Dreamy
I’m Beth, and I’m a pain in the ass.
As design and remodel client types go, I’m somewhere between Bipolar Homer Simpson and “The Contributor.”
The Contributor
According to some online definition, the Contributor “provides her thoughts and opinions when necessary, but speaks out loudly when it comes to specific details that are important to her. She sees her home as a sanctuary and wants it to reflect her personality as well as her spouse’s.” (Actually, in my case it is more accurate to say I feel the need to reflect my design-savvy sister’s personality, but on a fraction of her budget.) “She has a certain design criteria and really enjoys participating in the decision making process.”
The Bipolar Homer Simpson
I made up this designation, but it’s pretty accurate. “Remember the white paint, remember the white paint, remember the white paint – DOH!” My design ideas, while fixed in my head – light, airy, soft contemporary beachy – lack traction when the rubber meets the road (or paint hits the wall). I wake up at 2 and rise from bed at 4 a.m. with the Benjamin Moore fan deck to find (again) The Right Color to replace coat one of the Balboa Mist that went on pink but that I shouldn’t have chosen in the first place because all along all I’ve wanted was a white, white kitchen and had a blissful six-year relationship with Mountain Peak White that was very fulfilling but when the Horse suggested that I try a slightly grayish color instead to pick up some tones of the cabinet, well that struck me as a good idea, so Balboa Mist, but then that was wrong and when Gustavo cut-in I’m all, “What the?! I don’t want a tan kitchen! I want white!” and when I go to exchange the $130 in Wrong Paint but can’t get my money back and am looking at whites even though I had ALREADY DECIDED ON either Cloud White or Chantilly Lace I listen to the stylish and ever-so-helpful Do It Center paint guy who says, “Dove White! It’s da bomb!” and so I buy three MORE gallons of paint that wasn’t my first choice because I doubted myself once again – BIG BREATH – and now I have white. Not my favorite white, not the white that takes my breath away (I’m sorry, Mountain Peak, I don’t think that’s you anymore. No offense, but you’ve become too creamy for my taste. I’m ready for a crisper, cleaner white like the one in the photo up above that I stole from the internet, but thanks for the memories.), but oh well. It’s done now. It just is.
Or is it?
BUT I love my countertops. I made a right choice there, and that makes me happy. Photos of those to follow soon.
pink……should have gone with my gut. I saw pink. So sorry Beth. Next time I will trust my gut.
Oh, Mary Ann, I don’t fault you at all. It looked right on the chip. You just never know till it’s up, you know? I even asked the paint store lady (Lindy at Fishers Do It Center, who is FABULOUS), and she didn’t think it would go on pink when I asked her. It happens. It’s an easy fix, just a g g r a v a t i n g. As you know.
AND I ignored my gut, too. I think I want Cloud White or Simply White. But Chris’s guy spent the day putting up Dove White, and after 230 bucks – I’m committed. It’ll be good when I get the furniture in. And the tiles!!!!!!!
ever hear of painting of a sample first? perhaps even on a scrap piece of material. LOL …..especially before investing in 6 gallons of paint. Make a mistake once, but twice?
Yes, I am quite versed in painting a sample first. Thanks so much for your helpful suggestion.
OH, and, IndyDesigner, if you are who I think you are, I asked CW which BM paint his good friend MH recommends using for a crisp white.
In the past when we have done our own painting, I have samples on the walls for weeks. This time has been very different in every way. When there’s construction going on, it’s not on my radar to be picking paint colors in the usual way, but then all of a sudden “It’s painting day,” and I’m winging it. Not the best method, I admit.
It takes a pretty smart woman to know that the additional cost of a few gallons of paint are inconsequential given the scope of the project, especially with the difference it can make for the outcome. Putting up paint isn’t that different from posting a reply on someone’s blog–what may have seemed like a good idea at the time, once it’s posted, may actually be pretty inappropriate (stupid). Some just have the sense to change it before the public has a chance to see it.
See if you like Ballet White. What about Elmira? (is that it?)
Miss, CW thought Elmira was too tan for the cabinets, and I had to agree. I know the white I want but just got sidetracked due to my 40 hour work week plus kids plus grad school. I was in a hurry and lost focus.
You know Beth….It’s best to just not worry your pretty little head with it. It’s only paint and your project is going to be lovely. I pride myself on my ability to see color…..I do feel bad that I didn’t follow my 20 years+ instinct. I know better. Consider yourself having some free design time coming your way and I promise “pink” will never see the light of day in your house again!
Let’s put an end to this chatter and just paint it a nice, calming chartreuse. Even if you do buy samples and put it on unprimed walls or even ones which are partially primed, it’s easy to make a mistake. In our kitchen remodel, I dragged our “sample” kitchen cabinet door to the paint store. Even computerized it. I’m like an EXPERT at choosing the right paint color. But, wouldn’t you know it: the REAL cabinets were a few shades off of the sample door. Result: not exactly the right color. What’s done is done.
A voice of reason. Thanks, Miss. You really are an expert designer, so thanks.
Yeah, that’s why I make the big bucks.
Oh lordy….now I am worried about the BM Brookside Moss I chose for my island. BUT it is my first gut instinct so I should just stick with it. Right?!!! Yikes.
I can’t even go there and think about wall paint yet but the demo started today so decisions have to be made sooner than later. Gulp.
Always go with the gut. Mine has been a certain white the entire process but the chaos in this situation and in life at this moment in general stole my focus. Paul is right – we have a very good contractor, and we’re in the finishing stages! WOW! Paint, schmaint.
This will be of no help now, but I need to say it.
Its the rare remodel that hits all the right notes on punch list day. Its more unusual for the homeowner to grow into the new space.
Understanding the need and importance (and the relief) of getting it all right, I have this little story.
I could finally afford to have a custom guitar built and I did. My 4 year old daughter wearing her red sparkly shoes walks up to my pride and joy (the guitar), looks at it and looks at me and kicks my baby (the guitar) and turns around and walks away. A little ding is there, just under the clear and still perfect pick-guard.
I still have that guitar, I love it, I love my daughter, neither one is perfect and I most certainly am not. My point is I got 99% of what I wanted and that 1% I didn’t get bothers me still, I understand about the white paint.
Congratulations on getting a good contractor and finishing.
That is a simply wonderful story, Paul. Thank you for sharing it!