I'm also anxiously awaiting the closing of our new home. I've heard from many folks how closings are often not on time and that's just the way it goes, and unfortunately that's been the case for us as well. Sigh. Thankfully we have a gracious seller who has been beyond patient and for that, we are extremely thankful. So, we wait...and hopefully our home will be our home next week (please, Lord!). I'm of course anxious to move in, although not anxious to get to Waco at the start of a hot summer. Sometimes its so hard to be present in the moment and not long for a further day/time. I remember when I was at Malibu (the Young Life camp in Canada, not the city in California), having the best week of my life (which remains true to this day), there was a sign (I believe it was on the ground) and it said "be here now." We all thought that was a pretty funny sign, for obvious reasons but then our leader went on to explain how really profound it was- to actually be present in this beautiful place. To not long for home or to be looking forward to something that was coming up, but to be present, in this place.in this moment in time. Soak up every second of what will be a very short week in hindsight, and take in all God wants you to experience. That moment has stuck with me for the past 17 years. I'm really trying to be here now, in Oregon, in this nasty rain, to not long for my new life (and SUNSHINE) that awaits me, but to live in this moment where I am, right now. God knows. He knows what we need and when we need it.
I must say, with exciting newness on the horizon also comes new planning, and decorating, and fun things like that. I've been inspired lately by blog posts, pictures, magazines, etc that get my wheels turning. I've had several people ask to see more photos of the inside of my home and I will definitely be sharing some before/after shots but for now I'm in the dreaming stage. I love our new home, love it, its more than I ever hoped or dreamed it would be. One of the great things about our home is that its old (the #1 must have on my list) but that the kitchen and bathrooms have been re-done (a total bonus since it is 100 years old). The thing about having a newly re-modeled house is that so many things are new but they aren't things I would have necessarily picked out. The person who chose the new fixtures, paint colors, etc did an excellent job and its gorgeous, just not what I would have chosen per se. With that said, I'm not going to be wasteful and get rid of brand new things just b/c they aren't what I would have chosen but I am going to re-paint and add my own touches, etc.. Over time I'm sure I'll put in some new flooring here, take out carpet there, etc... but that's a ways off. I do however want some opinions on something that I struggle with (I realize this is a decorating question, not life or death but I do genuinely want to hear your thoughts). I love old homes, the character, charm, and history is so beautiful to me. I like a home to keep the integrity of the time it was built (with obvious modern updates) but to not ruin it with things that don't make sense for the time of the home. With that said, our home has lots of beautiful dark wood, I love it, I really do. However, with that said, I'm thinking of painting the wood white...is that criminal? Am I horrible for even suggesting such a thing?! I realize its my home, and for the first time ever I get to decide, but I'm really torn. Anyone who knows me at all knows how much I love light, open, airy spaces, and white is my favorite color. So...it makes sense that I want to lighten it up a bit, but its so beautiful how it is! Anyway, if you have an opinion I'd love to hear it! Here is a picture of the main living area where most of the dark wood resides. If you have thoughts, lets here 'em!
20 comments:
why is the house closing delayed? I say keep the wood as is! Love it.
~rodent
I say absolutely go for the white, it'll lighten it up, just leave the floor the way it is!
Sabrina
I absolutely love the floor, wood beams, staircase, french doors, etc.in the original wood stain. I'm thinking I would paint the bookcases, cabinets.....lot of grain going on with the cabinet doors....maybe you have to do all or nothing. If all, I think I'd leave the wood...it's beautiful any way!
XXOO
Mom
I agree that the door, beams, floor and stairway should stay wood. I would paint the cabinets and put a pretty wallpaper inside the bookcase. They would also look lovely with lots of white books and white accessories. Beautiful room.
I see dollar signs flashing in front of me. White built-ins would be pretty, I think, but expensive to have someone paint.... or a heck of a lot of work to do yourself. But maybe you're super motivated?!?!
Leave the wood. I believe painting the wood is criminal in most states -- not sure about Texas.
What a great picture, I wouldn't change any of it.
mmm... i say add some white, maybe not all of it, but definitely some!
Ah... Malibu. I am smiling right now. :) I don't remember the sign though. A good lesson to learn! I wish I could put it into practice more too. That was the best week, and gone so quickly.
Anyway, the weather is really bumming me out too. Arggghhh... At least you have some fun planning/dreaming to do. I am partial to the wood - it is so beautiful the way it is. White would definitely lighten things up though and is more you. I agree it is all or nothing. I am praying for this house to close SOON! Hang in there friend. Love you! xoxo
Tad says "Paint it? You've got to be kidding!".... Robin says it'll chip if you paint it (leading to lots of repairs and touch-ups). Lawrence adds that if you put books in the shelves it will look lighter...especially after Adam finishes coloring his. :) Light colored area rugs on the floor will help, too. Katy says it's all beautiful so why waste your time painting? Lawrence adds that If you paint it, people 50 years from now will wonder why...
i say paint it all!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Molly. It is often difficult to be content with where we are and seems to be a process our generation misses out on A LOT. I love the photo of your new place!! I can see why you are thinking of painting and would say to do what you think will make you feel good. My mom painted all of her kitchen cabinets/drawers white not too long ago and the effect has been SO SO good. The kitchen feels 10 x lighter.
See first how it feels with white accents:
-a white rug
- white wall decor and furniture covers
after that you can always paint the wood white.
Beware! I did this before and it peeled off right away!
You will need a heavy duty oil- based or marine paint.
This may also decrease your house value or resale potential on such a lovely preserved bungalow!
Hmmm...I totally know what you mean. I love crisp white trim/woodwork. Alot of the wood in our house (baseboards, windowsills, doorframes) was natural wood when we moved in and we painted it white. I love it so much more now! But, I think the built-ins will be difficult to get white because of the darkness of the wood and all the grain...I predict MANY coats of paint going into those bad boys! And the wood on the french doors might be tricky, lots of taping b/c of the glass panes. But I wouldn't worry about value for selling it in the future...like you said in your blog post, "Be here now!" Do what will make YOU happy!
-Kirst
I think painting it all white would be so much brighter and so much more YOU. If it were me though, I'd definitely let a professional do it... you want such a big job done well and done right.
My two cents.
Lauren
i totally hear you on wanting the house to be bright, airy, etc. i am the same way. BUT, speaking from experience, painting the trim around the doorways and windows may turn out to be a colossal mistake. AND once it is done, you will never get that wood looking as good as it did before it was painted. Painting things like that will also require maintenance, repainting eventually and as it stands now, it is really maintenance free. on the other hand, all the dark shelves and cabinets around the fireplace - that could all go white! i wouldn't feel bad about that at all.
Oy, it does seem a shame (and potentially devaluaing thing to do) to pain all that original wood but I know your style would be much more fulfilled with white. I agree about allowing a professional paint it to prevent the peeling and to ensure it looks as good as possible.
I agree with your mom! If it were mine (which it is not - so I will be happy with whatever you do), I would leave everything but the built-ins. They are totally paint-able if you start with an oil-based primer and alot of patience and time to do it right (sanding, priming, etc). I think you can keep the charm of all the trim/french door/stair railing and lighten it up with your charming decorating. BUT if you wouldn't be happy then you should do what you want!
I'm in total agreement with everyone who recommended leaving the floors, doors, and trim the wood and just painting the built ins--which look (in this picture anyway) to be not quite the same high quality as the floors and trim anyway. The thought of seeing that gorgeous banister painted over actually pains me a little.
Molly! I've hated that I've been MIA from blogland - but I love catching up, especially with you!
I have to say, i looked at this room and the first thing I did was smile, it looks so much like those dreamy pictures you posted about on your blog before (in those random cities across the country....)!
I think if you were to paint the green white, and then like what was said before - get some white slip covers, and change the light fixture, you will be amazed how that beautiful wood lightens up.
Your eye is fabulous, and I cannot wait to see what you do with it! My sis is moving to Austin and on one of those visits, I'll hop in a car and come visit!! I simply must!! (When are you coming to CA, again?!)
xoxoxo
Painting it definitely criminal! and you may have problems with chipping and peeling off unless you plan to sand it all first. Leave it as is. it will lighten up once you put stuff in the room.
Ash
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