Living Room Paint Update — Primer Preview and What’s Next

Remember when our living room was salmon?

Well, not anymore — at least not in the final sense. What you’re seeing in the photo above is the primer coat. We’re sharing this quick peek because primer already feels like the first real step toward the finished room. It gives you a sense of the transformation that’s underway, even though the final color and details will come later.

Why we stopped at primer (and what’s coming)

We only got as far as primer because today is the final day of our Florida road trip, and we’re packing in a few last hours of sunshine before the long drive back to Richmond. That said, stopping after primer was intentional — primer helps create an even base, so when we do apply the finish coats the color will be truer and the coverage will be better.

On Monday we’ll have a full post that includes the exact color we chose, the reasons behind it, all the prep steps we took (from filling and sanding to taping and protecting trim), in-progress photos, and the finished after shots. We’ll also share lessons learned and tips for anyone thinking about painting a living room themselves.

Quick preview of our painting process

Without getting into specifics we’ll save for the full post, here are a few things we can confirm about how this project is unfolding:

• Primer first: it evens out tone differences and helps the finish coat adhere properly.
• Prep matters: taking the time to patch, sand, and clean surfaces makes a huge difference in the final result.
• Lighting and samples: we tested swatches in different light before settling on our final choice to make sure the color reads correctly at various times of day.
• Patience pays: stopping at primer before a trip might feel unfinished, but it makes the final application smoother and more enjoyable to come home to.

Why we love coming home to projects

It always feels a little wild to squeeze a last-minute project in before a trip — like the time we began laying kitchen flooring just before leaving for Hawaii. But there’s something special about returning home to a space that already feels renewed. We barely had any time to enjoy that last project before we left, and that made coming home to it even sweeter. We’re excited to come back from this trip and finish up the living room so we can soak in the change.

---

Forum roundup — a few favorite conversations and projects

As a little Friday bonus, here are four fun threads and projects currently active in the forums. We also announced this week’s giveaway winner on the site, so check the giveaway section there if you want to see the result.

Bad design that you won’t give up — by courtmcg8		DIY: $25 gold-dipped TV console — by BurlapandLace		Moving tips — by karents		Holy reclaimed church pew — by DIYPlaybook

What to expect next

Look for a detailed post early next week with the paint brand and color we used, step-by-step prep notes, progress photos, and the full reveal. We’ll also share practical tips for anyone planning a similar living room paint project — from choosing the right sheen to how to protect floors and furniture while painting.

Thanks for checking in — we can’t wait to show you the finished space. If you’re tackling a painting project of your own, save this post for ideas about primer, prep, and planning the final color reveal.