Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

DIY

The Painting Projects we tackled over the break

January 6, 2021

One of my Christmas presents this year was getting our ceilings painted (finally!) in the entry and all down the hallways. All of the ceilings and walls in our home were painted a gray color (before we bought the home) and although most of the walls have been painted in the main area, there was so much patch work done (especially in the entry) and we hadn't tackled the entry ceiling yet--the double story caused us to hesitate. The thing is, in your mind you think "it won't be that obvious" but in all actuality it's was very obvious. Especially since we also had the crown molding removed in the entry a few months back. There were just patches of raw drywall and then the gray ceiling and then the Alabaster walls. Tres chic.

A few of you even spotted the questionable ceiling situation in our gallery wall post:

Now (above) it's so fresh! As soon as they started rolling the paint on, I swear my eye instantly stopped twitching. All of the ceilings and walls being one consistent color and sheen (Sherwin William's Alabaster in eggshell) made everything look so clean and so much larger and softer and welcoming, too.

psst. I shared our paint color "formula" for when we're painting ceilings and walls the same color, and when we're doing contrast trim in this post

While the painters were here, we also scheduled them to paint Faye's room. We had just finished all the ceiling and wall trim and they said they could caulk and paint everything for $500. DONE! It felt like a nice gift to ourselves after such a busy year. We went with a beautiful blue Farrow & Ball's Oval Room Blue in Modern Emulsion (matte finish, 7% sheen).  It's downright regal and the painters said it was their favorite paint they had ever used! And I'm not surprised — Farrow & Ball is renowned for its formula of rich pigments and depth of color, and it responds extraordinarily to all kinds of light. It's also super durable, wipeable, washable, easy to apply, and quick-drying. Can we even ask for more??

But! They said they could add on Polly's room for a deal and I pounced! Even without having any idea of what I wanted to paint it--I pounced so fast.

light fixture / wallpaper for ceiling / fabric / paint color (sw expressive plum)

I am currently having her curtains made with this pretty fabric and there are so many beautiful tones in it. Blues, greens, tans, browns and purple. I felt like a green-blue was an obvious safe choice, but having just chosen a green blue for Faye's room, I wanted something different and distinct for our 3 year old. I couldn't get my mind off of the idea of painting her room plum! And so we did.

I looked through my paint decks and held it against the fabric swatch and although a cooler purple like Sherwin Williams Midnight matched the fabric swatch a little more, the rest of the swatch felt so warm and I wanted her room to feel warm so I decided on SW Expressive Plum. It's warm and deep and has a lot more red than blue in it--which fits into our home's color scheme a lot more.

So in about 20 minutes, I nailed down the paint color and took a deep breath and gave them the swatch. The truth is--it's so much more exciting and FUN! to paint a room a color. I'm so overjoyed with the outcome of both rooms! And with purple and blue added to our home's palette, I think the only color of the rainbow we're missing around here is orange--which I mean, can we count wood tones?

We finished up Faye's room earlier this week and will share the full reveal tomorrow--can't wait! And then we'll get started on finishing Polly's room (wallpaper on the ceiling is happening!). A lot of people asked me what I thought about trends for 2021 and I do think we'll see a lot more people embracing color again in 2021--there's enough fun to go around!

 

— Hide Comments
+ ShowComments
What do you think?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. I love the colors for the girls room and agree, it IS more fun. Over the break, I painted a basement bonus room that had a lot of bright can lights but only one source of natural light at the short end of a narrow room. We went from basic white to SW Urbane Bronze. I’d had my eye on it before it was color of the year, but the flood of images showing it with white DID give me confidence. It’s gorgeous for anyone on the edge. But I also wanted to celebrate your CEILINGS. Not surprised it feels so much better...lots of people overlook the impact but it’s not far off from the impact flooring has in my opinion. So YEAH! Looks like your painters did an amazing job too. As someone who does her own painting I’m deeply curious if the price of FB paint is worth it. I typically buy the mid to upper range of Benjamin Moore, color matching SW when I need to. Will say I gasped at the price of FB and also the fact that it isn’t a buy off the shelf product. I think they said a week to get (pre COVID). But your painters enthusiasm is making me consider trying it when we are ready to redo our main spaces. Happy New Year?

  2. Thank you for showcasing color! I think so many of us adopted the Gaines’ paint-it-white mentality, when most homes don’t have enough natural light to pull that airy look off. Color is so much more rewarding to the eye than the shadowy dullness white often creates.

  3. Beautiful! Sounds like you've got an ochre kitchen in your future to complete that rainbow color pallete ;)
    If anyone can pull it off, it's you!

  4. I love how wallpaper gets smaller in girl's rooms from Greta to Polly but colours get bold and still flows so nicely! (At this point I am shocked you didnt paint your entry/hallyway non-white or wallpapered it????????????) In love???? btw is basement door is still off?

    1. basement door is still off, but I'm surprisingly not loving it! It kind of feels like a hole right now. Hmm. We have some plans for the hallway ;)

  5. I love the direction your family is going with everything. I find what you're doing wildly inspiring after years of staring at white walls everywhere in the design world. The girls rooms are all magical. I recently re did my 4 year olds room and sooner than later it looks like we're moving our 6 month old out of our room and into her own and you make me want to lean into RICH color. Love it. Can't wait to see these rooms in completion

  6. We painted our nursery the same shade of Plum from SW. It has been so cozy and lovely. Now that room has become our home office, and we need to go with a lighter color to bounce more light for all the Zoom calls. I'm sad to cover it up, but it has been fun to have such a deep color in that space.

  7. It must be so magical to be a little girl and stair up at that cool light fixture! I wish my ceilings were a bit higher so I could do the same for my own daughter!!

What We're

Loving

Right Now

What We're

Loving

Right Now

Looking for our favorite things? A place to shop our home room by room, or just catch up on what Julia's wearing / loving right now? Browse the CLJ shop
Shop All

Love Stories

Love Where You Live

In an industry that often feels designed to make you discontent, we want this to be place you come for inspiration, ideas, and encouragement to make the space you're already in feel like home.
Read All Posts
let's break this thing up

BROWSE BY CATEGORY

01

Portfolio

Befores, afters, mood boards, plans, failures, wins. We’ve done a lot of projects, and they’re all here.
read more
02

Projects

We have a long-standing relationship with DIY, and love rolling our sleeves up and making it happen.
read more
03

Design

Even when you don’t want to rip down a wall, you can make that space in your home better. Right now.
read more
hello world!

looking for inspiration?

Sales

The Best Presidents' Day Sales: Home, Tech, Apparel & More

We're halfway through February, and the first big sale weekend of the year is here! You know we love curating the best Presidents' Day sales for you in one spot. (It makes my life easier too when I want to check my favorite retailers!) It's a big deal weekend for major appliances, tech devices, and […]
Design

7 Things You Probably Shouldn't Have in Your House—If You're a Perfectionist

While I don't consider myself a perfectionist, I do like things neat—most of the time. It's important to me that my home is beautiful and lived in. I want it filled with laughter, joy, and life. If that means a few nicks and spills? That's fine with me. Even so, over the years of home […]
Design

Let's Get Started: Our Primary Bathroom Layout Plans and Elevations!

It is time. No more false starts. We're diving head first into our primary bathroom renovation and taking you along for the entire thing. We've heard your fears--"you're going to renovate your bathroom and then move!" And while we have done that in the past two houses, (strange scenarios and had nothing to do with […]
Chris Cooks

The Perfect Valentine's Day Menu for Every Meal of the Day

As homebodies, making a delicious Valentine's Day dinner at home is usually more enjoyable than a romantic dinner out somewhere. It can be part of the fun—and entertainment—to cook together too. Jules would probably opt out of the actual cooking part...but hey, it's great to have time together chatting while I'm cooking, and she's hanging […]
Learn With Us
Want to do what we do? Get the tools, mentorship, and training to be a Good Influencer professionally.
Learn More
Looking for Something?

SEARCH THE BLOG

We've been doing this since 2009 and we've posted a whopping 24145+ blog posts and counting. You might need a little help searching, huh?

Can We Send You Our Love Letter?

Another way for us to stay in touch! Joining our weekly newsletter gives you access to exclusive content, never-before-seen photos, your questions answered, and our favorite DIYs. Sign up below!

hello world!
Follow Along on Instagram
Welcome to our online community where we've posted home, DIY, style, renovations, and family since '09. Renovating our #cljmoderncottage in Idaho and headed for new adventures in Raleigh, NC. #cljfam #cljtransformations
© 2025 Chris Loves Julia, LLC
PRIVACY POLICYTERMS & CONDITIONSAFFILIATE DISCLAIMERSITE CREDITCOMMUNITY GUIDELINES