Rate my space
Posted on Jul 21st, 2008 by Allison (Style & Fashion, Whatever)

condo_living2a.jpgI live in a small, 1 bedroom condo - less than 800 square feet.  But after living in apartments for several years I was so sick of white walls that I went color-happy.   

Living RoomWith the help of Benjamin Moore (and my sister), I painted the living/dining/kitchen/hall (all connected in some way) a combination of Henderson Buff (a pale yellowish green), Monroe Bisque (beige), and Plum Raisin. It sounds like a lot of color, but it looks really cool with the asian feel of my furnishings.  

KitchenMy bathroom is a lovely taupe/stone color, and my bedroom is Dijon (mustard yellow).  There is nary a white wall in the place, other than inside closets.   It took me several months to complete and my right shoulder has never been the same.

While at the Benjamin Moore paint store, I noticed some really cool shimmering metallic glazes.    Mind you, I have a love of all things sparkly, opalescent, irridescent and metallic and my mind started racing with possibilities….  unchecked, I could turn my place into a tacky, gawdy nightmare    But I restrained myself and recently came up with an elegant plan.

Wall GridI don’t have a headboard, and so decided to make an entire wall a lovely focal point for the room using metallic glazes.

I started by designing the general layout for the wall.   Then I started taping off the squares.  I could only do one layer at a time, because the glaze has to dry before taping/painting over the corners with another color.   I used a combination of a small roller brush, a dry sponge and a rag.  I’m still not sure which method I like best.

My Bohemian BedroomIt took me about 2 weeks, painting a portion nearly every evening, to get this far.  I still have a few of the most sheer/pale squares to go - but this gives a good idea of how it looks.  (Click the photo to enlarge).   It’s a sublte effect, and doesn’t really show in the photos, but some of these squares really shimmer - especially when the light hits them just right.   Once all the squares are done, I’m will probably sponge over the whole thing with a sheer, shimmery gold glaze so that it catches the light even more.   

My beaded curtainI love it.  It looks great with the beaded curtain (real, hand strung amber and gold glass beads - and shimmery gold ribbon)  that leads to my closet. 

Did I mention I like sparkly, shiny stuff?

 So what do you think?   Are you inspired to create your own shimmering (or other) wall?

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Comments

Kaylyn on July 21st, 2008 at 8:02 am

I love it! That wall with the squares behind your bed is FABULOUS! I wish I was that creative….but I’m just not. I also enjoy the other colors you chose for the rest of the house, they look great too. My whole house is painted various colors of green, kind of boring, but I like it. =)


Michelle on July 21st, 2008 at 9:35 am

Seriously you have some talent with paint! I love LOVE your bedroom wall, good color good spacing…I want to see a closer shot so I can see the metallic. I love your condo, you have done a great job.
p.s. Thank your for using “nary” in a sentence.


Chris on July 21st, 2008 at 11:18 am

I don’t have a headboard either, what a great idea!! Was that a huge pain to paint all those squares so perfectly? I love your apartment, you have used color really well, funny how one wall with a really bright paint can energize the whole place. I love the piece above your fireplace.


Ashley Rae on July 21st, 2008 at 11:45 am

Ditto with the use of the word “nary.”

Wow, Mom. You are so talented. This does not inspire me to be creative with my walls, rather, it inspires me to hire you to paint my walls.

I am extremely impressed… it’s beautiful!


Allison on July 21st, 2008 at 1:00 pm

Chris, they aren’t painted perfectly :) I’ll go take a close up of a couple squares to give a better idea…

The real trick was figuring out which layers to tape and paint first/2nd/etc. I wanted it nice and mixed up - not just all one color at the bottom, then another single color in the next layer, etc. I just used a level and measuring tape to place the blue tape in squares…. Some colors were diluted more than others in glaze, then applied the glaze using on of the techniques. I only mixed up enough paint to do a couple of squares at a time.

metallic squares

It took a lot less time than stringing all those glass beads!


Kathleen s Pearce on July 21st, 2008 at 1:18 pm

Allison, I’m homesick for your apartment (and you, of course). I love the bedroom wall, but I’m afraid I would never be able to replicate it. Your use of color is so inspiring, You have seen my place, I’m just a chicken when it comes to color. You are amazing!


Brooke on July 21st, 2008 at 1:19 pm

I love your alternative idea to a headboard. The squares are so pretty and I love the colors you chose. You definitely have talent! Kudos!


Amy on July 22nd, 2008 at 7:59 am

I VOTE ALLISON FOR HER OWN HGTV SHOW!!!!
YOU ARE A DESIGN STAR DIVA AND I WOULD TUNE IN EVERY WEEK TO SEE YOUR WORK!!
I am always amazed and inspired by your creative and artistic talents… and you’re funny to boot!
Love the paint and colors Allison! In the words of the good ol’ Hasselhoff “you are the next great American act!”


Robert on July 24th, 2008 at 9:16 pm

Each room looks like a professional planned it. This is the same thing I did in my house in Hayden. Every room was a different color, and all of the moldings and window/door frames were white. The goldish mustard yellow of my living room looks very similar to yours. I had a blue room, a green room, the dining room was wallpapered, and the bathroom was deep red with white floor and ceiling, white cabinets and doors… and gold and silver fixtures… I always felt my place had an Italian feel to it… I put hours into that effort, so I can just imagine what you went through..


Jennifer Pearce on July 26th, 2008 at 12:09 pm

I am very impressed with your beautiful decorating! It looks like all your hard work paid off! I’m excited to come see it in person very shortly!


Jean on July 28th, 2008 at 11:23 pm

LOVE IT … LOVE IT … LOVE IT …

You are very talented in every way. I am so impressed, seriously.


irene on August 13th, 2008 at 8:15 am

It turned out beautiful, I know you are talented, but I am always amazed at how creative you are. I’m with Amy..you should have your own show on HGTV. Love it love it!


Melissa on October 13th, 2008 at 9:05 am

This is so luxe I love your idea. I think the wal would really pop with a solid color bedding, or one color sheets and another color comforter. The bedding takes away from its beauty!


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