Friday, February 22, 2013

I painted our bedroom white yesterday

Good morning, lovelies. I am so tired today - my muscles are aching and if I didn't have a lot to do today I could veg out all day - but that's not really my style so I've been finishing off a French sideboard and painting a little cabinet as well as cleaning my house and drafting a business plan for one of my consulting clients. 

Lilyfield Life painted furniture french white bedside tables

The reason for my tired limbs is yesterday morning as I lay in bed, you know how you do, lie there for a few minutes gathering your thoughts for the day before getting up to the onslaught of getting kids dressed, packing lunches, where's my hat, library books, my homework and an inevitable fuss from one kids while the other kid is being extra good...etc... you all know the drill... well I decided I'd had enough of the pale blue walls in our bedroom. We've had the same paint colour in our bedroom for 15 years now, in two houses and it was time for a change. And when I make up my mind to do something I like to start straight away. So once the kiddos were dropped off at school I went and bought the paint and got stuck into it. 

Lilyfield Life painted furniture french
Lilyfield Life painted furniture french white bedside tables

The bedroom had been painted a lovely soft blue with lilac undertones, Northern Star by Taubmans. I loved our bedroom colour but lately had been feeling that it to be more neutral. 


Lucky the gorgeous son of our neighbours was home yesterday and came and gave me a hand. Our bedroom is pretty large (by Australian standards) and the wood trim means there is double the amount of cutting in and with ceilings that are over 12 foot tall it was a lot of hard work. Dylan is very tall so he spent most of the day up the ladder painting the top section. I still need to paint the wood trim. It will be bright white enamel like the rest of our house and so will be a better contrast to the soft French beige that the walls are. 

Lilyfield Life painted furniture french chair

The French woven chair is one I painted and upholstered a year ago. I have had many offers to buy this but I don't think I'll ever part with it as it's one of my favourite pieces of furniture I've made over. It is the chair that was featured in the Home Section of the Daily telegraph last year thanks to my good friend Veronica Morgan of Location, Location, Location Australia fame.


The rest of our house is painted in Dulux Sleigh which is a muted French beige. I wanted a similar colour but not as dark so I asked for a half tint. This means the colour will work perfectly with the other colours in our house but it the room will be brighter. I have been walking in and out of our room all last night and this morning getting used to the new colour and the loss of blue. I think I like it...



The best thing about painting the room is that I've also tidied it up. I gathered up all my random tools - screw drivers, brushes, wax, and more and filled half a bag - I need to put away my tools after I finish a job. It would make for a much neater bedroom! 


This is a little corner for the best doggy in the Inner West, Charlie, who is my faithful companion. The painting above the dog bed is new. I bought it when I was down in Eden clearing out my mum's house. It is by South Coast artist John Downton and is of Quondolo Point at Ben Boyd National Park. This is almost the exact spot that I spent most of my childhood, on the beach swimming with my family. 


Here is another John Downton painting that was my mother's. I now have several of his beautiful paintings that I need to work out where to hang. In the meantime I quite like this one here on my chest of drawers. These French drawers are now crying out for a fresh coat of white paint. When the room was blue they didn't look too bad, they now look terrible against the clean white walls and I will paint them soon!


While I'm slowing the room, I thought I'd share with you are beautiful original ornate ceiling. They certainly don't make them like they used to. I really adore this pattern. When we moved in we spent a lot of time repairing the original ceilings as the previous owners were heavy smokers (both of them died from emphysema  and there were dark smoke plumes in every room. You could see where they sat/lay smoking in bed. (not a pretty visual is it, let's not go there).


Luckily Phil had a dinner on last night and didn't get home till late so the room was back in order for him. He hates coming home to a half finished job. It was a bigger job than I expected trying to get it all done in one day (especially going from a darker to a lighter colour) so I was glad to get it all done in one day even if I am a bit trashed today.


What do you think of my room? better blue or white?



Have you ever woken up and thought I'd going to change the house today on the spur of the moment?  I'd love you to tell me what you did, at least make me feel like I'm not the only crazy one.


Fiona xx




27 comments:

  1. Looks great Fiona, I like the white better. I absolutely do get stuck straight into random projects that pop into my head...people can't understand where I get my energy from to do these projects but the sense of achievement and buzz I get from having done something is all the motivation I need. Hope you've had a good week...gotta go get the kids now :)
    xx Karen

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  2. I love the white and I absolutely LOVE your chairs!! Did you do the basketweave upholstery?So glad you commented on my blog so I could visit yours and see your beautiful room! Christina, thehappyfuchsia.blogspot

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  3. I love your pretty light and airy bedroom! That cane back chair is so pretty and I love the woven seat.

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  4. It looks so fresh and beautiful, Fiona. Magazine worthy! I liked the blue before but now it looks even more beautiful and all your blue details really stand out.
    Robby x

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  5. hi Fiona - wow you have been busy. I thought you had been a bit quiet lately but no wonder. I am the opposite to you - I plan and plan for ages and take forever to finish tasks. i think it drives my husband nuts. LOL. I love your room now - the white makes everything looks so pretty and will act as a great backdrop to your beautiful stuff. I also love your chair. no wonder you have had lots of offers to buy it. it looks like it took forever to do!
    have a lovely Friday
    Karen

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  6. Hi Fiona! Iam loving the white! So fresh and serene - just beautiful!

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  7. Oh the white looks fabulous, it's a wonderful change. I'm terrible, the worlds worst procrastinator.

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  8. The room looks good in either blue or white but it's nice to have a change, and white is very fresh! Yes, your chair is very beautiful - if you found similar ones at antique/vintage shops, you could always do them similarly, name them "the Fiona chair", and sell them!!! :-)

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  9. I dont know what looks better because i dont like the colour blue I am going to say the white.But either colour the room looked restful and bright-love dee x

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  10. Love the new look Fiona...much better. Love that chair too.
    Ness xx

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  11. I love it white, my kitchen/dining/family room walls are light blue, so perhaps I should follow your lead and repaint!!

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  12. i love it in white! so much more sophisticated and fresh! i saw your pics on instagram and loved them!

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  13. Wows!!!White color look awesome.I have been reading your blog last couple of weeks and enjoy every bit. T

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  14. Such a gorgeous room. I love the white, so cool and refreshing. Beautiful detail on the ceiling. Hugs, Marty

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  15. Fiona, I had forgot to comment. Love your room white, looks so fresh and makes all your pieces pop. Sandy xx

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  16. What a gorgeous room! All the details are truly meticulously chosen and inspired! thanks for sharing this! :-)

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  17. It's beautiful! I liked the blue before, but the white gives the room an airy and fresh atmosphere!

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  18. Sooooooo fresh and lovely!
    xo,
    Lisa

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  19. Your bedroom looks wonderful! Like the white! Very soft atmosphere!

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  20. I love the white, I have just painted my whole house whisper white. Charlie and my little Bella have exactly the same bed too.

    Roxanne

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    1. hi Roxanne - yes whisper white is just a lovely white. Cute dog beds too. I get this one from ebay so didn't look at other styles but it's a nice soft bed for Charlie
      Fiona x

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  21. I have visited so many sites but I never got the site like yours, amazing posts with informative latest things. unbeatable insurance agency

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  22. I love the ceiling. Maybe time to paint above the rail a soft duck egg blue. And if you are really ambitious you could highlight those lovely moldings!! Nice job Fiona love you site.

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  23. I love what you have done with everything - very inspiring - you have very good taste.

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Thanks for taking the time to comment! Sorry if you have trouble commenting, you can always email me at lilyfieldlife@bigpond.com