Sunday, September 28, 2014

Crisp & Clean


In 2001, we knocked out a wall to create an entry way and give the illusion of a larger dining room - I chose Benjamin Moore, Provence Yellow for the walls.

circa 2012

With the limited space in our little cottage, we wanted each room to flow into one another.

summer 2014

But, times have changed - in 2001, Steve was a businessman, not a full time artist and our house was not the art studio/gallery that it is today.


In 2007, after studying under the artist, John Comer, Steve began prepping his canvases/boards with orange tone house paint to make the colors pop.

beginning of a commission Steve is working on of a neighbor's daughter and fiancee

The trouble is, against the Provence Yellow walls, the paintings do not "pop" and for a long time, I have wanted to paint the walls white to create a better backdrop for Steve's work.


Recently, "Mr. Bill", our neighbor and house painter, tackled the entry way, dining room and guest room.


We are happy with the crisp, clean look in our little cottage.


Previously, the sand of Hanalei Beach in "The Descendants" blended into the yellow walls, but now the sand stands out.


There were no decor changes made in the entry other than to organize the inside of the cabinet.


For now my old classroom stool graces the entry, but I have some ideas for Halloween decor soon.


"Ha'ena From Tunnels" pops against the white wall reminding us of our recent vacation.


Like the entry, there were few changes in the dining room decor.


Blue and white dishes tie in


with the blue and white of the new SUN SEA SAND pillows on the window seat.


The yellow of my favorite skinny table looks better against a white wall too as does the Ventura Visitor's Bureau poster that features one of Steve's paintings.


I opted to use just two chairs for now and am deciding if I will paint them both blue or leave them as is.


I have no idea if this crisp white color scheme made the difference, but in the 2 weeks since Mr. Bill transformed our entry and dining room, Steve sold a painting and received 3 commissions from visitors to the studio/gallery.


And that is a good thing because after my "asthma episode" we need to be able to go away on a mini vacation while Mr. Bill is painting the rest of the house.


With the entry way and dining room complete, I had time to finish organizing the garage for my creativity.


But, there will be very little creativity for me this week because I need to sand this floor before the bed arrives on Saturday to finish off the guest room.


I work around the house and garden every single day, but it doesn't seem like I ever finish - how did I ever decorate my house when I was working full time?

57 comments:

  1. It looks lovely what you did. We all need a change once in awhile.

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  2. Carol,
    The wall decor color change is the perfect backdrop to Steve's art and your creative fun crafts. Two artists in the house with colorful artistic expression the white is perfection to allow all your delightful colors to pop! Love the change!
    XOXO,
    Vera

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  3. Ah! I ask myself the same question about blogging every Friday night....I was working full-time as an elementary teacher. How was I possible? But my friend, you certainly have the gift of seeing the bigger picture and making it happen. I prefer the crisp white because you can change around the décor to add color or take away. My husband who loves to antique with me, just realized that there's nothing wrong with getting that lovely oil painting he has his eye on....he used to ask, "But where will we put it?" He then declared that for each season, we can just change out the pictures!

    Our white walls do lend themselves to adjust the art and other pieces in the home. And for an artist's studio, the way that light reflects onto the work is very important! Great choice my friend. And it's good to see you post!!! Anita

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  4. The pretty colours and beautiful artwork really pop against the white walls. Love the sea, aand and sun pillows too. Get a good ventilator mask for the sanding with your asthma!

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  5. your white walls look fabulous. The walls really do enhance the colors in the art work. I received your wonderful gift this weekend of the FALL banner, and I love it so much. Perfect. I hung it right away and will do a post soon. Was planning to send a thank you gift with the colors of your cottage, but since you seem to be shifting towards less color, wondering if you may not want colorful things any more. Let me know and I'll shift gears if necessary.

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  6. Love, love, love the white walls and how the art just pops now.

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  7. I have always wanted to go white, but I've never had the guts! I think it looks fabulous. It's suits your beach cottage perfectly! I think the walls are the perfect backdrop for all the wonderful artwork...Steve's and YOURS! ;)

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  8. The white walls are magnificent Carol! The art and the decor really looks so pretty. You and Steve make a great team.

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  9. I always love your place no matter what color it is and congrats to Steve for getting more work.

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  10. I just love the white walls especially with all your colorful furnishing. I think all the reds and blues look great with it.. Yes, the artwork pops...it stands out.. Have a great week.. Blessings!

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  11. And you will, of course, wear a respirator mask when sanding that floor, won't you?!?!?!?!

    While I miss the sunny yellow, I also like the crisp white background.

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  12. Wow! I loved the yellow but the white makes such a huge difference. It looks fantastic!

    You have such a pretty home...

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  13. What a fabulous transformation
    lLove it all
    xo
    Pam

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  14. Looks fantastic! Funny, you are painting white over yellow and in the next few weeks, we are painting barely yellow over white. Change is always good! Take care sanding those floors...that could trigger an asthma upset as well. Smiles...Susan

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  15. It looks fantastic! Makes the space look bigger.
    Brenda

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  16. Wow, the white walls do make your husband's art pop. It also looks good with all your colorful accents. I really do like it.

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  17. I love how the white walls make the paintings pop and also looks so great with your blue and white!

    Linda

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  18. I LOVE THE WHITE!!!!!!!!!!!! OH MY!!!! It is stunning Carol!!!! And I will have to pop over to learn more about Steve's teacher! Good luck with all the chores and good thinking on getting away to avoid the fumes! Well Done!!!! Nicole xo

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  19. Isn't it amazing how much paint can transform a space? I am loving the new crisp white in your home, even though I loved the yellow, too. Change is nice.

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  20. Oh how the white looks wonderful for all the color in your home!
    Magnificent, really!

    and you said this:
    "I work around the house and garden every single day, but it doesn't seem like I ever finish - "

    To that I say: ME TOO! :)

    and lastly: wear a mask when working on your floor. Get over that asthma!

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  21. His paintings are really enhanced by the change! Your home is still so cottage and cute!

    Judy

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  22. Steve is a very good artist, I'm not surprised that he has sold/commissioned paintings recently! Love the white walls and your sun, sea, sand pillows! I'm sitting here looking at my sun pillow and LOVE it!! Thank you again! Blessings, Cindy

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  23. We are about to paint throughout with white. White walls are a first for me. We have mid tone wood ceilings which are stunning but make the house gloomy. It was nice to see how it worked in your cottage. I think I'll invest in some colourful art work to warm things up as it looks so good.

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  24. Wow! The white walls are such a departure from your sunny yellow, but your house is just as charming wearing white, Carol! Your husband's art and your furnishings really do pop against a white backdrop. It's all looking fabulous!

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  25. I hear so many people say the same thing - how did I ever have time to have a job... can't wait to see what that is like. I love the new white walls and they really do set off Steve's art!

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  26. I was so used to your yellow walls, I'll need some time to adjust (it happens to me every time I paint something at home)... But the white walls makes the rooms very serene and all your touches of colours as well as Steve's art pop so much more now. It's absolutely lovely.

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  27. Your white walls make everything pop even the beautiful distressed white furniture, the soft accent colours just doing the work beautifully. Fantastic paintings and I love the colours of the chairs, one of each colour.

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  28. es sieht sooo gemütlich bei ihnen aus, ich liebe die farben und den schrank mit dem weiß-blauen geschirr!!! alles liebe und einen schönen montag wünscht angie aus deutschland

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  29. I liked your yellow but you are right...the paintings do pop more against the white and change is always nice :)

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  30. Carol, Retired or not, there seems to always be plenty of work. I like the new white walls, because you use lots of colors in your decorating, it works. Steve is an amazing artist, I love his pieces. Blessings for no more breathing problems. xoxo,Susie

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  31. White always makes for he perfect backdrop, doesn't it? Hmm. Coincidence regarding Steve's new commissions and sale, or the allure of pure white whimsy?!

    Poppy

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  32. I love the new white backdrop for your artwork. And your husband's. :)

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  33. It looks fantastic. Amazing the difference in how the paintings look.

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  34. Hi Carol, So sorry to hear that your asthma is acting up and I hope you are feeling better. I love your new white walls and agree that they are a wonderful backdrop for Steve's fabulous art as well as your primary colors.

    Just getting caught up on your posts and as usual - everything s delightful - even your fortunate - unfortunate post. You are amazing and so accomplished and I am looking forward to meeting you. I still have 4 more weeks of intense caliphs therapy and am about 75% there. Erin

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  35. I love your new white walls. It makes all the colors pop so nicely. I really love your pillow and your theme. xoxox

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  36. Your husband's beautiful and colourful artwork really stands out against the white walls. That's a great transformation! I couldn't help but notice the sign in your first photo that says "New Brunswick Lane 1100" I live in the province of New Brunswick, Canada so it really popped out at me! At first I thought you'd found a vintage road sign pointing the way to New Brunswick then I saw the word Lane and thought well, someone must have named a lane after our province. :-) Do you suppose? It's kind of cool to see it. I still love all your primary colours in your decor! You have such a cute cottage.

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  37. The white walls look pretty. The colorful paintings do stand out.

    Hope you are able to get away soon.

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  38. Great call Carol. I agree, your hubby's beautiful paintings do pop on the white walls. Hope you feel better and hope that you get to go on your mini vacation soon. Wishing you a wonderful new week.

    Hugs and Kisses,
    ❤️Ana

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  39. I've been retired 4 years now and I don't get anywhere near as much done as when I worked? I think it's because we had "scheduled" when we worked, with so many hours left we had to get these "done". Now we have a lot more time and a lot less schedules. I miss your yellow, and agree everything,especially the gorgeous painting pop more. Have a great day! Also congrats on the sales and commissions!

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  40. Hi Carol, I love the fresh crisp look with your newly painted areas. So soft and goes with everything. Love all your hubby's art work too and with the lighter walls, everything is interchangeable and the paintings do really pop.
    Hope you feel better and get to go on your getaway while the painting is being finished.
    Have a great week.
    Hugs
    p.s. oh I just love your old classroom stool!

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  41. I loved your yellow walls before but the white really does look nice. So exciting to start fresh, doesn't it.

    Congratulations to Steve...he must be thrilled.

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  42. Love the white walls!! I think everything pops against the white walls.
    ~Cindy

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  43. Love!!!!!! The white walls look clean and crisp for sure and everything in the room pops. So pretty and what a difference the white makes. Great choice Carol.
    You have come to the White Side LOL!
    Kris

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  44. Everything looks so crisp and fresh. Be careful if you are getting a new mattress. The chemicals that off gas are awful for a few weeks. With your asthma, stay clear until the mattress smells better and get a zipped covering for the mattress and box spring if you can. I've had a hard time with chemicals, but luckily I don't get asthma.

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  45. I love the yellow walls but I think your furniture and your hubby's paintings pop against the white. It all looks very fresh. I too was intrigued by the sign 'New Brunswick Lane' because I was born in New Brunswick, Canada but now live on PEI. I have a lot of family in NB so it is still very dear to me and always will be. Congratulations to Steve for his paintings selling! Have a wonderful week and I hope the asthma clears up. I too have it a bit so I know how you must feel at times.

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  46. What is not to love in this colorful cozy space. I love yellow, it is of course one of my favorite happy colors. I love your space, it is really charming!

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  47. I love the change Carol. The white walls really do make things pop. I know how good it feels to have fresh paint.

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  48. You know I loved your colorful walls, but the white is looking so fresh and crisp and really brings out the details in Steve's paintings. Love all your pops of colors!

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  49. The white walls look so crisp with artwork now. Love it!

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  50. Wow Carol! It looks great! That skinny table is fantastic. I don't remember ever noticing it before. Glad the transition is boosting sales. Have a nice mini-vacation.

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  51. Hi Carol, it is a true mystery, how we all seemed to have more time when we were working. I think that when spare time is so limited, we press ourselves too hard. At lease now there is time to slow down a bit and smell the roses:)
    Love, Connie :)

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  52. I think we were better masters of our time back them but also we were running around like chickens with their heads cut off. I like being able to go at my own pace...finally. I'm able to enjoy each moment and I wouldn't give it up even for an immaculate house or garden. But I do pray for energy and a little more daily progress! LOL!
    I LOVE the crisp white and you were so right...the paintings really do "pop" now against the white.

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  53. Carol, I loved the yellow, but the white is just as gorgeous! I think we all need a change now and then. It really does showcase the paintings. Sorry to hear about your asthma attack. Hope you are feeling better!
    hugs,
    Jann

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  54. I think it looks amazing! I don't have a single white wall in my house, they are almost all pale grey, but you have me reconsidering. In the past we have always lived in brand new houses with white walls and my hubby will always say when are you going to paint these walls? I think we had come to feel like white felt unfinished but in the last couple of years I have developed a deep love for white. I think everything in your home shows up beautifully against your new fresh palette!

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  55. Looks so pretty, Carol. I'd love to try white on my office walls, but I'm chicken!

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  56. oh I really loved the yellow walls but you are so very right of course.. Steve's paintings pop off the walls against the white.
    The cottage looks crisp and clean for sure. Your place always looks awesome

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