Welcome to my eclectic journey of my life and delights. This year my theme is surrendering my writing pen to the true author, Jesus Christ, while looking forward to the future, reflecting on the past and dancing through my journey.




Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Oops Paint and Teen's Room

When you hit those little bumps in the road that want to pull you into the pit of giving up, a good friend with an encouraging word can sure help you to just jump over the bump.


This was the case when I entered our dirty and decoratively-challenged new dwelling.  I strolled through our new place with less-than-graceful or designer-possibility eyes.  God in His wisdom knew what He was up to when He brought a good friend to view things differently.  As I pointed out all the faults of this design- challenged home...more than had ever presented themselves to me in my lifetime.......she just smiled with, "it is all cosmetic!"

The rooms were abundant in size, yet the "slopped" (and I am being nice when I say  "slopped") on painted walls were way-less-than desirable 

I promised my son, whose wall had been "slopped" over with yellow paint to half-way cover the once-totally pink walls, that I would come to his male-ego rescue.  The shared, boys' bathroom would also be raised from the dead... as soon as I could find the money tree.

God in His mercy gave me vision for each room in the house...so reconstruction started and I have already completed two rooms' transformation.

One of the most cost-efficient ways to transform a room is with paint. However, even that can become very costly when painting a whole house.  In the past I have been known to paint full bedrooms in Oops paint.

Oops paint?  Well, they are the gallons or quarts of paint that someone brings back for some reason...usually not the color they thought.  My developed eye doesn't have trouble grabbing a gallon...usually about $5.00 or a little more, to see what I can create.  So last week, the last week before the start of school, I took my teenage son to go look at oops paint.  I had a vision in my head...he didn't.  I looked first, then allowed him to survey what they had.  He picked out exactly what I knew he would....now for the transformation.
Antique bed...spray painted in brown...mine from when I  was a teen.
I had already bought him a very reasonable (cheap) comforter for his bed...remember, teenage boy.  We attacked the walls with his chocolate paint.  He had envisioned all four walls in chocolate...I had not.  To my excitement, we ran out of the chocolate paint after two walls were completed.  There was just enough left to put my creative slant on the walls.  I continued the chocolate paint on a horizontal border going around the second two walls.  A lighter taupe...left over from a past project, finished up the walls.


Western art, metal signs and a cowboy boot has started our accents in his room. "Keep it simple, so it will stay clean" is my battle cry on teen boys' rooms....I am picking my battles.

This wall will probably hold all the sports pictures  from high school.
We still have more accents to finish.
I was on a roll...yes, a paint roll... On to the bathroom. Since this bathroom will be shared by a 22 year-old-college son, a 15 year-old-high-school freshman and our precious non-stop talker. age 5....it had alot to accommodate. The size is great...but past colors were still showing out from under every corner, baseboard and tile possible..does anyone know how to paint?  In came the color used at the top of the horizontal border from the son's room.

I gathered up all the car pictures, posters, and accents I could find from our different collections.  I ran to buy cheap...(remember, boys again), shower curtain, towels and rug.  I used these pieces to add the punch of color...RED.  In one day. I had the bathroom up and functioning well. 


I am still trying to decide if it needs a racing stripe going vertical in red....what do you think?


My motto, "If it doesn't look good....go grab some paint....and just possibly the oops paint will work the best."
Also grab that friend who can give you a new perspective.
Thanks Angie!

37 Joining in with more words:

Diana Ferguson said...

Everything looks great, Janette!! Awesome job...

Love the little "CARS" cars lined up.

Leslie @ Farm Fresh Fun said...

"Coooel!" ;-P What boy wouldn't love all those accents? I do!!! My own bedroom is a chocolate and red is my fav accent color. I admire your energy and vision. Mine is fading very fast these days... Haven't had time or good connection to blog, but you're always the 1st friend I come visit. Thanks for inspiring as usual. Wish I could stop over to do the same.
xoxo
Leslie
ps- small pkg IS coming. some day! <3

Finding Joy said...

I have never heard of people taking paint back, I don't think you can do it here, but what a great idea of buying it. The room looks so good, you are very clever.

Debbie said...

Good morning! WOW...LOVE the transformation. It looks really good. I had no idea you could buy oops paint. What a wonderful idea. I am going to be checking into that. You are always soo creative with your decorating. Have a wonderful day my friend! HUGS

Mary said...

woman, you are good!!! his room looks fantastic, the bathroom is great, and yes, yes, a red racing stripe would be perfect!!

xxoo

how's your back holding up with all the painting??

Tanna said...

Janette, GREAT job!!!! I am lovin' that horizontal stripe and rich brown colors. What a wonderful Ooops find! Debbie at No Spring Chicken is doing a baby blanket in a rich brown and red! Twice today I have been ooohing and aahhing over two of my favorite colors! You are doing an amazing job of making your house a home. Hang in there, girl. And, yes, friends like your Angie make all the difference. ;) blessings ~ tanna

Nancy said...

You go girl...you are definitely on a roll.....You do definitely have a talent for decorating...I love what you did with the bedroom and bathroom and yes a red stripe would be great.....

You are truly transforming that house into a beautiful nesting spot for your family.....

Farm Girl said...

I think it looks so good and you are doing such magic. You could write a book!

Rebecca said...

"Inspired and inspiring" - that's what you are!

Everything to love here. (And we've discovered "oops paint" here on Highway 37! It rocks!)

Susannah said...

I see you're having fun! Paint is really a "miracle worker" especially, oops paint. (I love spray paint too... and for metallic finishes, spray auto paint.) Enjoy the fruits of your labors!

Christine said...

Got a room and hit a bump in the road.
Heading to the hardware store NOW!

Thanks for the update and great ideas.
Love the theme for the boys bathroom.
GENIUS!

Sandy said...

Everything does look great! We also
discovered oops paint a few years ago
at our Home Depot and Lowe's. Nothing
like a lot of paint for so little cash.
You are a really talented lady, Janette!
Blessings!

myletterstoemily said...

you are a paint magician! my interior
designer NEVER had one idea as clever
as yours! next time i'm hiring YOU!!!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the props, friend! I am amazed at how quickly you are transforming everything...and I can tell everyone it looks even better in person:)

You are a good motivator to me -- I need to get off my hiney and do some stuff around here!

Angie

Anonymous said...

Terrific, Janette, terrific! What a wonderful vision God gave you. It is happenin' and professional looking!

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

This NOT an idle chatter compliment... you KNOW what you are doing, and your eye for color and 'pops' (thank you HGTV) of design and decor is super Janette! I think I love your stripes and diamonds as well as anything I've seen in a long time. I think a red stripe in the bathroom would be perfect! :)

xo

Cecilia Marie Pulliam said...

I love getting peaks at your progress with the new house. Gorgeous Janette. I love the style you have created. It is stunning. I have never thought of Oops Paint. Great idea!

Sally said...

Your energy is inspiring. I don't have a very creative eye in the decorating dept. My son helped accessorize our home when we moved here four years ago. He's my go to perspective.

Petra said...

What a great transformation, wow! I'd say very thin red racing stripes. I actually like painting, and will have to go to the hardware store to ask for some oops paint. But first I'll need a friend to inspire me to strip all the layers of wallpaper off the walls first! Blessings!

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

Wow ~ you have accomplished so much! And, everything looks great. You did a splendid job completing your sons bedroom with the limited amount of paint. So nice! The accents bring it all together nicely :)

Vee said...

You're brilliant, Janette! You could start a business based on what you know and see. I would be so lost with that kind of a challenge. Your son must love it! As for the bathroom, who cares about a red stripe? I bet those boys don't so "Keep it simple" unless you just love painting. :D

Sue said...

Good morning Dear Janette,I am so happy to be able to be out visiting again......
You did a beautiful job!!
God knew this house needed to be made into a beautiful home.. I believe He wants us to live in HOMES not houses, and He knows who has the ability to create homes,that express His love through their touches , I bet if you stand back and look you will see your home smiling.
I love how you always make life such a wonderful adventure, If I can't live with you then I want to be your neighbor.
Much love to you today.
Sue

Maryann said...

Looks fantastic, I love the chocolate paint color

Sharon said...

Wow! Janette - you are a talented (and resourceful) interior designer. I just love how you are turning this house into a home.

Paint is a miracle-worker sometimes, isn't it? Especially when it's done right. Love the bedroom, and the bathroom looks cute, too. Hmmm...I think I'm voting no stripe.

Seriously, though - you could have a business with your frugal and gifted eye for design.

GOD BLESS!

no spring chicken said...

When are you available friend? You did such a fantastic job... again! One of my favorite color combos is brown and red. I would admittedly accessorize in a bit more, uhm, feminine way. But I can totally see your men loving this! Wonderful...

Blessings, Debbie

Lorie said...

You certainly are gifted! I didn't even know they had oops paint. Where do you find that?

I love what you are doing with your new home.

Trisha said...

Wow! Janette, it all looks so great! I'm hoping to do some painting next month...transforming our kitchen cabinets. Love the pictures, and I'm so glad you got those encouraging words from your friend. What a blessing. :)

Debbie said...

What a blessing from the whole ordeal of having to move, Janette. You get the creative fun of redecorating a new place. Lucky me to get to go along for the ride and enjoy the fruit of the labor. The fact that you're doing it on a budget makes it all the more fun to me. (ANYONE can decorate if money is no object. It's the design on a dime that I like to see.)

And speaking of rides, YES! I think you should add a racing stripe.

It all looks fantastic.

Nikki (Sarah) said...

wow...double wow....you are totally creative and gifted. I love what you did...and I can use your expertise up here.....I have no idea how to paint or do any of what you did. Way to go Janette!!!! Cheering for you and oops paint and mostly.....an amazing creative flair....

Shanda said...

You have such a great eye for decor. I love chocolate and you used it without making the room look to dark. Love oops paint too!

A multi-dimensional life said...

Love it Janette! Great job with the stripe too! And yes, why not a red racing stripe...
remember...boys! :)

Kathleen said...

You could write a book and make a living at this stuff! I love your creative eye, and the story-telling combo you make out of everything.

Marsha Young said...

Wow, Janette - you are both creative and BRAVE. Beautiful results, too!!

I loved seeing your pictures.

Canadagirl said...

You are doing a amazing job! Wow kudos to you!

I will have to remember the opps paint idea. My boys rooms REALLY need a face lift. But first I need to finish the upstairs bathroom. Praying it will get done before the snow flies. [o=

Blessings and ((HUGS))!
-Mary

Crown of Beauty said...

I think Oops Paint is a great idea. You did an awesome job with your son's bedroom and the boys bathroom.

You are really good with painting, Janette. In our country, we would just hire a painter to do it. I like the way you do it yourselves in America.

In no time at all I am sure you will be able to finish painting your house.

Love your heart and your perseverance. Praise God for your friend who could encourage you.

Did you once say that your son is a roofer? We finally had the leaking roof over our sun room replaced. No more leaks!

And my sister from America who is visiting started to paint the sun room... I helped her. We did it ourselves!

Blessings on your day, dear friend. I always love coming to your blog, It is so positive and so encouraging.

Much love
Lidj

Lea @ CiCis Corner said...

Well, looks like to me that you have been a "woman on a mission" lately. I'm sure impressed! Everything you have done looks great! I've never heard of "opps" paint, but glad to know about it. Blessings for a great week!

Brenda Lazzaro Yoder, said...

While I like the literally changes you made over the oops paint, I love the spiritual analogy that "God doesn't make mistakes." He clearly covers over our sloppy, oopsy messes. Thanks so much for this post!

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