We’re talking paint today – one of my favorite design topics to chat about! I’m sharing five of my best “before” and “after” paint projects to give you some ideas for using paint to make transformations in your own home. (post includes affiliate links; full disclosure statement available {here})
It’s OK to Paint Wood, Really!
I thought it’d be fun to go waaay back in the Driven by Decor vault for this first one since it’s something not many of you have seen (any longtime readers out there who remember this space?)! Flash back to when we moved into our previous home that had a painted brick fireplace flanked by orangey wood built-in bookcases:
I know there are a lot of wood purists out there who hate the idea of painting it but there was no question in this case – that orangey wood had to go! I whipped out my paintbrush and went to town painting the bookcases white and adding burlap to the back of them to keep it from looking too stark:
I finished off the makeover by having stone veneer added to the front of the fireplace. Aaaahhhh… the power of a can of white paint! And stone! Definitely one of my favorite transformations:
You can read more about the process of adding stone veneer to our fireplace in {this post} and about adding burlap to the back of the bookcases in {this post}.
Paint the Room White (All of It!)
I’ve painted almost every room in our house since we moved in four years ago and it’s made a huge difference in each space but there’s one room where it was truly a night and day change – our family room. We inherited a red walled family room that just wasn’t at all my taste. Honestly, I kinda cringed every time I walked into the room and can’t believe I left it the way it was for three years before doing something about it:
The room has a lot of funky ankles and a partial dropped ceiling along one wall so I thought that the best way to keep it from looking all angular and chopped up was to paint everything white (Benjamin Moore Cloud White) – the trim, the walls, the ceiling, the bookcases… everything. Best decision I could have made – it’s now light and bright and a room that my whole family loves to hang out in:
So if you have a space with weird ceiling angles (like an attic space or room above the garage) going all white might be your answer. Just be sure to warm it up with some wood tones and lots of textures (like the wood media console and basket). A few of my room sources are below (images are clickable) but you can find a complete source list for this space along with more images of our family room {here}. And you can check out my favorite white paint colors {here}.
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Give a Craigslist Find New Life!
I few years back I was finishing off the makeover of our master bedroom for the One Room Challenge and I was plugging right along until… the delivery of my new headboard got hung up in shipping. A master bedroom reveal isn’t much of a reveal without a headboard so I had to plan B it FAST. After hours of desperate online searching I turned to Craigslist and found this diamond in the rough:
I loved the lines of it, but definitely not the dated wood color or the fact that it was super short. My solution was to add about a foot of height to it:
and paint it up (I used Benjamin Moore Steel Wool). It ended up working beautifully in our room and was a fraction of the price of a new headboard to boot!
So when you’re searching Craigslist for a bargain find, look at the design and lines of the piece more than the color because that’s an easy fix! A few of my room sources are below but you can see the full “before” and “after” transformation of our master bedroom plus a complete source list for the space {here}.
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Save Money by Stenciling Instead of Wallpapering
Such lovely ’80s wallpaper, right?! After stripping it off the wall, I wanted to add something a little more interesting than plain paint without having to re-wallpaper.
I decided to try my hand at stenciling and after a little bit of practice (and a LOT of time), my bathroom had a whole new look! Of course, the change in mirror and lighting didn’t hurt either:
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The paint colors that I used were Benjamin Moore Aura Bath & Spa (Matte) in Chelsea Gray for the basecoat and Platinum Gray (Benjamin Moore color but mixed in Behr Premium Plus Ultra in Satin) for the stenciling. For more details, you can see the full “before” and “after” bathroom transformation post with a complete source list (including my stenciling supplies) {here} and read my post about stenciling how-to tips {here}.
Use Chalk Paint if You Hate the Prep!
Our guest room doesn’t have a closet and since we were expecting houseguests within a couple of weeks of moving in, we knew we’d need a freestanding clothes armoire pronto. A few days before our move I saw this TV cabinet sitting in my neighbor’s open garage and soon found out that they were getting rid of it. My neighbor gladly donated it to me so we lugged it over to my house and, later that week, put it on the moving truck:
Once we got it to Connecticut, I made a few modifications on the inside (removed the TV shelf, added a clothes rod, & screwed the bottom and top doors together), painted the exterior with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint (one of my favorite paints since there’s no sanding or prep work needed), and added new rope pulls:
So happy with how this piece turned out! I’d definitely recommend Annie Sloan Chalk Paint if you’re like me and don’t mind painting but hate the prep! You can read my tips for using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint {here}. And if you love paint projects, be sure to check out my post on three simple spray paint ideas {here}. You can also seemy five favorite paint colors {here}.
Cassie Bustamante says
i think that gray bed is my fave of yours! it was a style i wouldn’t normally choose, and you made me love it!
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you so much Cassie!!
Kristin Cadwallader says
OH, the power of white paint! I just love that family room makeover so much, Kris. Thanks again for having me join the fun this week as a guest 🙂 xo
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you Kristin!! So fun to have you join us!
Jennifer Griffin says
I’m not sure I’ve seen that armoire makeover before, so pretty! These are all such great projects and examples of how much paint can change things!
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks Jennifer – I really dug for that one – it was from years ago! 🙂
Kelley Nan says
Have I ever seen that armoire?! That is STUNNING!! Wow.
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks Kelley! It’s kinda hidden away in a corner of our guest room! 🙂
Garden, Home and Party says
Wow, what great inspiration. I’ve always wanted to paint a few things but usually chickened out. How do you prevent paint streaks?
Karen
Kris Jarrett says
Hi Karen! I’ve had good luck with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint not showing streaks after several coats! For shiny finishes and flat surfaces if I’m using other paint, I usually use a small foam roller which works great for eliminating streaks!
Pam @ Simple Details says
What a fun collection of projects, Kris! That family room transformation in your old home is amazing, and exactly why I LOVE paint!
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you so much Pam!
chantal says
Hello,
I must say that we also turn to Annie Sloan’s paints and Benjamin Moore paints any time we have a project. We found out that other paints leave “bubbles” on the walls of our old house (built in 1910). I will definitely try the “steel wool” colour!
And that armoire is beautiful!
Kris Jarrett says
I’ve had that same issue with other paints too Chantal! And thanks for your sweet words about my armoire!
Dianne says
Wow! What a calming change in your family room! It is a beautiful, relaxing space.
Your armoire is also stunning, well actually, all your projects get a big thumbs up! Thanks for sharing your ideas with us!
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you so much Dianne!
Patti says
Kris, I love your style, paint colors and especially your headboard! It’s an all time favorite along with the rest of your bedroom. Thanks for sharing!
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you so much Patti!
Elizabeth says
I love the makeover on the fireplace. We have a brick fireplace, very dated looking.
Originally thought of whitewashing it but adding the stone veneers looks so beautiful!! Just have to convince my husband .
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks Elizabeth! Good luck with that! 🙂
cindy hattersley says
That fireplace transformation is amazing! That orangey wood is dreadful isn’t it. Our floors upstairs used to be that color….eeeeek! Love this series. I am amazed how you ladies come up with so many great ideas!
Kris Jarrett says
Yes!! That orangey wood is the worst! All of the floors of our old house had it too! Hope all is well with you Cindy!
[email protected] says
Everyone of your projects brought new life to great pieces that just needed a little love….well the wallpaper maybe a lot of love like you said. Your projects are inspirational! Thanks for sharing.
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you so much Gina!
Angela D says
Hi! I really love all your painted furniture, there all beautiful! Ive tried it a few times and I always have problems after the paint dries. The surface remains sticky. How did you prevent this from happening?
Thank you!