


The walls were dark and neutral. Everything was beige or brown. Not a speck of color or brightness. My living room has only one window and my dining room has a large patio sliding door along one side. There really isn't much lighting in this area. I wanted to lighten up the space and give it a shabby chic look. Here is what we ended up with.


I took out the middle wedge in my sectional and pushed the entire thing against the wall to create an open space. I took the wedge upstairs to my craft room.


For the board and batten, we painted four feet of the bottom of the wall with white Behr paint (eggshell finish, primer included). The top portion of the wall was a Behr grey paint we had mixed with primer to match Martha Stewart's Driftwood Grey color.
Next, we bought 16 feet pieces of thin, flat moulding and cut them up to 3'10" pieces. We painted them the same color white as the bottom of the walls and applied them to the walls about 3 feet apart using Moulding Glue. Then we chose an inexpensive chair rail moulding and cut the pieces to fit the walls right over the thin mouldings. We also added mouldings around the window and patio doors.

Our plan is to add some crown moulding in the next few weeks. We're in no rush. We redid these two room and painted the rest of the downstairs all for under $200.
Once we're done with everything, I'll share some more pictures of the rest of the walls and rooms. For now, I am really enjoying the fresh new look of it. It feels like I'm in a completely different home!
You guys did an awesome job!! Seriously it looks great! And it wasn't a budget breaker!! Can't wait to see more!!
ReplyDeletesuch an amazing transformation! love it! it was really fun to chat with you the other day! ;)
ReplyDeleteYou did a fantastic job - love the transformation!
ReplyDeleteI never would have thought that grey could look so nice.
Great Job ! I'm at a loss on what color to paint my kitchen :)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bargainfun.net/2011/10/kitchen-cabinets-before-after.html
wow!!! I love the wall color...looks AWESOME! :)
ReplyDeleteI want to do something like this in our den..Looks great..I would love for you to share your link at my "Anything Goes Link Party" http://jeana-marie.blogspot.com/2011/10/anything-goes-link-party.html
ReplyDeleteI keep seeing this and really want to do it I just dont know where yet ! yours looks great I love the wide spacing between your sections , Now following you Hope you stop by at www.getouttamyheadplease.com
ReplyDeletePositive site, where did u come up with the information on this posting?I have read a few of the articles on your website now, and I really like your style. Thanks a million and please keep up the effective work.
ReplyDeleteChandeliers