Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Wherein an Explanation Was Needed

I feel the need to explain my desire for a purple wall.

Many years ago, in the land of Virginia, the Hunny and I bought our first house. Cute little two story with a sprawling yard, a place to garden and raise kidlets. I miss my beautiful garden, the row of floribunda roses, the lamb's ear and coral bells, the lavender and iris. Oh! And my beautiful cherry trees in the front yard!

When we were having the house built, we picked out colors for everything - carpet, exterior paint, front door (brick red) and counter tops. I wanted a counter color known as Fortuneberry. I thought it was pretty. I'd never picked out my very own counter tops before. I grew up in a trailer, everything being brown. Everything. And Fortuneberry was certainly not brown.

When we moved in I was a little taken aback at the counter top color, even though I'd been carrying the sample chip with me everywhere. It was a deep purple, a few shades lighter than eggplant. Yes, rich purple. There was a lot of counter space. A LOT. And it was a solid color formica, meaning it scratched easily. We lived there two years. I loved it.

We've lived in four other houses since then, the Hunny and I. TTwo were rentals in Florida - no color choices there. But the next home we owned, I painted the master bath lavender. It was beautiful! White trim and fixtures, and slate tile counter and shower floor. And now we're here, halfway across the country. There's not a lick of purple in my house ANYWHERE. And as my favorite aunt says, my house needs a purple wall somewhere. I say that wall is the one little dining room wall.

Nothing vibrant or flashy. No violet or orchid wall. Just a soft, earthy purple. Something to work with the living room, which is a color called Felt Wool - a warm, soft brown. I am sitting on my couch, in my corner, looking into the dining room at The Wall, and I can envision a lavender. With white wainscoting on the bottom, or a darker lavender. Pretty!

So there you have it. I need a purple wall. You can see why, can't you? I thought so.

Until I write again ...

Flea

17 comments:

Mental P Mama said...

As I said before, a good friend of mine has a jewel toned purple dining room, and it is one of the most spectacular rooms in her house. Her HUGE house. I think it sounds beautiful. Follow your heart and your gut Good Flea, you will be pleased.

Karen Deborah said...

purple is purty. where did you learn to texture? is it hard? I just messed my kitchen up. I think you are supposed to sand the wall and then prime it. black mold can't really be killed by bleach it'll come back.

Harmony said...

Then by golly get your purple wall!!! Stop wasting your time explaining it to us! But please, o please give us pictures...I am sure it will be beautiful.

Anonymous said...

I love to watch all those shows on HGTV... but sometimes they get on my nerves. You know? All that you have to have things this color or that and they make everything look like you are walking through a store... not a home. I mean... there is really good advice and all, but at the same time your home is YOUR home and if you make all your decisions based on selling it someday... then are you really thinking of it as your home? I say do whatever you want! And take pictures so we can see!

Flea said...

I see I haven't explained myself fully. There's no question of the colors making a realtor or future owner happy. Maybelline's room is tangerine orange and looks as though the light's on in the afternoon when the sun streams in and bounces off the walls. Little Guy has two shades of camo green happening.

It's the Hunny, the artist, who can't see a purple wall in the dining room. I'm going to have to collect paint chips, make his favorite dinner, wear something interesting and extract a promise.

Anonymous said...

I know someone who's whole kitchen, the walls, counters, floors, doo-dads...everything...are purple. I say go for it!!!!! Do what you like, that's all that matters.

Flea said...

Okay, first, I did not learn to texture. I just did it. It's how I do most things which require skill and education. :) And thanks for the mold heads-up.

Second, I'd like to see pictures of that all purple kitchen! I don't think I could handle that much.

Third, the exact shade of purple is really proving tricky. For several months I had about ten purple paint chips taped to that wall. None of them were "it". Ugh.

Burgh Baby said...

No explanation was needed. If you want a purple wall, then you should have a purple wall. The end.

Anonymous said...

Purple, you know, is the color of royalty. I happen to love it. (Me with the lavender walls.) Can't wait to see photos.

Mayberry Magpie

P.S. Before I forget, I want to tell you HOW MUCH I LOVE your new names on my posts. I always look forward to seeing which clever new name you'll come up with. Today, in honor of Flea the Clever, I'll be the Royal Magpie.

Anonymous said...

You could just send the hunny out on another trip and do it when he's blissfully unaware. :D

OHmommy said...

I puffy heart purple. The end!

Beth from the Funny Farm said...

I love these remodeling stories.

I have wallpaper that I hung myself in our kitchen, ten years ago. Well the dog chewed a piece off. And I didn't care. Because I have come to despise that wallpaper. I walk by and pull a strip down. HEE!

I'm going to paint the kitchen this summer. As soon as that wallpaper is DOWN! Oh.. and the kids are around to help.. and Grandma too! lol

dlyn said...

Purple is far from my favorite color, but I understand the desire for rich colors. My kitchen is a deep orange and turquoise - the colors of my fiestaware. :) I can't wait to see your walls once they are done.

Oh yeah - we have had a cow sighting if you want to come over and check it out.

Lori said...

You know, I hear purple wall and think "Barney" for some reason. But what you are describing...an earthy (maybe grey-toned?) lavendar sounds lovely. I just saw an add for Valspar paint in a magazine that featured a deep plum color. Gorgeous! Though it would not fit in my color scheme. I can't wait to see what you do!
I can't judge. I have an orange (terra cotta) kitchen! It makes me happy!

Marguerite said...

Hmmm... MIL has a purple room in her house. I think she said it was Victorian Violet, or Orchid? Something like that. It was definitely "Victorian something". :) Uncle might know. He gave her some tips when she did it, I think.

Anyway, it is a great color. Looks kinda dusty, but not dirty. I'd go for a purple-y gray.

You could also try playing around with something like this:
http://www.behr.com/behrx/workbook/index.jsp

:D

imbeingheldhostage said...

Sounds gorgeous. I want some fortuneberry.
Tip for convincing hubby you need a purple wall:
Make that special dinner, and then wear your sexiest come-hither look (and nothing else) while you paint -- he'll love that wall forever.
Did I just make your blog rating go up? Sorry.

Wineplz said...

My bedroom in my first home was a deep royal purple...I miss that color. We moved 3 years ago and have yet to institute the color in our home. I can totally feel your pain! But I do like your idea of an earthy lavendar...it sounds lovely!