Can Paint Really Restore Us?

This is how The Free Dictionary defines the word RESTORE:

1. To bring back into existence or use; reestablish: restore law and order. 2. To bring back to an original or normal condition: restore a building; restored the patient to health.

But for me, restoration is about embracing where we are and finding strength in it, to create something more. 

Just before the holidays, I moved from our San Francisco house on Bernal Hill to a brutalist cinder block cottage in the country near the Sierra Foothills. Exciting, yes!, But still, I had to get my bearings to embrace this unexpected change.

Overwhelmed by this unexpected move the immense work ahead of us just to make this place livable (while we lived in it!), I glanced over at our mountain of stuff and noticed my vintage art deco sideboard, a piece I'd repurposed years ago painting chevron stripes and adding a salvaged wood hutch to it for my bedroom two houses ago. 

I'll admit, in our last house this piece was shoved against a wall and crammed full of stuff. It wasn't showcased anymore, and I missed how special it felt before. Suddenly I knew where to start. I pulled it from the boxes and started painting it for our new space.

With one gorgeous color, KM4890 After Midnight, I renewed my favorite piece once again, and once again felt confident and capable about restoring this house and transforming our lives here. KM4890 After Midnight is a super deep navy that's so regal and smooth. Makes me feel safe and grounded as I sit here plunking out this blog post today!

A few weeks in and we've got floors, new plumbing, and I've been painting our concrete walls, one room at a time. We still need a ceiling and so much more, but having my favorite piece by our table makes me feel at home and happy.

So, here we go, 2021! Bring it!

I'm so excited to share color advice, painting hacks, and step-by-step makeover projects with you as we tackle this remodel one little bit at a time. I'll show you everything I've learned in my days as a decorative painter and television home makeover host. I'll make sure to pass on everything I'm sure I'll learn along the way too!

Let's take the year to restore feelings of calm and confidence together., and see where it all takes us! 

Grab your paint brushes, People! You've got this... We've got this.