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The power of paint. Paint can really change up the feel of a space. We (and I mean Andy) built our living room built-ins several years ago. We used shiplap and painted the whole wall white that matched our trim. After living with it for several years, I’ve been craving a change. What is the easiest way to change a space? With paint! So, let’s get to it!
The Before
Like I said, we’ve had these built-ins for several years. We color matched our trim color and painted the whole wall white. I stained the shelves a pretty medium color. I really enjoyed the two-toned look.
Choosing a Color
I used peel and stick samples and added them over the whole wall. I asked my followers on Instagram which one was their favorite. I had lots of opinions. I took the top six and recorded them in different lights throughout the day. And I finally chose a color: Knoxville Gray by Benjamin Moore. It’s kind of a chameleon color. Sometimes it looks green-ish. Sometimes very blue gray. And other times very blue and almost teal. I love the color; it really gives the drama that I was looking for.
Painting the Wall
I had it in my head that I could use our paint sprayer. First of all, I wanted this to be a fairly quick job. And because of all the shiplap spaces, I was worried that a lot of white would still show through if I only used a brush or roller. I did some research online and it was totally doable. I bought a bunch of plastic to cover the furniture, the floors, the walls, and ceiling. It totally worked. I did take off the doors in order to paint them. I used the sprayer for almost the whole project. When I got close to the window, I did use a brush.
I also used rub n buff on our existing hardware. I wanted a brass look, so I mixed a couple of colors together to get the final resulting color. It’s definitely a more affordable option if you don’t want to purchase brand new hardware for your cabinets.
The Final Look
I absolutely love how it turned out. It’s definitely the look I was going for. I love how the books really pop against the moody blue shelves. And because the wall is one color, I think it actually looks simpler.
Conclusion
I am so glad I took the plunge and painted this wall in the living room. It adds so much more interest (in my opinion). The paint is only the beginning to the living room refresh. We added a chandelier, and we bought a new sofa. Things that are still on the list: new rug, new chairs, new ottomans, over grout and lime wash the stone of the fireplace. Stay tuned for all of that. And you can always see things first in my stories on Instagram, so be sure you’re following me there. Until next time Treasure Hunters!
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