Friday, April 29, 2016

A Fresh Coat of Paint


BEFORE

A fresh coat of paint...I believe those were our words when we discussed what the house needed most after our first walk through. It was indeed a true statement but it did not perhaps acknowledge the great deal of work to do before that paint brush could be picked up. 

Those things included repairing walls, fireplaces, installing crown molding, fixing heating vents, lead paint removal, updating electric, updating plumbing, etc. 

So it is with a great sense of accomplishment that we are at the last phases of our renovation - the finishes. 

AFTER 

Early on, we started meeting with a local house historian in regards to our renovation. She is especially known for her ability with helping choose appropriate paint colors for period homes. 

Upon our first meeting, I handed her about a half dozen neutral paint chips I had narrowed our decision down to. Without hesitation, she pointed to the paint swatch Cyprus Springs by ECOS paints. She explained that it had both warm and cool properties. 

I think the white will become even warmer when the ram board is taken up and the historic white pine floors are exposed. I also look forward to hanging artwork for I have always loved the combination of antique gilt against a warm white. 

Also, we used this one color on everything - including the ceilings. The only variation is sheen. 

BEFORE

AFTER 

BEFORE 

AFTER 

Notice here that the outlet was moved. It had been oddly placed to the left of the window and I preferred (to the dismay of our electrician and to Mike) it to be under the window so it will be out of sight when a table is there. 

The number one reason I wanted to keep the outlet on that wall as opposed to placing it elsewhere in the hall (code required one outlet in that space) is Christmas. I look forward to placing a small Christmas tree with white lights in that window during Christmas time. 

BEFORE 

AFTER 

I do aspire to play with more color on the walls (not the trim), especially downstairs where the walls are half the size due to the paneling. But this will happen over time as we select textiles and furnishings. 

As of this very moment, Mike has only one room left to paint - the downstairs library/office. When he is finished, he will have painted a great deal of moldings and walls. 

Next...sealing the floors. 

32 comments :

  1. The white you chose is lovely and really brightens up the interior. I like that it is New England clean and simple but still has character and looks warm. Exciting that you're so close!

    Jane

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  2. You have indeed travelled a great many miles to come to the painting stage. Hooray, the end is nearing every little step!

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  3. Catherine, your ideas along with Mike's and his many, many skills (along with all the tradespeople you used)are going to make this such a warm and welcoming home. I am so ready to have the boards off the floor and to see them refinished. I KNOW you are much more anxious for this to happen than I am. It is a beautiful, beautiful home. Congratulations to you and Mike for the skill and knowledge to do all of this correctly!

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  4. gorgeous! i can imagine just how good it feels to be at this stage! xo

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  5. Love this wonderful bright clean slate just waiting for you to stamp with your elegant beautiful style. I cannot wait to open a blog post from you and see a moved in room! Eagerly sitting on the edge of my chair to see your much-loved antiques and gorgeous oil paintings gracing these rooms!!

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  6. Nothing like a beautiful white slate to design around.

    Such a soulful home.

    Xx
    Dore

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  7. I'm loving following along with your renovations.

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  8. The most beautiful restoration! White is a bold and lovely choice. And it is so right.

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  9. Oh, it's all so lovely. I love the surprise of these white interiors in your historic home. A beautiful palette for your art and furnishings.

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  10. Looks beautiful. How does this color compare to your previous favorite, "Simply White"? Is it warmer or cooler? Either way, it looks beautiful and I cannot wait to see it with those floors. So exciting.

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    1. Simply White is more yellow than this. BUT only compared to this color, which is so interesting! This white leans more to the sage white.

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  11. I totally agree with Burlap Luxe, now you have a beautiful light filled space, a blank canvas to start with. When we renovated our old farmhouse here in France, the final stage was gallons and gallons and gallons of white paint, once every wall and ceiling had been painted white the house which had been dark and dreary was filled with light. We always said we would add some colour, but two years later, everything is still white!

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  12. Oh Catherine- I envy the time and attention you have patiently given this home. It looks like such a special place! As it was mentioned ahead of me, I anxiously await your move-in day. Happy Weekend. Yours truly, Maura

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  13. I have always loved color on walls but have become firmly rooted in the idea that simple white walls are indeed perfect.
    Your house looks so lovely.

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  14. Oh Catherine, you are so close and every room looks so beautiful with its fresh coat of warm white paint! As we've worked around our home, I feel such excitement when we reach the painting stage, knowing the end is just around the corner. What a lovely home you are creating! I am looking so forward to seeing your touches bring everything alive!

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  15. Beautiful house this has turned into with all your collective massive effort. So nice to see it brought back into top condition. Your attention to detail will pay off for years to come.

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  16. How bright, clean, and pure is the look! Love how it shows off the mouldings and features in the room. Such a wonderful foundation to decorate.

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  17. Love your choice of paint and look forward to more posts as you continue with your renovation. You made a smart decision moving that outlet. I do the same exact thing, place a tree on a table with hand crocheted angels and bells that were made by my grand mother and I do little white lights on it at the upstairs window. It's a special tree to me as I'm sure yours is. My builder did not put any electric outlets in the upstairs hallway?????? Have no idea how he got away with that. I have to use an extension cord to the next room to light my little tree. Good Luck with all of your renovations, I am now a follower.

    Carolyn/A Southerner's Notebook

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  18. Perfect color! Smart of you to think about the outlet. I remember doing a tour of homes in Raleigh, NC at Christmas time. The home owner was present, and very proud of his updates, including outlets under each window for an electric Christmas candle. All of these outlets were wired to one switch. Easy on, easy off.

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  19. Beautiful planning, work, painting, restoring of your home . . .
    How patient one must be through it all . . .
    You and Mike are an excellent team . . .
    I have loved and enjoyed following along through the phases . . .
    Close you must be for the REALLY fun part . . .
    Bringing the house into home . . . with your touches and warmth . . .
    Joy and blessings in these final days . . .

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  20. BTW . . . I totally agreed with the light plate move . . . smart woman!

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  21. I am getting very excited as "we" near the end of this restoration. My house, every room ( except upstairs bathroom) is all a cottage white color. Which is different in each room depending on the way the room is situated. Living room faces north and dining room faces south. The paint looks very different. The trims are all different colors. the look I like. I await your "reveal".

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  22. Your house is beautiful and every choice and selection has been well thought about and selected with love. It will all come together and help create such a beautiful home, one you have been dreaming of. I can't wait. Love it, and love you.
    God bless
    Lisa

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  23. G L O R I O U S ! STANDING OVATION !

    -Flo
    Amelia Island FL

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  24. I'm so excited to see that the house is nearly finished. It is absolutely beautiful and I can't wait to see how you decorate and finish everything. I know you are beyond excited to get it finished, get moved in, and get to the fun part . . . decorating. Blessings from Missouri! Just a suggestion, I'd love to see a rough sketch of the floor plan so I can "get my bearings" as I look at the pictures :)!!

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  25. wow - so excited for you guys!! everything looks crisp, clean and bright. linda r (phila burbs)

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  26. Stunning transformation, it's incredible what vision and hard work can produce. The colour you've chosen is truly beautiful. l love your idea of placing a Christmas tree in the window there, it'll look amazing.

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  27. Catherine, right before Christmas, our daughter and family moved into their newly built/old farmhouse here in the driftless region of Wisconsin (Dodgeville). When it was time for them to paint you had just done a post on ECOS paint. She called the company, ordered Cyprus White and IT IS PERFECT! The painter said its the best paint he's ever worked with. Thank you, thank you!

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  28. Everything is just so beautiful and fresh! I love everything you are doing to your new home!

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  29. beautiful! I cannot wait to see when you guys are moving in!!

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  30. Looks lovely. I'm excited to see your gilt mirrors and frames against this color.

    Best,

    Tim

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Thank you for leaving your thoughts. Kind regards, Catherine

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