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Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Just Swatch Me...

Meet my new friend. Sherwin Williams 6206 Oyster Bay.
I got really, really well-acquainted with it this weekend. I finally budged and decided to paint my kitchen with something really daring- a blue. I'm so not a blue, although I think it's lovely in someone else's house, but, I'm more "warm" color-wise. I like it. I love it. Ilikeitalot. I knew just what I wanted and while looking for something else online, I found this wonderful color here, but it's actually in the home of this wonderful blogger, and I'm thrilled to have found two more great places for inspiration.






Originally, I was afraid to jump off the butter-colored boat I'd been floating in (happily) with the rest of the main areas. Painting an open floor plan with different colors has always scared me- every color shows everywhere, so you'd better be ready to commit to a whole- house scheme! No fun change-it-up palettes here! I went for it anyway, and I'm so glad I did. I have almost nothing that's blue, but this gray-blue-hint of green Oyster Bay is a fabulous hit with all the colors I love- my greens, my yellows and oranges, my tans and the chocolate brown I adore. I love complex colors that leave people wondering just how to describe them, and colors that can look different in various shades of the day. This is one of those great colors. Ah, thank you Oyster Bay.



Here's the kitchen before...






And after...

Doesn't it look fabulous with these apples?? I loved getting out of my box and trying something new- a green would have been predictable for me, but this steps me out to try new combinations in the future. And, it's really soothing, in the room I'm in the most.



Ironically, this woman who is NOT a "blue" has two blue rooms now. People are so going to think I'm a "blue". This bathroom is way more of a green than the kitchen though- much more smokey turquoise than robin's egg, but, still a blue, nonetheless. Totally different colors, but no doubt some people will think they're the same. This one is two spots down on the color card, and over a couple cards- much more green. Oyster Bay seems to also be working out so well with my beloved Provence Cream. I'm glad they get along. I was so afraid they'd look "beach house" together- blue and yellow, but, so far, I don't think they do. I told myself I'd love the decorating challenge- to do yellow and blue in a way that never went "beach". Do you ever find yourself tempted by seasonal paint colors in magazines? I always want to be seasonless, but with all the sunshine and green grass, it's tempting to pick summery things. Right now, we're in summer full-out, but I've already got plans in the works for fall and winter with my Oyster Bay...
Oh, and that awful...I mean wonderful and high...vault is FINISHED!!! And, by the grace of God, this Paintin' Mama did NOT fall off the ladder and down the stairs to her demise.




Before... And After... This was, by far, the most difficult painting challenge I've ever experienced. I'm so never changing it.
Oh, and after I finished I went out to get the mail and this arrived. What an awesome day.




Oh, and wait, I got this new mirror last week and threw a love-bright-green ribbon on it. I love it's simple-ness and how it opens up the staircase in it's subtle way. I picked up a black ribbon, too, for the rest of the year when citrus is less...fitting. OH, and there will be a red one for Christmas, of course...

I started on the basement yesterday, and should be done in the next 2 weeks- I'm being generous with myself. I'm having a garage sale next weekend... Then our trip to IKEA mid-July will round out my purchases for the kid's rooms and the school room. Hopefully there will be before and afters very soon! And when I'm done, I'm sticking to my promise- Starbucks for everyone.

23 comments:

Shelley Kubitz Mahannah said...

WOW! I LOVE that color! You've inspired me ... I'm going to have to prime my kitchen now. :) (The house we bought was decorated in the mid-1970s and has not budged since then ... Ryan and I are notorious procrastinators and cannot seem to settle on a color scheme.) But Oyster Bay ... pretty amazing.

Rachel said...

Looks beautiful!! And I love Real Simple. My gramother even arranged for it to be delivered to me here in England. :) You're a great decorator!

Ris said...

it looks great! I am gonna have to use the tape you were talking about. Way to go! The vaulted part looks amazing. So glad you didn't bite it off the ladder. That would not have been good!

Megan said...

oh, for sure - i'm pretty glad i didn't bite it either!!!!!!

Lisa said...

How do you do it? I mean, do you sleep????

I'm painting this week too - my front door/hopefully shutters....

Your color looks great, by the way!!!

anne said...

Yay for Real Simple!!

The kitchen, looks fabulous. I love it. I didn't know what color I was but the only two rooms I've painted in our house are blue too!
Go figure.
Hooray for IKEA...I am hoping we get a chance to hit it up in the next month...I have a list!
I'm glad you didn't fall either...I'm sure I will when I decide to tackle a project like that. :)
Also, where did you get that spice rack? I love it!

By the way I'm wondering too...do you sleep?

Kimberly said...

You are such a rock star! How you do it all, I will never know. You are my hero.

House looks wonderful by the way.

Anonymous said...

It looks great Megan! I have to give you credit for doing all that painting. Yuck! It is right up there with going to the dentist for me. :) That's Doug's department and thankfully, he almost likes doing it! I love how the color matches your apron. :)

amanda said...

ok first i just have to say how happy i am that you didn't fall!!

all of the rooms look divine!! i especially love the picture of the apron mingling with the new kitchen wall color :)

and the mirror - too cute!!

Megan said...

of COURSE i got the spice rack at target, the most precious of stores.

Megan

Andrea@Sgt and Mrs Hub said...

I second Kim - you are a total rock star, the Queen of multi-tasking, daring AND beautiful!

Your husband got the WHOLE package when he married you ;)

-Andrea

Anonymous said...

I agree with Andrea.

kelly said...

Yeah, it looks great!

And I love the idea of changing the ribbon with the seasons. I am so ripping that off :-D

Unknown said...

Very beautiful... I think your house has more blue than mine, and i'm actually a blue person! It makes me excited to see it!

Kristen said...

WOW! You are SOOOOOO good with color!

Here I was impressed for copying someone, and your house just looks PHENOMENAL in all the different beautiful colors!

Oooooo, I might be feeling inspired again. :)

Unknown said...

House Beautiful is a very appropriate label.

I'm so impressed with your ambition! I've been thinking hard on your suggesting to paint my porch, and sometimes, just thinking about it makes me tired! And there are no vaulted ceilings in that little room!

Grammy Staffy said...

I love your pretty paint job and your beautiful home. I am just glad that I didn't know in advance that you were going up on a ladder yourself to paint the vaulted ceiling....I would have been so worried about you. (Lynell has to keep those activities from me until after they are done too. I am paranoid about heights.)


Good job!! By the way, I love love love your circular candles holder by your table. I bet they are breath taking when they are all lit.

A Crafty Mom said...

Looks fantastic - I love it all! You have a great decorating sense, the pictures are all amazing!

Katie said...

It is amazing what a little paint does, isn't it? I love that blue in your kitchen.

Still have NEVER been to IKEA. Must get there!

Ashley said...

Just. Plain. Gorgeous.

Your label for this fits so perfectly ... *Sigh.* Oh, how I want my own house ...

Ashley said...

And PS -- the new blog layout is fun, too!

Eva said...

Nice. Hey, the whole "ilikeitalot" things sounds familiar... Do I know the person who coined that phrase?

Anonymous said...

I love your house! You work fast!