I’m a bit embarrassed to say that it’s been over two months since I’ve shared a kitchen reno project and that the one I’m sharing today is the only one we’ve worked on. Geez! Apparently, we are the least motivated people in the history of DIY. Oh well, gotta live with it and I guess so do you. =)
Ok, so last time I shared a kitchen update it was to show you our Thrift Store Revamped Pendant Light.
Pay attention to the window trim in the above picture.
I’ve anaylazed and asked for opinions on painting our window frames dark charcoal (or the inside part at least) and even wrote a post about gorgeous ones. Yep, don’t look at the date of that post… it doesn’t do anything to help me with how slow we are.
Well, I finally pulled the trigger and just went for it. We started with the door first. I knew that I could look at the door for a few days to judge if I wanted the windows painted as well. I liked the door dark, but just felt like it looked weird that the windows were still white. So, we went with painting the inside of the frames.
I really love it. Luke says that he doesn’t love or hate the windows but loves the door. But, I feel like it just gives the whole space a collective warm feel.
Everyone loves a good before and after, right?
The space is definitely coming along. I have an idea for the hanging plant, we still have a few more layers to add to the wall to the right and baseboards still need to be installed but we are getting there.
What do you think? Did I make the right decision? Do you like the dark trim?
Linking up to:
Found and Foraged, Your Designs This Time, The Makers, The Winthrop Chronicles, Home Stories A-Z, Hit Me With Your Best Shot, Outside the Box, Work It Wednesday, On Display Thursday, Think and Make Thursday, Fry Sauce and Grits, Liz Marie Blog, The Inspiration Gallery, Creativity Unleashed – The Bold Abode, Remodelaholic, Whipperberry, The Creative Collection, Tatertots and Jello, Frugal Crafty Blog Hop, Make It Pretty, Made by You Monday, Create Link Inspire, Tip Me Tuesday, Whimsy Wednesday, Pin Me, Creativity Unleashed, SITS Sharefest and DIY Sunday Showcase.
Charlotte W says
January 15, 2015 at 8:19 amOooo I LOVE it! I remember I said I wouldn’t do the windows, but I’m so glad you did, it really ties it together. Doing just the inside gives it a great little pop! Oh, and I love that table. What a great find.
Ashley Mayes says
January 15, 2015 at 1:56 pmyay! I did the door first and just kinda looked at it. It just felt off to me without the windows, but I think doing the chunky part of the trim dark would have been a mistake. Thanks Char!
Aniko@PlaceOfMyTaste says
January 15, 2015 at 10:20 amIt is a good before and after! So pretty, my friend! Love that RUG so much!!
Ashley Mayes says
January 15, 2015 at 1:57 pmThanks Aniko! Can you believe that the rug was a $10 thrift store purchase?
Amy says
January 15, 2015 at 12:04 pmLove the bold and dark! With all the white, it still feels light though. Great job.
Ashley Mayes says
January 15, 2015 at 1:57 pmThanks Amy! The kitchen gets so much light (especially during winter), which does make if feel light and airy.
Kyla @HouseofHipsters says
January 15, 2015 at 12:31 pmLOVE LOVE LOVE IT! Girl, it’s so good. It does warm up the room. I would have never thought a subtle change like this could be so stunning, but it truly is.
Ashley Mayes says
January 15, 2015 at 5:54 pmThanks Kyla. I’m kinda surprised it helped as much as it did. Now, I have to stay motivated. The end is in sight. =)
Jennifer @ Brave New Home says
January 15, 2015 at 5:07 pmUh, duh! You totally made the right decision. I love that charcoal color you picked. They can be tricky cause it’s easy for them to read pure black. I’m super impressed with your progress, seriously!
Ashley Mayes says
January 15, 2015 at 9:53 pmThanks! I had used the charcoal on a dresser and a metal cabinet last year and just loved it, so that’s the only reason I knew it wouldn’t read black. They are tricky though, because when I was picking it out last year I had like 20 different samples!
Julia@Cuckoo4Design says
January 16, 2015 at 5:42 amSuch a small change that makes such a fabulous difference. I love it!
Ashley Mayes says
January 17, 2015 at 6:22 pmI’m always surprised when something so little makes such a big change. Thanks Julia!
Laura Irion // Avery Street Design says
January 17, 2015 at 8:43 pmYou SO made the right decision!! It looks amazing…the whole space feels totally updated with this one simple difference. I’ve been toying for a while about doing black window trim in our playroom and I think you just convinced me! (Though, yeah, it will probably be years still before I pick up that brush. I may have you beat for project completion slowness. We should actually put this to a test sometime, that would be hilarious. Totally boring for our blog readers, obviously, but hilarious none the less!) LOVE it!
Ashley Mayes says
January 20, 2015 at 7:15 amThanks Laura! It is quite amazing how much of a change it makes! Oh my, a lazy-gal work off? Ha.
KaSonndra Leigh says
January 19, 2015 at 5:41 pmLooks fantastic! I prefer darker shades myself, but the way you’ve effortlessly incorporated the elements of this design into your layout works wonders for this space. It almost makes me want to convert to cottage style decoration. lol 😀
Ashley Mayes says
January 20, 2015 at 7:14 amThanks KaSonndra!
Kristi says
January 20, 2015 at 9:40 amWOW!!! SUCH a transformation Ashley! I LOVE it! Definitely pinning and sharing! Thanks so much for linking up the the Frugal Crafty Blog Hop my friend!
Ashley Mayes says
January 21, 2015 at 6:00 amThanks Kristi!
Alexis @ Persia Lou says
January 20, 2015 at 9:50 amAh! It looks amazing! It really adds to the architecture of the room. Thanks so much for linking up at The Makers with us, Ashley!
Ashley Mayes says
January 21, 2015 at 6:00 amThanks Alexis! It definitely gives the room a bit something different.
Simple Hacks Living says
January 20, 2015 at 8:08 pmLooks amazing!
Ashley Mayes says
January 21, 2015 at 6:01 amThank you!
Christine says
January 20, 2015 at 11:09 pmThis looks fabulous! I’ve been toying with the idea of paining our interior doors black. Are you doing all of your doors and windows or just the ones in your nook? I’d be interested in seeing how the rest turn out if you do more.
Great job!
Ashley Mayes says
January 21, 2015 at 6:02 amWe did another window as well (there is one directly to the left in the kitchen). Our kitchen is in demo mode right now, so I didn’t show it but it does pull well together with the other ones. Hope that helps!
Aimee, The Crazy Craft Lady says
January 22, 2015 at 12:40 pmLove it! What a bold statement…. I’m really loving black trim right now!
Ashley Mayes says
January 22, 2015 at 6:44 pmThanks so much Aimee!
Leigh Anne says
January 22, 2015 at 3:24 pmThis looks great! I love me some black trim!! Thanks for sharing at Think & Make Thursday 🙂
Ashley Mayes says
January 22, 2015 at 6:45 pmI love Think & Make!
Andrea says
January 22, 2015 at 3:52 pmLove the black door! So dramatic.
Ashley Mayes says
January 22, 2015 at 6:45 pmThanks Andrea. It was such an easy DIY, but yielded great results. Love it when that happens!
Lyndsey says
January 22, 2015 at 4:22 pmI was amazed by the door…I had to look like 50 times at the before and after on the trim! It looks great! Question about your door, though. How did you paint it??
Thanks in advance!
Ashley Mayes says
January 22, 2015 at 6:46 pmThanks Lyndsey! I lightly sanded, rubbed on a deglosser, primed with a brush and rolled with a small roller and then repeated with two coats of charcoal paint. Hope that helps!
Amanda @ Dwelling in Happiness says
January 22, 2015 at 10:30 pmI love it!! What a great idea. It really adds some depth to that area, and the contrast is awesome. I think it even brings out your pendant light, too! Nice job!
Ashley Mayes says
January 23, 2015 at 6:31 amThanks Amanda! I didn’t even realize that it DID make the pendant light pop… liking it even more now. =)
Luisa says
January 24, 2015 at 2:54 pmIt really does look great! I’ve been struggling with the decision to do this too! Hopefully soon! Visiting from 36th AVE blog. Have a great weekend!
Ashley Mayes says
January 25, 2015 at 2:44 pmThanks Luisa! You should go for it… I’m so glad that I did!
Eva says
January 25, 2015 at 4:33 pmI’ve been really loving dark trim and doors lately! If I didn’t have a rental, I’d definitely be adding it, too. Your’s turned out great. It adds such an interesting and unique look to that room. Great choice!
Ashley Mayes says
January 25, 2015 at 7:54 pmThanks Eva! You definitely have to be a bit more creative with a rental but that also allows you to really develop your style. =)
Leslie says
January 27, 2015 at 11:39 amI never would have thought this would look so good. Love it! The gray really adds a beautiful depth to the windows and really makes them look “framed”.
Ashley Mayes says
January 27, 2015 at 2:26 pmThank you! I was hesitant at first and it took me over 6 months to decide, but I definitely love it now. Thanks for stopping by!
Karisa | Petite Modern Life says
January 28, 2015 at 11:58 pmAlways love black interior trim! What a difference it makes in this room! Featuring this tomorrow on Think & Make Thursday!
Ashley Mayes says
January 29, 2015 at 7:46 amThanks so much for the feature!
Sue Silva says
February 9, 2015 at 8:06 amSuch small and such a wonderful transformation to your room!
Ashley Mayes says
February 10, 2015 at 6:44 amThanks so much Sue!
Jennifer S. says
February 9, 2015 at 8:52 pmI love this. The black really makes your room look so nice. I’m partial to being bold in the details.
Ashley Mayes says
February 10, 2015 at 6:49 amThanks Jennifer. I usually tend to like one or two bold statements in a room, so I think this fits the bill well.
laura says
February 14, 2015 at 8:08 amLove this! Would you share on Friday Favorites this weekend at http://notatrophywife.com!! I painted my back door black and pantry door! love it! great job!
Ashley Mayes says
February 14, 2015 at 5:05 pmThanks Laura!
Maria says
February 23, 2015 at 9:32 amWow what a difference just painting the trim makes! It’s crazy how seemingly “little” changes like that make such a big impact! Looks beautiful!
Ashley Mayes says
February 24, 2015 at 11:31 amI totally agree. Thanks Maria!
Kathryn Griffin @TheDedicatedHouse says
February 23, 2015 at 11:36 amLove the new look! Thank you for sharing. You are one of the features today at the Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Here is the link to this week’s bash. http://www.thededicatedhouse.com/2015/02/make-it-pretty-monday-week-129.html Have a fabulous week. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Ashley Mayes says
February 24, 2015 at 11:31 amThanks so much Kathryn!