SHOWHOUSE - Problem Child #1

The Problem Child....everybody has one!  This "mudroom" has several.  Problem child #1 is a very prominent corner of the space.  It's the first area you see before you even enter the room.  But you know what they say - "You never have a second chance to make a first impression!"  (We'll see about that!!)

So what's your first impression??  Here's mine.......................................................!  Didn't your mother always tell you "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." ??  I always listen to my mother.  (Well, most of the time....)

The dark green that continued into the bench just elongates the corner and throws it out of proportion to the rest of the room.  The red toile stenciling under the bench is too delicate for the green.  And what is up with that baseboard control sticking out into the room??

As with all problems, there are solutions!!

Solution #1....What is it?  Something my wonderful husband built that will add height.

Solution #2 - Fabric from one of my favorite manufacturers - DURALEE! This is a great linen and rayon stylized paisley fabric that will be added to "Problem Corner" to take your eye away from the issues and add a POP to the space.

 My favorite place to shop for Duralee fabrics?  The Duralee Showroom at the Boston Design Center.  Elena Pine and Gary Fisher  are my go-to people!  If a fabric is hard to come by, Elena will go out of her way to make sure you get it!  Gary is wonderful with Duralee's furniture line. Both are extremely knowledgeable about their products and always help you with whatever questions you have.   All of Duralee's products are top quality, and you get a lot of bang for your buck!  You can see some of their wonderful selection at  www.duralee.com. (And then call your favorite interior designer (ahem...) to turn that fabric into a fabulous item for your home!

Progress is being made!  Painting finished - check!  Rug installed - check!  Chandelier hung - ....no check.  Hopefully the electrician will be there tomorrow.  Only two more weeks to finish!

Stay tuned!

"Don't be pushed by your problems.  Be led by your dreams." - Unknown

SHOWHOUSE - GREEN VS GREEN

In my last post, the green was gone.  Well, temporarily.....  It was then replaced with GREEN.  Not just any green, but Benjamin Moore's Electric Slide Green!  I did the first coat, and boy was it GREEN!  I did a second coat and the GREEN took on a life of its own!  And then I started noticing people passing my space with sunglasses on....NOT A GOOD SIGN!!!  My space runs the gamut from very low light to "in your face blinding sunlight".  The green in the low light looked wonderful.  The sunlit areas brought out alot of the yellow in the paint and made it a day-glow color!  Painting 101 - light and surrounding colors will effect the color of the paint on the walls.  Also, I broke my own rule in choosing paint color - NEVER GO BY THE COLOR ON THE CHIP!!  I usually order several large samples of the paint I'm going to use and test it out on different walls in different lights.  I live an hour from the Showhouse, so decided to just wing it.  BIG MISTAKE!  But not traumatic!  The paint in the closet area stayed as is because I jazzed it up a bit.  Ok, more than a bit!  (But I'm not telling, yet!)  So off I went to my friendly, neighborhood paint store - Home Decor Group in Peabody, MA.  http://www.paintstorepeabodyma.com/  Home Decor Group is also a very generous sponsor, donating the Benjamin Moore paint Trio Design needed for our spaces.  They are extremely knowledgeable, helpful, and have a huge selection of paint and painting supplies.

My SCREAMIN' GREEN needed a little valium, so we choose a green with a tad more blue in it to balance all those acid-y yellow tones.

Here is a little before shot:

Of course what you are seeing is only as true as your computer screen, but trust me, sunglasses were needed!  Benjamin Moore's Stem Green added the right amount of "calm" to the paint.  Two more  coats later, (that makes 5 including the primer), I am finally finished painting!  Woo Hoo!!!! (Did I say that out loud?)  My hands won't move, but I am very satisfied with the results!

I'm NOT going to show you how the paint came out just yet, but I can't resist a little "tease"...

Stay tuned!

"If I keep a green bough in my heart, then the singing bird will come".  Chinese Proverb