Tuesday, April 30, 2013

63 Studio Progress: 24 Hours Later....

Yesterday I shared that I was going to go bold or go home and paint the focal wall of my studio in a deep gray, Intellectual by Behr.  As a reminder, here is what I started with....


After I got done hitting publish on my post yesterday morning, I went straight to the studio and started painting.  No turning back.  Let's do this!

One coat later....

{we all love a messy "in progress" picture right?}

Holy bananas!  It was suddenly a completely different space.  Like 100% in yo face different.  So dramatic.  So intense.  So scary fun.  My instagut told me I loooooved it.  And I would find myself running back into the room to gaze and oooh and ahh....  Amazing what a quart of paint can do.

Two coats later and it was done!  With the exception of some touch-ups of course...


Some things to note:
  • We added a new cap to the cabinets to extend them all the way to the ceiling {post on that coming soon}.
  • The upper cabinets are getting new shelves.  They originally came with one.  Half the reason I didn't like the initial storage is because one shelf wasn't enough.  We are making our own shelves to add a second one to each cabinet. 
  • The cabinet doors are also white.  Once we install the white shelves and doors, it will break up the gray in the backs of the cabinets.  I am contemplating leaving the middle door off, but we will see how it all looks as we go.
  • The white is such an amazing contrast to the deep gray, it's so nice and crisp.
  • The gray will act as a sophisticated and bold backdrop to all of the accessories and storage that will come in next.
  • I updated the lighting in the studio to three daylight bulbs, and that made a world of difference.  I was really, really concerned that the deep gray would be too "heavy" and the space wouldn't be able to accommodate the update.  But amazingly, all of the white cabinets, counter and other light furniture really balance it and the room still feels nice and bright!   


I am so happy I took a risk and finally just did something down there!  It wasn't what I initially envisioned or planned, but I am really happy with how it is all playing out.  Finding that swatch and looking at inspiration photos really gave me the push I needed to do something bold and different and take a risk from my original plan.  And that pink craft cart paired with the new gray makes my heart swoon.  I also love that it works so well with other bright and bold colors, which I definitely will have plenty of as I start bringing in storage and accessories.


24 hours later and the studio is a whole new place!  Here is a quickie before and after of the dramatic difference the paint made.


Now I am even more excited to keep pluggin' away to get this space up and running!  Here is a list of things still on my studio "to do" list:
  • Install shelving
  • Install cabinet doors
  • Install cabinet hardware
  • Determine remaining storage needs
  • Shop my home and purchase storage for all of the studio itty bits
  • Hang art
  • Recover thrift store chair 
  • Officially move back in and enjoy the space!


63 comments:

  1. Im so glad you did it love it! I cant wait to see it done. Teri

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  2. It makes all the difference. Your cute little file cabinet really stands out.

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  3. LOVE IT!!! The color is perfect and brings great depth to the space.

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  4. It looks amazing! I can't wait to see it all come together!

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  5. It looks great! I love that you painted behind the cabinets, too.

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  6. One suggestion... white caulking in between the left cabinet and the wall. It looks like there is a little air space there and it kept drawing my eye. I think it would visually clean it up to caulk it so it's white.

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    1. Thanks Kendra! The wall wasn't level which is the reason for the gap, but it is also too large of a sliver for caulk. We have a few other ideas for that. :)

      xo!
      Jen

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  7. It is fantastic!! I always think white cabinets look better on bolder paint. Great choice!! I am thinking of using hat color in a room in my house...just don't know which one!

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  8. Jen,

    Can I ask where you got the colored drawer piece (with your silhouette machine on top)? LOVE!

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    1. Hi Kristin!

      You can find all the details here: http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2013/04/studio-progress-crafty-storage-cart.html

      It's from Ikea and I painted the drawers :)

      xo,
      Jen

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  9. I love your color choices! Bravery pays off!

    Chrstine

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  10. As with everything you do, it is absolutely gorgeous! Inspiring, daring, and etc. I so love it and think it's very *you*!


    Best,

    Deby

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  11. Stunning. The back wall looks as if it is a chalkboard. Very unique. Can't wait to see the rest.

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    1. So funny, I keep thinking the same thing. I keep reaching for a piece of chalk...

      xo,
      Jen

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  12. WOW! This is a huge difference!
    Looks amazing!
    Love grey, so dramatic;)
    Thank you for sharing.
    Lydia

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  13. I'm sure I missed it somewhere, but where did you get your craft cart?

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    1. Hi Heidi!

      You can find all the details here: http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2013/04/studio-progress-crafty-storage-cart.html

      It's from Ikea and I painted the drawers :)

      xo,
      Jen

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  14. Love it - great color choice, that pink storage container pops! =)

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  15. Such a wonderful difference! I always love a dark wall. And, this makes me feel slightly less scared of our powder room that I started painting a very similar color yesterday :)

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  16. Love it! Our master bedroom recently went dark (a dark teal color) and we absolutely love it. I was surprised how lighter the room seemed with the right color in there. Your ombre cart really helps too!

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  17. Ooooh! I love it!! Great choice and I can't wait to see the rest of the details come together.

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  18. FANtastic! That looks SO good and I love how much more dramatic it got in there. :) Just moved into a new house and I got the kids' royal blue bedroom as my office/guestroom... could not paint that puppy a soothing gray fast enough. Yay for gray!

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  19. ACK! Love it!! I really love crisp clean contrast. It changed up the color that was on the wall too. It looks much grayer. (Unless I missed something.) So fun and can't wait to see how it turns out. I'm sure it will be fabulous!

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  20. Wow, Jen... I LOVE it! I have to be honest, I wasn't sure about the pink drawers at first, but now that the wall is gray, they really pop!

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  21. Looks great! I need some more of your organizing skills in my life!!
    Xo
    SJ
    www.fashinny.blogpot.com

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  22. Great universal color! This is why its so popular!

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  23. Why did I doubt you? I am scared of dark bold colors and was curious (and a tiny bit scared if I'm honest) how this would turn out! You have the eye, girl! Seriously. When I scroll before and after, its amazingly clear that you have a gift. Never would have been so bold...lesson learned! Can't wait to see what else you do with the space!

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    1. Thanks so much! I was equally as nervous, but I figured it was worth a try! I have learned many things from trying and succeeding, but even more by trying and failing. :)

      xo,
      Jen

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  24. Love it! Also, love all that pretty paper in the basket?! Where is it mostly from?

    Can't wait to see it all finished!

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    1. HomeGoods! They have had the best wrapping papers lately! And the others are drawer liners which I have picked up from HomeGoods, TJMaxx, Marshalls and Amazon.

      xo,
      Jen

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  25. great job....i love that the color seems to work well with those wallpaper/fabric swatches in the corner. So it goes with anything. I have been searching for the perfect color to warm up my white kitchen and not make it look too modern. can't wait for the final reveal.

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  26. You could do something fancy pants on that big expanse of white you added above the cabinets like 1, 2, 3 or something. (You can thing this a crazy idea, I don't mind :) )

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  27. I say GREAT JOB! The dark grey balances out the darker colors in the chest and your computer...perfect! And it's just plain gorgeous! :)

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  28. I love gray with white trim. I'm not sure if you've seen it, but your room instantly reminded me of Mabrey's nursery from the House*Tweaking blog!

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  29. I love it, the contrast is so good for that room!
    Jule {inside9B}

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  30. love it!!! it looks soooo good! it is a perfect balance!

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  31. Love it. Love it. Love it. Okay, one more...Love it! I've been looking for a great, smoky, warm gray...and you, my dear, have found it!!

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  32. Quite random - but I'm happy to see you spelling "gray" the correct way, lol! (Unless your favourite colour is grey, than your favorite color is gray!)

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    1. So funny! I have always wondered really which was the correct spelling, as I have found myself using both in the past.

      xo,
      Jen

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  33. Have to admit I was a little scared to look when you mentioned the bold gray but after peeking through my fingers this is total AWESOMENESS. It doesn't darken the space as I thought it would total success and I LOVE the ombre cart it definitely is the icing on the cake. WOW!

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    1. So funny! I was peeking through my fingers as I was painting it, hee hee ;)

      xo,
      Jen

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  34. I absolutely LOVE it! I wish I had a place I could do something like that in my house!! Love it! Turned out great! Random question... do you remember where the turquoise throw on the chair came from?!

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    1. Hi Sarah!

      I purchased it on Joss & Main during a flash sale. You might have luck finding it on Wayfair since they are partner sites. :)

      xo,
      Jen

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  35. Reeeaaalllly like it a lot! You have impecable taste!

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  36. It's sooooooo different. Just found your blog and I'm so excited to incorporate some of your ideas when I get my craft room in our new house!!!!

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  37. Incredible! Dark grey in a room without any natural light? Insane, I thought! But this looks gorgeous. I'm an all-white girl myself but I think I may be crossing to the dark side soon. Thanks for sharing.

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  38. It looks fabulous! I really love your Silhouette cabinet as well. The ombre is so trendy. The color definitely makes the room pop!

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  39. The bold gray would have scared me, but it looks amazing in your space!

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  40. Love the color! Can't wait to see the results!
    Leslie
    House on the Way

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  41. The first picture looks like you painted the wall in chalkboard paint or something but than in the picture with the wrapping paper it looks softer. I love bold! Looks great!

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  42. Looks great! Can you tell me where you got your light fixture. I have a dark family room that only has 8' ceilings and need a good 3-light flush mount fixture. Thanks!

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    1. Hi Janice!

      I found it a few years back on EBay, it is a hanging drum pendant, which we shorted {since our ceilings are low}, and covered with a pretty fabric.

      xo!
      Jen

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  43. Love the color you chose! Looks fabulous! Thanks for sharing :) Congrats on a fresh new space to create in! Kathi

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  44. Did you paint the chest of drawers on the left as well? Or move in a different set? In the new pictures it looks like the drawers have white trim. Sarah

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    1. Hi Sarah!

      We moved the dresser into our bedroom and built a desk to replace it. You can find the details here:

      http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2013/03/making-some-changes-in-master-bedroom.html

      and here:
      http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2013/03/studio-update-diy-wood-console-desk.html

      xo,
      Jen

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  45. I knew it would be great! I love the white/gray combo. And the pink drawers are even more swoom-worthy now. I like the idea of leaving the middle cabinet door off with a couple of white shelves.

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  46. I think you should take the number of comments you have gotten about your silhouette cart as proof that this color works in the space--it makes the colors so much more noticeable!

    It was a good choice and I can't wait to see it with the cabinets set up and all of your goodies moved in.

    Good luck!

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  47. That wall looks amazing, your adorable Silhouette cart really pops now! And the new daylight bulbs make the cabinets look so fresh and crisp; I think the paint and lightbulb change was exactly the right touch! I applaud your courage to go bold.

    Sarah @ 79Squared

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  48. Dark walls are so sharp. Before it looked a little boring, but the dark just makes the pretty white details stand out. Love it!

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  49. Love, love, love, love, love!!!! I might be stealing this color if I can find a wall for it:)

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  50. Love the drama and warmth the dark gray adds! What a perfect way to make everything pop. It looks awesome with those colored drawers. You have quite the office space!!

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