Ready for a Fresh New Start {With New Paint}

I love the time I get to spend with my boys in the summer.  And I also love when it's time for school to start and I can focus more time on projects around the house (and this blog!).  When we returned home last week from spending a good chunk of time away this summer, I was itching to get started on some projects.  Our main project for this Fall is going to be (finally) finishing our master bedroom.  I wrote a post about our plans and I can't wait to get started on that.

We decided to paint the kitchen level of our split level house.  It has been on our to-do list for about a year now and I wasn't looking forward to it.  I wanted to get rid of the gold-ish color and have more neutral walls.  Plus, the walls were in sad shape from scuffs and the usual wear and tear.  Here's the color (Camel by Behr) before...

This room has been the most confusing space to configure for me!  First, when we completed our family room, we thought we weren't a "formal living room" kind of family and used the space as a dining room.  Guess what?  Turns out we aren't a "formal dining room" kind of family either.  So we took down the wall between our kitchen and (what was currently) the dining room and decided we needed more of a "hang out" space for our boys.  So now it is all one room with a kitchen/eating/sitting area.  I "think" I am happy with this set-up.  I reserve the right to change my mind...again.  My husband is a saint for putting up with me.

So back to painting.  We decided to use Behr's Castle Path.  It is a greige color and it really changed the space.  It feels so much lighter and fresher.

Painting with 3 boys at the end of summer break probably wasn't my best idea.  But, I felt like it just HAD to get done.  Now.

We also moved the old Ikea sofa that was in our bedroom down to this room.  I like how much lighter and brighter the room feels and this sofa is comfy!  We also mounted a tv above our faux fireplace.  We hid all the wires including the cable box.

I need to figure out something for window coverings.  There were sheers hanging on the empty clips you see in the picture below, but they were a gold tone so need to be replaced.

I am considering planking the wall behind these chairs that is open to the stairs to the foyer/family room.  I also want to plank a wall in our bedroom.  I am wondering if I am taking the planking trend too far and I will regret it??

I am so glad this project is done (for now).  It was so worth it!