Here is a double reveal 🙂 I painted over my stenciled foyer because, well, I just got really tired of it. It was starting to hurt my head when I walked down the stairs (okay that is an exaggeration but it was bothering me). I decided on the 2017 Sherwin Williams Color of the Year, Poised Taupe. I am SO happy with it! I just painted my living room in Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige and this really looks fabulous next to it.
Here is the foyer before (with stenciled walls), as well as a before shot of the armoire:
Stenciled Walls in the Foyer
Here they are now! The walls are clean and fresh and the armoire looks fantastic against the walls. After all of that work stenciling, it actually felt fantastic painting over them!
I used Annie Sloan Duck Egg Blue on the armoire. I did a base coat of General Finishes Antique White, then two coats of AS Duck Egg before sanding with 200 grit. I then clear waxed before applying Maison Blanch Dark Brown wax. The Duck Egg paint was mixed into the clear wax and I used it to wax over in places.
The walls are Sherwin Williams Poised Taupe in an eggshell finish. Sherwin Williams say that if Gray and Brown had a baby, it would be Poised Taupe. It is warmer than the now very popular gray. I actually had Home Depot do a color match and the paint I used was Behr paint and primer in one. It only took one coat to cover all of that stenciling which is pretty impressive.
I left the interior in its existing condition because it is lovely and old. Plus, it’s a lot of work to paint it lol! Can you believe that I already had the large candle pillar? It’s from Pottery Barn and I purchased it a few years ago. It just happened to match the armoire perfectly!
Here is a peek at my living room. I’m in search of a rug and I’ll share it when I find one. You can see how Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige works well next to Poised Taupe. I purchased a pair of these fun clear plastic chairs the other day at HomeGoods and love them!
I’m painting my dining room next. I’m on a painting rampage in my home and changing it all up. Getting rid of a ton of stuff and paring it down to create a more soothing environment. At least that is the goal, but it likely will remain crazy and cluttered!
I think COZY and cluttered is a better way to describe a home. Or homey. It lets you know that it’s lived in. My home will never be serene.
I agree – cozy! Although my home has a tendency to start to look like a thrift store if I don’t keep it under control!
great color choices. I seem to be headed towards the browns now when I was always with a totall color mix of brighter colors. Love the blue, too
Thanks, Linda! I am also now heading towards warmer colors whereas I used to be all about the cooler tones. Change is good!
I am so jealous of that armoire! …and really anything duck egg blue. Such a beauty. –And I know what you mean about the stencil. I love the fresh new paint too!
Thank you, Megan! I am also a huge fan of Duck Egg Blue!
I think the new paint color gives it an elegant more sophisticated look. Beautiful foyer and living room
Thank you so much! It definitely is more elegant and mature than the stenciling. So glad I didn’t wallpaper as I obviously tire quickly of a look!
Looks lovely Suzanne! I love how paint can totally change the vibe of a room or piece of furniture. Happy Painting
Thanks Annie! Happy painting to you too 🙂 !
Looks gorgeous….a paint change really changes the vibe of a room for sure, I love the piece you painted and the large candle pillar are a perfect pair. I am going to keep an eye on Pottery Barn for candle pillars that are funky like yours, cheers!!
Thanks, Maggie! The pillar was a lucky find – it was on sale and I grabbed it 🙂
What paint colors did you use on the armoire, or did you disclose this and I can’t find it?
Hi Kathy,
I used Annie Sloan Duck Egg blue over Antique White. I went over all the steps in the post. Thanks so much!
Funny, isn’t it, how we just take a “wild hair” (as we say in Texas, lol) and change our minds about something we’ve put so much effort into! I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve done something similar to your stenciled walls – like a faux finish and then later think- that HAS to go! Am loving the fresh, clean paint! Looks great.
Thanks Linda and love the “wild hair” expression!
It is a very soothing look, although I love the stenciled walls also but I can understand that you need a change. Sometimes you need the simplicity.
Hi Debra – yes, I needed the simplicity and that is my word of the day lately. I need to simplify my home and life!
Simplicity, my motto these days too. While I liked the stencil detail, I think your entry is so much calmer and classy now. Love the new paint color! Our walls are taupe but I’m liking the gray tones in yours. If we weren’t preparing to downsize, I would definitely consider repainting. The armoire is gorgeous and painted one of my favourite colors!
I noticed that you didn’t replace the pulls on the lower drawer in the armoire- do you just not use that space anymore? We need a c o at closet in this (very old) cottage, and that lovely armoire looks just right for that purpose. Love the calm, serene colors together.
Hi Diane – I was wondering if anyone would notice! The original pulls were broken and actually they were attached with tiny nails into the front of the drawer. So, there were no holes to place new pulls. I was going to drill holes myself but once I put it together, I actually liked the simplicity without them. It honestly isn’t going to be used that much so we can do without. If I end up selling it, I may go ahead and drill and place new pulls then. Cheers!
Beautiful job.where did you get the couch cover
Hi Betty, thank you. My mother-in-law and her sister made it for me as a Christmas present a few years ago – I know I’m lucky!
Love luv luv the new wall color! Stenciling is busy and can make your head buzz awhile. I love your bannister. Don’t think I really noticed the detail before. Question: I see that you have a straight handrail on the wall opposite the bannister. Are you going to keep it or remove it? It moves my eye away from the curved end of the bannister. Just an observation from an untrained eye!
Hi Linda! So funny you say that as it broke off the wall a few years ago. I actually like the look of it better without it but honestly, we really missed it. It actually is pretty useful and so we put it back up. Plus, it is SUPER long and we had nowhere to store it lol! Cheers!
Hi Suzanne! I love the way the armoire turned out! Duck Egg is one of my favorite colors to work with too! I have a few questions, if you don’t mind. Did you dark wax the entire piece? I noticed you also said you mixed Duck Egg into the wax. Was that for the first coat of wax, or did you do that after the dark wax? Also, do you have a preference for Maison Blanche dark wax over Annie Sloan? And do you find that the General Finishes paint provides a better base coat? I’m always curious to hear what others prefer, and also to try different things. Thanks!
Hi Kathy, I always only dark wax in places, such as around the corners, where I want some definition. I never dark wax an entire piece as I’m not keen on the look. I first applied the clear wax, then the dark and then added a bit of the paint into the clear and applied it over some of the dark that I thought needed lightening up. I do prefer the Maison Blanche dark brown wax. It isn’t as dark and I just prefer the look. On this piece there was a chance of bleed through and I find that GF milk paint covers better. I originally was going to paint it white but changed my mind to the Duck Egg (which is why the base coat was in white). I hope that helps! Thanks!