To White Wash or Not to White Wash

Hi Christine,

I was reading your blog about whitewashing. We have just bought a house and in the den is some sweet 70’s barnboard. We are putting a cinnamon colored maple flooring throughout and painting all of the trim white. What are your thoughts on whitewashing the barnboard? It’s not coming down so either way it is either going to be painted or some other kind of process. The room def needs to be lightened up! Also- on the far wall is entirely stone. I have attached a picture- I’m sorry it’s a bit fuzzy. Thanks for you help. –
Amy

Oh yeahh- that is fuzzy! It is hurting my eyes! Amy- I'd like you to look at the photo I found on decor pad for your inspiration. I think that not only does your wood need lightening- but your stone does as well. I don't know how to tell you to do it- I am not a do-it-yourselfer. I am a hire-it-outer. But lighten not only your paneling but also the stone.

White wash on your paneling is a great look to try- I would give it a try- and see how you like it- if you don't-you can always paint it. I hate to say "Do it!" when it is so unsure what the final look will be.

Anyone have ideas for Amy on how to white wash her stone? Is it as simple as a watered down paint? Go cream on your colors- not stark white. I'd love to see an after picture- a little less fuzzy perhaps :).

A Weekend Project

What are you doing this weekend? Nothing- great. How about add some paneling in your home?

Select your master bedroom- or maybe your kitchen or living room...

What do you prefer- a raised panel, recessed panel, or a bead board?

Add a crown shelf- or don't. Paint it- or stain it...Do the entire wall- or only 2/3. Get busy!

Sensational Ceilings

So- what do the ceilings in your home look like? With great embarrassment I have to tell you that mine are all drywall :( . I have been trying to convince my husband for some time now that we need to bead board the kitchen ceiling and he thinks am a crazy woman. This is going to have to be one of those projects that gets done while he's camping sometime. It sure is a good thing that he never reads my blog... I did add some polk- a- dots to my daughter's ceiling in their bedroom- but theirs is the only cool one in the house. Do you want your home to look more fabulous? Do something with those ceilings of yours! Add beams!! Add paneling!!! Add wallpaper!! Crown moulding is good- but not enough!!! Add coffers!!! In every room- no- but select two or three and get busy! What else are you doing this weekend?

Do you have a favorite in today's post?

1. The white kitchen
2. The green kitchen
3. The family room
4. The stripes.

Photos from Coastal Living March 2008

The Perfect Romantic Dining Room

Frequent readers of my blog hear me harping about the boringness of drywall. Back east, where I grew up, homes had wood trim. For some reason, here in California, builders can get away with building million dollar homes that don't even have the windows trimmed out- let alone any paneling or wood beams in sight. (I won't get into the architecture itself today... ) Some of the older cities and towns have some charm however. Pasadena, Santa Monica, Santa Barbara, Montecito, San Francisco.... This picture is from my "Santa Barbara Design and Style" magazine. What a beautiful ceiling! The paneling and beams add a coziness and charm that cannot be under valued. The wood paneling with its aged washed finish is breathtaking! There is a lot to notice in this one dining room- the chandelier, elegant window treatments, table decor, antique fireplace, beautiful furnishings- what is your favorite aspect? Compare this dining room to your own, from this great example- what can you change in your own home?

Oh yes, and have you voted? ;) go here to vote.

And if you've written in a design question for me- go here. :)