Next up on the Recap: the den! This is the room that will mainly be our family room where we watch TV and what not. Since it only has one window, it feels a lot more cozy that some of the other rooms with lots of windows. Perfect for watching a movie, which is one of our favorite things to do!
Check out the transformation…
What we’ve finished
- Repair plaster walls and ceiling
- Repair/replace broken storm window
- Repair window ropes
- Clean tile fireplace
- Prep, prime, and paint walls and ceiling
- Prep, prime, and paint trim
- Paint fireplace inlay and cover
- Stain trim around fireplace floor tiles
- Install ceiling fan/light
What’s left
- Refinish floors
Decorate
If you read this post, you know that this is my least favorite wall color in the house. It’s not awful by any means, but just not the best. In certain light it reminds me of flesh, which is kind of gross. (You’re welcome for that image!) So this is probably the first room I’ll repaint…but that could be several years. For now, I’m living with it. Some decorating and a lot more color will go a long ways. You can see my inspiration for the den here.
The figures…the room is almost square at 15′ 7″ x 15′ 5″ and has 11 ‘ ceilings and 1 window. There are 4 interior doors and 1 fireplace.
Something about this color doesn’t play nice with the wood tones in the room. I think the fire place surround calls for something cooler instead of warmer. I’d also have to recover the occasional chair. That print seems too modern.
Thanks for stopping by, Amanda! I agree with you…but unfortunately repainting and recovering a chair are just expenses we can’t afford, so we’ll have to live with it for a while. I’m hoping I’ll like it better once I get some things up on the wall.
I can see what you mean about the color. In one pic it seemed caramel, in another, almost yellow. One thing I have done in the past that REALLY helped when a room just didn’t work and I didn’t have time or money to redo the whole thing, was to sponge it over with a large sponge in another color or a glaze to soften it-you could take a basic cream or ivory and (or milk glaze) over it pretty quickly with a large sponge and soften it and make it look completely different. I actually like the occasional chair print in there, and would take the red into a rug and accent colors to really bring in the color. Reminder, I also make jeweled and seashell accented mirrors that could be another point of light in a room with lesser windows and could do a fairly large one to go over the fireplace with reds in it to match your room (see my Pinterest site for things I make).
Thanks for the tips, Lisa! The lighting in this room is weird because the “red” in the chair is actually a deep pink…but it doesn’t look red at all. And to be honest, red is the one color we don’t really have anywhere in the house…I’m just not a fan. I love your ideas of sponge painting though. I remember my mom and I did that to my room as a kid (in teal!!) and it turned out pretty well. I think something in a more subtle tone would really look fantastic. Thanks for the idea!! :)
I really liked Lisa’s sponge technique and red rug suggestions. Since this is the room you’ll be spending most of your down-time in it is extremely important that you both feel comfortable and happy in it and not frustrated. Especially after all that hard work to make it liveable. You’ve come so far in such a short time while both having jobs and Charles taking and passing the bar exam. You’re an extraordinary couple and I’m so glad you’re sharing this journey with all of us.
You are too sweet, Maralyn! I loved Lisa’s sponge idea too. I may have given the wrong impression in my post…it’s not that I hate the color, it’s just not my favorite. All of the other colors turned out EXACTLY like we wanted, but this was the one exception. But I agree that it’s a room we spend A LOT of time in, so it needs to be one we love!
I love that mantel. Your house is so dreamy. Love that y’all are working hard to keep all the things that make the house special.
Thanks, Elizabeth! It would definitely be easier…and cheaper…to just go with all new stuff. But all the character is why we fell in love with the house in the first place!
I was browsing through today’s Wednesday Whatsits and found a link to your site. I then decided to click, click and click some more (btw it was the ‘feelings hurt when blogging’ post) and here I am on this fabulous den.
First, what some people need to understand is that camera settings along with your own desktop/laptop screen settings are going to change the color. What might look yellow to some is not going to show as yellow to others. So, when folks are commenting on how they don’t like it – well, you are the one looking at it in person and therefore, the only one that matters.
I personally like the colors. I worked in an interior design firm as the accountant and would often go out on projects with the designers if I had some free time. I learned a lot about textures, fabrics, patterns and colors.
I have a feeling I’ll be looking through more of your posts.
You’re doing a fab job so far! Beautiful!