There are certain things that I do that at the time seem brilliant. Like, the best idea ever. Some of the projects I work on fall into this category as well, and every so often, I have a project bust. In this case, an accent wall bust.
Remember back when I wrote about how to create an accent wall, and I preached go big or go home and since I was already home, yadda, yadda, yadda? I chose a bright green color that I pulled from my bright chairs and thought it would look amazing as an accent wall color. But, as my friends that I texted and Facetimed can attest, I doubted myself from the first brush stroke. Up and at ’em, I liked it ok. I thought the green would grow on me. However, every time I walked in to my office, the wall would make me squint and the green color left me feeling a little green. My friend Carrie kept saying – give it 6 months. If you still don’t like it, then paint over.
Well Carrie, I couldn’t wait any longer. I couldn’t take that green anymore. I went black. Talk about go big or go home – holy bold color Batman. Here is why I went with a black accent wall and why an accent wall is so important to me:
First, the reason why it’s so important is because in my office/studio, I want to define the space from desk or office area, and then design area. Right when you walk in to my office, my design table is straight ahead. This is where I work on a lot of projects and where I channel some creativity. The walls are busy, the table is busy – par for the course in a design area. Then, there’s my desk or office area, and it’s this space is the more serious side of the room, where I need to buckle down and focus on the task at hand. I felt and do still feel that an accent wall would bring sophistication to the area, and put me in the frame of mind needed. The green wasn’t cutting the mustard. And too, it felt more playful to me than sophisticated. This wasn’t my angle.
I tossed around painting over the green with a grey. Grey is on trend and it’s a safe color to paint. I looked at a few greys and wasn’t in love with any of them, and since I was feeling that I made a rash decision with the green, I held off until yesterday morning where the color black came to me. The idea popped in my head during an annual MRI (no worries, I’m totally fine) and while I was stuck in a tube listening to a whole lot of banging, I let my thoughts of an accent wall take over. And this is how I decided on the color black.
The paint guys at Home Depot were concerned and asked if I needed to sit down and talk over a cup of coffee – they weren’t so sold on the black. But I knew, that first brush stroke I painted complete with AC/DC blaring in my head, that I was going to love this color. And I do. Although bold, it’s calming to me. The paint color is “carbon” by Behr. Matte finish.
Though I did come up with the decision rather quickly, I don’t think it was rash. I cleaned up a mirror that was shoved in our “stuff” room and hung it so light would bounce off and make the room look bigger. What I love about this black accent wall is that it warms up the room and adds that sophistication that I was long after. I spray painted the rooster gold to bring out the trim of the mirror, and I hung a cherished piece of my cousin’s artwork.
The wall speaks for itself and I don’t want to cover it up anymore. I’m sticking to my previous advice of if you want an accent wall, a can of paint will go a long way on a tight budget. And too, the beauty of painting an accent wall is that if you don’t like it, you can always paint over it. Again.
If at first you don’t succeed, try try again. I’m happy to report that in this case, the second try was a charm.
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