Painting Woodwork or Walls First: A Small Town Tale
You know, the other day I was sittin’ on the porch, sippin’ my coffee, when I started reminiscing about that time I decided to tackle painting my living room. Now, you might think, “What’s the big deal?” But lemme tell you, it turned into an adventure I wasn’t ready for.
The Initial Spark
So, we bought this little fixer-upper a few years back. You know the type—charmful little quirks, creaky floors, and history still stuck in the corners. I somehow ended up with pretty old, dingy white paint on the walls, and the woodwork? Let’s just say it had seen better days. The idea of freshening it all up got into my head. I was all hyped up about transforming that space. I could already picture the light blue on the walls and the bright white trim bringing in a sense of calm. Yeah, it was gonna be beautiful—at least that’s what I thought.
The Debate: Woodwork First or Walls?
Now, I started getting into it, trying to figure out whether to paint the trim first or the walls. A buddy of mine—he’s got a knack for this sort of thing—told me to always do the trim first. That way, if you accidentally got some wall paint on the trim, you’d be able to touch that up easily later.
But, then I got to thinking… what if I painted the walls first? I mean, the woodwork was scuffed and stained, so maybe it was a good idea to get the walls looking pristine before committing to those delicate details? I was indecisive, more like flapping in the wind than a sturdy flag.
In the end, I decided to go with my buddy’s advice—paint the trim first. I figured it would be easier to cover up any mistakes I made that way.
The Tools & The Smell of Paint
So I dug out my tools. I had this can of semi-gloss white paint from a brand called Benjamin Moore. It’s a bit more on the pricey side, but I always liked how it just glided on. I remember cracking it open and that distinct smell hit me right away—like fresh starts and capabilities. I used this little 2-inch angled brush that I’ve had since my first apartment. It was a bit bristly, but it did the job.
That first stroke, well, there’s something so satisfying about it, ain’t there? The way the paint fills the nooks and crannies of the woodwork? It felt like I was giving it some TLC, making it brighter and happier. But then, oh boy, did I get too ambitious. I may have poured a bit too much paint into the tray, and before I knew it, I was in a painty mess.
Almost Giving Up
At one point, I got so engrossed in it that I accidentally knocked over the tray. Paint splattered everywhere! I nearly gave up there and then—just sat back in my old rocking chair, looking at the chaos I created. I was thinkin’, “Why do I even do this?” The sun was streaming in, and all I could see was the disaster spreading like butter on toast.
But after a couple of deep breaths—and maybe a swig from my coffee—I grabbed some paper towels and cleaned it all up. Funny enough, after I cleaned up, it made me realize how much I wanted to see it through. Like, the woodwork was starting to look sharp, and I could already imagine how nice it would be against newly painted walls.
The Moment of Truth
Once the trim was done, I moved onto the walls. I started rolling on that dreamy light blue paint—also from Benjamin Moore, I’m tellin’ ya, their stuff is good. And let me tell you, there’s a magic in that first roll. The transformation was immediate. The room felt bigger, lighter, and just… fresher. I stood back a couple of times, sipping my lukewarm coffee, and laughed at how it actually worked!
But here’s a tip that I learned the hard way: make sure you let the trim paint dry properly before rolling on the walls! The more I rushed, the more I ended up with a few unintentional streaks. I had to go back and touch those spots up, which added more time to my weekend project.
The Final Touches
By the end of it all, I had paint in my hair, on my arms, and probably on my dog too. But seeing that vibrant blue wall against the crisp white trim was totally worth it. I mean, it was a hot mess at times, but it felt so good to stand in that living room and realize I had done it.
Not to mention, the family showed up for a visit a week later, and when they walked in, I was beaming like a proud parent. They loved it! And as we all sat around recovering from the shock of my newfound painting skills, I realized something important.
Warm Takeaway
So here’s the thing, if you’re debating whether to paint woodwork or walls first, just go with your gut. Learn from the mistakes like I did—and trust me, the process is going to feel messy and frustrating at times. But you know what? It’s also gonna feel rewarding. If you’re thinking about trying it, just go for it. Roll with it and embrace the chaos. Because even if it doesn’t go perfectly, it’ll make for a good story later on.
