DIY Autumnal Garland

The year after I moved away for college, my parents moved about 2.5 hours north of Phoenix. The small town that they moved to was the place we had visited every summer and Thanksgiving for most of my childhood. It was where my dad grew up and where my grandparents had always lived. It's a <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2013/02/rock-walks-and-remembering-grandpa.html" target="_blank">special little place</a> in the high desert, and the drive up there from the Valley takes you through all sorts of beautiful Arizona scenery.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9399.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9399.jpg" /></div><br />Michael had to work over Veteran's Day weekend (boo) so I decided to take the girls up to visit my parents. The weather was perfect and the sky was that perfect color of winter blue. I've always loved the desert, but I think I can appreciate its unique beauty even more after living on the east coast for a decade. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9423.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9423.jpg" /></div><br />On the way back home, the girls and I decided to collect samples of some of the plants and foliage along the road back down to Phoenix. We found everything from sage to juniper (with pretty little blue berries!) to gorgeous maple leaves in every shade from red to yellow.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9410.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9410.jpg" /></div><br />I was surprised that we were able to collect something from every color in the rainbow in less than two hours of driving. How could I resist making an ombre garland with all those pretty colors?<br /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DSC_0878.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/DSC_0878.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo wDSC_1044.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/wDSC_1044.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Here's the easy how-to:<a name="more"></a></div><br />I've made a few wreaths with evergreen boughs before and the concept is very similar for a garland. It couldn't be simpler or much less expensive (it was actually free for me since I had the floral supplies on hand already).<br /><br />To make a similar garland, you'll need a good collection of leaves and plants. Try to find plants that are either already pretty dry or that will dry out well (flowers usually do not dry that well). It can get a little messy, so try organizing everything on a canvas drop cloth to make clean up easy.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo nDSC_0745.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/nDSC_0745.jpg" /></div><br />Here are a few things I used:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DSC_0775.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/DSC_0775.jpg" /></div><center></center><br />You'll for sure want two thicknesses of floral wire, wire clippers and floral shears. The Dried Material Preservative (available at craft stores) is optional, but is actually pretty helpful for keeping the brittle, dry plants more soft and pliable. And actually I've been giving my garland a light misting with this stuff every few days, just to give it a little more life.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9519.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9519.jpg" /></div><br />So, I would say the trickiest part here is figuring out the flow of the garland. I wanted mine to have a gradient or ombre look, so it took a little planning to get the right plants with the right color in the right area of the swag so there was a good balance to the thing. I knew I wanted the juniper berries in the middle though, and the red leaves in the corners and the white grass at the ends, so then it was just a matter of filling in the rest.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9523.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9523.jpg" /></div><br />Once all your foliage is ready to go, and you have a good sense of how long your finished garland will be (mine is about 15 ft long), measure out three equal lengths of thick floral wire and then braid the wire. It doesn't have to be perfect at all - and don't stress if the wires get a little tangled. The idea is you want a thicker but still pliable surface to tie the flowers to.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo mDSC_0771.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/mDSC_0771.jpg" /></div><br />I used two of those stick-on hooks (in black, to match my fireplace) in the corners of the mantle. I looped the braided wire around the hook and sort of pinched it to help the wire stay put. If you want the finished garland to swoop down a little in the center, let the wire sag just a bit here, but not too much. The weight of the foliage will pull it down several more inches.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9538.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9538.jpg" /></div><br />Then it's time to start layering on the foliage. The most important part is to start at the bottom and layer on top of each little bundle and work your way to the center.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9528.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9528.jpg" /></div><br />To make each bundle, you just layer the foliage in your hand in a pretty way so that there are no gaps or blunt lines. And then you hold the bundle up against the braided wire and wrap it three or four times with the smaller gauge floral wire, just around the base of the bundle, mostly. For the lighter foliage, I used gold wire and for the greenery I pulled out my dark green wire.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9531.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9531.jpg" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9544.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9544.jpg" /></div><br />Once I finished layering on one half of the garland, I started at the bottom of the other side, trying to copy the layout exactly. When both halves are finished, you should be left with two mirror-image symmetrical swags. I think it would look a little funny if you don't have a center piece that is sort of bunched up and less layered looking. So I made a little end cap for the very center out of more juniper bush. I used floral tape to sort of bunch and fan out some shorter pieces, and then attached it with wire just like with the other bundles.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9503.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9503.jpg" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DSC_1013.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/DSC_1013.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Also, and I didn't end up needing to do so here, but if you've lost a lot of leaves in the process, you can strategically hot glue a few leaves back on to help fill things out a bit.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DSC_0997.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/DSC_0997.jpg" /></div><br />Finally, you can sort of bend and tug at the wire to get it to look right and you're done! It's easy and fun and only takes an hour or two. My garland has been up for about a week and a half and I think it'll still look great for Thanksgiving next week! The only plant that's shed at all is the soft gray sagebrush in the middle, and it's not been bad at all.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DSC_0984.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/DSC_0984.jpg" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DSC_0854.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/DSC_0854.jpg" /></div><br />I'm already dreaming of ideas for a winter palette of all blues and greens and grays for my next garland. Maybe a double swag!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DSC_0844.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/DSC_0844.jpg" /></div>

DIY Autumnal Garland

The year after I moved away for college, my parents moved about 2.5 hours north of Phoenix. The small town that they moved to was the place ...

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My Fall Mantel (and a Give Away!)

<center></center>I am SO excited to partner again with <a href="http://www.glade.com/en" target="_blank">Glade<span style="background-color: white; color: #00256d; font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 22.25px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.25px;">®</span></span></a> to bring you this post on how I'm bringing fall decor into my home this year with decor and scent! There is such an emotional connection to scent (all it takes me is half a whiff of Dior J'adore perfume to be transported to high school!). Where could it be more important to be making these emotional scent connections than in our homes? Introducing seasonal scents at this time of the year is such a key (and simple!) part of getting your home holiday-ready.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DSC_0984.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/DSC_0984.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />About five minutes after we finished our new fireplace surround, I was itching to style it with all sorts of pretty seasonal accessories. But in the end I kept it pretty restrained on the mantel so that the autumnal garland could be th<span style="font-family: inherit;">e star (DIY tutorial coming tomorrow!). Though the votives, the small succulent plants and the <a href="http://www.glade.com/en/products/sprays/sense-and-spray-automatic-freshener-with-new-360-design" style="background-color: white; color: #00256d; line-height: 22.25px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Glade® Sense and Spray® Automatic Freshener</a> play important supporting</span> characters. There is a little color here, but mostly I wanted the mantel to be about texture.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><center></center><br /><img alt=" photo DSC_1028copy.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/DSC_1028copy.jpg" /></div><br />I put two fresheners on the mantel for symmetry. I have the <a href="http://www.glade.com/en/fragrances/outdoor/cashmere-woods" target="_blank">Cashmere Woods</a> scent in both fresheners and they are making our large, high-ceilinged living room smell <i>heavenly</i>! Now it looks and smells like fall in here (a far cry from <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2013/09/more-fireplace-demo-and-plans.html" target="_blank">where we were just a few short weeks ago</a>!).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo xDSC_0851.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/xDSC_0851.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />Here's a breakdown of how I styled our new mantel for fall, including a huge give away from <a href="http://www.glade.com/en" target="_blank">Glade</a><a href="http://www.glade.com/en" style="background-color: white; color: #00256d; font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.25px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">®</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #7f7f7f; font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.25px;"> </span>to help your make over your own home for the holidays!<br /><a name="more"></a><br />I think one of the best styling tips I could ever give is to elevate items you want to stand out or to make look more special. On a little pedestal, even an air freshener looks beautiful and sculptural! (well, it helps if your air freshener is as beautiful as Glade's Sense and Spray!)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo GladeandLGN.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/GladeandLGN.jpg" /></div><br />To make these pedestals for my fresheners, I stopped into the hardware store and found these little wooden post caps for a few dollars each.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9472.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9472.jpg" /></div><br />I quickly spray painted them with this Aubergine color from Rustoleum - the perfect unexpected fall color.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9493.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9493.jpg" /></div><br />I could have sanded the wood down a little more, but I liked the wood grain pattern and thought it would be pretty peeking through the paint. I think it looks cool and I'm glad I kept it!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DSC_0920.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/DSC_0920.jpg" /></div><br />The citron boxes the succulent planters are sitting on are just stationary packaging I picked up at Target (the boxes are actually really nice though - no noticeable seams on the corners)! Use what you got, right? :) The mercury glass planters are larger votive holders, also from Target.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9480.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9480.jpg" /></div><br />The orangey mercury glass votives I lined up in the center of the mantel were clearance finds at Michaels from a few weeks ago. The color on these votives is seriously phenomenal - I'm loving them and wish I could had bought more to keep on hand for parties.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DSC_0997.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/DSC_0997.jpg" /></div><br />The herringbone basket we're using for spare firewood is also a recent Target purchase (from the bath section). The little black tufted stool in front of the firebox is from Homegoods and the rug I'm trying in here for now is <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2013/04/new-living-room-rug.html" target="_blank">the same rug</a> we had in our brownstone living room. I like how the neutral elements in the space (the rug, the floors, the fireplace and walls) all help the colorful accessories pop. This room was made for holiday decorating! :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DSC_0878.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/DSC_0878.jpg" /></div><br />Now, for the fun part! Glade is kindly offering a beautiful give away package to a lucky LGN reader to help them bring a little seasonal flair into their home. Simply leave a comment on this post to enter to win a beautiful gray basket filled with a gorgeous striped throw, a deck of inspiration images and color palettes, a <a href="http://www.glade.com/en/products/sprays/sense-and-spray-automatic-freshener-with-new-360-design" style="background-color: white; color: #00256d; line-height: 22.25px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Glade® Sense and Spray® Automatic Freshener</a>, an Apple Cinnamon scent refill, and a $200 Visa gift card!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><center></center><br /><img alt=" photo GLADEGIVEAWAY-2.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/GLADEGIVEAWAY-2.jpg" /></div><br />Contest ends on Tuesday, November 26 at midnight PST. Winner will be chosen at random and contacted via email. Best of luck!

My Fall Mantel (and a Give Away!)

I am SO excited to partner again with Glade ®  to bring you this post on how I'm bringing fall decor into my home this year with decor a...

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Finished Fireplace!

The stone fabricators came last Friday and installed the four pieces of black Fossil Shell Limestone around our existing firebox!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9426.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9426.jpg" /></div><br />I love the way it adds some movement and texture to the fireplace.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9451.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9451.jpg" /></div><br />Here's right after it got installed, but before I gave everything a good scrub. You can see how the installers did a really great job of seaming the four separate pieces.<br /><a name="more"></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo fireplace.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/fireplace.jpg" /></div><br />I love how the fossil shell pattern is more concentrated in the upper right and the lower left corners. It feels balanced and not too crazy.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9471.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9471.jpg" /></div><br />We installed the tv and mushroom sconces over the weekend and later today I'm going to tackle the dust on the floors (again!). I've also been doing a little decorating, which makes me feel like I can breathe again! We live in a house! With seating! Life is good. :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9463.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9463.jpg" /></div><br />I will take some of the after photos today to share with you. The painters came on Saturday and did some touch ups needed on the sided of the fireplace surround, and I also wiped down the firebox and a lot of the soot marks went away. I had planned to paint it black with the special paint for firebrick, but I like the contrast of the lighter gray brick. I think I'll leave it as is for now.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9454.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9454.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After photos coming right up! Back to cleaning and unpacking!</div>

Finished Fireplace!

The stone fabricators came last Friday and installed the four pieces of black Fossil Shell Limestone around our existing firebox! I love the...

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Newly Painted Doors and Walls!

<center></center>The foyer, library and living room all have really crazy-high vaulted ceilings. Like 20 feet high. The idea of even climbing a ladder that reached that high is pretty dizzying, let alone painting the walls. Let alone skim coating and sanding away the texture on all the walls! (shudder!)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9176.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9176.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />I hardly ever hire out painters for my own spaces because I don't mind just doing it myself, but the job for these three rooms was definitely in the DDIY category, and I called in the big guns.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9177.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9177.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The company I ended up using had had a cancellation and they were available to start work within a few days, which was great, but also meant I had to nail down paint colors very quickly. I stress about 100 million times more with paint colors when I'm hiring the job out. When I'm painting myself, if I make a color mistake, all I'm out is $50 in paint and a few hours time. Big paint jobs like this are (very) expensive though and the pressure is majorly on.</div><br /><img alt=" photo IMG_9145.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9145.jpg" /><br /><br />You might remember from <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2013/09/starting-to-pick-paint-colors.html" target="_blank">this post</a> how I was leaning toward Benjamin Moore's Titanium. I'm glad I had a few weeks to sit on the decision though. I ended up feeling like the blue undertones in Titanium weren't actually doing me any favors for making the floors look less pink.<br /><a name="more"></a><br />So I went to the paint store in search of a new gray. I picked up a few samples and threw them up on the wall. I put Titanium up there too for comparison.<br /><br /><img alt=" photo IMG_9157copy.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9157copy.jpg" /><br /><br />I thought Ralph Lauren's Stone was really, really pretty, and I almost went with that. But then I started looking at Brushed Aluminum a little more. I liked that it was a neutral, but with a depth of color in the undertones. Equal parts blue and green. I threw up a bigger sample in the library and loved it more. So I put up samples on most of the big walls, just to see how the color changed with the light. It was so interesting to me how it was more of a color in the front of the house and was way more true gray in the back of the house.<br /><br /><img alt=" photo IMG_9181.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9181.jpg" /><br /><br />Here it is next to the Titanium sample I had up for forever. The soft blue gray color is so pretty, but it sort of fell flat for me after a while. The rich, warm greeny grays of the Brushed Aluminum felt like exactly what I wanted, but didn't really know it. I think it's just right with the floors. And it pairs SO well with bright colors (which we all know are inevitable in my rooms). You can throw pretty much any color next to it and the combo will be brilliant every time.<br /><br /><img alt=" photo IMG_9173.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9173.jpg" /><br /><br />So I took a leap of faith and handed the painters the Brushed Aluminum paint chip. They were actually here for more than a week. I had them float the walls in the living room to cover the high texture on the drywall and that alone took nearly three days. (!!!)<br /><br /><img alt=" photo IMG_9185.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9185.jpg" /><br /><br /><img alt=" photo IMG_9202.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9202.jpg" /><br /><br />After day two, I was so happy with how much brighter the living room felt with the majority of the brown paint covered up. What a huge difference the light drywall mud was making in the color already! And the smooth texture? SO worth the time and expense. The room has such a glow about it now. The light bounces around in such a lovely way. The other common spaces in the house had already been smooth-coated so it seemed worth it to match the texture in here too, especially since this is a room we'll likely spend the most time in.<br /><br /><img alt=" photo IMG_9210.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9210.jpg" /><br /><br /><img alt=" photo IMG_9211.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9211.jpg" /><br /><br />I had all the ceilings in the three rooms painted the same white as all the trimwork - Benjamin Moore's Chantilly Lace. It's one of my favorite whites to use because it reads as a true white. There are no gray undertones like White Dove has and no blue undertones like a pure white usually gives off. Simply White is another favorite, but it's a little more yellow than Chantilly Lace. I wanted a bright, clean white in here.<br /><br /><img alt=" photo IMG_9431.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9431.jpg" /><br /><br /><img alt=" photo IMG_9466.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9466.jpg" /><br /><br /><img alt=" photo IMG_9429.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9429.jpg" /><br /><br />All the doors were painted Onyx, another favorite shade of mine. It's a black with depth - a lot like Farrow and Ball's Off Black (but without the insane price tag!) :) I'm so happy with how the front door turned out! (ps the white astragal down the middle will be black)<br /><br /><img alt=" photo IMG_9435.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9435.jpg" /><br /><br />We're going to do something special in the music room like lacquer or grasscloth, but I want to go more colorful in there. Michael's vote is a bright, inky blue, which I love.<br /><br /><img alt=" photo IMG_9439.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9439.jpg" /><br /><br /><img alt=" photo IMG_9438.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9438.jpg" /><br /><br />I'm so happy with how the new paint has completely transformed the look and feel of these three spaces! When I look at all those ladders and the scaffolding, I know it was worth every single penny!!

Newly Painted Doors and Walls!

The foyer, library and living room all have really crazy-high vaulted ceilings. Like 20 feet high. The idea of even climbing a ladder that r...

Read more »