A Little Paint Goes a Long Way

I'm a big fan of working with what you have. Taking something, and then turning it into something different (and better), without spending a whole lot of money. I've mentioned before that our home is in a bit of a time warp, a-la 1970. We love our house, but eventually we'd like to do some major gutting and remodeling, especially to the kitchen and the upstairs bathroom (okay, we'd like to spruce up the downstairs bathroom, too). However, we bought this house at the same time that we became a one-income family, and at the same time we decided to keep our old house and try our hand at property management. There won't be an major remodeling going on any time soon. So, while our focus is on saving money, I'm trying to make some little cosmetic improvements to brighten the place up a bit. I started on the family room last year, removing a large forest wall mural (you had to see it in person to truly appreciate its hideousness) and painting the dark wood paneling white. Unfortunately, I only painted half of the room, and never finished the rest. We spend a lot of time in the family room, and since it is in the basement, it is dark down there. Not a place for wood paneling and forest scenes. I'm hoping to finish the remaining two walls while my parents are here, so they can help me keep curious little boys out of the paint.

What I am really excited about, however, is my kitchen. It is a wonderful kitchen, but there is also wood paneling on the walls, along with some wall paper that I really dislike. The kitchen table is too big for the space, but it came with the house, so we've kept it. I want to brighten it up with some paint, a little ripping and tearing, and a little creative decorating. I have a plan in mind, and it is based around the fabulous little table that I purchased the other day, at a local antique shop (this picture was taken at the antique shop, while Griffin was busy testing the chairs out). Very retro, and very yellow. I am madly in love with it. My goal is to create a bright, cheerful little breakfast nook, and then brighten up the rest of the kitchen, since the boys and I spend so much time in it. We eat all of our meals in the kitchen, too, but I'd like to start using the dining room instead, because, why have one if you aren't going to use it? Anyway, I'll be posting pictures in the coming days of the before, during, and after. I hope what I have in my mind's eye will turn out just as nice in reality. We shall see!