Walk-In Closet Progress – I Finally Started Painting!! (Plus, To Color-Drench Or Not?)
I got so much done on my walk-in closet this past weekend, and while I didn’t get nearly as much painted by the time I went to bed last night as I had hoped, I do finally have some cabinets painted! But you’ll have to forgive me for burying the lede, because I want to back up and show you all of the progress in order.
First, if you read Friday’s post early in the day, you may have missed that I took apart one of the leftover jewelry trays that I bought on Amazon (these are the ones I bought — affiliate link), cut it down to the right size to fit that remaining 3.5-inch gap, and then put it back together. So now, I have a completely customized look that fits the width of the drawer perfectly. And I got that customized look for less than $70, and about 45 minutes of my time. That beats the heck out of paying over $500 for a fully customized jewelry drawer insert!
If you want to see those details, I added them to the end of Friday’s post:Customizing Store Bought Jewelry Drawer Inserts (And Saving Over $500 On A Custom Jewelry Drawer Insert)
After working on that, I spent the rest of Friday priming cabinets. I got the rest of the cabinets on the right side of the room primed, and all of the cabinets on the left side of the room primed. I still need to do the corners with a brush, but all of the parts I could do with a 6-inch roller are done.
It’s amazing how much primer alone totally changed the look of the cabinets. Before, it was a sea of brown plywood with white pre-primed trim…
And now that everything is the same color, even if it is thin, streaky primer, it looks so much better. (I used my new favorite primer, Zinsser B-I-N shellac-based primer). Once primer goes on, you can really get a much better idea of how the finished cabinets will look.
And then I spent Saturday doing the most dreaded, but the most important, step of all — caulking. I hate caulking so much, but I don’t ever skip this step because it makes such a huge difference in the finished project. The biggest pain was caulking these short shoe shelves. I could barely get my caulk gun in there at the correct angle to get caulk where it needed to go, but I made it work because it needed to be done. You can see the huge difference that caulk makes below.
Here’s a shelf before caulking. First, you can see why I like to prime before caulking. It makes all of those dark cracks and crevices so much easier to see and much harder to miss. If I try to caulk before I prime, I always end up overlooking areas that needed to be caulked.
And here’s what it looks like after caulking. What a difference!
Before I could prime the jewelry drawer and the necklace organizer, I had to finalize the design on the necklace organizer. I ended up going with this very simple design on the front.
I decided that I didn’t want to have anything going all the way across the front that would get in the way of easy access to the necklaces, so I’ll just use the front necklace bar as a pull. It took me a while to get this all figured out, finish the design, and then take everything apart again (i.e., remove the drawer slides, bars, and bar hardware) so that I could wood fill, sand, caulk, and prime everything.
If you didn’t see the necklace organizer “in action”, you can see that here. DIY Necklace Organizer (Please Help Me Finish Or Improve Upon This Design!)
I got everything on the right wall caulked except for the cabinet by the door. Once I finished caulking the shoe shelves, I decided I deserved a reward for my perseverance. 😀 And that reward was to finally PAINT!
I didn’t get as far as I had hoped on the painting. I had hoped to get the first two sections completely painted while I waited for the caulk to dry on the shoe shelves. But I didn’t quite get all of the second section painted. But at least I got to do some painting.
For these cabinets, I’m using Sherwin Williams Emerald paint in a satin finish. This paint is ridiculously expensive (about $115/gallon), which is way more than I’m used to spending on Behr paint at Home Depot.
The color is called Billowy Breeze, and it’s a light greenish blue.
I’m used to using Behr paint from Home Depot, so I seriously doubted that paying over $100 for a gallon of paint would be worth it. But as soon as I started painting the cabinets, I realized that this paint is worth every penny. I decided to use a paint brush for the corners and trim and a 6-inch roller for smooth surfaces for all of the flat surfaces. This paint goes on so smoothly, and it’s a dream to paint with. I was nervous about using a satin finish, which is the lowest sheen that this paint comes in. Y’all know I hate shiny finishes, and I’ve always had a problem with Benjamin Moore’s Advance paint in a satin finish because it’s too shiny for my taste. But this one is PERFECT!
It will still take two coats, and this is just the first coat. But just look at this gorgeous color! And sheen!
In fact, I love the color so much that I’m considering color-drenching the room with it. That basically means that I would paint everything in the room in that color — all of the cabinets, all of the trim (even the crown molding and baseboards that aren’t on the cabinets), the window trim, the door trim, and the ceiling.
The only thing areas that wouldn’t be color drenched in this beautiful greenish blue color would be areas where I plan to add wallpaper — the walls around the washer and dryer and the one upper section in the center cabinet on the wall on the right. Everything else would be painted Billowy Breeze.
I tried to find a good example of a color-drenched room with light wood floors, and I found this one on Instagram from Rock Creek Builders…
I think that is absolutely beautiful. Of course, that room is painted Benjamin Moore Hale Navy, which is way darker than the color I’m using. Hale Navy is below on the left, and the color I’m using (SW Billowy Breeze) is on the right. So you can see what a huge difference there is in color.
So my color-drenched room would end up much lighter and brighter than the color-drenched office from Rock Creek Builders. But the concept would be the same (with the addition of wallpaper in my closet).
Anyway, it’s just something I’m considering because with all of the greenish-blue cabinets, I’m a little concerned that any white trim might stick out like a sore thumb. I’m generally a white ceiling kind of person. In fact, the only ceiling in our house that isn’t painted white is the hallway bathroom, which has a stained wood ceiling.
And, of course, that room won’t stay a bathroom forever. It will eventually be a storage closet once we build the addition with the new guest bathroom.
I’ve wanted to color-drench a room for a while now, and I think this closet might be my opportunity. And if I’m going to put a color on a ceiling, what’s better than a light greenish blue? So I think I’m going to go for it. I don’t have to use the expensive paint for the ceiling, and if I end up not liking it, I can always go back and paint it white, right?
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.
Do it!
HI KRISTIE! I’m a retired professional interior designer and DIYer and I read your blog daily.I’m in awe of your productivity! IMO definitely color drench the closet including the walls, because once your clothes are in it will look less cluttered.
This is what I was thinking.
Sheila F.
This is absolutely the perfect room for you to colour drench. It’s such a beautiful colour. Go for it Kristi. Like you say, if you don’t like it drenched, you can always paint it white later.
I agree, color-drench!
Agree….color drench
Amazing and color drenching is absolutely the way to go!
Loving the Billowy Breeze!
I’ve wondered if paying for the higher priced enamel paints like SW Emerald or BM Aura was worth it and it sounds like it is.
The Emerald Trim paint (not the emerald wall paint) is fabulous and incredibly durable in my experience. It takes a bit to get used to using it (it’s thicker, dries faster, do NOT go back over it to smooth it out), but has withstood lots of abuse (including cat claws) on my windows and still cleans up like a dream. Give it time to fully cure (ideally 30 days) and it is super durable. I’ve heard the same about the BM line as well.
I’ve used Benjamin Moore’s Aura for years and I would use anything else. Completely worth it.
Wouldn’t use lol
BM Aura is incredible, especially the Aura Bath and Spa line, which I use in every room, not just the bathroom. The regular Aura paint in matte is also terrific, but I think the bath and spa looks even a touch better and is supposedly more wipeable. For trim, I use the BM Advance line, though I’ve heard the Aura in satin is also great.
I love the blue-green color but I’m not sure I’d like the entire room painted in it. I like how the painted cabinets currently look with the white ceiling. Something about the wallpaper in an entirely blue-green space seems off. But you have always wanted to do a color drenched room so go for it! Do the light sconces you have extend upwards from the wires? The wires look a bit low for light fixtures next to a mirror where you want the light illuminating your face.
They go up, but they’re very pretty short.
YES DO IT! It’s only paint, and you want drama.
Color drenching this room would be beautiful!
Yes to the colour-drenching! This is an ideal space for it. Especially since you’re willing to change it if you don’t love it, why not go for it? I don’t think you’ll regret it. I think it will make your closet look very pulled-together, and even more of a standout.
Go for it! Just remember to use a flat paint which I think you’d know otherwise all imperfections will be amplified! This is going to be amazing…..
I learn something from every one of your posts. I love your projects!
Love that color
The blue/green looks beautiful!
Sherwin Williams paint goes on sale weekly for the diff brands. Normally 30% off.
Beautiful color. Yes to color drench!
I’m contemplating color drenching our bedroom. Go for it!
Go for the color drench!!!
I painted almost every room in our home a few years ago
Crown molding and trim all painted white except for our bathroom. Now I regret painting the rest of the trim white. I vote drench the room.
Absolutely beautiful!
Drench! The color is perfect. Will you paint the ceiling Billowy Breeze? I think it’s gonna be awesome! Great job!
Yes, but I’ll use a flat paint on the ceiling.
I would do it! It will be beautiful and dramatic!
SW paint is almost ALWAYS on sale, usually 30% off and sometimes 40%. I’ve used this paint for years, but never pay full price knowing a sale is around the corner. I love the color you chose and think the closet would look fantastic color drenched.
Drench on, full speed ahead!
Drenching might be a good choice now.
It is only paint, expensive paint, but still just paint. If you are coloring drenching a space, this is the space to do it. Your clothes will be the color once they are in….good luck in your decision, as always, whatever you do ends up wonderful!
This color is so pretty! Your eye must be better than mine, as I don’t see a hint of green, but it’s probably my screen. I’m team do it! If there is a room to go for the limit, it’s this room! (even if I myself would have done white paint; I like the purity of white to not mess with my eye in seeing other colors.) I know you will love this closet!
I’m not a color drenching fan, but your closet so it’s your decision. I do love the color and the only paint I will use is SW Emerald in a satin finish. It is worth every penny. The only difference is I will buy it on sale but I know that wasn’t an option for you. Looking forward to seeing that closet painted. You are making great progress.
My vote is color drench so it looks like you’re inside a beautiful Tiffany box. 💎
Color drench! If you don’t, you’ll always wonder if you would have loved it. And if you do and you don’t love it, as you said, you can always repaint the ceiling white. Worth a try!
Drench! Go for the drama
I think you will love it!
The room is already broken up so much with shelves and then the contents, it doesn’t need anymore contrast. Perfect room to give color-drenching a go!
Go for it! It will be beautiful! My humble 2 cents 😁
I confess I’ve been worried how the added variety of colors and textures will affect the overall look once you fill the closet. I think color drenching is the perfect solution!
I love it. It looks so soft, ethereal in truth. Very nice.
Cheers to you and Matt!
Go for it! It’s only paint. Even if it is “expensive” paint. And I’m SO GLAD to hear that you see/feel a significant difference in the two brands. Home Depot is a haul for me and I’ve always wondered if it was worth the price I pay for SW compared to your former favorite of Behr. Glad you validated my expensive paint habit. 🙂 Pro tip (well, I’m no pro): SW has sales several times a year and you can buy the paint, even if you don’t know the color yet, when on sale. Then bring them back to have them tinted for free, and shook well, when it’s time for your project.
What lead you to use SW paint rather than color matching the Behr paint you’ve always used? Honestly I always use SW or BM paint because I had Behr paint literally slough off my walls in my previous home.
I’m a die hard white or pale, pale blue ceiling gal so I say go for it! It’s just paint and you can repaint it white if not your taste. You’ll have plenty of light in the room which is my only concern when choosing colors.
I decided to go ahead and use SW rather than color matching because I spent so much time picking just the right color, and I know that each paint company has a slightly different base that can make a difference in the final color. I didn’t want “close enough” this time. I wanted the exact color.
Color drench. Every ceiling in our home is painted the same as the room. i’ve never understood why people want the ceilings white. When we did have white ceilings, for some reason they showed dirt so much quicker and started looking dingy. When we painted last time, several years ago, we decided color drench. I love it. If you don’t, you can always go back and paint it white. That’s a beautiful color!
Yes, absolutely color-drench. I actually already assumed you were doing that!
And that color is GORGEOUS.
Also, I used to use Behr paint, but in the pandemic I switched to Sherwin Williams because Home Depot wouldn’t do orders via phone with curbside pickup but Sherwin Williams would. And I immediately was hooked because the paint really is better. I sometimes wish I didn’t know that, haha, to save money. But once you know it, it’s hard to go back.
Your closet is looking fantastic,
When I need to caulk in really awkward spaces I fill a curved syringe with caulk.