painting the interior of your home

We painted the interior of our home and I couldn't feel better about that decision. We saved probably close to $8,000 by doing it ourselves and we were able to experiment with different color palettes along the way. My aunt, a brilliant designer, flew to DC to help us with the first design phase and this mostly revolved around color. While white and primary colors can be popular among mid-century modern enthusiasts, I find myself drawn to warmer, neutral homes like this, this, and this. I'll walk you through our painting journey below and the must-have supplies for painting on your own.

What was perhaps most surprising for me is that we ended up going much darker on the paint color than I thought we would. Once the color was on the walls, the neutral tones created a warm, inviting space. We settled on Benjamin Moore Hillsborough Beige (1033) for the main walls in the upstairs entryway, family room, kitchen, living room and dining room:

This color family (1031 - 1034) was utilized throughout the upstairs and downstairs - lighter colors (1031, 1032) for trim and the downstairs bedroom and office. I personally find the before and after photos mind-blowing! Tip: Window and trim should always be lighter than the main wall colors.

BEFORE: The main room was teal with a periwinkle vinyl wallpaper.

AFTER: We painted everything BM Hillsborough Beige and replaced the sconces.

BEFORE: Downstairs, the rooms were green, which was difficult to design around.

AFTER: In the master, we went with BM Carlisle Cream, replaced the carpet, and restored the fireplace to brick. We are in the process of installing a closet next to the fireplace, adding a headboard, hanging sconces, and a few other touches... making my bed nicer?

AFTER: Another guest room we painted that is still in process but is getting such better light with BM Ladyfinger.

BEFORE: The living room fireplace was white and gray with a large wood mantle that clashed with the walnut beams. The teal walls did not go well with our furniture or general vibe.

AFTER: We painted the fireplace a dark charcoal, which I love. We moved the dining table into the large living space. We are in the process of replacing the polished nickel track lighting with black lights and pendants for the dining table.

BEFORE: This room off the kitchen was a carpeted dining room with pale gray walls.

AFTER: We altered this room to become a family room and bistro eating area, which is right off the kitchen, and makes for a better flow when hanging out and entertaining. We closed off the far wall so that our sectional could fit in the corner. Note the lighter window trim. Next up is installing roller shades for this room.

So you want to paint your own house? Below are the must-have supplies to get started. I suggest using this step-by-step tutorial on Architectural Digest for planning and purchasing.

Step stool	Drop cloth
Ladder	Cardboard boxes
Painter's tape	Paint roller frame
Pro grade paint brushes (thin for trim and painting around windows, thick for larger areas)	Paint tray
Sandpaper	Plastic paint holder inserts
Paint roller covers	Screwdriver
Paint stick (these usually come free when you purchase paint)	A really positive can-do attitude!

Have you painted your own house? Tips? Tricks? Total mishaps? Let us know in the comments!