It’s been just two weeks since I wrote this cautionary tale about using high gloss paint. So, just two weeks before him, I was completely defeated by the vision I had for research. This research and I have been on quite a rollercoaster ride, but I am so happy and so relieved to say that the research is officially over. Phew. So let’s take a short trip and see how the research has progressed two years later.
Before
Before moving in, the cherry wood floors were replaced with white oak and the entire house was stained with a custom mix of medium light stains. We also closed the left cased doorway leading to our master bedroom and painted all the walls and trimmed them with Sherwin Williams White Flowers.
August 2021
Credenza | art | coffee table | rug | sofa | round mirror | swivel chair | chest | lamp | tapered shade | vase | interior story | still coffee table book
This is how we originally arranged our study immediately after moving in, bringing all existing decor and furniture with us. These are the moments to work and I live for. Home takes time, so it’s good to put things in the ‘A’ place, even if it wasn’t in that place until it was back in place.
January 2022
rug | Ottoman Empire | throw pillow | upholstered chair
As you may remember the moving debacle, our piano was taken hostage and at this point we finally got it back and made plans to turn this room into a music room. (I know you’re interested, but I don’t have an update on the situation with movers. We moved, and I’m relieved about that, because the FBI took over.) Here. I imagined that the more I got used to living in a room, the more functions there would be in this room. and purpose for it. It’s also one of the only rooms in the house that isn’t a “pass-through” room, and we wanted to take advantage of that to make it more hidden and private. A great place to work from home.
February 2022
mural | chandelier | desk | Chair | vase | peony | Credenza | buffet lamp | fluted bowl | fringe stool
Here’s what the study looks like after adding the wainscoting, painting it taupy green, and installing the mural.
June 2022
mural | chandelier | desk | Chair | fringe stool | vase | peony | Desk lamp | Credenza (resemble) | mirror | buffet lamp | floor lamp
It didn’t take me long to decide that green wasn’t for me. Just a few months later, we chose a blue-grey paint color (Boothbay Grey), repainted it, and this time painted the ceiling.
November 2022
mural | rug | chandelier | table | desk chair | Ottoman Empire | sling chair | fringe stool
The desk we got was too small for the room (then we found the perfect spot in the kitchen, I love kitchen desks!). We introduced a table that fits perfectly in the room and gives you more space to work. I’m happy that it’s open! I always had a hard time finding layouts for research. I’ve spent time on Instagram stories moving furniture many times. It wasn’t until I got his amazing table that I started clicking more.
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To get from a blue-painted den to where it is today, you’d have to opt for a dark green repaint, narrow the openings, and add custom built-in cabinets and pocket doors. Oh, and most importantly, after all the nightmares and headaches, our painters have finally finished a high gloss paint that looks better than ever.
Before
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This angle really captures the shift in openings narrowing from 96 inches to 60 inches, allowing more wall space for internals, and better sizing of pocket doors.
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Looking from the other side it looks like this. You’ll find the narrow opening allows for plenty of storage, and the pocket doors provide even more privacy.
Before
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It was absolutely necessary to add built-in features to provide storage that was as functional as it was beautiful. We asked a local cabinet builder to provide us with the depth, number of shelves, and preference for enclosed storage. I’ve been imagining styling these shelves for months, and they look even better than I thought.
shop the shelves
Before
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I love you, I love you
Drawers help store everything you need for your “office”: cords, scissors, pens, pencils, sticky notes. And the cabinet isn’t really just a “cabinet”. One side is a pull-out file cabinet and the other has a printer drawer. Until now, there was nowhere to hide all the “ugly” but necessary things.
research source
Our painters go to great lengths to troubleshoot the high-gloss paint before finally sanding, priming, and painting with Benjamin Moore’s topsoil-matched color paint line called Fine Paints of Europe. Repainted. A combination of brushing and rolling instead of spraying gave amazing self-leveling properties. I recommend this 100%, but apparently it can be a bit quirky and you need to know what you’re doing. (Definitely a professional job!)
It has a mirror finish and it’s absolutely incredible to see my vision of this room come to life. I’m glad I didn’t settle in the first stage when I thought, ‘I’ve had enough’. I think so too with cricket.
I say this almost every time I complete a project, and this is my new favorite view in the whole house. Renovations are not without collisions and derailments. Sometimes I get a vulnerability hangover, but I love being able to document the process and share it with you guys. Thank you for supporting this room. I couldn’t be happier with every nook and cranny.
Room source:
Paint Color: Benjamin Moore Top Soil
mural
wooden floor
rug
chandelier
ceiling medallion
velvet chair
pedestal table
fringe stool
brass trash can
stand lamp
stone vase
desk source:
desk
desk chair
leather desk mat
vase with handle
marble bowl
coffee table book
shelf sauce:
picture light
bottle handle
ball knob
hestia bust
display easel
leather box
marble bookends
container with wrap lid
bowl with feet
ball object
brass wall plate
Other posts about this research:
When the study (former music room) was set up for the first time
The music room becomes a study + mood board
DIY custom layered wainscot
Performed waist plate processing 5 times
Decide on a paint color for the study
The mural is in the study!
Transforming research (and what still needs fine-tuning)
Research budget breakdown + looking for less
Redrawing and rethinking research
new table in the study
Transform your study into a formal dining room
Planning to add a pocket door and built-in shelving to the study
3rd Attraction – Picking Colors for the Study Again
study mood board 2.0
Refurbishment progress in research
paint the study a glossy dark green
7 amazing dark green paint colors for your interior
Revealing a high-gloss custom built-in cabinet in the study
Switchplate and Outlet Upgrades
Notes on high gloss paint
