Considering Paint Colors for the Kitchen.

I mentioned it recently that we are doing a kitchen refresh. Not a makeover, but rather just a few changes. One of those changes involves painting the walls. When I painted those walls, over 4 years ago, I wanted a soft blue grey. I used ICI Souvenir and while I still look at that chip and think it's pretty, it is very blue on my walls.

It actually it one of the things that is most frequently commented on in my home. Everyone seems to love it. However, I am ready for a change and more importantly the walls need a coat of paint - it is time!

So.. onto colors. The kitchen is the one room in the house that does not get a lot of natural light. Therefore, I'm thinking light and bright. I like some of the barely there grey colors out there and have a few of them posted on the wall in the kitchen.

BM Horizon:

Source: southshoredecoratingblog.com via deerbystarlight on Pinterest

BM Titanium:

This one might be leading the race right now.

Source: indulgy.com via Deb on Pinterest

BM Intense White:

Source: houzz.com via Tammy on Pinterest

BM Moonshine:

Via Young House Love. Their home always feels so fresh. But at the same time I would have said blue if you asked me their paint color. Hmmm.

Source: younghouselove.com via Jenna on Pinterest

BM Gray Owl:

This is the darkest of the shades I've shared today. I've used this several times. Once with a client, my mom and dad have it and my sister. It's beautiful but it's definitely blue, in my opinion.

Source: stylebyemilyhenderson.com via Diane on Pinterest

Here is a shot of my kitchen now. (Sorry for the dark photo. It was taken back before I had my new camera. Taking photos this time of year is challenging because there is no more natural light when I get home from work.)

Greys are tricky because deep down they really want to be blue. Put them on the wall and suddenly your grey paint is little boy blue! It's tough! The amount the light in the room, the time of day, the furniture in the room. All can influence the color.

If you have any suggestions for me, I'd love to hear them. I'm really open to anything! Also, you must read the lovely Emily Henderson's post about the best grey paint colors according to Ryan Gosling. It's worth the read... whether you want paint advice or not:)

A Blue Sky Ceiling.

I'm sorry for my absence, I've been a very bad blogger. Busy with client work, a fun upcoming project, staining the deck (full reveal on that coming soon!), summer guests and just generally enjoying the beautiful weather here on the island.

In between staining the deck, I've got a few things done around here that I can share with you today. Last summer, my brother tore out my front porch and rebuilt it for me. Then, I painted the railings and the house within the porch. This spring I replaced the lights.

Anxious to get it finished this summer, I tackled the ceiling last week, painting it a soft blue (Benjamin Moore Smoke).

I plan to stain the floor and stairs but we've got some construction going on with new sidewalks and water mains, which in turn mean lots of dust. I'm waiting patiently for it to be finished so I can get on that project.

The new blue ceiling means that now that the green front door we've been sporting for the last couple of years (and you all seem to love) just isn't going to work anymore. Watch for a fun change coming soon!

I also gave the little table that I primed way back in February as few coats of glossy white spray paint and  put it in the living room. It took less than fifteen minutes and I've been putting it off for months.. why?

I have to share my window boxes on the shed in the back yard. When I planted them back in June there wasn't one bloom on them. Now they are enormous! A little Miracle Grow, regular watering and great weather or could it be that maybe I do have a tiny bit of a green thumb after all?

We're into August now.. crunch time. Back to work in a month! 

A Pop of Plumage.

We had a rather nasty storm in the forecast for Friday night into Saturday, which didn't quite materialize. Thank goodness. In any event, I planned for a quiet weekend at home and went ahead with it anyway!

When there is a storm coming, I always buy myself some flowers to brighten up an otherwise miserable day. Here are my flowers on Friday. I love my tulips!

I just finished reading The Great Gatsby so I finally got to put it out on display. Such a pretty book (on top of the pile). Time to by another Modern Classic? Problem is, I have a rule that if I buy them, I have to read them and I really want to get into the Hunger Games. Hmmm. I guess I'll wait. I picked up the shy owl last week at Winners. He's been moving around the house a lot because he looks so cute everywhere!

Saturday, I got to work priming some pieces that have been on the to do list for a while. Today, I painted those pieces. I don't mind painting. In fact, I'll pretty much paint anything if it will make it pretty. However,  I tend to paint everything white. It took me some time to get used to this:

Martha Stewart Plumage. It's bright and dark but I'm loving it! It's all part of my dining room makeover plan. I don't know when we will get a change to get in there and paint the walls but small things are changing, here and there. A splash of teal for instance! 

Here is a little peek for now. I'll be back soon to share the little makeover with you. Promise

Here are my tulips today. After having a chance to open up. So pretty.

Have a great week! I'm off to watch the Oscars!  

The Perfect Grey Paint.

I had a friend ask me lately if I had any favorite go-to grey paint colors. I certainly do but there are so many to choose from that it can be overwhelming. Grey can be influenced by so many colors but I tend to be drawn to those that read more true than those influenced by blues and greens. Does that make sense?

It's a tough call, as much of it depends on the light in the space, but here are my favorite grey paint colors in some great spaces.

Benjamin Moore ~ Stonington Grey

Source: thepricesdaybyday.blogspot.com via jae vinson on Pinterest

Almost white but perfect. Benjamin Moore ~ Classic Grey

Source: bhg.com via Katie on Pinterest

                                                            Behr ~ Dolphin Fin

Source: livecreatingyourself.com via Jane on Pinterest

                                                    Benjamin Moore ~ Gray Owl

Source: thedesignpages.blogspot.com via Kim on Pinterest

Para Paints ~ Cashmere. This may the winner in my next project. 

Para generously gave me 4 gallons of paint to use in a project and I'm anxious to use it!

Sorry, no inspiration photo:)

Source: sarahrichardsondesign.com via Justine on Pinterest

Hoping the sun comes out today. It's been a dull of week. Maybe that's why both post this week are about grey!