Two Down, Sixteen To Go (Walls & Ceiling Painted, New Window Shade Installed)
On Friday’s post, I made a list of 18 things that needed to be done to finish the studio. This weekend, I got two of them checked off of the list. I finally got the ceiling and walls painted, which was a huge task. And then the last window shade arrived on Saturday, so I got it installed.
First up, I’ll show you how the newly painted ceiling and walls have changed the look of the room. For a very long time now, I’ve been living with partially painted walls and ceiling. I started painting the areas that needed to be painted so that I could install cabinets. And once those areas were painted, the progress on the rest of the ceiling and walls stalled because (1) there was no pressing need to paint those areas, and (2) painting the ceiling seemed like a huge job, so I procrastinated as long as I could.
So the room has looked like this for a very long time, with part of the ceiling white and and most of it painted blue, and parts of the walls painted Benjamin Moore Classic Gray, and the rest painted blue.
So this was my big project that I was determined to finally finish this weekend. Once I got the ceiling painted, I was actually amazed at how much brighter the room looked. The blue ceiling wasn’t even dark. It was a very light blue, and yet the white made such a big difference. I still need to put the lights back in the ceiling, so right now, there are a ton of crazy shadows on the ceiling. But at least it’s all one color now!
And of course, the Classic Gray walls now look so bright and clean. This picture makes it look like I installed lights on top of the cabinets, but that’s just the ceiling light hanging down and shining towards the wall. I do still plan to put lights in the cubbies, though.
Aaahhhh…just look at how bright and clean this big wall looks! Now I’m anxious to get the rest of the trim installed. It’s going to look so good!
And then the second item on my list that I checked off was installing the new shade on the window that sits inside the office area cabinets.
I had some frustration with this shade. I ordered my absolute favorite unlined woven shade (affiliate link) from the same small business on Amazon where I ordered the other two for this room, the ones for the home gym, and the one in the master bathroom. I absolutely love these shades, and one of the best things about them is that the company will cut them (width and length) to your custom measurements to fit your window.
So just like I always do, I placed my order, and then sent them a message with the custom measurements. But somehow, this time they didn’t get my message. And by the time I realized I hadn’t heard back from them (they always respond to confirm receipt of the customization request), they had already shipped the shade without customizations.
They offered to send me another one, but this one took about two weeks, and I didn’t want to wait. So I ended up customizing the width myself by cutting about 1/2-inch off of each end with my miter saw. I was about to try to customize the length myself as well, but it’s only about three inches too long, and I decided that it wasn’t worth the trouble.
I was a bit disappointed at the extra work it took, but once I got it installed, my disappointment disappeared. Since I keep the shades open 99.9% of the time, no one would ever be able to tell that it’s too long. I’m the only one who will be bothered by that, and as long as the shade is open, I’ll probably forget about it. I do love the warmth and texture that it adds to this area!
And now I can finally see what my landscape design looks like on the light gray wall. I’m still going to have it printed larger and then frame it, but I can use this one to get an idea of what it will look like.
I tried to tape it to the wall to get a better idea, but it wouldn’t stay hanging straight. 😀 Then new one, which will include the plant key, will take up most of the space between the trim on the left and the thermostat on the right.
Here’s the progress. Two down, sixteen to go.
Finish painting the ceiling and walls;- Install and paint baseboards;
- Install and paint door casings on two doors;
- Paint two doors;
- Paint bases on work tables;
- Paint desk and add two drawers;
- Paint black parts of paint swatch cabinet white;
- Finish wiring electrical outlets;
- Add lights to cubbies;
- Finish trim on office area cabinets;
Install window shade;- Reupholster desk chair;
- Make pendant light;
- Frame and hang landscape design;
- Decorate long, blank wall;
- Clean and touchup paint on floor;
- Finish adjusting doors and drawers;
- Install drawer pulls and door knobs.
I’m trying my hardest to be done by the end of this month, but that’s just a goal. If it takes a little longer, I’ll be okay with that.
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.
Nice!!!
The paint made a big difference. Bet you’re excited!
YOU’RE AMAZING!
I love love love it. You go, girl!
I KNEW you would be so thrilled when you finally got the paint finished! I know I am thrilled…it drove me crazy every time I saw it. But I now realize why it drove me crazy — my son in law used to be a painter, and he always did (and still does) all of our painting. He would have had that whole room done in two days at the most. It takes us a bit longer now that he works at a hospital, but he doesn’t like to leave things unfinished. We are so blessed to have him in our lives! I wish I had a son in law who was an electrician now, because I have some electric jobs I would like done, but I doubt anyone will take on a few rather small jobs. I love how this room is coming along for you, and I think you deserve a break from inside. Get out front and do something pretty to perk you up! I know planting some plants and flowers will do wonders for your soul!!!
I STILL THINK THAT A SMALL BIT OF WALLPAPER AROUND THE WINDOW WOULD LOOK GREAT. IT WOULD BREAK UP THE LOOK OF ALL PINK AND DRAW YOUR ATTENTION TO THE WINDOW AND LIGHTS.
This looks great! A couple random comments:
1. Painting tye walls and painting the ceiling absolutely should be two separate items (especially considering the size of the job), so that that case you’ve actually checked off three things! I know it doesn’t change how many items you still have remaining, but it might remind you that you’ve accomplished more than you thought.
2. Your goal to finish by the end of April is awesome, but if you have to leave a few things until May, maybe consider the more decorative things like chair reupholstery, wall art, and hanging light. That way all the boring yet essential structural/background items like painting, trim, and electrical are done, leaving just the fun final touches. Kind of like finishing the bones of the room in April, and the decorative touches in May.
Enjoy the eclipse this afternoon, and love your plan to work on the spoons outside. We’re only a partial 87% eclipse here in DC, but still pretty cool. Hope the clouds I’ve heard about over Texas don’t impact you.
Love the warmth of window blinds. It really helps to add that natural element to this room of color. I’d leave the chair for last since your other decor could really influence your choice. This all exciting to see.
WOW!! Looks great and I (still) love the pink around the window!! Just beautiful!!
The studio looks HUGE and so light. I am so glad you finished the painting of the walls and ceiling. That had to encourage you to move forward. The shade and window area looks great. You are getting there. Glad you are listing the plants on the poster so you can see what to do it that if what you want to do! I still do not think a white cabinet will look good around the color patches. I know you know what you are doing, but I just can’t agree with that.
Did you get to see the eclipse today. We did see it mostly until the clouds moved across, but we didn’t get good pictures which was disappointing. Glad we live in Waco instead of paying to come here to see a cloudy sky.
Have a wonderful rest of the week.
This room is really looking so incredible. It looks so good, I wouldn’t want to work in there because I might mess it up!
You do know you are making this room to pretty to use, don’t you? LL
It is beautiful. I hope you can meet your end-of-the-month goal but if not don’t worry you can work on it whenever but get outdoors and do something fun, plant some bushes or flowers enjoy the outdoors!
You are sooo diligent and moving forward constantly, with the occasional “stop for a breath” moment. So impressed and the results are just amazing. Keep on keeping on!!!!
I know you are so relieved to have the ceiling and walls painted. That was a chore I am sure.