Who knew painting a few rooms in our new house would become so involved?!?
Since Friday, Mal and I have visited Lowe’s four different times for paint-related tasks: selecting color swatches, almost buying paint samples (we showed up 5 minutes before the store closed), buying paint samples, and buying the paint.
I really hope picking the colors is the hardest part about painting!
Last night, Mal and I selected a whole slew of color swatches and mulled over them.
After much consideration, we selected four different colors, one for each of the rooms.
At Lowe’s this afternoon, we bought a small $3-sample of each paint color.
And we used poster board to test out the colors.
Once we painted on each of the colors, we let the poster board dry and considered them.
This next step was really difficult. Mal and I obsessed for a long time.
We considered all sorts of factors in our decision, including “warm” and “cool” hues, time of day, natural light, the “flow” of the house, color “transitions” into rooms, furniture and rug colors, etc.
It actually got quite ridiculous, but that’s the way we are sometimes! 😉
Eventually, we made up our minds! 😉
Then, Mal and I went back to Lowe’s to buy the paint and related painting supplies (brushes, rollers, trays, tape, spackle, etc.).
We also ended up buying a ton of other stuff, like an electric sander.
My husband felt right at home in “Tool World!” 😆
We also purchased a garden hose, dehumidifier, step ladder, and two lamp socket kits.
I still can’t believe how much stuff we bought!! 😯
After spending way too much time at Lowes, Mal and I were both starving. So, on the drive home, we stopped at Subway to grab dinner.
I had a ham sandwich with tomato, lettuce, cucumbers, green bell peppers, jalapeños, black olives, and honey mustard. It totally hit the spot. I was so hungry!!
Today was a full day, but I *think* the painting will start tomorrow. Yay! 
Good night, folks! 😀
63 Comments
Welcome to homeownership! Its crazy, but fun! The hardest part is not being able to call your landlord when something goes wrong. You’ve either got to pay for a professional, or learn how to do a lot of things real quick 🙂
I’d recommend the book “How to Fix Damn Near Everything.” It’s amazing! Also, make friends with you’re neighbors, especially if they’ve been homeowners for a while. I’m lucky enough to have a plumber and a mechanic in my neighborhood and through them, found a great electrician!
Oh the joys of picking paint colors haha…so much harder than I thought!! We actually painted our dining room that Tea Stain color on one of your swatches, I love it…it seems really light but I love how it looks 🙂 Can’t wait to see the finished products!
You’ll be at Lowes probably everyweekend for a while 😉
Hi Tina–I have that tea stain paint color on my living room walls and I really like it. It’s a nice neutral that warms up the space just enough/doesn’t clash with the other colors we have going on with our furniture. Good luck with your painting adventure!
In my opinion Lowes pain sucks, Benjamin Moore is wayyyyyy better. Less work with quality paint.
Picking paints is SUCH a process! There are so many things you have to consider, like different lighting, times of day, contrasts, etc. Can’t wait to see how it all turns out!
Buy a shop vac! Best thing we ever purchased when we bought a house – and we got it at the day after Thanksgiving sale CHEAP.
Love love love your colors! And I love the idea of using the posterboards. I had paint swatches all over my kitchen! Two years after buying a home and we still LIVE in Lowes and Home Depot. In fact, I am in the process of picking new cabinet hardware. So hard to choose but still fun! Good luck!
You totally should go all “Young House Love” because I’d be fascinated to see how your house comes together.
Then you can rename your blog “Carrots n Cake n Carpentry.”
I love the paint colors. Neutrals are the way to go..and that greenish color is awesome. I painted my kitchen in my old (3 apartments ago) a similar color. I loved it. It was so inviting. 🙂
Welcome to the joys of home ownership! Multiple trips to Lowe’s in one day. 😉
just a tip. check your local post office, they usually have a Moving Kit that has a 10% off coupon for Lowe’s. I know this is a bit late since you already bought a bunch of stuff but as new homeowner’s you are bound to go back to Lowe’s for more stuff.
Home Depot will honor the coupon as well 🙂
@Romi: I used one last night! 🙂
Wow – you two are pro decorators, I would have never known to take so many things into consideration!