Coastal Cottage Office Reveal

It all started with this:

I was contacted and asked if I’d like to try out the Benjamin Moore’s ben & ME kit to transform a room.  I said YES as fast as I could!!  There’s not many things I love as much as transforming rooms…

*Inside that cute little ben & ME bag is all the supplies you need to paint a room : a roller handle, sleeve roller, paint tray, drop cloth, paint can opener, green painters tape, How-to guide, and even a playlist of happy painting songs!  Also included  is 2 gallons of premium paint with 1 quart for trim.  The whole package is valued at $169.00, but is only $109.00 right now.  (Offer available only until October 5, 2014).

The kind people at Benjamin Moore have tried to think of everything so that making over a room can be as easy peasy as possible!

The Dining Room was our instant room of choice for a new transformation.

Not only did we want to change the look of it, we wanted to change the function of it as well.  Although we loved the idea of a formal dining room, we knew we’d use it far more if it were an office as well.

We moved almost everything out of the room

and covered up the floors.

Since this room was built in 1927 and had some specific issues with the old drywall, we prepped the surfaces by wiping down the walls with a damp cloth and priming it all. {This step is un-necessary if you already have nice dry walled walls!}

One of the most dramatic changes was painting out the old dark trim.

We used green painter’s tape around the panes so we wouldn’t get paint all over the glass.  It made  clean up so much easier!

Once the room was primed, I fell in love with how bright it seemed.  I questioned whether or not we should paint it white?  But, in the end, we went with the original plan ~ Gray Cashmere.

I cut in the edge work  (and absolutely fell in love with that amazing brush!)

and my husband rolled on the paint.

Once one wall was done, we arranged the table (soon to be desk, also) in front of it to see if we wanted to leave the other walls white or paint them gray, too.

We decided we really liked the blue-gray against the dark of the wood, so the whole room got a nice cozy coat of color.

Once it was all painted, we began adding in the furniture and furnishings.

Although this room isn’t quite “finished”, here’s where it is so far.  And since I’m sure you’re like me and like to see rooms in before and after fashion, here it is for you.

Before (as a Dining Room only):

And after (as an office with the Dining Room option, as needed!)

Before (note the hole in the wall…It finally got fixed!!):

After:

Before:

After:

Before: (That curtain is hiding one of the world’s strangest closets…)

After:  We finally have a plan to do something with it…  Stay tuned.;)

We just love how bright & relaxing the room now seems.  And, more importantly, we’re using it a lot more.  In fact, I’m typing this post while sitting in here right now!:)

I wanted to inject some fun, happy color into the room, so added in some accents of orange.

The exposed brick chimney and hits of stained wood furniture still give the room a sense of history.

I had fun adding in accessories that were not just for looks, but will help organize all our office “stuff”.

Thanks for coming on this little room makeover tour today.  If you want to give one of your rooms a fresh, new start hop on over to your local Benjamin Moore store and snatch up one of their ben & ME kits.  It’s an awesome deal!:)

Sheblogs Canada is also hosting a ben & ME twitter party on September 18, 2014 from 7-8pm EST @sheblogsmedia #DIYWithBen.  RSVP here to attend.  You even have the opportunity to win some amazing prizes!

{Wall Color:  Benjamin Moore Gray Cashmere;  Trim and Ceiling Color:  Benjamin Moore White Heron}

Update:  This Benjamin Moore paint promotion is now over.

We added a cool sliding barn door to the room! Click here to read how we did it.

Although this post has been generously sponsored by Benjamin Moore, the opinions and language are all my own, and in no way do they reflect Benjamin Moore.

*With a qualifying purchase of two cans of 3.79 l ben interior flat K625, eggshell K626 or semi-gloss K627 and one can of 946 ml ben interior semi-gloss K627 for $109.00 suggested retail price, receive a FREE ben & ME tote and painting kit at participating deals.  Limit one (1) per customer.  While supplies last.  No substitutions.  Qualifying purchases must be made in single transaction.  Actual price will be determined by dealer at checkout.  Offer cannot be combined with other offers, discounts or promotions, or applied toward prior purchases.  Offer valid August 25, 2014 – October 5, 2014.  See your local participating dealer for details.  Void where prohibited.

Linking To:  Work it Wednesday {the happy housie}, Live Laugh Rowe, MMJ Link Part, Remodelaholic, A Stroll Thru Life, Best DIY Project Contest