and so it begins

I finished a house project last week...finally getting my former "studio" converted to my son's study room.  A fresh coat of paint and a new desk (which he assembled!) and it's a whole new room.  I was feeling the power of a completed project...and then used that new-found power to get my husband to start on our living room.   A heated "discussion" on Saturday morning led to the living room looking like this by Sunday morning...

See the wall to the right?  In an old house with plaster walls, a little bit of imperfection is expected but this wall was in need of a more extensive repair (it used to be covered by a big armoire which made its way to my son's room as a wardrobe....see how projects just lead to more projects?).  Anyway, my husband began by stripping the canvas from the walls and digging out the loose plaster.  It's all his idea to take it this far.  He's more of a perfectionist and I tend to be a little more artistic (practical?) when it comes to wall surfaces.  Whatever dude...just get it done.

I tried to tell him that people in new houses sometimes pay to have their walls distressed like this but he's not buying it.  While he worked, I opened my big drawer of paint chips (pictured above) and started making plans...

While quickly looking through issues of Home Companion for a particular room I remembered, I also ran across some old favorites and thought it might be a good blog feature to list them (and a good reference for me when I need a dose of inspriation).  Treat yourself to one of my favorites "Eat at Zoe's" starting on page 78 of the June/July 2003 issue...

Comments

[Lisa]

I'm sure it's going to be a gorgeous room when it's done! I think I have to print out "people in new houses sometimes pay to have their walls distressed like this" and refer to it every time all the cracks and pockmarks and saggy spots in our old walls start to bother me.

[robin~thrifty miss priss]

I like the walls like that! The window is beautiful and the ARCHES! Can you tell I live in a cookie cutter house? Yours is lovely!

[Jen]

Hey, that MS paint deck looks familiar! I am the perfectionist in our family. I'm sure my Sweet Hubby feels your pain!

[Judy]

I can't wait to see it when it's all done.
I love your fireplace.

[Susan]

Ah, the sweet smell of plaster and fresh paint! (I can relate.) Your living room has great "bones." There's nothing like an old house. Looking forward to seeing the finished room.

[Mary Ann]

I simple used drywall compound over the plaster for a "textured" look. It's very low-maintenance, but I dream of high gloss red without cracks appearing. Sigh.

[Susie]

On boy! You're going to end up with a whole new house if this project leads to another . . . Isn't that just the way it goes? It's going to be lovely and feel wonderful when the first bit of spring air comes rolling through those windows!

[frenchgardenhouse]

There is nothing like starting the new year off with a few changes and some fresh paint!
I have so enjoyed reading your blog...will be back for more.
xo Lidy