You’re going to think I’ve lost my mind and you know what, don’t even let me try to convince you otherwise. I have.
Since we’ve lived in our house, I’ve painted the living room, entry, and hallway (all one room) four times.
First, Repose gray during my identity crisis phase. This lasted about 1 year.
Then, White Dove. That lasted for about 2 years.
(you likely already know where this is headed but let me continue)…
White Dove was too light for my liking, so then I painted it BM Seashell last year.
Then, in April of this year, while I was 7 months pregnant, I realized I was overdue for an entire upstairs paint refresh. So during my existential crisis/pregnancy rage, I decided to paint our living room, hallway and entry Farrow and Ball Joa’s White.
Angelo said that I should make sure that Joa’s White was the color I wanted to commit to because once the baby comes, I likely wouldn’t be able to paint again for a while. I couldn’t help but laugh – surely he recognizes who he’s married to at this point.
Anyway, it took me three whole days to paint, just like every other time I’ve painted this space.
While I did initially like the color, once the “new paint color high” wore off, I had this tiny sliver of doubt in the back of my mind that I undoubtedly suppressed. I was going for a pink beige, but it turned out to be more pink gray.
Over the next few weeks and leading up to my delivery date, that sliver of doubt grew each time I walked through the front door to a pink-gray living room that I knew would look much better in a warmer shade (should’ve went with yellow as my initial gut instinct told me to).
While it is a lovely color, I have to admit there’s something very Macy’s dressing room circa 1996 about it and it’s sort of depressing.
Looking back at photos, I actually think I preferred BM Seashell over Joa’s white, and I really should have left it that, but the dopamine rush that comes with choosing a new paint color outweighed the rational decision to leave the Seashell walls as they were.
I also think I tried to make things too matchy with the drapes since they’re the lead pattern, but I ended up making the room too matchy.
So here’s where my unhinge-ness begins
When I first found out I was going to have an office, I wanted to use Society Social’s new peel-and-stick grasscloth wallpaper.
But then the Dolly idea came up and I found myself still longing to use the faux grasscloth somewhere.
And then, in the way my erratic indecision episodes usually begin, the thoughts started creeping.
Could I use it throughout our entire upstairs?
No way. There’s so much wall space. You painted 11 minutes ago. You have a baby now, you don’t have time. People will think you’ve lost your shit. Plus, you’re not that unhinged.
…
…….
You are that unhinged
The grasscloth – although faux – will add texture, dimension, and make the space feel more finished than another round of paint that I likely won’t be happy with. And, the grasscloth has the warmth that this northern-facing space craves.
Wallpapering our entire upstairs is a big commitment that will likely happen slowly over the course of a few weeks, but I know for certain that it will be an upgrade from where I’m at with it now.
So there you have it, a long, obnoxious way of saying I’m installing faux grasscloth wallpaper throughout our entire upstairs after just painting a few weeks ago.
I’ll share the wallpaper installation process via my stories and the completed space once it’s all done. I’ve been told it’s easy to work with which makes me feel better about installation. Since I’m taking care of a tiny human and my free time is limited, the process will likely take a few weeks. Until then…
au revoir!
Macy’s dressing room circa 1996 ????
I love the new direction. I don’t think you are crazy at all. Sometimes it takes a few iterations to get what you want. Paper away…can’t wait to see it.
LOL! Thank you Erin I appreciate that!!
I love it! I am one of the grasscloth voters so I’m glad to see it’ll be making a lot of appearances soon. Ironically, in the last few weeks/mos I’ve been seriously thinking about doing grasscloth but I rent so maybe framed foam boards.
The color brings enough light, warmth and texture and it brings out the golden colors in the drapes whilst simultaneously speaking to the seagrass rug and woven bamboo blinds and any other wicker/ rattan/cane you have.
(I wonder if [that] is going to be the warm texture trends of 2022 when we look back in 20 years.
Hope not! I love it!)
The contrasting textures with brass and lucite will be a great juxtaposition
Thank you!!! Oooh if you rent you should really consider this peel and stick wallpaper! It does have a bit of texture too. Order a sample and see if you like it!
I definitely am ordering samples! But the lease says NO contact paper or Peel & stick. ugh! Foam boards + wallpaper (way more $ and effort just to hide ugly textured walls. Maybe if I ask they’ll realize I’m actually an invested tenant. Who knows. Rules! The bane of my creative existence!!!
Hahahahaha. Yes!! This will look great. I can’t wait to see.
Thanks Jordan!!! 🙂
I understand the journey that led to the grasscloth decision! I don’t think you’re unhinged;it’s just a creative process 🙂
Also, it’ll get easier to do projects like this as baby gets older. You figure out what works.
When my oldest (now 13!) was 6 months old I started painting our house and since he couldn’t crawl yet I would put him somewhere in the room with things to play with, and he couldn’t get to the paint. I have a friend who waits until baby is asleep and then does all the things.
Thank you!!! Ugh yes nap time is the best time to get things done LOL!
I get it- my living room has been five different colors in the last seven years. And it has gotten to the point I add a coat to the woodwork because I am starting to lose the depth relation of the woodwork and door frames to the walls! So we’re all unhinged together ????!
It’s normal and fun to have change, your home always looks beautiful no matter what you do, and I love that you’re able to keep the momentum going with a new baby!
Hahaha! We are ???? Thank you so much Cindy!!
I think it is going to look great! Look forward to more information on the wallpaper. I’ve been wondering how the peel and stick works out. I would love to try it out somewhere in my home.
Thanks Cynthia! I’m excited to share more
Ok I am SO excited! I think you’re going to love the grasscloth and it’s going to look amazing. And this makes me feel better because I’m thinking of repainting my bedroom even though it was painted pretty recently 🙂 these things happen!
Thanks Jackie! I’m all for you painting your bedroom if you’re unhappy with it! Paint is a quick and easy change that makes a huge difference 🙂
This type of thinking is exactly how my brain works. I totally get it. My husband does not understand me in this capacity at all. Then again, his apartment in college had nothing hanging on any of the walls, which made him look like a serial killer. He drinks full glasses of milk after dinner, so I guess that part checks out.
HAHAHAHAHAH this comment made my day ????????????
I love the idea and can’t wait to see how it turns out ????
Thank you Brenda ????
I truly think that this will be IT and solve the missing ‘something’ of the upstairs. Did it take quite a few twists and turns to get there, maybe, but YOLO ????????????
My ADHD begs me to rearrange furniture, impulsively buy random auction finds, and repaint things. Dopamine rush is real. We’re all along for the ride and are cheering you on.
PS peel and still is quick and mess free…meaning you’ll be able to do it while baby is playing, napping, whatever. No paste to clean so you can slap a section up throughout the day. This comes from someone who decided to do faux grass cloth in her kitchen with a 3 month old
HAHAHAHA YOLO yes ???? I’m surprised at how easy it seems to install, but I guess we’ll see once I start. Thanks foe the encouragement ????
Grass cloth, real or faux will always be
a staple in interior design as it waxes and wanes in interest. I used it in 1980s and again in 2000 and here it is again.
Can’t wait to see your finished room.
I voted for grasscloth also. If I were your age I would be doing same thing. Babies nor toddlers ever stopped me, my job maybe but you’ll work around it.
Macy’s dressing rooms ???? too funny!
Yes it’s so classic!! LOL! Thanks so much Nancy!
It’s going to look amazing! What about the fireplace/built in wall? Have your plans changed for that since you’re wallpapering?
Yes we’re not doing those right now, but someday!
Now that grass cloth makes everything POP! I never notice
that bit of red(?)in the draperies! Hey, do it while the baby is not crawling yet. Much easier! Can’t wait to see it!0
Yes!! Thanks so much!!????
Omg yes! Just that little sample that you’ve put next to the drapes – it’s exquisite! Just in case you needed more enabling lol!
PS – I think those of us who actually see subtle nuances in color are cursed. My husband only sees like 12 colors. ???? Cursed I tell ya!
HAHAHA!! That’s so true ????????????
I think what I admire most about you is your willingness to switch things up. Unhinged? Maybe. But I’m always along for the ride. My husband is not a fan of change, so I could never get away with it at my house!
Hahaha thank you Hollie!! Angelo is not a fan either ????????????
I can’t wait to see your room in the grasscloth! I completely understand wanting to change freshly painted walls because the color feels depressing. Well worth it to have a room that feels pleasant and uplifting. And I continue to be amazed by your energy and ability to get things accomplished!
You are just flexing creative muscles. I lived in my last house for 23 years. I wallpapered no less than 15 times in the kitchen, 4 bedrooms and 2 baths. Every time I told my husband it was the last. But…… I did it again, and again until I got too old to climb the ladder. You will love the grass cloth. I had the real deal in the aforementioned house in the entry and hall and the stairwell. I ended up having to paint over it because a little cat we had loved to sharpen her clws on it! But it’s so warm, textural and chic. Good luck-have done peel and stick. It’s pretty easy.
I LOVE…LOVE…LOVE the grass cloth idea! And hey, aren’t we all just a bit crazy. So now that the upstairs will be perfect and you’ll have tons of time on your hands, can you come over and paint my downstairs? ???? it’s going to be fabulous and I can’t wait to see the end results!
Love, love the grasscloth. It’s timeless and classy. You won’t regret it and you aren’t crazy. You are a creative. People like us live in an alternate reality…but we sure make it pretty! 🙂