A Quick & Lovely Update

I am always amazed at the incredible transformation that takes place when one uses one simple thing - paint. Paint can work wonders to a space! It is relatively inexpensive when compared to major remodels that require demo work and what not.

Our home was completely done up in the lovely-in-its-day, 70's wood paneling. Don't get me wrong, I love wood, but I love light even more. I felt like any amount of light that tried to shine was immediately sucked into the dark abyss of paneling. Being the middle of winter what better time could there be than now to do some painting?

This hall was so incredibly dark you couldn't even read a book!

I started off by priming everything using a roller. If I pushed well enough, I could get the grooves in the paneling covered with no problem. Don't push too hard or you'll get drips. I will admit that I was a little lazy and did not cut the primer around the edges. I decided to cut the edges with the paint color instead. I used my favorite color of Sherwin Williams Repose Gray and the transformation is more than I could have hoped for! It not only lightens the space dramatically, it makes the space feel larger, which is a bonus.

I ended up painting the hallway, stairway, a my son's bedroom and the playroom. Changing out the hardware is also an easy way to make a space so much nicer.

BEFORE:

The outlets and light switch covers were all adhered with who knows how many layers of paint. The color in the bedroom and playroom were a flat orange-y color that was quite hideous. The drawer pulls were a popular geometric shaped gold handle, very common in that era.

AFTER:

BEFORE:

I wasn't going to replace the stair rail hardware but one of them broke off while we were moving some large items up the stairs. I didn't get a close up on the new hardware but you can kind of see it in the picture below.

AFTER:

I refinished the stair rail to be a dark ebony which I absolutely love. My very most favorite update? The new light above our stairs. It was a deal I scored off Wayfair. I think I will try to find one of those Edison bulbs to finish it off.

It has all made a huge difference in spaces that may not be very noticeable. Even the small and simple nooks and crannys deserve a little love and attention and contribute to the overall ambiance of a home.