Monday, September 14, 2009

painting project


Yesterday, my Dad and I painted the arches that are in between my living room and dining room. They were all painted the light gray color, but I thought they needed a little something to accent them, since they are a cool architectural detail. I decided to paint them the same color as the adjacent wall, which is a dark grayish-blue. It's Behr's Hidden Peak, actually. This paint job was a huge hassle. There wasn't much area to paint, but a whole lot of edging, so it was difficult to get it to look just right. Now that it's complete, I'm afraid I'm not happy with it! Let me show you the before and after shots I took, so you can let me know what you think:

BEFORE - Dining Room

BEFORE - Living Room

DURING...

AFTER - Living Room

AFTER - Dining Room

The arches before where kind of plain, so it definitely needs something. Maybe I just need to get used to it, but right now I am not happy with the blue. I think it needs to go back to the original color, then I need to do a faux paint treatment on the arches.

Give me your honest opinion... What do you think?

P.S. THANKS again Dad for helping me with the painting! I really appreciate the help, and it was fun hanging out with you :)
Lauren Pictures, Images and PhotosLauren Pictures, Images and Photos
Posted by at
Labels: , ,

44 comments:

  1. jagSeptember 14, 2009 at 5:09 PM

    I REALLY REALLY like it! What a great idea! It is the perfect accent! SO great seeing you this weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  2. ACC-momSeptember 14, 2009 at 5:13 PM

    I think is looks GREAT!

    ReplyDelete
  3. jkhensonSeptember 14, 2009 at 5:18 PM

    I think it looks great, as well! What a wonderful idea!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Life of JoySeptember 14, 2009 at 5:18 PM

    I'm just going to be honest since you asked for it.

    It looks OK. But I think the paint actually makes it look less like an arch and more like an opening (since it breaks up the flow of the arch.)

    But I do like the added color. What if the bottom stayed the blue and the actual arch went back to the original color? I am not quite sure though....

    ReplyDelete
  5. DevonSeptember 14, 2009 at 5:20 PM

    i love it!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Life of JoySeptember 14, 2009 at 5:25 PM

    Everytime I look at it I change my mind. So I say just live with it for awhile and I bet you will love it.

    I always find it hard to look at the change unless I have lived with it for awhile myself.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousSeptember 14, 2009 at 5:51 PM

    I absolutely love it!!!! Leave it!!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. TaylorSeptember 14, 2009 at 5:57 PM

    It looks great! Keep it the blue color!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousSeptember 14, 2009 at 6:07 PM

    Hey there! those colors are SWEET! They compliment your table nicely and the two tone really brings out the architecture of your house!!

    wanna come paint my house now? hahaha kidding.

    Claire

    ReplyDelete
  10. KatieSeptember 14, 2009 at 6:23 PM

    I really like it! I think it looks great. Before you change it back I think you should keep it for awhile and see if it grows on you :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. SharonSeptember 14, 2009 at 7:21 PM

    I think it looks really nice...the arches really POP!

    ReplyDelete
  12. LaurenSeptember 14, 2009 at 7:55 PM

    Thanks for all your opinions and compliments! I really appreciate it! :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. JessSeptember 14, 2009 at 8:21 PM

    I love it! It looks so good.

    ReplyDelete
  14. MelanieSeptember 14, 2009 at 9:04 PM

    I'm love it! I'm sure you'll grow to love it too, sometimes a new color takes a few days to get used to!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Renia FlaishansSeptember 14, 2009 at 9:15 PM

    I think it looks great!
    Renia (Michigan)

    ReplyDelete
  16. DSeptember 14, 2009 at 9:21 PM

    I think it looks fabulous! I like brighter colors personally, but the dusty blue is very soothing!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Jodi LansinkSeptember 14, 2009 at 10:52 PM

    LOVE IT!!!! Serously---looks great! Now I am looking around my house to see what kind of makeover I can do!!! Thanks for some inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  18. AnonymousSeptember 15, 2009 at 1:48 AM

    ABSOLUTELY love it!!!!!!!

    I think you just need time to adjust to the change.

    ReplyDelete
  19. SaraSeptember 15, 2009 at 7:42 AM

    I think it looks awesome and that it really gives the rooms a focal point of some variety...

    ReplyDelete
  20. tiffanySeptember 15, 2009 at 11:38 AM

    That was a brilliant idea! Don't repaint it... it looks really really good.

    ReplyDelete
  21. AnonymousSeptember 15, 2009 at 11:55 AM

    I LOVE it, it adds a lot to the all.

    ReplyDelete
  22. StephanieSeptember 15, 2009 at 12:04 PM

    I love it!! We are trying different things as well, but don't change it, I absolutely think it looks wonderful! Brings a world of difference to that area!

    ReplyDelete
  23. AndreaSeptember 15, 2009 at 2:42 PM

    Oh my... I am a blog lurker (not even sure how I first found your site)and now I am commenting... Check out this FANTASTIC site for home improvement ideas!!! It is a FAVORITE of mine.

    http://www.younghouselove.com

    ReplyDelete
  24. Kelly OSeptember 15, 2009 at 2:44 PM

    I'm not any good at decorating but I think it looks great!! You probably just need to get used to it. But I also like your idea of painting it back and doing the dark color in faux. You should let it go for awhile and see if it grows on you. Over all I think it looks fantastic!!

    ReplyDelete
  25. saraSeptember 15, 2009 at 2:46 PM

    To be honest, I really think it actually opens up the rooms and now all the eye really sees is the columns. i think it was a great interior design choice!

    ReplyDelete
  26. HollySeptember 15, 2009 at 3:14 PM

    I honestly like it! I think it makes them pop out more!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Rachel JonesSeptember 15, 2009 at 3:45 PM

    I think it looks GREAT!!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Dynamic DuoSeptember 15, 2009 at 8:41 PM

    oh my goodness, so awesome. definitely makes it look more finished. we have a closing date of Nov. 5th...finally! I may be calling on you for some decorating advice;) hope you are well!

    ReplyDelete
  29. ShirleySeptember 15, 2009 at 9:49 PM

    So, do you really want the opinion of a complete stranger :)
    With that said, I kind of think the paint job itself looks great ... but the color somehow breaks up the elegance of the arches. I think what you were suggesting about doing a faux finish of some type would be cool. Something a little more subtle of a change.

    Have you ever heard of Sherwin Williams suede paints? They give kind of a faux finish, but it is also subtle and SUPER easy to do. Just be warned that the finished wall is a little on the rougher side because it has sand embedded in the paint.

    Hope that helps!

    ReplyDelete
  30. KatieSeptember 15, 2009 at 9:53 PM

    I think it looks fabulous! Nice work! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  31. NanSeptember 16, 2009 at 7:07 PM

    Hi! I have missed you! You sound well, I am happy for that :) I love the way the paint job turned out - really looks nice in the pictures! Hugs, Nan xo

    ReplyDelete
  32. tessaSeptember 17, 2009 at 4:03 AM

    Love it. I personally would leave it. It looks very custom.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Hannah HoffmannSeptember 17, 2009 at 8:03 AM

    I'm terrible with deciding things, especially about paint colors. But I definitely think this is a keeper. It pulls the blue around and helps it make more sense. I like it.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Hannah HoffmannSeptember 17, 2009 at 8:05 AM

    Oh, and these Hoffmann men are amazing, aren't they? Always ready for a project!

    ReplyDelete
  35. GigglesSeptember 17, 2009 at 12:56 PM

    I give it two thumbs up!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Our Journey to AfricaSeptember 18, 2009 at 9:11 AM

    I love it and would keep it. My whole master bedroom is that color. Let it stay for a while and if it doesn't grow on you, change it. :)

    ReplyDelete
  37. SaraSeptember 18, 2009 at 1:14 PM

    I think it looks great! I told you already that I LOVE that color - so perfect.

    ReplyDelete
  38. The Lane FamilySeptember 18, 2009 at 6:24 PM

    I love it, it really makes the room pop!!

    ReplyDelete
  39. CaraSeptember 18, 2009 at 9:18 PM

    What a difference...amazing. I love love love that color.

    ReplyDelete
  40. AnonymousSeptember 20, 2009 at 10:23 PM

    Looks very nice. Much better.

    ReplyDelete
  41. AnonymousSeptember 20, 2009 at 11:49 PM

    I think it looks better and not as boring! I love the paint color also!

    ReplyDelete
  42. PernoSeptember 21, 2009 at 1:46 PM

    I like it, I don't care what you say! :)~

    ReplyDelete
  43. AllisonSeptember 21, 2009 at 9:42 PM

    Since I got to see it in person on Saturday, I can honestly say that I really like the look. I definitely thought that the detail got lost when it was all the same color. I think you should wait a bit to see if it's just something you need to get used to.

    ReplyDelete
  44. ME GregorySeptember 22, 2009 at 3:22 PM

    Hi Lauren - we met at the nuggets party! Since this is what I do for a living - I will be honest, I love it! I like that it brings out the detail on the arches, and I think it looks very custom. Not knowing all the color choices in your house, but what I am seeing on here - I think it looks fabulous and very 'designery'. Try it out for a bit and see if it grows on you. If it doesn't, it's only paint - you can try again!
    Megan

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)