Monday, November 2, 2015

The newly painted living room


Last time I painted, it was in my office.


My home isn't considered open concept by today's standards, but it is open enough that the rooms flow from one to the others seamlessly. So I figured, since you can see from the kitchen to the dining room to the office and then the dining room to the living room, I should carry on the theme of green and yellow. Especially since that's what was recommended, not only in decorating books in the 1930s (when my home was built), but also in books of today.

I started with the living room, so that's where we're starting today.

 I chose the same yellow that's in the kitchen, which is Behr's Melted Butter.


In the following photographs, you'll notice that the color changes with the light, depending on the time of day.


Just so you remember, here's the room before:


It was a color that I like to refer to as baby puke brown (although it looks green/griege here), which the entire house was painted... inside and out, including the walls and cabinets in the kitchen.

That is why you'll sometimes see that I refer to the previous owners as the "brown paint people".

I like the yellow better, but I know some of you will prefer the former one.

People love their neutrals these days, but it's not for me ;)


Anyway, it was a large undertaking, because I have a lot of stuff in a little house with hardly any room to move it around, so I took things down on one side, shoved it over, waited for that to dry, put it back and then did the same thing on the other side.

Then I realized that the trim looked awful next to the new wall color, so I had to move everything again to paint that as well. It's painted Behr's Cotton Whisper.

My apologies for the quilt on the plaid chair that Mini is on, but I didn't want to make her move just for pictures. 

I hope you understand :)


In my last post about the living room, before I painted, I didn't really explain much, but since so many of you were curious, I thought I'd delve deeper into some things.

The giant English pine library cabinet, below on the right, is from the 1800s and it hold books up top and extra china below.


The chair on the right is from the 1940s that I picked up in a local shop for $40.


The coffee table is an old butcher block table that was cut down at some point. It's also English pine from the 1800s.

The little humidor under the window was my great grandfathers.


I'm not sure of the era of the couch, but it has the lines of a couch from the 1930s. I had it recovered, because someone in the past had covered it with an unfortunate design from the 1980s. I paid $100 dollars at a nearby auction house.

The table on the right is a sad little thing from the 30s or 40s that's in bad shape and is waiting to move somewhere else, when I find the perfect side table. The other one on the left is actually a card table that unfolds. I think it's from the late 1800s or the early 1900s.

Oh and you can see I found a better shade for the lamp on the right ;)


The cabinet that holds the silver tea and coffee set below, is an old record player. It was my great grandmother's and it was the first of it's kind, replacing the Victrola.

The little table between the two chairs is from the 1920s.


The plaid chair with the quilt was my mother's and the chair on the left is from the 1940s. It has the original material on it :)








The coat rack is one of the few reproductions that I have, but it's over 30 years old.


I painted the inside of the shelves the same green that's in my kitchen and it's called Behr's Sagey.








 The next post will be about the dining room.


I love the change, but Bubba is unimpressed so far.


"Aren't you, Bubba?"

"Yes Momma. Come sit down with me."


"Okay, Bubba. Just let me say goodbye to everyone and then we'll relax together in your favorite chair."

Have a great day or night everyone.

I'll be back with the dining room in a day or two :)

xo
rue





63 comments:

  1. Hi Rue,

    The new paint color is beautiful. It makes your home look like it flooded with sunlight - and that's a good thing! Oh, how I know how long it takes to paint! I've been busy trying to get all the rooms in my home painted and done before the Holidays! I'm not painting trim, thank goodness...but it does take alot of time and effort to do it all alone.

    Hugs,
    Jan ♥

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  2. Bub is soooo cute! Does he want to come live with me?? :)

    I must say, I love brown paint. I really do. I do not love that previous brown your living room was painted. The term baby puke brown is appropriate. I think the yellow is just gorgeous! A perfect update, if you ask me! Have a great day Rue!

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  3. I didn't think the previous color looked like baby puke brown at all. I liked it. But, I can see why you changed the color. Your yellow is cheering. I love your furnishings and the story that goes with each item.

    Thanks for sharing and enjoy.

    FlowerLady

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  4. I love your new paint color!! We had soft yellow at our last house and I miss that happy color. Great job....are you sore?

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    1. Rue, the 'Melted Butter' color is a perfect choice for your cute cottage!
      One of the things I love about the colors your using, is that in the winter, your home will feel warm and cozy,and inviting all year round.

      It's nice that you have some great family pieces of furniture, married with vintage finds. The crown molding is fantastic, and I love the texture of the plaster walls.

      You've done a great job of making your cottage just as welcoming and charming as can be!

      ~K.

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  5. Every time I see your home, I fall in love with it all over! The yellow is gorgeous. The little built-ins all over are something I have always wanted in my home. Your home should be on tour :)

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    1. That's so sweet of you to say, Deb :) I don't know about a tour though. I had a Christmas tour in my last house and it was crazy! lol

      xo

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  6. Every time I see your home I feel like I'm stepping back in time, but in a good way. My previous home had its fair share of yellow walls and I never tired of them. We kept them like that FOREVAH too. In many ways, the right yellow can also be a neutral. Go ahead. Think of a color a light, soft yellow won't go with. I double triple dare ya'. Hummmmm??

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  7. It looks fabulous! I liked it well enough before, but your decor stands out so much better agains the butter. It looks so inviting.

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  8. Your paint job is wonderful. I loved the tour and descriptions of the history of your furniture and accessories, too. Let me add my two cents that houses like yours, with separate, rather than one big room, to me are a million times more appealing and practical for real life. Can't wait to see the dining room now.

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  9. The last home we built we used yellow throughout the entire home in varying shades and I loved it.
    We lived on our Farm in Idaho at the time and the long gray Winters would have weighed heavily on our spirits, but not with happy yellow paint on the walls.
    Beautiful decorating!
    xo
    Jemma

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  10. Lovely~

    And I am tired of everything-muted, as well. The French have been all for shades of gray. The US seems all for white, white, white. I was enthralled, for a while. But the 'bloom has come off the rose', so to speak.

    And of course, we built this house nearly a half century ago. It does not "take to" all white anyway. ,-) So it's good to stop "mooooning" over all the all-white I see. And returning to being happy, with my older home and its warm colors and brick fireplace wall.

    :-)

    Tessa

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  11. I love the melted butter color! And I NEEEEEED that library cabinet! But if I can't have it, I guess I am glad you have it! ;-)

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  12. It is beautiful and so warm and inviting!
    hugs,
    Linda

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  13. Looks warm and inviting! It's such hard work but the end result is worth it!

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  14. Rue, every time I visit your blog I end up drooling down the front of my blouse! I love your home! All the details give it such character and tons of charm. Love the yellow color. Wish my hubby liked yellow! Thanks for sharing!

    Grace & Peace

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  15. Rue, I think it's all real having the pooches in the pictures, adorable:) The yellow makes the living room warmer, softer, and more welcoming. Keep the fireplace going, cold up there.
    Kathleen in Az
    Is that an ash tray stand by the 40s chair?
    And I like the nooks ( shelves ) on both sides of the arch into the dining room too.

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    1. Well, you know me and being real ;) Thank you! It is cold... much colder than it was this time last year. I hope you're enjoying your mild weather down there. My mom said it's lovely :)

      Yep, it certainly is. I collect tobacco paraphernalia.

      xo

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  16. What a fantastic room - I love all the sunshine pouring through and that lovely buttery yellow color really makes it so warm and welcoming! Great idea, giving the history of the furniture pieces. I am IN LOVE with that pine cabinet!!!!! No room in my house for something like that, unfortunately, although I do have a big green antique monster cabinet in my guest room...which I will do a post on when I finally find some artwork for the walls. Love your home, Rue!

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  17. The yellow was a perfect choice as it really livens up the room and brings in the sunshine!
    Nice job.

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  18. I like yellow -- color IS important in a house! (Look at the pink and yellow and green bathrooms from the 30s, 40s and 50s -- LOL!) And I simply adore your furnishings -- but, you, like me, like OLD!

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  19. You did a nice job on everything, Rue. It's a cheerful color, indeed. Your antique mirror stands out more with this color.

    Happy November.

    ~Sheri

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  20. Hello Rue, We have been out of the country for over a month. I didn't take my computer so my dear blogging friends have been neglected. I as told it is not a good idea to announce to the world that I would be gone from home. We were in France for a wonderful vacation. It is good to be home again. I am posting about our trip now.

    Your living-room is warm and lovely with the vintage furniture and the butter color paint you chose. My living-room is almost the same color. I too love color and I'm all about yellows and sagy green. I have also used a bronze color. I also admire your vintage furniture. This could be my living room when we lived in Florida. I changed up a bit when we moved to the mountains. In short, the architecture in your home is awesome. No wonder you are so happy in your cottage.

    I can't wait to see the dining room. Have a great week.
    Love,
    Jeanne

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  21. I love that color yellow! Your furniture is so perfect in your home.

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  22. I love the name of that paint...melted butter? How could you go wrong with that name? It's beautiful...everything looks so fresh and bright! My living/dining/kitchen used to be painted yellow...a little lighter yellow...and it always made me happy! ;)

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    1. I know! I always go by names. It's really silly lol

      xo

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  23. Rue - I love the yellow colour, can't wait to see the dining room!

    You have done so well, and have some beautiful furniture, with a lovely history.

    Thank you for sharing your home with your blogging friends.

    Enjoy the next few days and Happy November too.

    All the best Jan

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  24. oh rue!
    it's beautiful. so cheery and comforting. I love that mini and bubba are in the pictures.
    and the sunlight streaming in... and then a more shadowy afternoon feeling.
    i also like the wonderful pine coffee table. strong enough to put one's socks upon while petting a little furry or two beside one.
    the only thing i would do differently would possibly be crisp white cape cod curtains. but that's only because i love new england!!!
    and it reminds me of my mother. we moved every year. but when those curtains were up... i knew it was home. she loved them.
    XO♥ wow. well done dearest bean! :)

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  25. Everything in your room pops now with the new brighter color. It all looks lovely. What gorgeous antiques you have!

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  26. Such a lovely home. Love your sofa. The peek-a-boo front door is so cute! Don't find those anymore, Love the built-ins.

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  27. wow, I rarely painted when we lived at our old house - and i actually in the past never thought of yellow - ...but this is stunning, gorgeous....and it feels so good just to look at it with all your beautiful furnishings. If I owned again I would seriously consider a shade of yellow like this.

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  28. Rue, I love how it looks painted that soft buttery color. It just looks HAPPY to me! You have some beautiful old pieces and they fit your home perfectly. I love everything you have done there. Looking forward o more.AND I have not seen a door like that in YEARS! xo Diana

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  29. Hi Rue, it looks beautiful. Love the soft butter color. So fresh and uplifting plus it looks gorgeous with your furniture pieces.
    Lovely room. xo

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  30. I love the color! It looks just about the same color that I painted my office a few years ago (what used to be Phil's room). I can't imagine how much work your living room was to paint, especially having to move all the furniture and everything off the walls. Good job!

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  31. Rue,
    Bubba looks adorable with the backdrop of buttery yellow! I love the photo of him standing up looking outside the window. Even if Bubba is unimpressed with the color we all are! Oh Rue your house is so inviting with the soft color glow, I love it, it's warm and welcoming. My row-home was built in 1934 so no wonder I find your 30's charmer so alluring. I enjoyed your tour and the history of each piece, I really love your door and doorbell they add much character to your enchanting home.
    xo,
    Vera

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  32. Hi Rue,
    I am a neutral girl but I love the yellow on your walls. It really brings your rooms to life. The way the light comes in this pretty room is amazing with the yellow. Just beautiful.
    Kris

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  33. Love the color Rue and how it brightens your living room and your artwork. I've been painting my rooms, including the trim, so I know what a big job it is.

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  34. The sunlit yellow makes the room (home) look so magical!

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  35. You did an amazing job, Rue! Everything looks absolutely beautiful! The buttery yellow color reminds me of Sunflowers, they always make me smile! I imagine Bubba has been patiently waiting for you to finish painting, so you can sit with him and enjoy the warm sunny day together! hugs, Christine

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  36. Oh, I love the buttery yellow. The change in the light is amazing. Almost makes me wish I could paint my apartment... almost. Lot of work, I know. You did a really nice job and everything looks just beautiful - including the floors.

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  37. Love it! I have butter yellow in my entry, dining room and kitchen then transition to pebble (green) for the living room and stairs. Hope to get the outside painted a darker yellow this spring - kinda looks like faded yellow right now.

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  38. I love that shade of yellow. Your home looks so warm and inviting. Nice job!

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  39. That beautiful yellow makes everything so cozy! Love it! Don't apologize for the quilt on the chair or I'll have to apologize for the dog beds on my floor.

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  40. I love the color you chose for your rooms - the buttery yellow is just so warm and cozy! It was nice hearing about the history of all the pieces in your rooms too! I like your style, it's real, eclectic, and cozy! :) I wouldn't move my dog either for a picture. That's keeping it real! Have a wonderful day!

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  41. I so enjoyed the tour, Rue. Your hope is lovely in every detail and feels so calm and welcoming. Looking forward to seeing more.
    Amalia
    xo

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  42. I love your home and think it looks so amazing! The new paint color is awesome and really brightens up the rooms. I think you've done a wonderful job while you've been away! It's all just so beautiful and inviting! Love and hugs to you!

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  43. I love the yellow, one of my favorite colors. I also think it make the room come alive more. I enjoyed hearing about the history of the pieces...which make them so special. Very warm and inviting.

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  44. Its looking great! Such a lovely lovely home.....love all your treasures!

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  45. Rue, the yellow is so pretty, and I love it paired with that delicious shade of green on the mantel and shelves! Looks great with your wood floors too... flows so well! The library cabinet and the large piece (desk) in the office are too of my favorite pieces of yours! So unique and stately! You've done well, it's taken me 2 weeks to do my son's bedroom. I'm still cleaning out and organizing and haven't begun painting! ha! Ten years of "little boy turned teen" is a lot of accumulation! Take care and have a great weekend! :) ~Rhonda

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  46. opps... forgive my grammatical error... meant TWO of my favorite pieces... not TOO! :)

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  47. Love the new wall color and trim, Rue. I adored hearing the stories behind your furniture. The sunlight in this room is extraordinary, too. Give Bubba a big ole hug!

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  48. It's all lovely, Rue! The light it brings in and the changes in the yellow throughout the day must be truly miraculous. And your antique treasures show up so beautifully against it. That old English library cabinet is such an impressive piece! Is the side trim on the lower part called barley twist?

    Now I'm on to see the dining room post! Still trying to catch up on visits from being away from blogging for a while so I had to go back to your living room first to experience the whole thing.

    Dewena

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    1. Honestly, I don't know Dewena, but it sure looks like it.

      xo

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  49. Your home is beautiful...cozy, warm and inviting. I love the furniture, especially that beautiful big cabinet.
    You have done a wonderful job decorating, thank you so much for letting me visit.
    Blessings,
    J

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    1. That's so sweet of you to say, Jaybird! Thank YOU for visiting me :)

      xo

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  50. Hi Rue,
    I just wanted to stop over and say thank you for visiting my blog and leaving a comment over there for me. It was so great to hear from you! Your newly painted yellow walls look perfect in your home, everything is so cozy, cheerful and pretty.... I loved seeing the snowy scene that you shared outside too...just beautiful... And that little cute Bubba is a sport ain't he?! Will you give Mini and him a hug from me? I will look forward to visiting you again soon. Happy Holidays to you and your family!

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  51. I love your decorating style. So pretty!

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  52. Thank you for sharing this interesting and informative article, painting with airless spray gun will be faster and more interesting!

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  53. So lovely home, thank you for this great post! I love it.

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