Friday, August 15, 2008

I Need An Intervention!

Several years ago I decorated my home with shabby/cottage decor. Back then I would buy or paint everything a beautiful shade of cream and then distress it. I love the cottage look, but I found that as I made home improvements, my tastes began to change. I held on to some of my shabby pieces and put them away in my storage room. The other day I came across a few pieces and decided there was just one thing to do, "Paint them black!" But, an interesting thing happened as I was painting (could it be the paint fumes?). I started to wonder what my new favorite color will be in a few years.
I have always liked cream and black accessories for the number one reason that they are neutral. I move things around in my house all the time so I need things that will look good in every room. I have rooms painted in shades of red, shades of green, and shades of blue. My rooms aren't neutral, so my accessories need to be.
But, I'm beginning to think that maybe I have hit my quota on black accessories. Could it be?
I have noticed a few warning signs:
My children run for fear of being painted when they see me pick up a can of black spray paint.
My neighbors are asking if I've been hired to decorate for funerals.
The guy at the paint store told me that they can have cases of black paint delivered directly to my door, and shipping will be free since I buy in bulk. . . .
OH NO, I THINK I NEED AN INTERVENTION!!!!OKAY! I've taken the first step.
I've admitted I have a problem.
The next step is to vow to change.
"I PROMISE TO TRY TO GO A WEEK WITHOUT USING BLACK PAINT."
(Did anyone notice I said, "try")
Now all that's left is to ask for support.
"PLEEEEASE HELP ME."
I know that I can not go a week
without painting anything.

I can't be expected to give up all of my addictions.
But, I need your suggestions.
What color can I start using that will be neutral, yet rich and fulfilling like my black paint is?!?!?
Oh please! I vow to make some changes,
but I need your help.

In exchange, I promise to document
my black paint withdrawal all next week.


But before you go. I've got one more five minute idea for you to see. Go check out Annie's cute project. And for those of you who have plans to finish yours this weekend, I'll be happy to link to you next week too.

38 comments:

Empty Nest Full Life said...

I laughed out loud at both you and liz at Mabels House today. It must be one of those days, and I know what you mean about going with something and just keep going, and going and going. How about trying the rusted distressed look. That works well with the black too. I am discouraged about the 5 in under 5 project. Our wal-mart obviously does not have a large selection. The piece of wood would have been almost $5 and the letter almost$3 plus purchasing the spray adhesive, and already had the scrapbook paper, but you have given me another idea. I will post when it is complete. Have a great weekend. Jackie

Sue said...

I'm not much help in suggesting another color because I vote that you just stick with black!! Just this morning I was thinking that I sure don't want to tell my husband that I am going to paint an old cabinet black because he thinks I've gone crazy with black.
Thanks for all your wonderful ideas. I visit you daily!

Heather Anne said...

I think you and Mrs. Wilt from the Sparrow's Nest might both need to step away from the black spray paint can and breathe some good fresh air for a bit - her lawn has permanent black areas! It is such a striking color and really is easy to decorate with, though - and it's hard to find an as effective alternative. Maybe Chocolate brown? I absolutely love Sherwin William's 'macadamia' and find it really neutral - the only problem is that it doesn't come in a spray can! It goes so well with almost every other color I put with it - especially black! Oops! I may have a touch of black-paint-itus myself!

Michelle said...

Good luck...black updates everything and brings it back to life...wonder what color will be next...

Darlene said...

Oh, I am laughing so hard at you right now! You are just too funny with your "black paint" intervention. I haven't been black spray painting long....so I am really into it right now and can offer you no help at all. Please, please if you find a new color and start using it let me know so I can copy....flatter you and use it too....lol

As a matter of fact, this morning I picked up one of those devices you put on the spray paint can to make it easier....cause I was aching so bad on the inside of my arm from the wrist to the bend....

Ashley said...

I got bit by the black bug too! It just represents really clean lines. It is in every decorating book. It is just everywhere, so appeals to the eye. I have made myself a promise to leave my living room alone. I will not paint any of my oak and cherry wood furniture. It breaks up the black in my home. I love coming here for inspiration.

Linda - Behind My Red Door said...

Oh My goodness! You have to see the post I left yesterday! Too funny!

Sue said...

Thank you so much for your comments on my blog...I would be honored for you to link to my blog on your next post.

Rachel Berry said...

Hi my name is Rachel and I'm a black paint A-Holic. Everyone say Hi Rachel!
Seriously, I say if you love it stick with it! The black is somehow creeping all over my house at the moment.
I love it's timeless look.
Black, it's my new best friend.

Your post made me laugh out loud. :)

Actually I just started collecting white plates and such. I just posted about my STONEWEAR freebies that I scored on tuesday. Like I needed another collection/habit.

Well at least our habits are pretty!

:)Rachel

Chris said...

Hello? Have you SEEN all the beautiful things you've painted? So what if they're all black? You change your mind, and you paint over them some day. For now, don't abandon us black fans yet!

Buzzings of a Queen Bee! said...

Hmmm...I don't know what to say. I agree that accents need to be neutral if the rooms themselves aren't. The only other "neutral" I use is a deep espresso brown on furniture...I have stained a few pieces that I just didn't have the heart to paint. Could that color work for you in some way?
-Carrie

Tricia said...

Love your cute projects. I think you have just the right blend of black. Is Black the new neutral color? Have fun.

The Beauty Bargainista said...

LOL!!!
All I can say is, maybe we should buy the paint in bulk and split it? LOL I am so bad!! I too have a terrible obsession with spray paint, but lately its been white and black all the time! I think we both need help!!

Lady Dorothy said...

Well, since you didn't necessarily make a conscious decision to go from white to black, but have ended up that way, I don't think you have to CHOOSE another color. It will come. Just wait. In time, you'll look back and say, "Oh, how funny. I didn't realize I have so much (name of color) in my house! Remember when I used to do black!"

Shirlee said...

Hmm..chocolate brown?
Have a great weekend! :)

Free Art Printables said...

I would love to help you, byut I am in the same place myself. have you tried the new universal spray by rustoleum?? it's Fab! and I dont' say Fab often! Goes on easy, get color.. ahhh.. maybe we should be each others sponsor's for the B.P.A (Black paint anony..) club ;) Jen R

Anonymous said...

Yes, I understand. My daughter has asked me if I was going to paint everything in our house black.

Well, not everything sweetie pie, but certainly lots of things.

I find myself drawn to red paint these days, too. I do love the new look of your pretties, though. Black does completely change things doesn't it?

-- Brandi

Momto5 RachelJoy Photography said...

Im crazy about spray pain ttoooo :) both black and white and sometimes RED :)

Keeper of the Skies Wife said...

Thanks for the giggles. I say just leave it black.

Teal Chic said...

I've done this before. One minute I want everything black, the next I want white...and I'm so glad I didn't get rid of my gold/tuscan styled things as that is what I'm into now. It's so hard to decide when there are so many options. Glad I'm not the only one with this predicament. Great blog!!!

Cathy said...

Hello Joy....I can not be of any help to you, except to say ...I have painted Everything black! It all started with getting a new black refrigerater....that was about 3 years ago! I think I have black lung, from the 100's of spray cans! The dollar store employes, ask for my ID, when I was buying so much....I guess they thought i was sniffing it....I guess I was!
So I just got a good laugh ...because I'm not the only paint changer out there!

Cathy (Catnabarn)

Shell in your Pocket said...

Your blog is so fun!! Okay...onto color...I love the shabby "white/cream" look too but not really knowing your house very well..how about some red!!!
But, remember, not all addictions are bad...so who says you need an intervention...wink!
Deb at www.shellinyourpocket.blogspot.com

Ribbonwood Cottage said...

Hey in your honor I have spray painted wooden plates black, which I absolutely love. I plan on using them for my fall decorating. Your blog is full of ideas, I personally love the black! You make everything look wonderful. Just like hair should be colored! Things need to be painted! Faces need makeup! I could go on and on!
Blessings, Debbie

Blogger said...

You're fine, I am the one who needs the intervention...JOYS OF HOME intervention ;)

Have a great weekend!
Bella

Donna Lynn said...

I love the crisp look of black with any color, it looks wonderful with pink too!!! YEA!!!

I tend to go for the shabby colors just because we live in a dreary place most of the winter, lots of rain, so if I don't keep it lighter our mood gets BLACK!!!

Love all your projects, will you be featuring your Thanks board??
So cute!!
XO,
Donna Lynn

Anonymous said...

Sooo funny. I think it depends on what Im painting... I painted something black today. Cant tell ya till Monday but it's black. I too love the cottage clean look. I think that look will always be in style. It just says clean and fesh to me.. kinda like how black says... rich and classy.... I like red and green too.... wonder if yellow will ever come back... Maybe it has just in shades of gold... Have a great weekend Miss Joy!

nikkicrumpet said...

Well they turned out really nice so your addiction to black is working out great...when the black starts to bore you...heck there will always be another color of spray paint waiting in the wings!

Lynne Griffies said...

You don't need any help---I think painting lots of things black is great. I do it myself. Black is definilty my favorite color. I really enjoy looking at your blog.

Chris said...

Okay, Joy. Your comment on my post cracked me up. You are allowed to say "I told you so". :)

Christy said...

Joy~

A few years ago my decorating style was the "cottage" look as well. EVERYTHING was white, cream and distressed. It actually got kind of boring to me. I still like that look butI can't have everything being that style. I had no idea how popular black was until I started blogging. I guess I don't get out much:) I find myself looking around my house wondering what I can paint black now. I never really liked it before because I always thought it would be too "modern". Now, I see it's far from it! My parents just bought us a black pedestal table and I lOVE it!

I say if you like it, why give it up?

Anonymous said...

Hello! I am new to all this spray painting nonsense. I only did my first project a few weeks ago when I painted an old birdcage. It was thrilling! I have a technical question: When you spray all your nik naks, do you first have to spray them with primer? What the best type of spray paint?? Please answer these burning questions! Thanks, Sherri

Jen - Balancing Beauty and Bedlam said...

Congratulations...you know the first sign of addition is denial, so don't worry...you are not addicted.:) But then again, you're probably confessing the the wrong group of ladies...hee hee.

Ribbonwood Cottage said...

Joy, I enjoy your blog so much. I just looked through all of it from start to finish. I love all the black and all your decor ideas. I have 2 boys and they are also opinionated on my decorating and things that I think are cute. I love your shutters and thrift store finds. Have a blessed weekend!
Debbie

Angie said...

I did your initial plaque project - check mine out! I would like it if you would link me up next week. I think all your black accessories look great! I have some black and a good amount of white/cream stuff. I find it hard sometimes to balance the two in a room. I don't want things too light or too dark - ya know? And remember, it's only paint!!! I say do what you love right now and you can always change it!

abeachcottage said...

everything I've seen painted black seems to look so good though

i can feeling the spraying things black thing creeping up on me too...

cherry said...

Joy...just go down with the ship...if it works it works.. and it is workin for ya girl! This is actually my second "black phase"...sooo I just paint over it when the muse hits. Before this it was chippy white (which I still like to a degree) and I love red...but I am keeping the red to mostly accessories. Your house is beautiful...black is like the little black dress...its a classic. cherry

Darlene said...

Hi Joy,

I was going to let you know I will be posting my 5 min under $5 project in my post tomorrow (Tuesday).

It turned out cute so come visit and see it.

Mrs. Jones said...

Can we have a support group, because I've got the same problem! :-) The black quota has been reached at my house, too.

~Heather

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