Well, the inevitable happened. I started painting the laundry room white, and I don’t like it. Didn’t I have this crisis of faith last time too? Maybe I have it every time. Some people are good at choosing paint colors. I struggle. It’s a good thing we’re not curing cancer here. It’s just decor.
The biggest problem is that the planks are very rustic. There are hundreds of nail holes and size differences plank-to-plank. BHH has a casual feel, but that is not the same as rustic. Dark paint will cover a multitude of sins, and I’m reaching for a favorite, Mount Etna.
It’s dark. It is the same color I used around the windows and on the floor stencil in the Breakfast Nook.
This room, painted in Mount Etna, is exactly the look I think I want now.
The art I chose will brighten up the room, and I will share that next week. I’m open to your thoughts.
Podcast
In case you missed it, we released episode #7 of the True Tales From Old Houses podcast on Monday. Devyn and I had so much fun interviewing Scott Sidler from The Craftsman Blog. The podcast is finally on a sustainable biweekly schedule, and I’m pretty proud of it. We continue to work on sound quality, and it will keep getting better.
DIY Meal Kit Recipe: Broccoli Parmesan
After whipping this dish together, I realized that it would be a good one for the kids to make. Even the most beginner of cooks will be able to navigate this simple recipe. Also, I promise we do not eat all of our meals out of a bowl, but I bet it is hard to believe me.
If you are unfamiliar with the BHH concept of DIY meal kits, please read this post first. The initial recipe post in this series is also helpful and informative. Note: Most of our recipes are vegetarian.
Recipe: How to Make Broccoli Parmesan in Under 20 Minutes
Recipe Notes:
- I tripled this one because we love leftovers.
- For a little more taste, I added a couple of cloves of garlic.
- Instead of steaming the broccoli florets, I stir-fried them with the garlic. I tend to oversteam vegetables, and I like them crisp-tender.
Storage Containers
We use these Sistema KLIP IT boxes or the larger size (shown today) depending on our needs. We are also big fans of 1.3 cup Snapware* for small portions. They fit nicely in the Sistema Klip-it storage boxes. I also recently added these tiny lidded glass containers (intended for baby food, but they work perfectly for spices or small portions).
*This links to the plastic version, but we prefer glass. Unfortunately, the glass containers, sold in sets of four, seem difficult to find now. This 10-piece set includes the small Snapware containers we use as well as some additional, useful sizes.
Have a great weekend! I’ll be painting my little heart out and hopefully starting the windows too.
8 Comments
Andrea
I love your choice of Mt. Etna. I agree: unless you are seeking a super-rustic look, white paint just makes old wood look sad, as it highlights every single crack, knothole, nail hole, gap, etc. I bet it will look amazing with Mt. Etna, and will tie in to the other rooms in a very subtle and pleasing way.
Stacy
You hit the nail on the head. The walls did look sad with the white paint. 🙁 I’m excited about how the room is shaping up now.
Kathleen
Dark and moody is my jam! I wholeheartedly support your course correction. Plus if the room is naturally bright, it will still be bright even if you paint it dark, and it will give you great contrast for your lighter accessories! Can’t wait to see the results!
Stacy
Yay! Comments like yours boost my confidence. I’m one coat in, and it, and I am pleased with how it is coming together.
Jenny
I think the dark paint is a good choice–it looks so classic with the white trim. Our office/guest bedroom (which is about to morph into a nursery) is painted in a similar color and I just really enjoy the contrast with white furniture.
Stacy
I am glad that you commented since you have lived with a dark paint for an extended period. Congrats on the little one that is going into that nursery! 🙂
Ann
This is a 180 turnaround! But I think it’s going to look fantastic….good job figuring out an alternative in the early stages!
Stacy
Thank you, Ann!