We painted | How About Orange

August 05, 2013

We painted


My parents were here last week, and a big project we tackled was painting the stairway, parlor, and living room. Here's the entry.


Can you believe it? I painted over orange. It boggles the mind.

I LOVE orange, but not with dark brown woodwork. The wood is already warm with red and orange tones, so surrounding it with more orange doesn't show it off. And it can look a little dark and Halloweeny. I like cool grays and blues with brown wood.

We painted pale gray in the rooms and on the pillars to brighten things up (Valspar Seashell Gray). Then we added a medium blue (Soft Skies) and a dark blue (Azure Jazz) on the dividing wall. I considered flipping it so the blue was on the outer wall of the stairway, but it gets really dark up there on the landing by the stained glass window. Keeping the paint light there seemed like a smarter idea.


I think it's pretty. Plus you know what color looks good with gray and blue? Orange. I can orange up the furniture and accessories and still get my orange fix. I'm in the mood for a lobster-y red orange chair. Holler if you see one somewhere.


I love the newel post. It's seen better days, but I think it's beautiful. Especially with its new blue backdrop.

50 comments:

Betz White said...

Beautiful! Your house is such a gem. Have fun with it!

Jessica Jones said...

Thanks, Betz!

Grandma G said...

TOTALLY worth all our efforts!!

Mum

Lina said...

I love the colors! And your pilar is beautiful - what a pretty entryway! It looks lovely!

Shree said...

http://www.cb2.com/parlour-atomic-orange-chair/f7238

Waiting said...

I love the color change!

Jessica Jones said...

Shree, I've had my eye on that exact chair. And I just saw this guy in red-orange at IKEA the other day.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90251659/

Larissa Holland said...

Thumbs up on the color choices! It's a much better way to show off the warm color of the wood. I love orange too, but in that quantity it makes me feel angry. And hungry. Love the newel post.

Patti McHugh said...

Looks amazing! What a change!

Crazy Mom! said...

Love your colors - great house!
We have a lot of my more modern home painted a color very close to this
http://tinyurl.com/mn7anvk

Hot Mess Housewife said...

Long-time reader, first-time commenter! I'll admit I was shocked you painted over the orange, but it looks so refreshing in the blues! I can't wait to see the orange touches you'll add.

Dog Mom said...

Looks stunning! Great choices.

Kim said...

Love the color choices! You are right, they make the woodwork stand out better.

jabbott said...

You have such a cool house,and your doing a good job with the decorating x

jabbott said...

You have such a cool house,and your doing a good job with the decorating x

feltonthefly said...

Wow - great job! Looks terrific! Love all of that wood, and especially the newel post.

Unknown said...

Love it. What great colors.

kansasgirl1 said...

I don't have a stitch of blue in my own house, but that wall color is really refreshing to the whole entryway! Looks great!

Linda said...

I had that parlor chair from cb2 in orange that Shree mentioned and I loved it! Sadly had to sell it when we moved. I would get it again if I was in North America.

Megumi said...

Looks much better now than before!

Nicole Underwood Gonzalez said...

Wow! That is a dramatic difference!! I absolutely LOVE the blue!

Unknown said...

I am also but a great proponent of orange, but I agree with your assessment of that situation--it was very 70s Halloween. Nice job!

annie dee said...

Love the colors! Nice choice! Great job!

Chelsea T said...

Darn, someone else beat me to the IKEA chair. It's this one : http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90251659/#/30251657, but is listed in the catalog as a new poppy orange. Perfect!

Tami @ Lemon Tree Tales said...

I love the colors you chose! Just imagine how fantastic those pops of different oranges/reds will look against those walls?

karen608 said...

If only the woodwork and stair railings could talk, and tell of all the others that lived there in the past. Very nice paint job!

Anonymous said...

http://alteriors.ca/collections/living-room-1/products/lotus

http://alteriors.ca/collections/dining-space/products/boum-stool

Expensive? Yes. Beautiful? Definitely!

P.S. the blue is gorgeous!

Jessica Jones said...

I love the first chair! Modern would be lots of fun. I've been eyeing Saarinen womb chairs, too. (Reproduction, not the real deal. I'm not paying $4800!)

Anonymous said...

Jessica: I also found this!
http://lexiasnow.blogspot.ca/2011/08/lobster-red.html

Jessica Jones said...

I have a light fixture that needs spraypainting.... thanks for the link!!

Unknown said...

You may easily file this one under "unsolicited advice." Have you tried really soaking that newel post in lemon oil polish. I had an old, dried out buffet, and the lemon oil did wonders. You paint job looks so professional--can't wait to see your next project.

Jessica Jones said...

Interesting! I'll think about that. I wish the polish would regenerate the corner piece of wood that broke off once upon a time!

Kathy W said...

Beautiful new colors - but then, I'm a blue fanatic. And I'm so jealous of all the original woodwork - and that newel post is fantastic! Thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

It's looking good! Excited to see it become home for you.

jen said...

that looks so much better!

and that is the coolest newel post.

Live a Colorful Life said...

Beautiful! and I just love Valspar paint. I think it is the best. It will be great fun to follow along on your transformation of this beautiful home.

Jessica Jones said...

Ideas are percolating...

swisssidejewelleryetc said...

It's perfect!!

Christiana said...

What a great change! That post is amazing, a little stain touch-up pen could help it look almost new. I love blue and orange together too.

Christine E-E said...

Love that you'll use "orange" to add that punch of color you're known for.
Do hope that you'll continue sharing house updates as you settle in. Amazing detail on the banister post.

Miggy said...

Great color choices! Have you been to Duck Creek Antique mall yet? Lots of just old stuff, but there are a couple of MCM booths that were always worth a look. Also, right next door is an amazing MCM vintage shop. It's not cheap, but the stuff is legit and the owner knows his stuff. Worth checking out!

Jessica Jones said...

Wow, thanks for the tip! Never heard of that place! I'm totally going, and hoping for some MCM!

Cara said...

I noticed that you recently moved from Chicago to Cincy (got a little behind on your blog!). We live in CHicago currently but are considering a move to Cincinnati (where I grew up) to be closer to family and for cheaper livin'. I'll be so interested to follow along as you settle in!

Jessica Jones said...

Where did you go to high school? Just kidding, cuz I don't care. But people seem to talk about that here a lot! It's a standard piece of info they volunteer. And when I ask someone "Are you from here?" they always say no. And then they say they're from the next neighborhood over. Apparently if you were not born within a 1 mile radius of where we're standing, you're "not from here." Cracks me up.

Ann said...

Love it! That blue with the wood is fantastic - so much brighter and more friendly. Great shot of the newel with blue background!

Sew Create It - Jane said...

That stair post is lovely...I can just imagine how many hands have skimmed it as they went down the stairs and out the door...oh the stories it could tell :o)

Anonymous said...

well, not so certain that this is a comment but more of a question. I have viewed and read the entire blog and love every idea. I have a foyer upstairs between "two" bedrooms. I would like to know if anyone has any ideas of how do build a murphy bed? I already did a brown paper bag floor, it looks so rich and beautiful. As well, I glued newspaper on my wall and varnished that, the black and white is beautiful. I found a b/w picture of the Eiffel tower and glued it right in the middle. but there is still something missing. so I would like to try the bed idea, any suggestions.

Jessica Jones said...

Afraid I can't help! I have no idea how to build a Murphy bed. Woodworking and carpentry are not among my skills. :)

Anonymous said...

I love that you used a Valspar grey!

I'm deciding between their Silver Flash & Stone Mason to repaint the kitchen cabinetry in my compact post-war cottage in Brisbane, Australia.

(They are an orangey pine coupled with an 'interesting' dark green and black flecked laminate benchtop. It's a pretty gross combo)

Was also very tempted by their Katana & Cats and Dogs but realised it was more their names than the hues that were appealing.

Keep those pics coming please - seeing your home come together is a treat.

Melissa

Jessica Jones said...

Good luck Melissa! What you have currently sounds quite hideous. Good riddance. :)