A Grand Fauxwell - Adventures in Updating

When we moved into our house last year, we knew that it was the perfect space for us, while still leaving lots of potential for future, er, customization. Especially when it came to the previous owner's affinity for faux finishes (our room, the kids' rooms, and even some countertops were fauxed out to the max).

Before...

I knew that the first finish I wanted to wave fauxwell to was that of the master bedroom; I had a vision of a nice warm gray from the moment the house was ours. The ball really started rolling in November when we got the bedding I'd long desired for our anniversary. I then made some trips to gather paint swatches, and consulted my fabulous should-be-interior-designer neighbor and friend. She helped me learn the art of undertones--deciding which neutrals blended with each other, whether a shade would read red or purple or green, and if a color could help pull together my victorian-shabby-chic collection of patterns or cause them to compete. Armed with her wisdom and her Sherwin-Williams paint deck, I then visited paint stores and grabbed more swatches, finally narrowing it down to four samples:

• Sherwin Williams Worldly Gray [too light and it read a little green]
• Behr Toasty Gray [too light and read slightly blue next to a few items]
• Behr Rustic Taupe [a little dark and read purple/red in some lights]
• Behr Perfect Taupe [and the fourth one was jusssst right!]

Home Depot easily convinced me to buy paintable contact paper that I could put directly on the wall, and immediately the Perfect Taupe jumped out at me as, well...perfect (and it kinda does look perfect in every image I've seen). My interior design consultant lent her critical eye and also confirmed that Perfect Taupe was the perfect unifer for the space.

(Seen bottom left and bottom right, respectively).

It highlighted the champagne and silver tones in our bedding, brought out the beauty of our master bedroom set without making the wood look so orange (like that darn orange wall did), and it blended nicely with the carpet. And so, with just a few days to go before Christmas, I dubbed that perfect little square on the wall the winner and dreamed of the day I wouldn't have to squint to block out any of the orangy-brown awfulness surrounding it. The only question remaining was when. And who. I wasn't convinced I could do it alone, or that it would actually happen anytime soon, knowing how long I can take to both start and finish a project.

My incredibe family, however (as I mentioned previously), thought differently - they decided the perfect time would be during their hard-earned vacation...and the perfect paint crew would be us. From the moment I opened my Christmas gift from my parents loaded with gift cards and paint supplies, I was a believer in their combined experience and confidence. [Not to mention unheard-of generosity. Just in case that part didn't come across enough earlier]. So we set out the day after Christmas with paint cards, gift cards, and plenty of excitement on my part.

Bro and Sis are not impressed.
Faux real. It had to go.

The Steps

TSP Wash

We washed the walls with TSP, an extremely strong detergent/solvent, to help dissolve the high-gloss finish the previous owners used over the faux finish. This involved soaking towels in the TSP solution and wiping down every inch of the wall (while wearing gloves!!), then thoroughly rinsing every inch of the walls again with clean water and letting it dry. Thankfully there wasn't any texture to the faux paint (beyond the original texture of the wall), so we were spared the pain of sanding, too!

Primer

After the walls dried, we used a white Zinsser Stain Blocking Primer to go over the extremely dark walls. We were worried about covering both the chocolate brown accent walls and the variation in colors on the faux-painted walls, so we opted for the stain blocking version. Ironically, right before we applied the primer, someone read the fine print on the can which said, "DO NOT USE WITH TSP." A frantic bout of Googling ensued, but the most we could find from paint forums and the company was that if the walls weren't rinsed adequately, the primer might not adhere as well. We took a gamble that we had rinsed everything well enough, and thankfully had no issues at all with the primer adhering. 

        

Indoctrinating the next generation of DIY designers. (Don't try this at home, folks!)

Paint

We went with Behr's Premium Ultra paint in an eggshell finish, which had great reviews (we briefly considered the Marquee Paint and Primer but when I started researching, the reviews for that one were not so positive). After priming with the bright white, the rest of the trim/ceiling paint in the room looked pretty dingy, and the Perfect Taupe was looking extremely tan and dark going on. It had me doubting for a bit...

But as soon as we started rolling and got the first coat, covering that stark blue-white primer, the optical illusion disappeared. The taupe dried a little lighter, and the gray undertones came back to life. The second coat sealed the deal, and the next day the natural morning light revealed exactly what I'd been imagining all these months--a perfect warm gray that immediately pulled everything together and made the room feel like the retreat I knew it was under all that faux craziness.

The Result!

A huge resounding never-ending thank-you goes to my family for this priceless gift! Special mention also goes to Auntie Chica for the childcare she provided while the rest of us were painting. Also the 15+ loads of laundry she did for us. (Come back, Sis?). The room is so much lighter, brighter, and it really does look and feel bigger. Since the room is longer than it is wide, so before we painted, the darker accent walls on either end made it feel even longer and more tunnelish than it really is. Thank goodness that's rectified now, in addition to the color. Every morning waking up in our new retreat has been a breath of fresh air (especially after the paint smell faded!) and I'm still beyond thrilled with the results.

Ahhh. That's better. 

I got new lamps for the nightstands and cleared a few surfaces, but aside from these very small changes, nothing has changed and the paint makes ALL the difference! There's still some work I want to do on the decor - like hang the mirrors that I bought to go above our night stands, hunt for the perfect window treatments to go with the updated blinds that we (the Victorian we, i.e. my dad) installed, and work on a focal piece (or pieces) for above the bed. I also need to hang some wedding prints! But now that the perfect (taupe!) canvas is in place and 90% of the work is done, I feel free to really let the inspiration carry me. 

And make no mistake, with my newfound confidence and experience, that inspiration is going to carry me right through the door to tackle the bathroom next with a little muted blue:

Salmon and chocolate walls, your days are numbered!

Stay tuned!

Festivities Roundup!

This year, we got the best Christmas gift AGAIN--a visit from my family!

Note Erik's awesome mixed media. I didn't have the heart to cramp his style.

And not only that, our incredible, amazing neighbor was going to visit family and offered to house my family in their very own VIP suite right across the street. Win-win-win!

They flew in early on Christmas Eve, so we got to enjoy Christmas Vigil mass together for the first time in years:

Afterwards, they settled in and we prepped for the big day. It was one of the easiest "prep" years we've ever had, a) because Peter did an awesome job of planning and pre-assembling stuff and b) because we tried really hard to cut back this year. We are absolutely drowning in STUFF, so much unnecessary stuff that clutters our mind and home and ruins the planet, and frankly, that we don't really need. And having to move so much stuff last year (despite getting rid of so much) really drew my attention to it. So we tried to really cut down on the amount of gifts and focus more on experiences or activities we could do together. And on giving to others. We were also happy to learn that the angel tree gifts at our church (which we do every year) were going to military families. 

One of my favorite moments every
year is when we sit for a quiet, peaceful
moment under the glow of the tree after
everything is set out and right before we crash.

The kids still each got one big thing from Santa:* Marie requested a skateboard because she's awesomely gnarly, and the boys got Star Wars everything--because if you can't beat 'em, enable them.

sk8r grl

We also got Pajama Grams (in the form of these super
fluffy fabulous robes)  for the 2nd year in a row from my
awesome aunt. I think we'll have to get her a 30x30
canvas of this for her Christmas present next year.

We attempted the gift of activities for everyone else-- the girls got 'learn to knit' stuff and the boys got airplane kits. Most of the activities lasted all of ten minutes...but Marie and I did come out of the visit knowing(ish) how to knit. So I call it a win.

It was a nice, relaxing morning, followed by lots of chefs contributing to a huge spread for dinner. Peter's parents joined us for the feast and it was a great time had by all!

Two tables, twice the fun!

*This was the last year of Santa for Marie--she's been asking about things all year so after the holidays we let her in on the secret. I thought I'd be sad but I was mostly relieved. One more Santa's helper on our team next year to help with the fun...and that darn Elf on the Shelf!

---

One of my biggest gifts (next to my the presents/presence of my family) were the paint supply contributions and manual labor they donated to a great cause: an overhaul of our (formerly) gingerbread-tastic bedroom. The fact that they spent over half their vacation helping us realize our master retreat vision is just...well...I probably wouldn't have volunteered. But they did. So that's how generous and wonderful they are. Much more about that one soon. 

---

My Dad's birthday is also 3 days after Christmas, so we had the luck of celebrating with him again. He's a golf coach for both his high school and college in town, and my sis is now a collegiate golfer herself, so we took a break from painting to enjoy some winter "golf," Top Golf style--sort of like bowling, but possibly even more fun. It's basically a driving range, but you hit the balls from the comfort of a heated bay where you can order food and drink. And it's easy enough for non-golfers to play along with the experts--even the kids got in on the action!

Oldest to youngest - I'll let you guess who the pros are.

---

Finally, we took a trip up to the mountains over New Year's Eve, and skied Vail and Beaver Creek. The kids had lessons the first two days, and the rest of the crew (minus my brother) took it easy and hung out mountainside the first few days--and for good reason, between the altitude and my dad's recent knee surgery. With the frigid temperatures, I was even feeling it by the end of day two. But everyone joined in for the last day, which thankfully dawned bright and a little warmer!

#photobombbyPeter

The crazy boys made me ski off this cliff.
And I lived to tell the tale.
(THOSE DOTS UP THERE ARE PEOPLE).

Happy New Year!!!

Where November Went

So practically yesterday, November started, and suddenly today it's practically over. It's certainly not lost on me where it all went, though; here's a quick synopsis if you want to skip a few paragraphs of whining below.

Week 1: Anniversary, then a hasty goodbye on the way to my school (aka Army training, Round 2).
Week 2: school and sickness.
Week 3: school and homesickness.
Week 4: home and Thanksgiving. So much thanksgiving.

I will say that at least the month both started and ended with a lot of love and happiness, even if the rest of it pretty much went down the tube.

My first stint at school in September wasn't so bad, but for some (okay a lot of) reasons, my second and final round this month was a whole lotta rough. For starters, I arrived after some long delays to find that our "hotel" was not the same well-appointed, civilized establishment as last time; instead we were relegated to the should-be-condemned Roach Motel across post. Which necessitated a trip to Wal-mart [foreshadowing] for roach spray after a late night grocery run in the pouring rain.

I wasn't feeling great the next day when I woke up to go to class, but figured it was just traveling and jet lag. And maybe a little hangover from the roach spray. I felt increasingly blah as the day went on, but told myself that I was fine because in order to graduate we couldn't miss more than 4 hours of class. So obviously my top priority for both rounds of training was staying healthy. My body, frustratingly, did not listen, and I went to bed that night in not-so-hot condition.

Day 2, I woke up feeling horrendous, and of course found out that my kids had been sick so I knew I'd almost certainly picked up a virus from them. Immediately after passing our first test, my instructor convinced me to go to the clinic. Over the course of 4 snail-paced hours the doc did a blood test and gave me meds and said it was probably viral but it looked like I was over the worst of it. HA. Famous last words, Doc.

The reality? Day 3: Horribly sick, couldn't even get out of bed. (Thank you God for Veterans Day which we magically had off so this veteran didn't have to miss class and get sent home but instead could suffer in peace in bed at the roach motel.) Day 4: Still horribly sick, but I drug myself to class. (Seriously it has been literal years since I've been so sick). Day 5: Slightly less sick, finally able to eat for the first time all week. Somewhow passed another test. Day 6: a half day of class, then I rested away the remainder of my Saturday and Sunday.

Somewhere in there, between the beginning of the plane ride and the end of the sickness I also devoured a really good book...probably since I could devour nothing else. (Tangent: How is it that there's less than a month left until it's time for my annual 'What I read This Year' post? So many good books left to read!!!) I also watched a whole lot of Fixer Upper on HGTV. (Tangent #2: Joanna Gaines is my new celeb crush. Everything she is and does is amazing and if you read this Joanna could you please come to my house and make it amazing?). I also said countless and constant prayers for everyone I could think of to distract myself from my own misery...so I think I can count that as a positive for week one?

The second week passed in a blur of long days, late nights, and this fun thing called MDMP where we basically pretend to plan a mission with all the right steps like we will most certainly do in the real Army. Oh and ALSO. Lest I forget my foreshadowing: somewhere in the middle of week 2 I got a call from my trusty bank, saying that while I was sitting in class that day they had intercepted some not-so-trusty (and ridiculously lofty) charges on my card from a certain Wal-Mart which I had only ever frequented the very first night for the danged roach spray. So getting to cancel my card made traveling back extra fun.

But finally, finally we were free to walk across the stage in our extra fancy uniforms that required a whole second bag check for a mere 30 minutes of graduation glory. But I grabbed my civilian garb in record speed and soon I was jetting off into the beautiful Colorado sunset blizzard.

And you know what? When I collapsed back home in the middle of that blizzard, I was the most weary, rumpled, thankful, contented mess there ever was. I literally could not stop saying "I'M SO GLAD I'M HOME"... and Peter too. Because for every one of my woes in this long and drawn out woesome tale, he had an equally wearisome and exasperating woe to deal with back home.

Accordingly, I think we were in the best mindset possible approaching Thanksgiving this year. There was no rushing around, no worrying about what needed to be done or how things appeared (including the Halloween decorations that were still out when I got home); only settling in and appreciating the life we're so lucky to normally have. I snuggled the kids and my husband, and thoroughly reveled in the fact that we hardly had anything to prep for Thanksgiving except pie since my wonderful in-laws hosted again.

As such, the rest of this post will be devoted to such memories of gratitude of Week 4, as a little reminder to myself that ultimately this month wasn't a loss, and it still ended as well as it started for just as many good reasons as there were woes. [But I'm still glad to see it in hindsight].

Now bring on the Advent season! Please!

Cousins and grandparents.

Brothers.

Yes Please.

Did I mention that it was a White Thanksgiving, too?

...and a perfect weeked for relaxing with the best Polar Bear Rug around. 

Merry almost December to all, and to all a happy Advent!

Eight is Great!

Today we are lucky enough to celebrate another happy anniversary. What does 8 years of marriage look like for us?

-A few weeks ago, Peter booked a babysitter for an anniversary date night and told me to choose where I wanted to go. I looked at a few reviews, hemmed and hawed over the decision, and 3 days before our date when he asked where we were going, the decision was still not made. He asked what kind of place I wanted to go, and I said "I want to not be stressed when ordering because I hate feeling high maintenance with all of my allergy restrictions like Sally in When Harry Met Sally." So he helped me choose a place with impeccable service--and rose petals to boot--and I got the most stress-free meal I've had in a long time.

-After dinner instead of going out for drinks, we ended up at the mall, looking at that one Pottery Barn couch we love and perusing Crate & Barrel for the new cookie sheets that the baker in the family (him, not me) desires. We left as the stores closed and arrived home by 10pm ...because it was our bedtime and Starbucks was closed. But at least we stayed out till then, because returning home right after dinner at 9 would've been even more lame.

-Our present to ourselves was the bedding set that I've been eyeing for the past 3 years, which will go perfectly with the new warm gray paint color I've picked to brighten up our room--another gift that Peter conceded to letting me choose...and will eventually help me follow through with one of these days. (Even after staring at our walls daily for 6 months like me, he doesn't think the rust-colored faux paint in the master or the contrasting Hershey brown and dingy salmon bathroom walls are as dark and depressing and gag-tastic as I do).

I've been doing a good job living patiently under the Tucson Sun... but
my shabby chic heart and soul can only take so much 'Western Glam.'

-After pampering me with all of our other "gifts to ourselves" that I pretty much monopolized, he surprised me by slipping the most beautiful string of pearls around my neck while I stammered incomprehensibly. He spoils me far more than I deserve, this one.

-He came home early today, and since the kids were off school (because of Election Day) we went on a family anniversary hike. It included him putting up with all of my photo op moments, a massive and very cool fallen tree, and a very theatrical emergency pit stop behind a tree only after our most recently trained potty-goer had desperately run at least a hundred yards convinced that he could to make it to the bathroom (that was half a mile away), screaming and crying in vain all the way. At least his jeans stayed dry in the end. Oh and the happy coulple even spent a few minutes holding hands. It was a beautiful day--likely one of the last ones of the season here--and I'm so glad we went.

-Finally, we happily ditched the nice meal I had planned on cooking for us in favor of a dish-free night at Qdoba (his idea this time, not mine). Then after exchanging cards we enjoyed a few rounds of his gift, a mini cornhole set, before revisiting one of our long-time favorite bonding experiences--a marathon of The Office, starting with Season 1.

True story, start to finish.

So, in a nutshell, this is what eight years of marriage looks like for us. A lot of little happy moments mixed in with a whole lot of chaos and normalcy, all held together by the grace of God. And each of the ways we celebrated this year were perfectly "us" and perfectly wonderful. The best part? Spending another anniversary together--in person--something I hope we will never, ever take for granted!