Friday, February 3, 2012

All's Well That Ends Well!

Finally, done...even if I did find myself doing a 360 in the process.


Nearly three years ago I finished the kitchen redesign, but at the first of the year I got an itch to make a change.


So in came SW Foggy Day.


Oops, that looks like...excuse me...crap.

I talked about it in detail in this post, but suddenly my kitchen came down a few design notches, with the cabinetry not looking as good as it once did. I lost the optical illusion of them reaching higher to the ceiling and strangely, they now looked pretty average rather than pretty good. What an irritation, I tell you. I couldn't stand it for more than a day, immediately pulling out a can of the original paint color.


Attempting to make at least something of the effort I'd put into changing the color, I decided to do a wash instead of merely rolling over a layer of the original paint.



Getting there...


...and finally, done. Not only back to the original color (first layers of wash) but I thought, hey, if the light color had created an optical illusion, why not take it a step further and do the final wash using the same paint color we used to paint the cabinetry.


The result is very difficult to accurately capture in photos - the effect is subtle and doesn't show up easily in the images. But here's a photo I highlighted to give you an idea of what is going on in person. 


I'm happy. I'm not touching this paint again for years. I promise myself and I promise you. Moving on...I got a table to work on.
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35 comments:

Judy said...

OMG I totally saw myself in what you did. I hate when I paint something and it wrecks what I thought I didn't want anymore. Even though they say that painting is so easy...just paint again...you and I both know it's not that easy (who are "they" anyhow?). It's time consuming...especially if you go dark. I'm glad you got it back! It's that damn itch that girls like me and you can't ignore!!

Andrea said...

I love the outcome. So much more interesting than a normal paint job! Bravo!

allumer * decor said...

Looks great... fresh and bright! It flows nicely into your little butlers pantry and I like how the shades on the pendants and the window pop. Nice job!

Cathy Wall said...

All is well that ends well! I agree with Andrea, so much more interesting than the original paint job. Can't wait to see what's in store for the table....
Cathy

Bethany said...

so glad to hear someone else is neurotic like me! ive changed the paint in my kitchen 4 times just to get the right feeling.

your work paid off, it looks glorious again.

Bethany
http://www.powellbrower.com/2012/02/project-update-bathroom.html

Julio Muao said...

Greetings,

Awhile back I posted a blog about my recent kitchen remodel and included the inspiration picture I found just doing a google on white subway tile kitchens. It appears to be your kitchen. I just wanted to say thank you for sharing the photo as it truly was the image that inspired my beautiful new kitchen. http://www.beauxmondesdesigns.blogspot.com/2011/08/kitchen-remodel.html

Mary said...

That turned out REALLY NICE. From what I can see on my computer screen (I'm sure it's more obvious in person) it looks like it adds some depth. Like a grasscloth wallpaper without the seams.
I bet it felt good to put the paint cans & drop cloths away.

Tiffany said...

It turned out great! So it was worth all the effort, right?

Lisa Scibilia said...

It was worth it to keep going - the final affect is really pretty! Plus life is too short to live with a design choice you don't love!

Julie Taylor and Danni Greenwalt said...

It looks great! Love the island being a different color. That was a lot of work. I am tired just thinking about it.

sampenner said...

It looks utterly fabulous! All your hard work was def worth it. I am so in love with your kitchen.

XO,

Sam
www.ThePeakofTresChic.com

modern jane said...

So frustrating. I have done this more times than I would like to remember. You'd think we'd learn. It looks fantastic in the end though!!!

marty (A Stroll Thru Life) said...

Oh I so love the lighter color. It is wonderful. Makes such a huge difference. Hugs, Marty

Katie @ Wildwood Creek said...

Ha ha ha...famous last words; which I've just spoken. I'm painting my sunroom for the fourth time in five years and told my husband that I'm never painting it again! Your kitchen looks great!

Christina said...

Gorgeous!
xo

Linda in AZ * said...

*** SHAME ON YOU, MIStrusting/SECOND GUESSING yourself, girlfriend!!!

And, as ALWAYS, it... looks... M*A*H*V*E*L*O*U*S!!! I SOOOOO love your taste!!!

Happy day, Sweetie!

Linda ("in AZ *")
bellesmom1234@comcast.net

Dianne said...

I feel your pain! I am the same way. However, I admit I liked it before you ever started this process the best. Should have left it alone with the original paint. I cannot get past faux treatments looking like bad paint jobs. I must say I love your house and your taste and I am going to trust you on this one. :)

LindsB said...

I'd say the dark color was a happy accident, because i'm loving what you did here- the lighter color over the dark color is a beautiful effect!

Jen said...

also, may i ask what brand/style name is for your counters?

Janell @ Isabella and Max said...

Venetian Gold granite, and don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, but if I had built the house I would have selected a countertop that had a bit less orange tone to them. Just my preference. :)
Janell

Simply LKJ said...

Hate it when that happens! But, sometimes the best things come from mistakes. It looks fabulous!!

The enchanted home said...

Looks like your hard work and wavering paid off...its looks picture perfect and gorgeous!! Love the lamps/shades above your island...so beautiful!

Annie @ House on Rene said...

Oh my gosh it is crazy how incredible your kitchen looks with that lighter color on the wall than the moody one!

You kitchen is one of my all time favorites! I would love a kitchen just like yours!

Lisa - A Room with A View said...

You did a great job and it looks perfect and more importantly, you are happy!

michiganhome said...

Janell, you made lemonade! I like the lighter color better than the original color, too! So pretty!

The Hell on Heels Housewife said...

Your kitchen is absolutely beautiful! What a gread idea with the paint. I have been there, painted something that I pretty well liked in the first place, thinking I needed a change, and then totally regretted what I had just done. Love your designs...will continue to follow you!

pinkertonjamesl said...

This all pics are related with best designs and paint colors in the kitchens.I really enjoy this blog with different colors and paints.

scooter

Allison said...

Janell, it looks fabuous! I think you should be very proud of all of your hard work. Your kitchen is stunning. A great, light, clean and crisp space to cook.

Crissy @ House of Marlowe said...

Worth all the waiting and hard work. It looks lovely!

Heather said...

I am in the midst of planning and designing my kitchen facelift and it's mostly based on your kitchen. I love the new paintwork. Great job!

Janell @ Isabella and Max said...

Allison, cook? Did you say C.O.O.K.? What's that? Janell

Jennifer said...

I've always loved your kitchen the way it was after the first remodel. So, I'm going to go against the flow. It looked better before you started. *Sorry. I would re-paint it the exact color you had before.

EDIE said...

Love it! So I may be putting myself in the same dilema. My kitchen walls right now are Devine Cafe and the FR is Devine Oat. We are redoing our kitchen. Cabinets will be SW Antique white with antiqued cambria black counters ( matte) and off white subway tile. Cabinets don't go all the way up , like yours. Keep the dark Cafe color which I love or paint it a softer color like the Oat so it looks less choppy in the kitchen? The cafe and oat go great together but worried the white cabinets will give the same effect you experienced with the darker wall color. Suggestions??

Just Spiff It said...

Your kitchen is incredible. I love your new paint - it was all worth it. Hope you are enjoying it also.

Janell @ Isabella and Max said...

Yes, Just Spiff It, I am...just enough depth to the color to give it interest while returning that optical illusion I never knew existed! Janell