A Little Color in My Life...

**Before the "real" post today, I just wanted to say that the past weekend was a crazy one, and nothing went quite according to plan.  That's why the regular "What's Cooking Wednesday" is on hiatus... I just didn't want to cook.  ;)  And an update on Duke... He is pretty much back to himself, thank goodness.  We don't know if it was the antibiotics, some rest, or what.  We're just glad he's better.  Thanks for the kind words and sweet thoughts.  Now... back to the "real" post of the day.**

So, I always had this idea of what it would be like to be a grown up and have "my own place."  I was going to be able to choose my curtains, my furniture, my counter tops, my flooring, and paint my walls any color I wanted. 

And then I got married to the military...

For us, buying is not really the best idea because we'll have to leave at some point (at least right now, anyway).  Therefore, we get "rentals."  Don't get me wrong, we live in some of the military housing on the island, and compared to the place we had before this one, I LOVE our current place.  It reminds me more of home.  The neighborhood is like a normal neighborhood back home-- grassy areas, cute homes, sidewalks, and all that good stuff.  I even love the amount of space we have here.  I would say it's one of the best deals on  the island since spaces here are usually soooooo tight.

The only drawback is that it's not "ours."  Not really, anyway.  I can't just go change all the things that bother me... like knock out the wall between the living room and lanai so I would have one big usable living area, instead of a tiny living room and a too-hot-to-use-most-of-the-time lanai, or put down prettier flooring.  I guess I just like things personalized.  The only thing we can really do is paint... and even then, it has to be painted back before we leave. 

With that in mind, I went back and forth, back and forth on whether or not to paint.  I didn't want to put a lot of work into something that I would only use a "short while." 

Then, the other day as I was sitting in my living room, looking up at my oh so boring and monotone walls, it hit me. Even if I only stay here another year, one day of work is worth that year of enjoyment.  I need color in my life!!!

So, what did I do?  I got in my little Jeep and went to Home Depot for paint samples.  I was on a mission, and I was going to have some color... pronto. 

It didn't take me long to decide on the colors, so I was back the next day for the real deal.  When I got in the car with my paint, drop cloth, tape, brush, and roller, I knew there was no turning back... so I went home and worked all. day. long. 

At the end of the day, when I collapsed into an exhausted heap on my couch, I just stared at the walls and couldn't help but smile.  I'm so glad I went through with it.  The color just makes me so happy, and it makes it feel so much more like a "home" to me.  What do you guys think?

I also did one accent wall in a color a few shades darker...

(I didn't have a before photo from the same angle... even though I thought I did... And this "before" was quite a while ago before we got a "real" dining room table.)

Is anyone else super affected by color like me?  Have you found it was worth it to paint in a rental?