...because home doesn't happen overnight.

Two weekends ago HH installed a tongue and groove backsplash in my home workspace {sounds fancy but it’s just a desk area in our kitchen} and this past weekend we shellac’d and painted it. It was a team effort as we traded off between painting and parenting duties but we got ‘er done!

desk paint 1

Don’t you love it when preparation for a painting project only involves a strip of protective paper + painter’s tape and the removal of two outlet covers? I do. Normally, the prep is what I loathe the most but this project was super easy and instantly gratifying.

desk paint 2

We used two coats of Zinsser B-I-N shellac-base primer and two coats of Clark + Kensington’s primer + paint in one, color-matched to Benjamin Moore white dove in a semi-gloss finish. All coats were brushed on. The color is the same as the rest of the trim and planking {ceiling, wainscoting, TV wall} in the house. I didn’t try to match it to the upper cabinets.

desk paint 3

desk paint 4

The plain white outlet covers aren’t such eyesores now and the simple backsplash is the perfect blank canvas for my workspace.

desk paint 6

The upper cabinets feel grounded whereas before they were floating on that big wall. Even without a stool and accessories, the entire space has a more finished look to it. It’s really coming along!

desk paint 5

I’m going to like working here.

By the way, we also knocked out the painting of the TV wall this weekend! We’re just waiting for things to dry thoroughly before we reinstall the removable plank below the TV. I’ll share after pictures later this week but you can catch a glimpse of the *almost* finished product on instagram. Man, I love productive weekends. Being snowed in has its benefits.

images: Dana Miller for House*Tweaking

32 Comments

16.December.2013

A few coats have paint have such a big impact! I wasn’t “seeing this” when it was unpainted, but now that it’s painted it truly does look amazing. You have great vision!

http://jax-and-jewels.blogspot.com

16.December.2013

Can’t say I’m felling it. To much of the same material….would have preferred some tile personally.

16.December.2013

Gorgeous!! I also love the rug you’ve got in the kitchen – it all looks great!

16.December.2013

I mentioned in a previous post that tile would have felt too cold in a workspace for me. It’s a personal choice!

16.December.2013

That looks amazing and I’m excited to see how you style it. My kitchen work space is about 1/4 that size and I struggle with keeping it organized and I’ve never managed to make it look nice despite the granite and beautiful cabinets. I’d live to read about your ideas for both. Many thanks, Sarah

16.December.2013

I love the way your living/kitchen/office space is coming together! I like how the planks tie in to the ceiling and fireplace and shows that the workspace is just as much living space as it is kitchen space.

One tweak question: are you going to caulk the bottom of the planks (where they meet the counter), for a more seamless finish?

16.December.2013

Looks great! Glad you did not match the uppers, contrast (although slight in this case) is a good thing.

Looks great!! I can’t wait to see the TV space finished too! :)

It looks fantastic!

16.December.2013

Yes! Still needs a bead of caulk…good eye!

16.December.2013

I should have just assumed you already had that planned! Can’t wait to see it decorated!

16.December.2013

I love it!! Definitely a softer look rather than tile. I like the white outlet covers, but have you thought to try black ones? It might tie in with the black cabinets some! I can’t wait to see teh TV area!!

16.December.2013

Love that high chair. Where is it from?

16.December.2013

Don’t be alarmed while I make myself at home in your home. JK! But seriously, each time you share photos of your home – I’m in love. It feels clean and sophisticated while warm and casual. Colorful yet neutral. You have such great vision – I love your home!

16.December.2013

Santa brought that for Mabrey last Christmas but I’ve seen some verrrrrry similar at IKEA ;)

16.December.2013

I was just wondering if you had thought about putting the tongue and groove in the knee space of the desk or painting it to match the cabinets? I know there will be seating tucked in there but it just feels unfinished with the wall color there when you’ve made the cupboards look like a single unit. Anyway just my opinion. But I am sure living in it you don’t see it at the same angle as you take the pictures for us at.

Regardless I love seeing what you are doing and it looks great!

16.December.2013

ummmm, couldn’t help but wonder how that book Dropping Acid is. Dare to do a post about this?

17.December.2013

Looks fantastic!! What a fun and refreshing space to work from. Can’t wait to see the TV wall updates!!

17.December.2013

The white looks great and I love all of the glass cabinets to boot.

17.December.2013

I’ve often wondered why it’s so universally thought one must use a ” hard” material on the backsplash. The wood adds a softer touch to the kitchen, which is nice. Good choice!

17.December.2013

Thanks! I was wondering the same thing!!

17.December.2013

That’s actually HH’s book. Several years ago he was diagnosed with Barrett’s esophagus which can be a precursor to cancer. HH’s grandfather passed away from esophageal cancer many years ago so naturally he wanted to do everything he could to avoid a similar fate. He worked with a holistic health center in Cincinnati to change his diet drastically {easier said than done} and implement other natural remedies. Within two years, his endoscopy and biopsy were normal – healthy! – and have been ever since. I’m so proud of him! It’s amazing to see how changes in diet can have effects at a cellular level. HH has no signs of Barrett’s currently.

Anyway, that book was part of the “get healthy” effort.

17.December.2013

Hi! I love love LOVE the rug that you have near your workspace. Have you mentioned it before and I just have post-lunch amnesia? Do you mind sharing where you found it?

17.December.2013

That is fantastic! What a curious title they chose but as an RN, I know that Barrett’s esophagus is nothing to laugh at, so I am sorry for making light of something so serious. Congratulations on this holistic approach. btw, kitchen looks great – I like the white plank continuity

17.December.2013

Where is that beautiful rug from?

17.December.2013
17.December.2013

The rug is from etsy! Read more about it here…

https://www.housetweaking.com/2013/03/14/a-new-desk-rug/

17.December.2013

why did your cabinet installer not install your cabinets into the corner? it looks like they are at least an inch off of the left wall. doesn’t that catch all kinds of dust junk down there?

18.December.2013

Make sure you’ve covered the whole floor area with papers or towels. Last month I’ve made the mistake not covering the whole area and I had the floors covered in paint. Be careful!

19.December.2013

I totally agree with you Sylvia on this, its so inspiring, and must have been immensely satisfying to reflect on this project. I am truly inspired by this!

09.January.2014

[…] even bother to close the upper cabinet door before I snapped this pic. I’m really happy with the tongue and groove backsplash so it’s time to turn my attention to other aspects. Namely, organization and […]

10.July.2014

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