Painting project...

[RavensGryf]

Well, we're moving 'within' 3 weeks. I've done some much needed new paint where we're moving to. WOW was it time consuming! :11: The 11x18' room took DAYS and still has some touch up to finish. I did use 2 colors, without realizing how much more tedious it is than doing one color. All the angles in door frames (main, plus 2 closet doors) every crack and crevice also added to the hours spent... Then at the wall corners where 2 colors meet... I DID tape it off to create a straight line, but it didn't work well, and I had to end up doing the corners with a small brush freehand. Also, the new dark paint color (even with 2 coats) was hard to evenly cover over the contrasting old white paint. THEN, there were areas on the ceiling that the paint accidentally got on even though trying to be careful as possible.

The colors didn't come out true to color unfortunately (my iPhone 5 camera) plus the lighting made the color kind of off, but it is a brownish-purple, with a tan-gray. I know many people don't like this look, but I WANTED it DARK!

Before...


This is one of the closets and wall showing the tan/gray color. I wanted to change the ugly (and old) gold door knob, but after taking it apart I found it was a smaller than standard size which I can't just go out and buy maybe I'll find a cute doorknob cover somewhere?



Here is the other brown/purple color. The beam is because the house had an add on at one time. I'm intending to change the ugly old light fixture in the corner eventually.


New hardware accents. An inexpensive way to add a subtle upgraded look.


Uh oh! So much for TRYING to be neat. It's harder than it looks believe me! I have some off white to touch up the "popcorn". I wish we could just rip out the whole ceiling now...


Will update more later

 

[Kiwibird]

I like the colors! And the touch up work looks minor. you'll have a lot better control touching up the white than you did painting the whole wall, so I think it will come out looking fantastic

Suggestion on the doorknob- RUSTOLEUM SPRAY-PAINT! Their 'metallics' (which aren't shiny metallic, they are matte and textured) would have some *great* color options to coordinate better with the room. Maybe a nice DEEP silver-ish/gray color? I swear, that stuff covers ANYTHING, takes trying to chip off (provided you let it dry properly before using) and gives a really nice, updated look. I've used it on a couple things now, but the hardware on that old trunk I refinished is what sold me on that paint. I actually tried chipping it off, and couldn't. I didn't even prep the hardware besides wiping dust off. They sell it at home depot.

 

[Terry57]

Julie, I love that colour! I have dark walls in most of my house and I really like that look
Painting is such hard and tedious work but it is looking fantastic

 

[Dustbunny]

I feel your pain. We're painting our living room right now. We had to heavily sand the entire room first, including trim. I'm ashamed to say how long it's taking me to finish the room, but you shouldn't be ashamed of it only taking you a few days. LOL.

There is so much work that goes into everything. Personally adding to my frustration is the fact I have 3 coats of white paint on my ceiling and I'm still not happy with the coverage. It looks splotchy in areas. We bought Valspar expecting something decent. So far all I can say is I'm hoping the wall paint is better than the ceiling paint. Mind if I ask what brand you are using?

Oh and I think dark paint can look great. In fact, my living room is a long rectangle, and I'm trying to make it appear cozier by painting the short walls a dark blue with the longer walls a light taupe. I like your gray/purple-ish color combo. I have this nagging desire to redo my kitchen in a deep, dark purple and a touch of bright lime green - tastefully of course. I just have to figure out how to add the colors and make it work without it becoming a circus.

 

[RavensGryf]

@dustbunny - the paint is from Home Depot. I didn't even specify a brand, I just took the paint color swatch to the counter and they gave me Behr Ultra Permium (primer all in one). I think Home Depot mainly uses Behr. I don't know much about paint, but I know it's a well known brand, and it was reasonably priced. It was easy to work with too, and very minimal odor. It actually took a week, and still have touch up ugh. Some of it was awkward... A lot of things you run into as a non-professional painter that you don't anticipate being difficult. Not only did it take a long time, but I know we ended up using more paint overall than a professional would have, or someone who really KNOWS how to paint! I can't really say it was fun... More of a PITA, but SO much better than what was there.

 

[RavensGryf]

Suggestion on the doorknob- RUSTOLEUM SPRAY-PAINT! Their 'metallics' (which aren't shiny metallic, they are matte and textured)

Thanks April, I will remember the Rustoleum brand for that. It sounds perfect actually I love Home Depot.

 

[thekarens]

OK, I need my wife when it comes to decorating (I suck at it,) but I love the colors you've picked and the hardware. It's very contemporary and right up my alley.