Wednesday, April 22, 2009

"Half Note Cottage"

Hello!

After giving it some thought, Jessica and Eric have affectionately named their sweet little home the "Half Note Cottage". Let me explain. To say that Jessica and Eric are "music lovers" would be a major understatement. Music is the very central essence of them. It is their experience, their thoughts, their refuge. They believe that "music is love, in search of a word." (Lanier) So of course the cottage had to have a musical name, and because of its teeny-tiny size, "Half Note" seemed like such a perfect fit. :-)

As I mentioned the other day, Jessica had "Living Room" on her "To Paint" list this week.
So this morning, I took a stroll over there to see how it was coming along.
Inside the front door, a smooth, new, creamy color welcomed me inside...



What was once painted a cool, green, faux finish...

...is now a warm, fresh shade of cream...



Who knew "Antique White" could actually make a room smile! :-)




Next week, she'll tackle the Kitchen. I think this happy new wall color will really coordinate well with the existing linoleum flooring in there. Jessica and Eric are renting the cottage, so the linoleum flooring has to stay, but it is a pretty pattern, so that's okay. (I'll post a close up photo of it next week)

Layla

PS...Thank you to Jessica and Eric's Landlady for discounting the rent in exchange for paint and supplies! :-)

51 comments:

  1. i love the cream! what a difference it makes! i like very light natural colors on walls to make it brighter and happier. i think the name "half-note" is quirky and cute...sounds perfect! xo, mickey

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  2. The new paint looks great! Hope all works out for them.Best of luck!

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  3. The cream color is a wonderful improvement. Timeless.

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  4. What a beautiful change a coat of paint can make! I've gone through this so many times in my life and it really is true that decorating on a shoestring brings out the creativity in a person.

    The landlord is going to LOVE these guys...In fact, he or she might reimburse for the paint. (It's worth a try).

    Can't wait to see the next room!

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  5. Still not showing up on my blog update. I just check in daily to see what's happening.

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  6. Layla,
    Thanks for your comment on our blog! I'm so glad you commented, because then I found your blog and I love it! When we move to Michigan into our apartment I'll have to check your blog out for ideas. Keep up the great work.
    -Sarah

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  7. Amazing what some paint will do for a room! I'm already in love with it! Good luck to Jessica! Tell her she's off to a great start!

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  8. Layla,

    What a great idea! We would love to donate a set of prints for her walls if she needs to fill up some blank wall space.

    Just let us know if she might be interested in something like this!

    What a sweet, wonderful, adorable cottage!

    blessings, kari & kijsa

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  9. Love the improvements so far...how fun to be part of the process.
    We love your blog and are giving you an award....check out our blog for details!

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  10. Oh that cream is absolutely wonderful! I'm sad for them that they are renting because I can tell they are going to pour their hearts into their half note cottage (love the name). I hope they are able to stay and enjoy their work for a long time!

    Erin :)

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  11. The paint makes all the difference in the world! Can't wait to see more!

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  12. Love the difference the paint color made! Isn't it crazy sometimes when things that took forever, like that faux painting that was on the wall, just don't last. Sometimes simple is much better!

    I wish I could be let loose on that little cottage. Such potential there! Can't wait to see the progress!

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  13. Wow - what a difference! I can't wait to see their progress. You're such a great friend.

    I haven't been getting updates either (even today). They stopped after your FAQ post. I finally came over and saw that I'd missed a lot. I'm sorry I'm not more help.

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  14. Half note! I love it. I love the antique white accented with the bright white trim. Love it so much that I have it in my home as well. I can say that I KNOW it will unify the house because it does in mine. It makes every room so alive and bright. I hope they love it as much as I do. Enjoy!

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  15. Hi Layla! Wondering if they just primed and painted or if there was anything they needed to do to prep the wall first? I have the "exact" lino in my house...one day to redo wood...I had to scrap all the paint off my walls as it was coming off in sheets like wallpaper..guess they never primed the drywall...so now it looks like a new build...drywall and mud...waiting to be primed! Ever heard of such a thing happening? Thanks!
    Suzanne

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  16. Love that color, and I am normally not a fan of "white" but that looks SOOO much better!

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  17. Still no luck with "Reader". :) But with that said- I love the "half note" and what they are doing. Thanks for showing us.

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  18. The new paint color is beautiful! The change is already amazing.
    LuLu

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  19. Hi Layla

    Still no updates in google, I'm sure it will get figured out eventually!

    Jenny

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  20. First time commenting :) The paint made a huge difference! It will be fun to watch this cottage get transformed on a small budget. I wish you were my next door neighbour! I need help!! I LOVE your blog and the ideas you have/work you do!!!

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  21. Wow! That room IS smiling! What a beautiful difference. The cottage's name is adorable. (May I also say that I think they really lucked out on the neighbor department too? You rock, Layla!)

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  22. Layla:

    Whatever you did, you were successful with the blog updates. They're coming now!

    I did refer to this post on my blog yesterday, I hope that's OK.

    Take care,
    D.

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  23. I don't know if you fixed it or not but my google reader just loaded all the past posts I had not been getting. If you haven't fixed it you may try going to your settings page and adjusting your site feeder.

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  24. It looks fantastic! I love the cream! Your blog seriously inspires my Layla, I want to redo my fireplace so bad!

    And all your posts just popped up on my google reader suddenly, so whatever you did worked! :)

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  25. Those floors and that traditional fireplace were screaming for a calmer look. Proof that just a paint job makes a world of difference. Love it.

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  26. I just checked to see if mine updated and it had. However I first clicked on your blog button to get here. I don't know if that updated it or if it had done it on it's own before I used the button.
    Why do these things have to be so complicated?

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  27. Love the cream! I would usually go for color...but compared to the "before" shots...it is beautiful!

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  28. Your post showed up in my google reader today. It actually showed me you had 10 new posts (it must have been catching up). Just thought you would want to know. I love looking at your designs - you do a beautiful job every time!

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  29. I have unknowingly missed 9 of your posts, because they weren't showing up on Google Reader. Looks like it worked now.

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  30. What is difference a "color" makes. The cream color is a pleasant change. Thank you for sharing.

    Charla

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  31. This post and a whole slew of other posts just appeared in my reader. I think that's progress :).

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  32. white paint makes everything better!

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  33. I adore the name Half Note Cottage and how it was conceived. With the paint job, they now have a "canvass" from which to "paint" with furniture, art, rugs, objects, etc.

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  34. Hi Layla,
    The "half note cottage" is so lucky to have a lovely "adagio" like you for a neighbor!! I love your upbeat "can do" attitude. It always inspires me.

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  35. Such a cute cottage they have! And what great neighbors they have, too - lol!

    Sounds like they have a great plan to update on a budget. The decorative painting had to go, and the lighter color looks so fresh and bright!

    I wish them both the best with the repair bill and with work. I was laid off 3 weeks ago; thank goodness for savings.

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  36. love the name, love the new color!!

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  37. Cute place and the paint made a BIG difference.

    My Google reader updated today all of a sudden. Hopefully everyone else is now getting the updates too.

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  38. i use newsgator and today's message finally showed up. i've missed you -- glad i can read again!!!! :) gotta love technology... URGH.

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  39. Yeah! your blog is now updating on my Google Reader. It wasn't before and I couldn't understand why. Now I know! Goodie, love your blog. Can wait to see their house transform. Cute little cottage!

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  40. Layla,

    Where are y'all again? We have a 2.5 year old couch and chair with ottoman we are trying to GIVE away. Just had them professionally cleaned. Found another set at Pier 1 that I fell in love with and hubby went and bought! :)

    We have been where this couple is and would love to help!!!!

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  41. Layla:
    I nominated you for the Attitude of Gratitude Award. Please check my blog (http://vtcottageliving.blogspot.com) to see what it's all about.

    You truly are an inspiration.

    Have a great weekend,
    D.

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  42. This post has shown up as a new one for me.

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  43. Layla,
    So glad you switched, I am now getting your updated posts. I love the way butter yellow brightens and makes their room seem so much more happy. We,too, decorated on a shoestring budget, painting and fixing up rooms over time. It makes the process so much more fun.
    cheers

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  44. I am SO happy the updates are showing up again! And - I am so excited to see what will happen with the Half Note Cottage. It always amazes me what a little love and paint can do. Can't wait for the next update.

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  45. Hi Layla!
    I get updates on MyYahoo. They hadn't been updating until today. Yay, finally worked. :)
    I heart your blog. And now i want to put up bead board in my kitchen.

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  46. I just wanted to let you know that I'm getting the feed in Google Reader now! Whatever you did, it worked! I'm glad to get my Lettered Cottage fix once again! Thanks, Sarah

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  47. Wow, with you next door to advise and consult, that little cottage is going to look wonderful! It's so fun to see these transformations in Blogland!

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  48. What a sweet little cottage. oh, to be young and in love and starting out again!

    I love the cream walls. What an improvement.

    Kate

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  49. I was missing your wonderful posts, and then checked your blog on Friday and saw new posts. Glad all is well now. The paint looks great. Such a beautiful improvement.

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  50. a GREAT place to shop for hidden treasures furniture, assesories, household good galore is CRAIGSLIST.COM you can search by state/region. I just found a beautiful armoir in my neck of the woods for only $25!! And a sweet sleigh bed headboard foot board for $100...

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Kevin and Layla Palmer

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