We moved into this house a year ago. Everything had to be done, and I had 3 weeks to do it in. My husband was starting a new position with his company, so the job fell on me. I was the general contractor and I had the responsibility to get the renovations done quickly as we were now living in a hotel--with our dog! The carpets in our new house had to be replaced, the kitchen and bathrooms remodeled--cabinets painted, floors tiled, granite installed, appliances replaced--every hinge and doorknob and every light fixture had to be replaced and the entire interior had to be painted. I decided to have the house painted a very neutral latte color and all the woodwork painted white. All my contractors came through and everything was move in ready in 3 weeks time. It was truly a miracle--everyone was fantastic to work with, and when it was all over--I truly missed them, we had become friends. They helped to make our new house a home.
So a year had passed and I was ready for some changes to be made. This house needed to be livened up a bit. I was looking at my dining room a few days ago when it struck me just how boring and old fashioned it looked. My furniture was originally bought for a 1928 Tudor and this house is a 1986 Cape Cod--not even close in looks. I had a dilemma on my hands and the first step was to get rid of my china cabinet. Down into the basement, it went. The second step was to go buy paint. I painted the walls underneath the chair railing and it completely changed the look of the room. I like it now. And then I thought--well, I still have tons of leftover paint--maybe I should paint one wall in the living room. It's such a big room--maybe it would help to cozy it up a bit. Yes, that helped--by that evening it did look cozier. I was on a roll. No pun intended.
My poor husband--although he hates to paint he knows how to move a mean piece of furniture and he also does a wonderful job of taping off walls for cut in. It seems we were into this project for the long haul. Because now I was thinking about the wall in the master bedroom behind our king sized bed. There was just enough paint for that wall too. And much to my amazement, he was willing to help me move our 4 poster bed and paint. It looked beautiful. And that's when the tears came.
As I stood there looking at the painted wall in our bedroom it dawned on me that our new room looked just like our old room in our old 1928 Tudor. I had lived in the house for 11 years--longer than I had ever lived anywhere. Emotionally it was tough for me to leave it, I loved that house. I stood there, tears streaming down my face and remembering when. I have so many awesome memories of my old house. Kids, grandkids, friends, parties, graduations, weddings--it was so very hard to leave.
And then I smiled. I was going to be OK--I had a piece of my old house back. It almost felt like my new house was giving me a hug with that painted wall, saying--you'll have good memories of this house too.
Life is good again. And we now have a river to look at--with a pretty Sierra Redwood wall behind us.
Paint--it makes life a little more fun.
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