Oh, for the love of this warm little corner, and that mighty woodstove.
When installing our stove last year, I originally thought we'd replace the existing tile with something we like a lot more this summer. But those plans were usurped by woodsheds and gardens and babies and oh, a whole list of things that were much higher on the list than this. The thing is, those tiles are totally functional...and I have a hard time just ripping them out and replacing them purely because "I don't like it". You know? It just seems silly to me.
Which is where a good old can of paint comes in. A simple can of paint is such a miracle, really. Much to my family's eye-rolling, I firmly believe there's nothing a can of paint can't fix. (Papa believes the same of baling wire and duct tape. We make such a good team.) I used a tile primer, followed by a semi-gloss paint. And the wood 'trim' around the tile is the same trim paint I've used throughout the house (Yolo's Air .01). Painting went smoothly (even with all my "helpers" and kitten prints on the wet paint, and somehow the baby spit up there too), and I like it much, much better than what was there before.
Though I must confess, I am not so convinced about the color. I took a fabric swatch in from the very blanket and pillows I made for this room, trying to make an olivey-green match. (It's Benjamin Moore's Sweet Vibrations. Good name, yes? I think I got sold on the name.) But I'm not so sure I got it right - the jury is still out (with six, nay seven, opinionated voices in the house, you can be sure there IS a jury). In some light, it's a bit too much for me. And yet, in other lights...and most importantly....by the light of the fire - it's just right.
The beauty of this possible mistake, though...is that it's nothing a(nother) can of paint can't fix. And I can live with it for now.
Oh yes, I can live with it just fine...
