My Closet Island Paint Color Choice Revealed
I got so close to finishing the closet island this weekend. In fact, I came home from church yesterday, had lunch with Matt, and then got right to work, thinking that I would have it finished by the time I went to bed. Around 7:30, after finishing the last coat of paint on the doors and drawer fronts, and finishing the last coat of paint on the sides of the island (with the ends still needing another coat of paint), I decided to take a break, grab some dinner, and then come back and install the drawer fronts and doors, give those ends a second coat of paint, and be finished! I had even told Matt that I was going to work as late as I needed to work to get it finished before I went to bed.
And then, as I was eating dinner, I realized that I still had to paint the top. I still want to marble the top, and I hadn’t even given it a second thought or started on it. It had been covered with brown paper as I was painting the doors and drawer fronts, so it was out of sight, out of mind, and I had completely forgotten about it. So I decided to abandon my mission to finish the whole thing last night and finish it up today.
But I wanted to share my progress and finally reveal the paint color that I chose. I decided to go with…dark blue. Of all of the mockups I did with the various colors, the dark blue really was my favorite. To me, it looks the most cohesive, and I love it with the white top.
My hesitation with this color was that it would be so close to the foyer, which will have dark teal grasscloth. I was afraid that the two colors so close together would clash. But I decided to throw caution to the wind and go with it anyway.
So I took the wallpaper to Home Depot and had them color match the darkest blue, and that’s what I used. I got all of the drawer fronts and doors completely painted. And you’ll notice that Felicity decided to add her own touch to some of the drawer fronts. Thankfully, they were completely dry before she discovered them, so those little paw prints will wipe off. She loves being in my closet, which is very dusty right now, so she tracks her little dusty paw prints all over the house, and they really show up on this dark blue.
Cats. Ugh. They have no respect for others’ property. 🤣
Before I did the last coat of paint, I got all of the holes drilled for the drawer pulls. I always like to drill the holes before the last coat to eliminate any possibility of the drill bit taking off paint and having to do any touching up of the paint.
And here’s what the gold pulls will look like on the dark blue. I think that looks so pretty!
I painted everything with a brush instead of using my sprayer. The reason I did that is because I wasn’t planning on doing a clear coat over the paint, and if you paint part of a project with a brush and part with a sprayer, they will have a slightly different sheen, even if you’re using the exact same paint out of the same can. And that difference is even more noticeable on dark colors. Those slightly different sheens in dark colors can actually make it look like two slightly different colors.
I don’t know if you’ve ever noticed that on my studio cabinets, and maybe I shouldn’t even point it out. But I do think this is something that every DIYer should be aware of. Different methods of application of paint will give you slightly different sheens, and the more saturated the color, the more those different sheens can make the two applications look like slightly different colors. See if you notice that here, where I sprayed the doors and drawer fronts, but painted the actual cabinets with a brush. Same color, same can of paint, slightly different sheens/colors on the finished product.
It’s just something to be aware of when you’re deciding what method to use to paint cabinets or a piece of furniture. And if you decide to use a brush, I have a post about how to get a near-perfect, streak-free finish when painting cabinets or furniture with a brush. I need to update that post to show my new favorite primer, though. I don’t use the oil-based Zinsser primer anymore. My new favorite is the shellac-based Zinsser BIN primer.
Anyway, I don’t have a paint color for you because, as I said, I had this one color matched to the wallpaper. But this is the formula for Behr paint.
I did get the sides of the island painted with the final coat of paint. So the doors, drawer fronts, and sides are finished.
I didn’t tape off the inside before painting (i.e., the parts that I don’t plan to paint) because I can remove those rogue bits of paint with sandpaper before clear coating the insides of the island, which I still need to do.
But I did try to paint those edges as carefully as possible to minimize the amount of sanding I’ll have to do before I clear coat the inside. I think I did a fairly good job, but those edges will look much cleaner and sharper with a bit of sanding.
And again, I only have one coat of paint on the ends so far. So I need to do just a bit of sanding with 220-grit sandpaper, and then do one more coat of paint to get rid of the streaky look. But here’s a glimpse of what the dark blue looks like in the room with the wallpaper.
It’s almost there, y’all. It’s almost there!!! I can’t wait to see my finished dark blue island with the white marbled top sitting on a clean wood floor without all of the mess around it! I just have a little bit more sanding to do on the top before I can paint it, and that’s all of the sanding that needs to be done in the room. You know what that means? That means that once it’s sanded and all of the dust is cleaned up, I can finally load up this closet with my clothes, handbags and shoes!! I’m almost there!!!
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Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
Yay for great progress! The finish line for this project is just ahead. Love your choice for the island paint color. Full steam ahead!
Love, love the island that color.
I’m so glad you went with the dark blue. It is perfect! It looks great! I’m excited to see the finished island. I do need to point out one issue though. Clearly, you have violated Felicity’s personal floor space with your doors. The fact thst she even allowed you the honor of seeing her pretty little toe prints should shame you into worshipping her mere presence in your space. Treats are in order here. Shame on you for “ugh-ing” her highness.
Well, you do make a valid point. 🤣
YES! Love the dark blue on the island! It grounds the room and reflects the base color in the wallpaper. Just a little more, Kristi, just a little more!
What a brilliant job you’ve done! It just looks better and better. Brava Kristi!!!
Silly question maybe, but why do you clear coat the inside of the island? Should I be clear coating my unfinished wood insides?
It just makes it much easier to clean. With this being a closet filled with clothes, I’m sure I’ll want to dust it periodically. Dust grabs onto unfinished wood, whereas it will wipe right off of clear coated wood. If I ever spill anything (like if I drop a container of laundry detergent) and it gets on the unfinished wood, it will just soak in and stain, but it will wipe right off of clear coated wood.
Nice work! Looking gorgeous.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE the dark blue!!!! I’m so glad you went with a simple, classic design rather than stripes or something like that! The finish line is in sight! You’ve got this! 😀
Lovely choice of color.
Thanks for the info about paint application depending on what tool you use. Never knew that.
Off topic: I love the photo of your studio, which you included in this post. The desk, the pendant light, the cabinets behind it, and the peek of the fabric on the doors. Everything on the walls. I remember every step you mulled over and the time each part of the project took to produce this beautiful result. It is my favorite room because it is the hub of your creativity. There is just one thing missing. You.
I would like to see a photo of you sitting at your desk taken from the same angle. Pretty please.
I’ll work on that! There’s a possibility that my desk and the whole area don’t look *quite* as clean and put together right now as they did in that photo. 😀 But I’ll work on getting it cleaned up so I can get a picture. Getting my closet finished will go a long way towards that goal.
I was appreciating that picture, too, remembering how much effort was put into getting to that point. Such a beautiful room!
I still love PINK but as usual, this is simply shockingly lovely. I have to admit, though, that before you’re finished, I’m looking forward to seeing the chandelier after you glue the Christmas bulbs to it (JK!!! You know to whom/what I refer, like the smart aleck I tend to be).
As for Miss Felicity not having respect for personal property, I’m shocked(!) to have to remind you that everything is HER personal property, not yours and Matt’s or Cooper’s! Puh-leeze. “I shall place my prissy paws where I desire.”
Cheers, sweetie! Your sweet spirit is soaring again.
Yes, I don’t know what I was thinking. I’ve already had someone correct me on my misguided comments regarding Felicity. I stepped out of line. It won’t happen again.🤣
And I can’t wait to get some stuff glued to the ceiling in this room! Maybe I can do that today. 🤣🤣
I can feel your excitement at nearing the finish line! Have to say, I would not have picked the dark blue if you had taken a vote, but I would have been so WRONG! This is the perfect color! It gives a finished look that no other color would have done. I would go on and add an inch or so of paint on the bottom inside edges of the drawer openings, as it seems no matter how precise the work, sometimes a tiny gap of the inside shows. (even the manufactured pieces will have over spray or brush strokes inside the boxes) I have never seen that on your work, so maybe I’m worrying too much, as I tend to do!
I forgot about the chandelier! I keep meaning to say that I like the simplicity of the way it is now. I see no point in “gilding the lily!” I think it will be too much! If you feel the need to add to the fixture, just get some shades to dress it. (although I hate them for myself)
She did kinda take a vote, when she posted all the different colors for us. 😁
I should have said taken a guess as to which color she chose. I know she asked about our choice on color, but she was keeping it a surprise, so I didn’t know the final color.
The blue you chose is beautiful.
Absolutely the purrfect color, and I see her highness agrees. Great job Kristi, you are in the top of the 9th inning and winning in every way.
Beautiful, and the perfect color!
Looking great. My eyeballed list of what’s left closet-wise are
-Lights (main & artwork)
-Artwork (final install/choices/done)
-Top of Island
-Doorway (Closet-side trim? Shifted to foyer, or only Lt blue stuff?)
-Very few trim touch-ups (Seems ready for last coat or complete, wait for doorway?)
Cleaning happens as you reveal things loaded in. Share some things you do if its a DIY-related oops to clean. Dust is easy, but what do you use to remedy unwanted paint/caulk/filler on fresh Finishes? Knowing how to remedy oops does motivate some to try new things. You’ve had posts like this in the past, but updates/re-visits are nice.
So so so classy! And elegant! Beautiful project!!!
Happy you chose the dark blue. Can’t wait to see the finished room.
Love how that dark blue now balances the colors in the room. You’re on the home stretch and I know you’ll enjoy putting everything in there.
Wow!!! Go Kristi!!! Perfect color choice, it’s just stunning 💖 The colors in the wallpaper pattern really come alive with the dark blue island. Great job! And thanks for the much needed painting tips. So excited for you to be able to move your clothes, shoes and handbags in soon. 😊Blessings from NC!
Perfection, absolute perfection!
Glad you went with the dark blue, it looks great!
I’m so glad you went with dark blue! I was afraid you were going with pink and that suddenly the island was going to be the centerpiece of the room. I love the dark blue and the pulls are perfect. You’ve made great progress, your almost at the finish line with this piece. I’m looking forward to seeing all your clothes, shoes and purses in the space.
Looks so good! I was on Team Pink, but I really do love this dark blue as well. There is no question where the focal point is meant to be – that gorgeous wallpaper!
Absolutely beautiful!
The whole room is absolutely lovely! I am a big fan of dark blue, but also admire both your talents and your beautiful taste throughout the house. I’m always inspired by your projects. Thank you for sharing!
This is the most beautiful closet I’ve ever seen, and all of your choices are amazing. I would have to put a comfortable chair in there just so I could sit and stare! I’ve never seen a house with character in every single space like yours. I am so tired of generic decorating with no color or personal taste. Your house oozes personality and creativity.
Gorgeous! It makes the wallpaper pop!
The dark blue is perfection!
Absolutely perfect. Love the color.
I’m with all the others…….sheer perfection with all the blues 😁😁😁
I am so glad you went with the dark blue with the gold handles. That is the one I voted for. I love it!
You are almost there!
I love that navy blue, it looks perfect! Can’t wait to see it all finished. It’s beautiful.
Kristi, would you please let us know what clear coat product you use on unfinished wood/plywood? I’ve thought of doing this with some furniture, and every time I ask someone I know what I should use, I get a different answer. I’ve been paralyzed by indecision, so I’ve done nothing.