Paint It, Black

I wanna see it painted, painted, painted, painted black... Yeah!

Black windows are all the rage in home design right now.  They also call for bravery.  Obviously I'm like the bravest person out there because I frickin love 'em.

So, why black windows?

* Helps frame the view by turning the window into a focal point

* Black windows help anchor a room and gives it a more custom feel

* Adds a sense of drama for all you showmanship loving folk

* The price to obtain black windows range anywhere from $ to $$$, and it can start with a can of paint.

For reference, let's take a look at some bomb ass windows.

 

    

Lucky for us we are in need of some new windows.  I'm hopeful we will get them installed before cat mating season rears its ugly head.  I can't handle another summer listening to those screams again.  I can't, and I won't.

I'm attracted to how black windows look, but know that they are a BIG commitment.  You have to have the right space in order to make these black portholes look good.  What we do have going for us is our neutral (and light) color palette. A few years back I started painting our kitchen window white, drunk.  Then I thought putting blinds up would do the trick in covering up the slop job.  Admittingly, I never got around to painting the top part of the window.  Oops.  Since we are replacing the window anyway, I couldn't turn away from this golden opportunity.

I had a quart of Phelps Black by Benjamin Moore stashed away in my paint supply.  For prep the old me would have said, eh, I don't need to tape.  I'll just scrape everything off with a scraper.  Do yourself a favor and don't listen to the old me.  Tape that shit.  

After cleaning and sanding the wood, I used a small foam roller and angled paint brush to get into those tight spaces.  Since primer and three coats of various white paint were already applied, it took about four coats of black paint before it looked solid.

The black window will take some getting used to.  I think I like it?  I think?  I do.  The black makes a big statement in the kitchen and breaks up the white.  Seeing the picture perfect kitchens above makes me really want to start on this kitchen reno, but patience is a virtue or whatever.  But those sinks!  

Conclusion, if you are due for some new windows, or want to revamp the ones you have, I would recommend painting one to see how it fairs in your space first.  If you would prefer to dive in head first and commit, you go, you.  

I can't say these photos are doing the work justice but ya know.  Just come over and take a look for yourself.

What do you think of black windows?  Crazy insane or insane crazy?

Thanks for reading!

-J

Where the Magic Happens

As we all know, bedrooms are the last place to see a lot of love.... wait.  Let me rephrase that. In most homes, bedrooms get the shaft.  At least in our case. Our bedroom has seen a lot of changes. Anything from wall color to extra furniture storage space, to curtains.  I'd say our bedroom sat without trim for oh, 2 years?  It's always been the first door I close when I know people are coming over.  Until recently that is.  

I can't say the "master" bedroom is luxe by any means, or a master bedroom for that matter, but it's better than it ever was before. I will take better.  The space is pretty sparse and minimal, but that is our style.  Less fuss that way.  Practical.  Clean.  Our black dog, who loves the bed, doesn't help the matter, so having less to dust is key.  

When we first moved in, circa 2007--

Aren't red walls supposed to make you hungry?  And awake?  And angry?  The previous homeowners did a great job painting everything red, and I mean everything.  Carpet, switch plates, vents...  It was one big f***ing mess, really.  A coat of green paint, then gray, then green again, then the color we have now, Old Prairie by Benjamin Moore, was added to the walls.  

And now (queue drumroll)--

Obviously we are "missing" a few corners of the bedroom, but you have to remember a jail cell is roomier than the hovel we have to work with.  The angles, man.  The angles.  

What We Did Do:

* New carpet, extra plush

* New ceiling fan

* New door and trim

* Fresh coat of paint on the ceiling and walls (3 times over)

What's Left:

* New windows (you can hear a pin drop from outside)

* Window Treatments

* Thrift furniture finds (headboard, dresser, lamp)

* Art wall

We've had a lot of people ask us, "Why don't you sell and move?" or "Why are you continuing to invest in the house?" That would be like telling someone who is 75% done with a coloring sheet they have been working on for the last three years to stop.  And we know how crazy people are about their sophisticated coloring sheets... Honestly, our split level is enough house for us.  We've literally put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into it.  It would be a shame to walk away not seeing its full potential, not to mention sentimental value.  

Thanks for reading.

-J