Restoring Walls

{I know I said I was going to post all house updates on my other blog. But that blog has fallen to the wayside. I find it easier to manage one site, not two. I don't like deciding which blog to post on. So I've been considering combining my blogs.}

The steps to renewing our walls:

Step 1: Strip Wallpaper (that contained several steps in itself)Step 2: Sponge clean walls and wood trim.

Step 3: Fix and fill in all gaps and cracks in the wall. (Wall cracks were filled in using drywall mud. Gaps between wood trim and wall or fireplace brick and wall was filled in with a paintable cauking.)
Step 4: Apply dry wall mud texture. (We called in the best drywaller around, my dad. His work is nothing short of perfection. The idea of the texture is to conceal any flaws the aged walls contain. The plan worked because the walls are now flawless.)Step 5: Prime the walls.Step 6: Paint the ceiling.

Step 7: Paint the wood trim.

What a difference a coat of paint can do.

You know how I mentioned my dad is a perfectionist? Well, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. I painted all the base board trim at eye level. No painters tape for me...not-huh. All I need is a steady hand and a concentrated eye...total traits inherited from my dad.

Step 8: Paint the walls.The new wall color is beautiful. It's light, subtle, and airy. When I look at just the color I am completely happy. However, when I step back and view the whole ensemble of the room, it is not at all how I envisioned this space or what I thought the color would be when we picked it out from the paint chip. Mike suggested I give it a week before I set my mind on changing it. That's been easy to do, since I have been too busy organizing and getting ready for our garage sale, to dig into another painting project. But I can say, as the week bears on, the more certain I become that I will be painting the walls again. Hold back those empathic groans though, because I am actually looking forward to it. Painting the walls is the most fun part of this whole renovation for me. When I can decorate I am in my most favorable environment.

Here's a shot of the before.
Of course, it would be frivolous of me to post without a picture of Cayman. So here she is. She was a big help to me while I was busy painting. She contently played and fed herself. This was her favorite eating position. I propped her up on a pillow within my eyesight, but safely away from the paint fumes. She tapped the buttons with her feet, providing some dinner music for her. What a perfect little girl she is!