Poivre

Poivre means pepper in French. It is also the name of La Bonne Etape's (LBE) new kitchen paint color.

Since purchasing a new couch for LBE I have shifted the object of my obsession to a paint color for LBE's kitchen. Poivre, Elephant's Breath, Joah's White, I was open to a few different directions.

However, while pouring over a gazillion inspiration images that have been piling up and weighing down my hard drive, it became pretty clear.

I have a crush on dark kitchens. This should come as no surprise considering I had painted the dining room in my Portland house a similar color, DownPipe.

As I was looking through old photos to find one of the Portland house's dining room, I came across photos of my old office in Portland. And guess what color those walls are? Yep. I guess I have a deep rooted affinity with the Poivre hue.

As per usual, I second guessed my color choice right up to the last minute. There are naysayers who were quick to say it is too dark, that I must try and bring in more light, it would be too hard to course correct to a lighter color later, etc.  But no matter which color direction I pursued, anything was better than the yellow-country-flower-wallpaper-extravaganza that was there when I began this kitchen beautification process. 

Lucky for me, I have a great support system to help me navigate the naysayer trip wires. RDW is the first to not only say "go for it", but he follows up with his own inspirational photos as if to say "I get you. Let's do this, immediately."

And then before I have a chance to change my mind, 

he is there with a roller, 

a bottle of pink bubbles,

and Boom!

LBE has got some Poivre kitchen walls. 

Peinture

peinture (Fr.)/ paint (Eng.) noun: a mixture of pigment and a suitable liquid to form a closely adherent coating when spread on a surface in a thin coat.

(Before: the choices)

Welcome to my own personal version of 50 Shades of Grey. So it seems only fitting that I went with the color that is situated between S and M, "Gres Naturel". I do love the drama of P, and will use that for the WC.

(after)

(the mantel before)

(the mantel after)

(before, although at this point, I had already painted the bottom half white. It was margarine before, just like the wall)

(after)

In order to take a proper after photo of the living room, I need a few main items:

1. Credenza- inspiration: like the wood one in the far right hand corner of this photo:

 Or, in enamel like the one on the right hand side of this photo:

2. Coffee table- inspiration: like the white enamel one in this photo below, with a place to store things. Ideally, one with wheels so I can move it around. That is so key for small spaces:

or acrylic, like this one from Muji, with a space for magazines:

Or maybe a wood coffee table, if I can find one that I love. And with wheels.

3. Chair(s): tbd
4. Standing lamp: tbd
5. Some sort of storage for extra blankets and pillows: tbd