Why You Shouldn’t Penny Pinch On Paint.

January 25, 2013 By 20 Comments
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{See what my new office looks like over here}

Over Christmas, my husband and I (finally!) decided to build an office for me to work in (woohoooooo!) Because we don’t spend any of the money made from my work on this site, it was a huge splurge, and I can’t even begin to tell you how much I love having a desk all to myself. I still have a few more finishes before I’ll share the pictures on that improvement, but because it sits directly across from my (*very red*) dining room, I knew it was time to make a few updates there as well (but didn’t want to spend much!)

 

 

See, going from this peaceful blue/green to that very dark red was just too much!

So, with my son and husband out of town last weekend, I very much on a whim decided it was time to re-paint. (I’m still not sure if my sweet husband has forgiven me . . . he loved that red!)  But, we’ve had a red dining room for the last 16 years, so I’m thinking it was time for an update?

 

Here’s a peek at the before pictures . . .

 

 

And here’s me in the middle of it, kinda’ dorky but very happy because I could tell that the Benjamin Moore Aura paint was going to cover in just one coat . . . 

  (Isn’t that just amazing?)

And finally, the after.

 

 

 

Here’s what I spent:

  • Benjamin Moore Aura Paint: $52/gallon and worth every. single. penny. This is the second dark room that I’ve painted using this brand, and it’s taken me just one gallon and covered beautifully. I know it’s expensive, but I’d much rather spend my money on one can of paint that allows me to paint only once. . . any other type would have cost $30 and I would have had to paint twice!
  • Spray Paint for mirror and lights: $4, twice. After painting the mirror and lamps silver, I decided to try them out in black.  I’m still not sure that I love them, but it took all of about ten minutes so I can switch them again if I need to!
And here’s what I’m waiting on:
  • I’d love to get a new rug, but will be waiting until we save up cash (and find a good deal!) I received tons of great suggestions on Facebook on where to buy rugs inexpensively, and I’d love to hear if you have any more tips, so feel free to share!
  • A re-finished table. The table and chairs were my husband’s grandparents’ home, and while I’ve never been completely in love with them, they do have sentimental value as we’ve had them for quite awhile now, and eaten every Christmas meal there. At some point, I’d love to have them re-finished and add a slip-covered chair or two, but for now this will do!
If you’re curious about the curtains (those were what seemed to get the most comments on Facebook!), I lucked into the best deal ever on those. My friend Nancy (who blogs at Real Food Allergy Free), called me one day and asked if I’d want black toile curtains from her grandmother’s home as they were selling the house and no one else was interested. They fit my windows exactly, and I really do love them. (And those sweet silhouettes of my children? They were my souvenir from Disney World last year.)

 

If you have any tips on how I can find a new inexpensive carpet, I’d love to hear them! And, if you’ve tried any other paint that has covered like that I’d love to know . . . I really can’t tell you how incredibly pleased I was to have this job finished in only a few hours.

 

I’d love for you to join me over on Pinterest (I’ve got a new dining room board HERE you can check out!)  

 

See previous Friday Fluff Up projects and ideas . . . and Happy Fluffing!

 

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Filed Under: A Penny Pinched Home, Friday Fluff Up, Penny Pinched DIY Projects

Comments

  1. Kristie says:
    January 25, 2013 at 1:20 pm

    Love the lighter color. Looks amazing! When are you available to come paint my house…lol

    Reply
  2. Mandy says:
    January 25, 2013 at 1:27 pm

    Looks beautiful! It’s amazing how just painting can change so much! :) And I LOVE the silver mirror and lamps – so pretty! Great job! =)

    Reply
  3. Kimmy says:
    January 25, 2013 at 1:49 pm

    I love the silver paint on the lights/mirror and I agree the curtains are lovely!

    I think your next stop is reupholstering the chairs to match the curtains or the walls: http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/how-to-reupholster-a-seat-pad/index.html

    Looking great!

    Reply
    • Laurie says:
      January 25, 2013 at 1:52 pm

      I’m thinking so too Kimmy! I’ve re-upholstered them at least 3 times…. once I figure out what to do with the table (and if we’re keeping the chairs…) those are on my to-do list!

      Reply
  4. Kristie says:
    January 25, 2013 at 2:10 pm

    I actually like the contrast of colors with the chairs the color they are. I wouoldn’t change them

    Reply
  5. Laurie says:
    January 25, 2013 at 8:21 pm

    Thanks Kristie – that makes me feel better while I wait…. I really would love slipcovers but am not ready to spend any money on them yet! :)

    Reply
  6. Robin says:
    January 26, 2013 at 6:34 am

    Stunning!

    Reply
  7. jayme @ No Regrets Living says:
    January 26, 2013 at 6:53 am

    Looks awesome! I love that color!

    Reply
  8. Tracy Abney says:
    January 26, 2013 at 7:22 am

    Try the Limestone flea market. We got our wool rug there for $120.

    Reply
  9. Mary says:
    January 26, 2013 at 11:21 am

    I think the entire room is perfect!. The table & chairs, curtains, buffet, mirror, etc. ALL perfect!!! This color looks awesome. Not sure why your husband wouldn’t like it?

    Reply
  10. Laurie says:
    January 26, 2013 at 12:35 pm

    I’ll try the Limestone Flea Market ~ thanks Tracy! Thanks also for all the sweet comments…. I really do love it! :)

    Reply
  11. Chelsea Dorroh says:
    January 30, 2013 at 11:44 am

    I wouldn’t do the chairs the exact same fabric as the curtains but maybe something that coordinates. I love the wood with the colors its not so matchy matchy and makes the room flow better.

    Reply
    • Laurie says:
      January 30, 2013 at 12:41 pm

      Thanks Chelsea! I do love the dark wood with the pale colors ~ really, if I could just slip cover those chairs I think I’d be thrilled….. :) Thanks so much for sharing!

      Reply
  12. Kelly P says:
    March 8, 2013 at 11:07 am

    Laurie– I know you used Benjamin Moore Aura paint, but do you know the name of the color? I love it!!

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Laurie says:
      March 8, 2013 at 8:25 pm

      Hi Kelly! It’s – Hollingsworth Green … hope that helps (I really love it too!) :)

      Reply
      • Kelly P says:
        March 9, 2013 at 8:21 am

        Thanks! I just painted my kitchen Palladian Blue but I am IN LOVE with the color of your dining room– trying to see if I need to repaint?

        Reply
  13. Jamie @ Time2SaveWorkshops says:
    March 21, 2013 at 12:07 pm

    LOVE IT!! You are so cute and such a good decorator :)

    Reply
  14. Tammie Kimball says:
    May 3, 2013 at 5:11 pm

    I knew I had heard of a paint that coves in one coat, and could not remember the name of it! And it covered the red? It definitely would be worth the money.

    Reply

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