4/06/2009

It's Metamorphosis Monday!

Hello my friends...welcome to "Metamorphosis Monday"! Susan over at Between Naps On The Porch hosts this fun-filled Monday event. Many of you bloggers are familiar with Met Monday, but for those of you who are not...Metamorphosis Monday is all about change! Change...evolution...metamorphosis...of our homes! Met Monday gives us a chance to show our home projects and improvements! For all of us who love our homes, it seems that we are forever changing something, redecorating, etc. I don't know about you but my home is always a "work in progress"!!! I do believe that blogging has encouraged this entire process...hehe!!! It's simply wonderful!!! So many times, I have been inspired by your homes, ideas, and decorating projects...I think my home is "better" for it! Thank you, my friends...for sharing your beautiful homes and all of your wonderful ideas!!! I also want to thank Susan for hosting Met Monday! Why don't you head on over to Susan's place for some inspiration and while you're there you can visit the list of Met Monday participants!!! Just click HERE to get to Susan's!

Today I would like to show you this last summer's project. If I may, I'd like to give you just a little "background" of where things were before the summer of 2008. My living room was painted sage green...which I really did enjoy, however it was time to clean things up and there's nothing like clean - fresh paint on the walls. I decided that I wanted to stay with green but I wanted a color that was a bit more formal...richer! I decided to go with an olive green shade....Behr's "River Bank".

Soooo...the fun began! As you will see in the photos below, I have a fairly open floor plan. So my decision to repaint the living room would effect the dining room and kitchen as well. I began by repainting the ceilings in all three rooms a creamy off-white. Next, the sage green walls were painted olive green. Okay...you all know how the "domino effect" always takes place when making a change to anything in your home...right? RIGHT!!! Hehe!!! I just loved the new olive green wall color but it left the dining room and kitchen....lacking! My dearest friend Cindy (who is an interior decorator by trade and author of the Sisterhood of the Creative Heart blog) suggested that I paint the white walls in my dining room and kitchen the same olive green! It was like a light bulb turned on! Sheeesh...why didn't I think of doing that? Thank you Cindy...I have learned so much from you!!! Well...I already had two of my dining room walls painted a dark red...and I wondered how the olive green would look with them...but it turned out fabulous!!! It was truly a metamorphosis!!!

Kitchen, Dining Room, and Living Room...

****Before****
*
Hmmm....lot's of white walls!
*
*
****After****
*
This photo is taken from the kitchen looking into the dining room.
*

****After****
*
This is the dining room...I love the olive green with the dark red wall color!!!
*


****Before****

The kitchen.


****After****
*
As you can see, I made a few changes after painting. A new lamp for my little table and a change in wall art.
*


****Before****

*
This is the wall in my dining room. *


****After****


I just love my big window in this room...I always have lots of nice light! In fact, I have so much light that it's very difficult to get a daytime photo...so this was taken at night. I love my gold drapes...I just couldn't believe how much prettier they looked against the olive walls than the white walls. I made a few changes here as well...added a bench with decorative pillows and I also freshened up the items on the shelf!
*


Well my friends...what do you think? I think that this was a huge metamorphosis and all it took was a couple of gallons of paint!!! I love, love, LOVE paint!!! I've heard so many people say, "I want to change the look in this room but I just don't know what to do and I really don't have the money." Ohhh my, with just a little money and time...you can really change the look of a room with just a little paint!
*
Thank you so much for coming by today...it's always such a pleasure to have you!!! Hope you enjoyed my olive green metamorphosis! hehe!!! You know, since Spring is here and it's time to do a little cleaning and freshening up...have you thought about paint? Sheeshh...I should work for the paint companies...don't you think? Hehe!!!

*******

Have a marvelous Monday, my friends!!!

Love ya'll,
Chari

*

48 comments:

Martha said...

I love your choice of colors and what you have done -- really very pretty.

susan said...

I am painting right now and needed these pictures to encourage me. Your hard work was worth the effort!

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Hi Chari! I love your paint colors! I know what you mean by open concept...I have the same thing, so a decision to paint is a big one. It certainly paid off!!! Have a great week...hugs...Debbie

Stacey said...

I think it looks great! I like the colors and the little touches you did. My favorite part...the window seat you made! Awesome!

Clean and Classic Interiors said...

Not only the paint but all your accessorizing has made a HUGE difference! I love the olive color also - it is a versatile color that looks great with darker woods but pops with the cream you have too. Very warm and inviting!

Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas said...

Chari: This looks phenomenal!! I LOVE that color and against the red wall, LOVE IT! I ALSO love the wall with the plates! It looks so rich!! You did a GREAT job! And here I am not able to get sidelights the right color!! I'm learning though!!

Have a great week!

Lou Cinda :)

KBeau said...

I love the bench that you added in the dining room. Perfect for that space.

Anonymous said...

Hi Chari! Oh, I love your new wall color! I have green walls in my living room and dining room and really do enjoy them. I also have red and white transferware on my dining room walls! Oh, I love your big window and the curtains really do look great now!
Be a sweetie,

Shelia ;)

Salmagundi said...

That olive green is just the perfect color for your open space. It warmed it up so much. Who would have thought? - Hey, I lived through the 70s when everything was olive green. Your open space is just wonderful! I'm such a coward when it comes to color on the walls. My house is so small and flows closely from one room to the next; I can't get past the beige/tan/taupe phase. Maybe I'll get inspired from one of you bloggers to step out one of these days. Have a great week. Sally

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Chari, how pretty your transformation turned out. It is such a wonder what a little paint color and a few changes in accessories can do. I also really love the bench you added under the dining room window. Your home is just gorgeous. I love the open concept, but it is difficult to figure out paint colors. You chose just the right ones. Hugs, Marty

DesignTies said...

The new paint colour adds so much more life and interest to your home.

Amazing what a difference a fresh coat of paint can make :-)

Kelly @ DesignTies

Anonymous said...

Fabulous choices.fabulous.How are you this morning?I 'm good after i got my english back again.ha...Ann

Kathysue said...

wow chari I had only seen your rooms in the olive color.After seeing the before I can see what a transformation it was, how fun. I love color and paint is the easiest quicket decorating tool around. Good choice of color on your part. You have a lovely home,hugs Kathysue

Decor To Adore said...

So pretty~great transformations!

Lori said...

Love the wall colors!

I am a fan of your blog! Come over to my site and get a fan award:)

Hope you had a nice weekend.

Nancy Rosalina said...

Chari, Everything and I mean Everything looks gorgeous! Be so proud of yourself...you did a fantastic job! Nancy

Anonymous said...

Oh!! I just looooove that color. Green is one of my favorites. Looks so warm and inviting.

ps. thanks so much for visiting my blog and the wonderful comments you left. good luck on the giveaway!

Sofia Striffler said...

Nice job, I love the walls colors. Love the window bench.

Picket said...

Hey girl...love the paint color....I have always loved green..it made a huge difference..everything just pops now and that little bench under the window is fantastic...I have always loved changing things by just painting...big impact with little money! lol Have a great week sweetie!

Melissa Miller said...

I agree Chari paint is AMAZING!!!!

You have created so much beauty in your home with the rich Olive Green paint color. I LOVE IT!

Thanks for coming by today and your sweet words. I have to tell you I've been married over ten years now and I am no longer that small size. Sigh... I need to get busy. Hey I need to blog though right? HEHE!

Have a wonderful and blessed week my friend.
~Melissa :)

Bo said...

Hi Chari...wonderful Met Monday...
Your home does look richer & like you said, for the price of paint & some elbow grease you can bring a home to life...Beautiful! ;-) Bo

Sue said...

Hi Chari! You are so right, paint brings so much life and warmth to your rooms, the difference is amazing to see! Loved seeing your rooms again, I remember them from RMS! Those gold drapes are so yummy!!! Hope you are having a great Monday and have a wonderful week! xoxoxo

Painter's Place said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog. I love the colors that you chose. I'm thinking about painting my bathroom green when we finish the kitchen, if that ever happens. I got the wreath at CVS. It was really cheap with my 5.00 extra bucks. I think I paid like 1.50 for it. Come back and visit soon.

Gina

Leisa said...

Your colors are fabulous and I really like the brick wall, it stands out wiyh the new colors as well. Job well done.

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

Your home looks great - I love what paint can do for a room - great color choices - thanks for visiting me today!

Chandy said...

Chari, I hope that you grabbed the "I'm a fan of your site" award from today's post and my own "Fabulous Blog Fan" award from my sidebar because you deserve them after this Met Monday post. What a fabulous transformation! Love it!!!

KBeau said...

Me again. Thanks for visiting my blog. I know you must love living in Colorado. Our oldest son is in Denver where he moved to plant a church.

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Hello Chari!! hey better late than never girl.. am so far behind today I am catching up with my butt ha ha!! Now girl you know I just love this olive color that you did here and its is so hard when everything is open like that..And that Cindy is the best when it comes to helping with design ideas..Oh Chari today is my Gina;s BD the 6th...Thanks so much for coming by and seeing me..I have been so bad today I haven't seen anyone but you..Like I said I have so many things I am trying to get done in this house this week with Easter and all..I will spend tommorrow blogging and then probably won't post the rest of the week..I have 16 coming for Easter..Hope you have a great week dear friend...hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

santamaker said...

Hey Chari,
Thanks so much for such generous and kind comments.
I sometimes use a program called Picassa to enhance my photos. I see that you have done very beautiful effects with your photos on your other blog featuring your stepdaughter's room. I'd love to know what you used for that!

Mary from Boogieboard Cottage said...

I love the warmth of your decor and way you pulled everything together, It looks so cozy. :O)

Kim @ Starshine Chic said...

I love the green walls & what you have done in all the after photos. Much more cozy & inviting.

Unknown said...

Beautiful transformation! Paint colour decisions can be so difficult for me, but I love the freshness and change it brings to a room. Great job!

Joyce said...

Love the green. I like the bench and also the shelf above the window. Great job!
Joyce

Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas said...

Chari: I'm back!!I had to come an admire again! Beautiful!! Thank you so much for your kind comments on my blog. You are so sweet and I appreciate it so much!!

You know, I have been a little worred about Vanna at Delusions of Grandeur! She hasn't posted in weeks and that just isn't like her. I so hope everything is alright.

Have a great week!

Lou Cinda :)

Nicole ~ said...

You are so talented, what a beautiful transformation. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your wall of plates!!!! Oh, and that olive color is gorgeous. I love every single aspect of it!!!

Have a wonderful week, Nicole

Connie said...

LOVE THE PLATES, ONE OF THE BEST ARRANGEMENTS WITH PLATES I'VE SEEN IN A WHILE. THE GREEN WAS A VERY GOOD CHOICE, THANKS FOR BEING SO INSPIRING.
I am also a big fan of Eva Cassidy, her voice is so soothing.
So sad that she passed away before she really became famous.

janet said...

chari, love love love what you have done, the color is lovely and so warm and rich. Oh and love the window seat you have created, i could do this in my living room but i would have to lose my chair and i dont think the hubby would approve...MEN...lol Pat yourself on the back and enjoy your beautiful space.
hugs
janet

Susan @ The Good Life! said...

I love the new paint color! Color does make a difference!

Crystal said...

This shows exacxtly what color can do for a room! Great transformation. Your other decorations just come to life against the new paint. Great job! Congrats!

Michelle, All Home and Love said...

Wow, the wall colors look amazing! I'm sure that was a ton of work but so worth it in the end. Looks wonderful!
Thanks so much for following along, I added myself to your blog as well.
~Michelle

Chrissy...The Apothecary Shop said...

Your house just exudes warmth and love my dear, and that is a good thing!!! Talk soon, Chrissy

niartist said...

CHARI! IT'S AMAZING! It looks like a completely different place, and I love the red transferware on that green wall! Tres chic! Beautiful job!

{Bellamere Cottage} said...

Hi Chari!

I LOVE your metamorphosis! Cute before too! I always enjoy a change, even if it's only a tiny one....

I am passing some awards along to you......please come by to get them! But don't come too quickly, it's taking me awhile to get things up and running. My computer is having fits and I'm having to work on it's terms. NO FUN! I've been here for hours trying to get this together.

Hugs!
Spencer

Nancy said...

Great job! I love how it looks. We are painting, too. Hoe it turns out as well.

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Chari, you really did make a huge difference with that paint! It is amazing to see the "before" and "after" of those rooms. It almost doesn't look like the same rooms! I have always thought that was the prettiest color of green I had ever seen, so I loved getting to see more of it. You know I have always loved that bench in front of your window. For some reason, I don't remember seeing pix of your kitchen before. It is so inviting. Great metamorphosis post! laurie

imjacobsmom said...

Hi Chari! I LOVE your choice of colors and the suggestion to do all of your walls was a good one. I have the same situation here. I don't know where to stop and where to start with color because all of the rooms morph into each other. Your home looks so warm and inviting! ~ Robyn

Elise Lowerison said...

I just came across your blog, and your insights into home improvement, DIY projects, and overall design are very interesting. Your article about redesigning your living room, kitchen, and dining room was especially interesting. I really liked your comments on how the simple change of a wall color can make all the difference in a room; the colors you chose are rich and elegant. I am adding you to my favorites. Since you and your readers have a flair for interior decorating and interest in design, we thought you would especially be interested in our custom window coverings. Heritage Window Coverings is located in Huntington Beach, CA and we have a wide selection of treatments to complement any home’s interior design! Any feedback would be appreciated as well. As a special thanks to you and your readers, I would like to offer a 20% off coupon using this code upon checkout: BLG20.

Gina Turney said...

Hi Chari! You are so right, paint brings so much life and warmth to your rooms, the difference is amazing to see! Loved seeing your rooms again, I remember them from RMS! Those gold drapes are so yummy!!! Hope you are having a great Monday and have a wonderful week! xoxoxo