What I've Learned While I've Been on a Blog Break - Paint Is Your Friend

Well hello, Becoming Paige!  I've been gone for far too long...unsure of why exactly - just busy with the ordinary and allowing writing to slip a place of priority in my life.  But I'm back, and I thought I'd share a few things I've learned over the last 3 months!

I was going to make this one post, but it has become so long (apparently I've learned a lot over the last 3 months) that I've decided to make this a 5 part series...and I've actually written all 5 parts so come back later this week for more that I've learned.

Now, to the first thing I've learned: 

1.  Paint Can Totally Transform a Space
If you have ever visited my house you know that it is covered (wall to wall and ceilings too) with wood paneling.  When I first moved in I loved the wood - it was beautiful real wood (not cheap paneling) and the house had the ambiance of a lodge or cabin.  I would welcome people to "The Lodge" when anyone came to visit and I was happy and cozy in my cabin-like atmosphere...

UNTIL...

I had Haven.  I'm not sure what happened with the second baby.  Maybe it was the hormones or maybe it was that we now had another person in The Lodge...but for whatever reason, the wood no longer felt homey - it felt clausterphobic.  Some days I felt like the walls were closing in on me and so I began dreaming of painting everything white.

My dream became a reality - thanks in large part to a wonderful couple - Gayle & Kay Whitten, and I AM IN LOVE!  I love my home again.  It now feels like a beach bungalow.  It is white and bright and feels LARGE!  I think the pictures speak for themselves.

BEFORE
(PLEASE NOTE I DID NOT TAKE TRUE BEFORE PICTURES...SO THIS IS THE BEST OVERALL PICTURE I COULD FIND)

AFTER

 

BEFORE

(AGAIN...JUST FINDING OLD PICS)

AFTER

(OH, AND I'M KEEPING IT REAL & TAKING QUICK SNAPSHOTS WITH MY KIDS' TOYS OUT) 

Mr. Whitten in the midst of sanding (for over 8 hours)!!!!

Can you see why I'm giddy?!  So, before I move to the next thing I've learned I want to say a GIGANTIC thank you to Gayle & Kay Whitten.  It ended up becoming a difficult project even for these professional painters & you should come feel my walls - they are perfection - like butter!

If you need a true transformation in your home, perhaps you should consider paint!  I've kept all my decor & furniture in the living room, but the pain has inspired me to rearrange, purge and redecorate - it's been fun!

That is my first lesson while I was away!  Next up....the secrets to a phenomenal garage sale!  Have a great weekend