Thinking with a paintbrush

I remember my Mum’s friend once telling us about painting a door, in one of those late-night bursts of enthusiasm. Don’t know about you but I never feel inclined to do anything at all until around 11.30 at night, so I can relate. Anyway, the friend said that she woke up the next morning to a door that looked like it had been attacked by someone drunk, crazy or both – hair in the paint, brush and smudge marks all over.

painting walls black

That’s what my flat in Margate looks like. I’ve been, erm, thinking with a paintbrush in my hand. Paint first, ask in-depth questions about whether it looks right or not later. Not everything has been a success, but one thing I am pleased with is the black walls and woodwork, displayed above. My theory that black walls won’t look too heavy if you break them up with lots of paintings seems to be right. And also, EVERYTHING looks good against black.

black wall pink chair

You could Blu-tac a dry-cleaning receipt to the wall and it’d look wicked. Yeah, you can have that mini-trend for free. Above is the upstairs landing that I was going to paint completely black too. But now, having got black paint on most of the surrounding walls by accident, I’m not so sure. I even got a smudge of black on the ceiling that I think is a massive spider at least 20 times a day. Shambolic chic anyone?

10 Responses to “Thinking with a paintbrush”

  1. Anna Sbuttoni
    March 25, 2014 at 1:35 pm #

    I love it Ros, looks fab!

  2. Patsy
    March 25, 2014 at 2:16 pm #

    Yes, it really does look good, full marks.

    With my favourite bloggers always making black seem so perfect, it was with great disappointment that I searched for slabs for the base of our soon to be acquired new greenhouse… only to find that, alas, such items just don’t come in black! A compromise was called for by the odd-job man I live with… that is a compromise on many levels, not least cost!

  3. Fi Duke
    March 25, 2014 at 2:36 pm #

    your post today made me laugh … the amount of times my husband has seen me start a ‘project’ at 10pm …”what are you doing?” he says…”just seeing if this chair looks better in this room” I say, “but that means you are going to have to move all the other bits?” he signs…..”yes, I know” I say.

    then i realise it looks better how it was………hmmmmmmmmm

    have done the same with paint late at night too and totally love your comment ‘shambolic chic’. I am definitely going to coin that phrase !

    • myfriendshouse
      March 26, 2014 at 8:42 am #

      There is something about the hour between ten and eleven at night that makes me think any ‘small’ project is easy to achieve before bedtime. So glad to hear it’s not just me. x

  4. Carol
    March 25, 2014 at 3:03 pm #

    Black. . . . . . Is the new white! Stylish and moody! Lol great post, I’m with you on this. Mix it up, slap it about playfully, ask questions later! I think I’m still talking about the paint! Haha

  5. dana tkach gault
    March 25, 2014 at 11:12 pm #

    This post makes me so happy! I would live in your upstairs hallway. Just leave the key under the mat. ; )

    • myfriendshouse
      March 26, 2014 at 8:41 am #

      Ah thanks! It’s the nicest bit of the whole flat I think. The joys of sunlight! x

  6. Sheepskins Fairylights
    March 25, 2014 at 11:40 pm #

    Love it, the art does look great against it! 🙂

  7. Karen Daley
    May 28, 2014 at 2:34 am #

    Your post cracked me up! I’m so glad to hear I’m not alone in the wee hours of the morning when I am compelled to execute these strangely creative ideas, many of which just look strange the next morning in daylight hours. The black wall looks good with the art though, so I think you nailed it!

    • myfriendshouse
      May 28, 2014 at 11:24 am #

      Thanks Karen, nice to hear from a fellow decorating night owl and thanks for the positive comments about the wall.

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