a before & after

this is a photo of our living room taken before we bought our house.

 

one of the things i didn't like, was the wall of cabinets in the living room. i loved the idea of a bookcase wall but this one looked like a wall of  kitchen cabinets.

we couldn't wait...so before we even moved in, we removed all of the top cabinet doors. it helped the look and it certainly held most of our books, favorite pieces and some of my finds before they made their way into the shop.

but it just never looked quite right to me. well, now that we're getting ready to sell our home and fixing all those little things you just live with...but are really, not completely done...
a project we did finish, was to add more shelves and moulding... and now,  finally,  the bookcase wall looks just right to me.  sigh, why did i wait to finish this!

do you have a house project, you've just lived with for awhile and are finally starting to tackle it?
i'd love you to share it with me ... send me a note and a link and i'll try to post a few of them here for all of us to see.

happy project finishing

sue

cynthia wears a pink blouse

I definitely DO NOT!!

What color should I choose?
That seems to be  the question for so many of us, so much of the time.

color decision from ethanollie

We're in project mode at my house so I've been doing a little color research myself.  I thought I'd share some with you.

Studies show that a child as early as two years of age already shows inclination towards favorite colors.

Personal preference for a color is an emotional response to the color – not a logical one. It identifies our positive or negative association with a particular color – not the color itself. 

 

What the experts say affects our choice of colors:

Geographic location  

warm climates choose cooler colors, cool climates choose warmer colors  
(I don't personally buy into this theory, the Scandinavian aesthetic is a perfect example of why I don't)

 

Scandinavian Living Room  Emmas Designblogg 

 

 A New England Foyer from solsticehome

Popular Color Schemes or Decorating Styles

Decorating programs, magazines and design blogs influence what people will accept and then eventually want for their own homes.  (We all know how true this is)

eclectic living room design Abigail Ahern's London living room  on Houzz

The Global Influence
The ever- shrinking world is another influence in our exposure and acceptance of color and interior décor. The more we travel, and the more the media features events from other parts of the world, the more we see how others live and become inspired by what we see. 
(This is one aspect I hadn't thought of.. but it just might be the most true) 

asian kids design on Houzz

All of this is information is helpful in knowing why we choose certain colors.  
But...I still need help in choosing them!!

 While writing up this post I discovered a new blog that's worth a good look, "Living in Color with Sonu."  Sonu, an interior designer for Benjamin Moore, offers up some very helpful articles. I especially like the fact, the colors used are named and their undertones are given.  The ability to zoom in to a much larger photo on the site, would be helpful.

photo from living in color

Need a little more inspiration?  
Take a few minutes and try  "The Color Sense Game," from Pittsburgh Paints.   I was skeptical at first,  but it pegged me pretty well.  


As to my neighbor Cynthia and her pink blouse,  it really looks lovely on her.  I must have had a bad pink experience...I'll stick with my neutrals. 

What about you?   Find a great new color your in love with?   Have a color tip to share?
I'd love to hear it...

Have a colorful Sunday

Sue

updated peeks

I thought I'd share a few updated peeks of the sun room remodel. I'm taking the weekend off from projects and getting some grandson love.

it's almost done...

i cheated a little on the painting..already loved the color, the walls were in good shape except for touch ups and the new trim & baseboards.. luckily the former owners left the paint for this room.

heavy cleaning was next

most furniture is moved back in. winter drapes need to be rehung (maybe), I just may leave them off from now

new maple step needs to be coated with a finish

add a few personal touches & then I can scratch this room off the list of ranch remakes to do!!

have a lovely sunday

sue