SPRUCING UP THE FIREPLACES

    I painted the last 2 of the 3 fireplaces the other morning.  

As nice as they look now, it is difficult to remember way back when...

COLOR MY WORLD

    Here is just a taste of the color that is beginning to show over on Hawthorne Avenue...

A peek in through the front door (dining room ceiling on right - Berrywine)

Library fireplace ( Gray Owl  and Snowfall White ) 

The neighbor's house just went from white to a peaceful green

Studio side lights are installed and sun streams through

Michael's bedroom ceiling (Santorini Blue)

* Paint colors are all from the Benjamin Moore color palette and applied by my fantastic painters from 

MP Barden & Sons.

PICTURE MOLDING

    Things are coming together.  Everything is primed, much of the trim has final coats, and colors should be going up in the next week! The fireplace brick is repaired and the picture molding is installed.  It makes me smile to have come this far. 

COLORS

   I have almost always enjoyed choosing paint colors for my home.  In fact, to this date, I have even been the one to do the painting of the rooms.  The year I was pregnant is one exception as I, somewhat reluctantly, had my husband take over the job of painting the baby's room.  I get a kick out of shuffling through paint samples and envisioning our furniture and art in newly colored spaces.

    Right now I am feeling a bit overwhelmed with choosing colors for an entire house all at once.   There is so much to take into consideration....furniture, artwork, light (or lack thereof), flooring, fabrics, other's opinions....
Did I say overwhelming?

    Yesterday evening I made a dent in the paint choosing task.  I packed into my car 4-5 major pieces of artwork, color samples, several fabric swatches and a photo album of furniture.  In addition, I packed a cooler with a bottle of chilling wine and diet Coke.  Billye and I headed to Hawthorne Avenue, ready for inspiration.

    A good friend met me at the house.  We walked around the house, chatted, perused color samples, had a drink, listened to some tunes, and caught up.  I thoroughly enjoyed her company and value her color opinions.  When I told my brother my proposed plans for this evening he said to be sure to take a sober look at any color decisions before telling the painters my choices.  No major decisions were made but groundwork laid.

Here is the entryway .... the view from the front door.  Any suggestions?

I welcome them all.

The room to the right is the dining room, straight back is the kitchen,
and all the way back is the new family room addition

NO MORE PRIMING FOR CARLIE !

     All those times I have said that I'm finished with priming .....well now, I really am.  Saturday morning the painters arrived.   Hurray!

The driveway was so packed with painters' vehicles I had to park on the street.  Fine with me.  I love to see action like this on Hawthorne Ave.  These guys arrived at 7 AM and spent much of the day protecting and covering surfaces.  It was nice seeing someone else with a priming brush in his hand.  The owner came out at least twice today to check on progress and to assure me that no matter what it takes they will make me happy.  Sounds good to me. They have numerous days ahead of them but assure me they are on MY job until they finish with a satisfied customer.

Covering windows and brickwork and spraying on a primer

My job now in regards to paint is, simply, to choose colors for all surfaces.  Yikes.