Hello again!
It’s Cassie here with my monthly guest post. Last month I shared our backyard renovation and deck addition, and I hope it inspired you as you prepare for spring yard work and gardening. We recently planted our first seedlings in the new raised garden beds we added, so we’re hoping for a good vegetable harvest this summer.
Many of you asked about the paint colors we used after my mini home tour. I’ve put together a list of the Sherwin-Williams colors we currently have and included a few thoughts on my favorites and what I might have done differently.
Favorites:
- Seaworthy – This is the color we used in our dining room. So many readers asked about this shade after my first post. Even though I usually prefer neutrals, Seaworthy is probably my favorite painted color in the house. It feels bold yet refreshing, and because our dining room has excellent natural light, the color looks vibrant rather than heavy. I think its uniqueness is what makes it stand out for me.
- Iron Ore – We recently painted part of our kitchen in Iron Ore, and it has transformed the space. The rest of the house was painted Accessible Beige (more on that below), and the darker contrast against our white cabinets adds depth and interest. We only painted up partway to mimic the feel of tile—an affordable trick that creates visual separation while allowing the main house color to flow through the open floor plan so the area doesn’t feel overly dark.
Our kitchen right before we moved in (the best “before” photo I have).
Our kitchen after painting.
What I Might Change:
There are a few choices I’d reconsider from when we built our home, and one of the biggest is our paint approach. I aimed for a neutral palette so finishes would be versatile, but to save money we painted the ceilings the same color as the walls. That decision reduced contrast and visual interest throughout the house. If we had finished with a plain, crisp white ceiling, it would have brightened and balanced the rooms. Instead, our warm off-white “greige” ceiling clashes with any cooler wall colors, making it necessary to repaint the ceilings whenever we change to cooler tones. Lesson learned.
Loving the Home I Have:
Even though I notice things I’d improve—like the pervasive greige—I’m actively working to make our home feel more personal and comfortable. I’m reading Melissa’s book Love the Home You Have, which speaks to finding contentment and embracing the home you already own. It’s been a timely reminder as we juggle projects and prepare for baby number two.
During this busy season, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the list of things that aren’t perfect. I’m trying to slow down, enjoy the process of making our house a home, and be more content with imperfections. The book has encouraged me to focus on what’s meaningful rather than getting stuck on small details.
Thanks for following along. I’ll be back next month with more updates.
Cassie