Battle of the Paints! - and help my mom choose a color for the dining room!

I had a fun little project this weekend which was to compare Glidden's new paint formula with a higher end paint. In this case they sent me Benjamin Moore to compare with their paint and both were a white eggshell base. I applied the paint directly on a wall in the dining room which is currently undergoing a little renovation, so it's going to be painted over soon anyway.


The package and it's contents that Glidden sent me. The papers with the black stripe though the middle were special testing sheets, which I didn't end up using since I had a wall available.

Each can upon opening. This was the only place I saw a difference, was that with Glidden there was a layer of medium (a translucent layer) of liquid at the top, which I stirred in.

This is the Benjamin Moore swatch. It went on really well and with good coverage. It was a little thicker than Glidden and didn't splatter.

I used a fresh brush and applied the Glidden swatch. It had a slightly thinner consistency and didn't splatter either.

Glidden on the left, Benjamin Moore on the right.

All in all, and days after, I really cannot detect any difference between the swatches. I was really impressed with the one coat coverage that both paints provided. As far as wear over time I won't beable to comment, but as of right now I can honestly say that I think performance is equal.

Now, for the really fun part! Like I mentioned the dining room is going through a little renovation, and will need to be painted. Below you will find the fabric my mom wants to use to make valances and curtains for the room.

There's been some questions about the house so here's some clarification: This is my parent's house. It is a 65 acre farm in MD. The house is very country. The ceilings have salvaged beams, some of the walls have dark wood paneling, and there are wood burning fireplaces throughout. The fabric wouldn't be appropriate in modern houses I agree, but it fits my mother (this is a lady who spends weekends baking bread!), as well as the country feel of her rancher.


I've tried to get the true color as close as possible. She wants to use the fabric as a jumping off point, and mom is leaning toward painting the room a warm, brickish red without too much pink in it, as seen on some of the flowers in the print. However, she is very open to some other suggestions too!

Here are the glidden swatches:
I've randomly assigned each one a letter and I also randomly rolled over one of the colors on the Glidden site to get the color name. Here is the link if you'd like to give me a color's name. Or, you could just say something like, Palette C., 3rd row, second column - the pale tanish color. (just fyi, rows are horizontal, or across, and columns are vertical)

I really look forward to hearing your suggestions and I hope you'll respond!

A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

F.

G.

H.

I.

J.

K.

Spring clearing - the dining room (lots of dining eye candy too!)

This room will probably be one of the easier rooms in your home. With the uprising of eat-in-kitchens many of us find our dining rooms not used. Save this room for a day when you don't have a lot of time or pair it with another task.

• Dust down the ceiling and corners
Consider if the walls in your home need to be washed. Check here for information on how to clean different wall surfaces. Don't forget air vents and switch plates.

• Dust and clean all wall art. Be careful when cleaning framed art and photographs. Never spray cleaner or water onto the frame. The liquid can seep behind the glass and damage the pictures. Instead lightly wet a clean cloth to wipe the frame and glass.

• Clean the Ceiling Fan.You know what's worse than a fly in your soup, a large chunk of dust from your ceiling fan in your soup. Dust the fan and fan blades. You may need to use a gentle cleanser like Murphy’s Oil Soap mixed with water and a cleaning cloth. Take down light fixtures and gently wash and dry them before replacing.

• Take down draperies and curtains to wash or have cleaned according to the directions. Dust down any blinds and other window treatments. Dust down and wash window sills and corners. Wash the inside and outsides of windows. Take down and rinse off screens, before replacing.

• Wash down the dining table, chairs, and any other furniture thoroughly. If you have wood furniture that needs to be oiled or waxed, do this now. If your chairs have an upholstered seat, spot clean the seats.

• Clean the carpet and rugs. You can choose to use a carpet professional, rent a cleaning machine, or vacuum and spot-treat according to soil level.

What You Need:

• Dust mop (preferably with a long handle)
• Step-ladder
• Cleaning cloths
• Small bucket with handle
• Sponges
• Vacuum with attachment
• Gentle cleanser
• Rug shampoo machine with upholstery attachment (optional)
• Spot remover for upholstery or carpets (optional)

via About.com

I'd love to know more about you guys and your homes! Which dining room comes closest to yours?

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B.

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D.

E.

F.

G.

H.

I.

J.

K.

L.

M.
Happy clearing!

images via House to Home

Domino Subscribers - Here are your options

Follow this link to a list of CondeNast Magazines. Once you pick a magazine call them up and tell them you're a Domino subscriber. If you don't call and select a magazine, you will automatically receive Architectural Digest. I'm not sure what I'm going to opt for -- Cookie has great homes, but I'm without offspring, maybe Vogue or Vanity Fair? Thoughts?

Some Domino love for you

A famous Domino dining room




One of their, "Turn this outfit into a room" features

Never fails to disappoint: Canadian House and Home

Oh Canadian House and Home, how I wish a year subscription shipped to the states weren't so pricey. I often argue with myself though that it would be worth it. I often check them out at the bookstore but it's just not the same as having it in my home, and the magazine is consistently gorgeous.





via Apartment Therapy

I really like the picture ledge on the wall.
via igloo blog




via At Home with Kim Vallee
look at the back wall! so pretty


via The Door Store


via Double Happiness

via This is Glamorous

via Design*Sponge


via Paper Pursuits

What 2009 interiors will look like...

If IdealHome is right, looks like we have pretty palettes and feminine touches to look forward to in 2009. This is alright by me..as I loved almost everything they predicted! How about you?


I'm not a big fan of most wall stickers, but I adore the ruffly rose pillow, and Ikea's tiny little side table!

The light blue accent color they utilize here is one of my favorite colors, and white of course!

IdealHome also predicts that metallic will stick around, but perhaps in slightly subdued patinas like mother of pearl.


I love this palette! Duck-egg blue and rose! It's so relaxing and pretty. I also love the neutral, eco-friendly look of the couch- though my books are never all the same colors...


Restaurant style dining is in they say. I think anything to encourage everyone to eat at the table and not in front of the tv is a good thing!

Floral prints - I love what textile designers have been doing to modernize the floral print, like this sketchy, half-colored upholstery.


A striking bedroom in always chic black and white. I love the french gray nightstands and the old luggage used as storage. The headboard is just foam core, mdf, and fabric!

Images via IdealHome