Neutralize it!

If you've looked at the BEFORE photos, you probably have some idea why I did not feel at home in this house. Taking such an angular house and painting all the walls different garish colors only makes it worse.

We started by hiring a painter to neutralize the place. I have never hired a painter before because painting is one of those things I can do myself...and being a do-it-yourselfer like my parents (only with fewer skills and experiences), I really like to do what I can. But, good lord, look at those colors.

When I pictured Brent and I on 16-foot ladders applying our eleventh coat of paint (because the colors keep showing through) and trying to keep our cool with our lovely-but-demanding infant, I said...no. If there is ever a time to say "uncle" this is it.

So the house is now a light tan-gray. I will eventually add color back in strategically, one room at a time. I picture a house this angular and modern and open as a good place to sort of Zen out. I picture some use of stone, taking inspiration from colors that might appear in a running stream or something. Using texture and natural fibers to dress things up. Maybe making a slate floor in the entry. This does not go with my black-and-white Alice in Wonderland kitchen, I know. But we figure we can save up for a kitchen redo if that's still important to us in five years.

For now, you can glimpse the overall change in mood by looking at the pics below. They first two are the same shot taken from the loft looking down - before and after. The second is just looking into the hallway from the living room. That's my brother-in-law in the hall (Hi, Brian!).

Looks a bit like a museum, no?