When I bought my house, my ex couldn’t stop criticizing my den that has wood paneling. He used to complain that it felt like a cave and that I should paint it white. Then again he shot all my ideas to hell. Every time I mentioned to him any improvement ideas I had, he would get all uppity and say, “You should have bought a new house.” Eventually I came to realize it was his jealousy speaking and his manhood feeling threatened. We both were the same age, earned roughly about the same, and even though he lives with his parents, I was more financially independent than he was. I also came to learn that he is not a handy man at all. I do hope that the man I marry would be one. I am a somewhat handy woman myself, but handyness in a man is something I admire, not a whiner like my ex was.
Since he planted the idea of painting the wood paneling, it hasn’t left my mind. I don’t want to paint the wood paneling white because it makes me a little antsy. The colors in my house right now are pineapple, lovely blue sky, different shades of green (chayote, herb, grass, cicely) and amber. It never surprises me that everybody has their own opinion as to what I should do with the den. One of my girlfriends likes the “natural” wood look and goes nuts when she hears me mention painting. Then there is my friend S who says, “Paint it any color you want but yellow” just because he personally doesn’t like it. Then there is my cousin who when I ask him if I should paint the paneling, he throws the question back at me, “Do you think you should?”
This really oughta be a yay or nay question. There are days when I think the paneling is okay. But most of the days I want to paint it, my color of choice being the amber in the adjacent living room. Then I would paint the fireplace a taupe’ish color that would really make my den not only pop, but draw attention to my old somewhat Victorian couches.
Every time I think my mind is made up, I hear all these other voices telling me why I should or shouldn’t paint. There is a part of me that is excited to start painting again, and then there is that other part of me that is nervous because many of my home improvement projects have taken longer than I thought and ended up being multiple projects.
There are times I’ve been tempted to regret buying this house since it is a far cry from my dream house. My dream house would be a two story house with an open floor plan, split bedroom plan, a two car garage and great curb appeal and nice size yard. Alright, yes, I’ll admit am afflicted by the all mighty American Dream….and to be honest I can’t afford the American Dream.
In spite of my ranch house not being my dream house, it has curb appeal, and once I work on the flower beds and the weeds growing on my driveway it is going to look like heaven. it is also a beautiful house, inside and out with a lot of potential. It is a lot of house for the money that I bought it for and have put in it. I plan to live in it for at least 10 years to at least get my money’s worth and to also realize this house’s full potential.
Back to issue on hand, wood paneling. I am watching HGTV where the lady said, “For some of you, I am about to do the unthinkable, paint the wood paneling.” And you know what Ms. Lady, so am I baby, so am I!
