Main Level Renovation

When you walk into our house, here is how it looked BEFORE:And here is how it looks NOW:Before, with all white walls:

Now, with 'high-speed steel' (name of paint color) walls:

I absolutely LOVE the dark grey color. It just makes it all look so different and better.

Another BEFORE:

And AFTER:

I got the outdoor lanterns at Kmart. A different kitchen table (probably black) is on the wish list.I got this shelf at Ikea about a year ago for $20. It was grey and I painted it black. I don't have much cabinet space (and we have a renter who uses some of that cabinet space for her food) so this shelf helps a ton with storage.

This is what our living room looked like some time back. I move furniture a lot so this is not exactly how it was right before the remodelling, but it gives you the idea.Here it is now:Since we needed our office room for another kids room, I made my office in this little cubby space (and Jason's is now downstairs). I love it! We weren't planning on painting the living room/my office space, but the other color we painted it turned out to be too close to the dark grey. So, I found this silver color called 'pewter luster' at Lowes. It is a great contrast to the dark grey and it lightens up the room.

For a long time I have wanted Kate to draw something on one of my walls. She drew the branches on this wall and I painted them (with the same dark grey color as the kitchen).

Here is a picture of our living area before (several months ago, actually):

And now (not the same view of the room, but it gives a better feel for the room):We got this great furniture on Craigslist for an awesome price several months ago. Found the rug at TJ Maxx. I am quite happy to finally have matching furniture!

This may be my favorite thing in my house right now . . . the hanging lantern (thanks, Allie for giving me the lantern for my birthday!). And thanks Hobby Lobby for the cheap hook. I love that from any point in my kitchen I can turn around and see outside. And there is so much more light in the house now that it is open.

It really does feel like we have a new house!