Ryan made the mistake of making a list of what was left to do for the barn apartment. It. Was. Ugly. I am very motivated by lists. Ryan … not so much. He prefers to bury his head in the sand.
But, he (with the help of my brother) has really been knocking out a lot of projects and I think he’s feeling better about progress. Like, “maybe it will actually get done sometime before Henry graduates college” feeling better.
So I’ll share some of the goings-on since the last update.
Ryan and Kyle built a door for the storage/eaves space from original barn wood. This was a necessity, because I don’t Henry thinking he’s allowed to get in there. There isn’t clearance to make it swing or slide, so it’s just hooked in there.
Ryan also put lighting in the storage space, which is a necessity for a small space with no windows.
Ryan’s almost finished with the drywall in the bathroom. He’s been sanding, mudding and taping in the evenings and I’ll get to paint this room next.
Speaking of painting, I took the entire day Friday to paint the main living space and Henry’s bedroom. I also knocked out the ceiling. I went with satin Behr Premium Plus Ultra in Dophin Fin (the paint was provided to me at no cost as a Behr DIY Expert).
We decided to take the wall color up past the slanted ceiling because it was a cleaner line there. When we originally rebuilt the barn, this was just going to be storage. So, it wasn’t imperative that everything was straight and even. But then we up and went crazy. So we make it work.
When I first starting cutting in the ceilings, I was nervous. I wanted something REALLY light grey – like almost white. And while the dolphin fin looked almost white at our house (we used it on our dining table and Henry’s kitchen helper), it felt darker in the barn. But once it was all done, it looks great and is plenty light. The color also isn’t too cold or too dark.
I talk about Behr paint a lot and I get a lot of questions about it in real life and on the blog. To me, the Ultra (with primer) is worth its weight in gold. I painted our entire house with the paint (and I paid for it), and it consistently covers better than any other paint I’ve used. In the apartment, I was able to only do one coat and some touch up OVER DRYWALL.
I was impressed because I was steeling myself for a second coat. Drywall usually sucks up the paint. But, it only took a little touch up with a brush instead of a second coat. That, my friends, is winning. I’m working on a post about all my lazy girl painting tips because I have some other tips to make your painting jobs fast. But this is your prelude. (By the way, I did need to do two coats of Behr Premium Plus Ultra Pure White ceiling paint in this space. And I hate, hate, hate painting ceilings. My version of hell.)
I did put two coats of the same paint on the built-in cabinetry. Thanks so much to everyone who shared your thoughts on how to handle the cabinetry. A handful of people suggested painted the cabinetry the same color as the wall, and I ultimately decided to go this direction so everything sort of fades away and makes the space seem larger.
We still have lots to do in the built-ins (like trimming out between the cabinets and some sort of feature area above where the television will go. But for now, there’s two coats of paint done. I love how it looks.
And here’s a little sneak peek of one of the barn board walls. WHICH ARE AWESOME AND I AM OBSESSED WITH THEM.) But, I have a ton of pictures of this process, so I’ll be back Friday with the full deets.
Look at me, being so sneaky. Or is it being lazy?
Sneaky, lazy, is there really a difference?
Do you loooooove?
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Marty Walden says
Wow. You guys are amazing DIYers! I’m not sure my husband and I could do all you’re doing and planning. He’s always fixed things around the house, but upgrading our home and building things is new to the last couple of years. In my dreams I’d like to tackle an old home, but in reality I’m not sure we wouldn’t kill each other! Great post, Kim!
Kim Woodward says
Thanks, Marty! It’s been a fun ride. And there are definitely times I think we may not make it out alive.
Robin says
that is an AMAZING space!!! I absolutely love the color- can’t wait to see more! xo
Kim Woodward says
Thanks, Robin! It really is a great color. I want to paint everything in dolphin fin now. =)
Christine says
Dolphin Fin is absolutely perfect!! I can’t wait to see the finished room!
Kim Woodward says
Thanks, Christine! I love the way the color turned out.
Kenz @ Interiors By Kenz says
YOU ARE GOING TO LIVE HERE! AHHHHHH! I am wildly impressed. The progress being made is so amazing. You and Ryan are clearly super humans.
Rita Templeton says
Yes, I loooooove! I am consistenly amazed at your mad DIY skillz. When it comes to this type of stuff, my DIY-ing consists of nagging my husband to do it. 🙂
daisy says
Wow, it’s coming together so fast! How in the world do y’all find time to get all this done with real life going on? Oh yeah, you’re young. ;0)
Kim Woodward says
It only seems like it goes fast on the blog. In real life, we are both feeling like it’s moving at a snail’s pace.
Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says
Looking good!
Jess @ Little House. Big Heart. says
Love, love, love Dolphin Fin (and Behr paint)! That’s the color we have on (nearly) every wall in the Little House!
Love seeing the progress!
Kim Woodward says
I’m digging it, too. It’s a great grey.
Katrina says
Kim, everything looks so good!!!
Jaime Costiglio says
Then end is so near! Love the color against the barn wood contrast. Can’t wait for flooring and trim.
Kim Woodward says
Oh my goodness, me either. =)
We are actually using hand-me down hardwoods and I’m a nervous wreck about it. Because I didn’t choose the style or color. But it’ll all work out. Crossing fingers.
Sarah says
Such awesome progress! I am so excited for you guys. Love the grey & Behr paint too.
Anu says
You’re making great progress and it’s looking soooo good!
Rebecca says
It looks amazing!
Carrie says
I love it and you are so cute! Your barn is done right!
Julia@Cuckoo4Design says
Yes, I do love a lot. It will be so good! Just showed it to the hubby too!
Kim Woodward says
Thanks, Julia!
cassie says
WOW! it looks so good so far! how fun!
Gretchen@BoxyColonial says
I’ve always found that the same paint color looks lighter on furniture than on a whole wall. But it’s looking great in there–so excited to see the big wall reveal!
Kim Woodward says
You are totally right. But it also looks exactly the same between the wall and wood up close. So, I don’t get it.It’s like college science all over again.
Jessica @ Run Your Mutt Off says
This looks awesome! I think the color is perfect (contrasts with the ceiling, but still keeps the space feeling bright). And I think painting the angled portion was a good choice, it makes the space feel a little bit taller.
Kim Woodward says
Thanks, Jessica. I think you are right!