Listen to Lena

Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

#ProjectSittingRoom

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The incurable re-decorator strikes again!

It’s a well known fact that I love changing things up. Remember my Reno-cation of 2011? Oh yeah, a home face-lift of epic proportions. Then I followed up with #ProjectLivingRoom, one of my favourite redesigns ever. (#urbanbarn fan4life)

And while I assumed I’d taken care of the re-decorating bug for good, there was just one little area that was begging for a redo: our sitting room.

Okay it’s technically not a room. And I can’t actually remember the last time somebody sat there. But it’s a little area off to the side of our living room, and it basically only exists because the room is so long that it requires more furniture to look balanced.

“Okay, Lena, so what was the problem?”

The problem was the über blahness of the area. Vanilla walls, vanilla leather chairs and a very vanilla feeling overall. One could literally become comatose if one stared at it too long. Blah.

So I decided it needed a little oomph, and the first colour to come to mind was a ravishing cherry red (obviously, I’m not half-assed with my “oomphs”). When I shared my observations with my husband, I expected a little bit of resistance – but was pleasantly surprised when he enthusiastically agreed with both the need for a re-do and the choice of colour. So off we went to The Home Depot, where we excitedly settled on Behr’s Red Velvet, which frankly, is as red as you can get.

Now there are three things I wish I had known before I decided to paint with red. And since I’m all about tipping off my friends, here goes:

1) Because the colour red is so pigmented, the paint once mixed together can be very translucent. Translation: expect little to no coverage on the first – even second – coat. (This was my “Holy Hannah what have I done?” moment – the realization that the project would not be finished in 24 hours.) In fact, you can expect to apply at least 4-5 coats of paint (yes, I’m serious) for professional-looking, even coverage. Thank goodness it was a small wall.

2) To drastically cut down on your time and amount of paint needed, consider priming first with a gray or red-tinted primer. How I wish I had Googled “painting walls red” before I started the project – it definitely would have reduced the frustration of applying layer after layer.

3) Wait at least 12 hours – preferably 24 – between coats. Due to the thin viscosity of the paint, it takes an abnormally long time to “cure” to the wall. If you try to add another coat before the previous one is dry, you’ll end up pulling the paint off the wall. It’s been 2 days since our last coat and the wall is still tacky to the touch – I’m thinking it will take closer to a week to fully cure.

Enough talk. Here it is, our brand new accent wall!

We officially love it. It adds just the right amount warmth and fiery pizzazz to the room without competing with the furniture. I’m thinking we need a tall plant in the corner; will have to confer with my mom who is the greenhouse expert (and likely, the only person who’ll remember to water it).

Ten points if you spotted the stray Tombliboo and Iggle Piggle in the pictures. My husband asked why I didn’t put them aside, but the truth is, I just don’t see them anymore. Twenty points if you spotted the glass of wine I chugged after this little re-do.

Anyhoo, there you have it, my #ProjectSittingRoom. Four days, $30, and a whole lotta oomph. I wonder which room I’ll re-visit next? Nothing is safe from the incurable re-decorator!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lisa

    I officially love it too. I never have the guts to do stuff like this but when I see after photos it inspires be to just jump in with both feet and do it. Really love it.

    • Lena

      Thanks Lisa! And you should know, I thought about it for months, so it took e a while to have the guts too :)

  2. A Noobie Mama

    Such a difference! I liked the before pictures but I love the after ones much better. The room needed it!

  6. Allie

    I Love it Lena !!

    My son just did the big move to the basement and decided to paint his room in shades of grey and yes red it looks great too!!

    Gotta love red!!!
    Allie

  9. Jennifer

    I’ve painted with red a few times, the key is to buy a really great paint with a primer built in. The first time we tried it the regular way and yup 4-5 coats. the second time we decided to go with a reddish/orange/brown shade and got the good stuff- 2 coats. easy peasy, will NEVER go back!

    • Lena

      Oh gosh I wish I had conferred with you before I started this project! I will definitely keep that in mind for future red projects. Thank goodness it was a really small wall :)

    • Lena

      Ha! Correction: it was cleaner when this photograph was taken. I can’t vouch for it’s cleanliness now :)

  12. Janice

    I love the color! Works so well. And if you need a tall (CHEAP) plant, IKEA’s got tall potted ferns for $14.99 right now. I’m looking at buying two for our living room. Lol. Such a nice fresh green and they give the room dimension.

    • Lena

      Oooh, thanks so much for the tip, I will definitely check this out. I think a tall fern would work very well. Awesome!

    • Lena

      Ha ha ha, you’re welcome any time, though you’re out west, right? I’ll have to show you TO, more than just my sitting room :)

    • Lena

      Thanks so much :) And no need to be a teeny bit jealous – just grab some paint et voila! Instant makeover!