Kitchen and Den Paint: Check! Woo Hoo!!!

Last week, I revealed the color that I chose for my kitchen and den (and eventually entryway, up the stairs and both the upstairs and downstairs hallway):  Mindful Gray by Sherwin Williams, which I had the guys at Lowe's color match to Olympic One.  


I have to share up front: the paint guy gave me a $5 coupon for each of the three gallons that I bought, which brought the price down to $15 per gallon.  Not bad!  My sister came up for the day to help me paint, and thank goodness she did because it was a huge undertaking!  My kitchen and den have a lot of nooks and crannies, so there was a ton of cutting in involved.  To ease our load, in the two days leading up to paint day, I took a couple of hours each evening when the kids went to bed and painted some spots.  This proved to be a great idea, as it only took us four hours and two coats to go from the current washed out taupe to Mindful Gray.  Here are about a million shots of the entire space:






coco the helper








Oh I am so happy.  It is the absolutely perfect grey (to me) and is exactly what I wanted.  And a big huge shout out for Olympic One - I love this paint and am officially a convert!  It covers beautifully and is ridiculously affordable (I spent the same amount for three gallons that I'd spend for one at Sherwin Williams. Sold)!  Next up: some long overdue accessorizing.  I can put pictures on the walls and stuff in the bookcases.  Woo hoo!   Here are a few before and afters just to show you how far this space has evolved ...

Before, we had dark wood on the built-ins, a brown-grey mix of stone on the fireplace, no curtains and taupe on the walls.


Now, what a difference!  Soothing grey walls, crisp warm cream on the fireplace and built-ins, curtains at the window.  



Before, the view from the den into the kitchen was pretty monochromatic:


Now, the grey on the walls and a nice jute rug warms that space right up.



Before, the kitchen was very white with the wall color and cabinet color looking pretty similar.


 Now, the grey on the walls makes the cabinets look a lot whiter and crisper (although, it is really tough to see it in this picture - sorry).



Before, the walls and floor pretty much blended together.



 Now, they grey defines the space (different angle, but you get it, right?).



Before, oh boy.  We had a black table and brown chairs. No rug.


Now, we have the *perfect* rug under the table, a soft Comfort Grey table and white chairs.  Ahhhh.


What do you think?  

See you swoon,

27 comments:

  1. WOW! I absolutely, positively LOVE it! What a transformation! I love the contrast w/the gray and white! Beautiful!

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  2. Shanna it is absolutely lovely!! It looks so airy and fresh!!! I love it !!! It's beautiful!!

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  3. Shanna, it looks amazing. The gray is the perfect color for the space, your style, and your decorating choices. Everything looks so good against the gray. Can't wait to see what the rooms look like once you hang your pictures.

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  4. It looks awesome! Such a transformation. Great choice with the color. I love it up against the white, and with the blue accents in your den.

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  5. What a transformation, Shanna. I think you need your own decorating program on HGTV!

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  6. It looks awesome! I've been waiting all week to see this!!

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  7. Wow, that color looks great. It's amazing how much a coat of paint can change the look of a room.

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  8. Thanks so much everyone! It makes me sooo happy and this room finally feels like "home" to us. Now for the barn door ...

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  9. Mindful Gray! I love that name! It looks beautiful, Shanna--such a difference!

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  10. Amazing! It looks so beautiful--you've done a great job bringing out your vision. I never ever would have thought gray could look so good.

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  11. LOVE! It looks amazing. It makes all the white pop.

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  12. How did I miss this? I love the color. So calming!

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  13. I love the color change! The fire place was a great call!

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  14. Wow, wow, wow! The fireplace alone is a fabulous transformation! I'm in the process of revamping my bedroom with gray, yellow and white...seeing this is getting me really excited. I am a new follower from A Turtle's Life's first ever linky party, please stop by and visit sometime...

    http://blissimagesandbeyond.blogspot.com/

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  15. Loooove the color, I'm a big fan of grey, it goes with everything :) Your house looks amazing!!

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  16. That's really pretty. I love grey and white. And the way you've arranged everything. I bet it wasn't easy painting those table and chairs...

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  17. Shanna, that is gorgeous!!! That made such a difference! I adore that color (and coupons are always the best bonus). Especially with the white fireplace/bookshelves! Great job! Thanks for sharing at my party!

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  18. Just featured you on my Sunday Spotlight post! http://www.aturtleslifeforme.com/2012/01/sunday-spotlights.html

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  19. Love this room! Perfect color combo. Where did you get your curtains. I want them!!!!

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  20. I made the curtains! There is a post about it from August or September 2011. :)

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  21. I agree with Shanna. Olympic One is fabulous paint and cheaper than most others. Covers very well!

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  22. I wish I could send you a pic of my living room! You inspired me so much and it looks fab. Thank you so much!

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  23. Hi Shanna - I'm late to the game on this one, but where did you purchase your sofa?

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  24. Here is my before and after. Thanks so much for all the ideas and help!

    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.646157838940.1073741826.158900450&type=1&l=777c20b4b5

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  25. Love it! But the only thing bothering me is the tv placement. I think it would look much better centered over the fireplace instead of centered in the entire wall, then maybe add a circular mirror or something smaller on the wall over the bookshelf to the left (or maybe continue those bookshelves up to the ceiling). Great room!

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  26. Awesome! Looks great! I am convince now to use this color in my kitchen & family room. Wish my husband would let me paint the fire place white.

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  27. where did you purchase the blue and white curtain? love your style

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