Painting has started in the dining room! Happy dance!
I will qualify this to say the walls are only primed and only the trim has actual paint, but there was a brush, a roller and a can. It is yet another step on my One Room Challenge journey.
If you want to catch up on the previous updates on the dining room makeover, here is week 1 and week 2.
Another important update: the floor licking continues. Why?
“I detect dust, dog hair and yesterday’s lunch.”
Do not be distracted by the weird–yet very cute–baby. We’re here to talk ORC. Back to the program.
The prime is thin and the drywall patches show through, but already the white(ish) walls make the room feel much brighter. They also highlight the dirtiness of the popcorn ceiling, which I’m trying to ignore.
“Is this wall wet? Am I getting paint on my jammies?”
Over my years of DIYing, I’ve learned that I prefer to paint the trim before the walls. I find it easier to cut the walls up to the trim as opposed to the trim up to the walls, if that makes sense (I’m a freehander, not a taper). While it’s possible that the trim may get spattered or dripped on when I’m painting colour onto the walls, I’ve not had a lot of issues with this, and minimizing the tedium of cutting is worth it for me.
“Ummm… Mama, I think you missed some spots.”
The walls will happen this week. I’ve chosen Abalone by Benjamin Moore, mixed at 75%. This is the same colour we used in the adjacent living room, kitchen and hall.
The dining room is kind of its own room thanks to the archway, and I considered using a different colour in here. However, Stacy at Blake Hill House made the point that our house is open concept enough that the dining room and living room feel like they’re one room, so keeping the colour consistent makes sense. Thanks Stacy for the input.
At the start of the One Room Challenge, I said that if I can just paint the walls I’d be satisfied. I’m feeling like this will likely be achievable.
Here’s where I’m at on my original task list:
Sand the wallsPatch cracks and holesPrime wallsPaint trim- Paint walls
- Fix broken window
- Hang art
- Build doors for china cabinet
- Paint china cabinet
Almost halfway there.
To see the other participants’ progress, visit One Room Challenge. The designer participants share their updates on Wednesday and the guest participants will be posting on Thursday.
Who else has a live-in inspector for their DIYing? What do you paint first, trim or walls? How do you choose paint colours in adjacent rooms?
Home on 129 Acres 
Already it looks so much brighter! This is exactly the state my studio is in too. I think I prefer to cut in trim after walls. I’m not sure as I haven’t had nearly as much experience as you in painting. I will think about it as I go and see if I have a preference.
I wonder why she licks the floor! So funny. How has it been, painting with her around?
It’s actually been pretty good DIYing with her. Between Daddy and naptimes, I’ve been able to get a lot done. As long as the paint is dry, she’s able to be in the dining room, and she likes looking for Ralph out the window or peeking behind the furniture or playing with the shopvac or playing with the tools. So I can do things like take off cover plates or scrape up paint spatters, and she’ll “help.”
You’re moving right along! Nice job! That’s so funny that she keeps licking the floor. What a goofy girl. 😁
We don’t have to work around a toddler but Blitz always has paint in his fur when we paint!
Thanks, Sarah. I think the paint in the fur is a nice sign. It shows that Blitz likes to be with you guys and you include him in what you’re doing. That’s a sign of a good relationship, IMO.