Pecan (gold) color to the Agreeable Gray (greige) paint was made. I was going to have to go buy more of the Pecan color because what I had in the jar was a bit off in color after all these years. I really didn’t want spotty walls, so instead of buying more of something, I just decided to use what I had sitting in the basement. I was pretty sure it would give a nice update to my room and with my new flooring coming, it was sure to be a big win!
But first, I texted Cindy and asked her opinion on it and she said, “Go for it!”
So I’ve been painting all day… first the white bookshelf. It is done but I need to do the shelves… and add some kind of small trim around the edges where my hubby cut the cabinet in half. I didn’t get a picture of it because it wasn’t in a place where I could get far enough back in my sewing room to show you… too much stuff for me to get farther back and take a shot.
So I thought I’d show you a few areas of the room and get your take on it… It looks a lot more gray in my pictures than it does in person. It was wet in most of these pictures too, so it’s a bit dark. Tonight it was a light soft brownish gray and I really liked it.
Here is that little drawing I showed a few days ago so you can see the layout of my sewing room… It’s kind of hard to take pictures of the room because it’s almost like it’s in two sections, separated by those built in shelving units.
I started by the window that looks out to our back yard and then went around the wall where I had lots of pictures hanging…
This is out the window that faces East…
Here is that same view but you can see the built in shelves in the middle of my room that jut out into the room. The basement steps go down there… so they stick out to give some headway down below…
As I was painting the shelves partway in, I saw this awful gnarly piece of wood underneath… this is typical of what you might find in this house… we never seem to be surprised by what we find or see…
My hubby said he’d caulk that hole up tomorrow…
I thought I’d show you a little night and day difference in one area… that section in the very back left corner of my sewing room, where the ceiling was all hodge podge and icky looking…
Before… with a little bit of spackle…
…and After, with a little bit of paint! :o)
I need to touch up a few little areas on the ceiling where they have turned a little brown… but it was a 100% improvement as far as I was concerned…
I still have this wall to paint…
…and a little bit of the wall behind my dolls and the stacked fabric bookshelf… there is a door behind there that I have blocked, so it’s not too much wall… My goal is to finish all the painting tomorrow… that is if my arm works! :o)
Also, my sister, Cindy and her hubby are coming home this weekend…and I’m sure we’ll have fun! :o) I wish my flooring would come in before they get here, but I doubt it will…
To all of you wishing I could sew, I have dismantled so much of my equipment and put up my ironing board and I don’t think it will be possible for a few more days… but when I get this all finished, boy, will I be ready to GO!!
Thanks for your patience,
Blessings, Jeanne
Wow, what a difference a coat of paint makes!! I am really loving the new look in your sewing room, Jeanne!! Wish I could do the same in mine, but at the moment, I have all I can do to get meals ready and dishes done–Pain! I see my doctor tomorrow, so here’s hoping.
Thanks to all who wished us a happy anniversary!
To Laura: no, no rubies this year, but I did for our 40th! We had a renewal of vows in our church, and Ron surprised me with a little ruby and diamond pendant!
Also to Laura: are you a Yooper, too?! I grew up in Stephenson, in that southern-most tip of the Upper Peninsula, and of course have been to St. Ignace and Mackinac Island a few times! Last time I was in the UP was for our 50th h.s. class reunion, in 2014. It was wonderful. Even though I’ve lived in the Seattle area since 1960, I am a Yooper at heart, that is for sure! I go back whenever I can (not often enough!).
Oh, your room is looking just wonderful, Jeanne! I was wondering why you didn’t paint the room gray to go with the rest of your house, since it can be seen right there from the living room. The gray walls and white furniture and trim do so much to brighten up the room, that the yellow never did! I agree with you, the yellow was there too long, and gray is so much more attractive and current. Usually you old think that yellow/gold would be cheerier, but I this case, gray is better!
You certainly do have your work cut out for you after seeing that last picture!
Great decision to paint the room. The gray is perfect. After the floor is complete and you begin putting your room back together, this would be a good time to downsize and sort through all of your sewing fabric and supplies. No question, you will be inspired by the beauty of your room. All that you and your husband have been doing to remodel your home is beautiful. You are blessed to have a handy man and that you both work so well with one another.
What a marvelous looking room you’re progressing into, Jeanne. I would think it would feel like streamlining into sewing once the walls are all painted. I really like the looks of it…gray has always been one of my more favorite colors. I’m glad you’re liking it.
Oh, so glad you’re repainting. I hesitated to say anything about the old paint as I usually say too much anyway. Bad me. Now the new white trim and gray paint makes the space really pop. It will look so nice to have new flooring too. Yay. Now to decide what goes to the attic and what stays. I think less furniture in your small space is a good idea. I’ve been thinking about my area and have decided that I need to part with a lot of stuff that is rarely used. For me, the ficus tree in the middle needs to go. If you think that you might use whatever, occasionally, put it in a clear storage box, label it, write it on an inventory list and off it goes to the storage shelves in the attic. Then, if something is needed, check the tablet and head to the attic to retrieve it. If you’re going to keep the closed cupboards/drawers, then, the contents should also be added to the tablet so that they can be easily located. I’m visual, so when something is inside a cupboard, I can’t visualize where it is located. You may not need to do that as I’m sure your memory is much better than mine. But, that is how I’m going to do my area. Can’t wait to see your progress and how fun to have Cindy visit. Sounds like fun ahead.
Kudos to Jeanne and George for tackling it all and rehabbing the sewing room. You are an inspiration. 🙂
I really enjoy the pictures and narration of your home improvement. Keep it up please.
It just keeps getting better and better!
I think you made the right decision painting your walls the soft gray. It looks calm and pleasant. It almost makes the pecan look loud. It looks great.
I’m sure your arm must feel like it’s going to fall off but your work will be worth it.
How exciting that Cindy will be coming – more ideas will flow between the two of you!
I love the color! When we had a small bathroom redone a few years ago, we chose a dark gray with white trim, and it’s still fresh looking! Oh, what fun you will have when Cindy arrives—and a helper! I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of my beloved sister-in-law for the summer, and life is just more fun in person, isn’t it? Thanks for taking the time to document and share with us the remodeling!
I love that color. Your room is going to look so beautiful. Can’t wait to see it finished..
Lookin’ good! Like your gray paint! Good Cindy is coming, I think a couple of days of rest is just what you need. I get tired just looking at all you two have accomplished. Have a great weekend!
Best idea ever! Especially with the floor you have on order! It is going to look so nice, so organized, so now! Maybe magic Cindy will have some ideas too!
As long as you are going to all this work painting will just make it totally awesome!