We’ve been in Georgia for a little over a month now, and I’m slowly starting to get my head above water. There are still boxes everywhere, but I finally tackled my first full room transformation in this new house—and I started with the library.
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This room started out super bright and airy. Lots of natural light, white walls, and a nice open feel. But I wanted something cozier—somewhere I could curl up with a book, drink coffee, and just relax. I had a vision for something deeper, richer, and moodier. So I turned to one of my favorite tools in any DIY project: paint. Here’s how the room started:
Choosing the Color
I took a vote on Instagram and among my family. I went bold with Sporting Green by Behr – it won by a landslide! It’s a rich, deep green that instantly made the space feel more intimate. It’s amazing how just changing the wall color can completely shift the energy of a room.
I used a satin finish on both the walls and the trim for a subtle sheen, and a flat finish on the ceiling to keep things clean and classic. I used an 18-inch roller for the walls in here. It made the whole process so much faster and more efficient. If you’re painting a larger room, I can’t recommend it enough! Here are my essential paint tools:
The dental molding, on the other hand, was a pain to paint by hand. I debated spraying it, but decided I didn’t want to deal with the prep work. So I powered through with a regular paintbrush—and a tiny craft brush to get into all the little nooks and crannies. Thankfully, it only took one coat on the molding. Everything else got two coats.
Styling the Space
Once the paint dried, the room already felt completely different—it was finally starting to feel like my house. I brought in my mustard velvet drapes for a little pop of color. The battery-powered sconces above the built-in shelves were a quick win for mood lighting. I still need to add an overhead fixture, but those little sconces are already doing a lot of the work.
And then my mom had the idea to bring in our outdoor dining table as a temporary centerpiece. I wasn’t sure at first, but once it was in place, it just worked. It grounds the room and gives me a large workspace or a spot to sit with the kids and do puzzles or schoolwork.
There’s still a lot to do in this house, but seeing one room come together like this was the motivation I needed to keep going. If you’re feeling stuck in your space or unsure where to start, I’ll always recommend paint. It’s affordable, accessible, and has the power to completely change how a room feels.
**Note: I am not a professional and do not claim to be an expert. Please be sure to always read instructions for all tools and products. Safety is very important and should be your top priority. Wear necessary protection when using tools (eye wear, hearing protection, gloves, etc.) and dust masks when sanding or cutting. Simply Aligned Home is not responsible for any injury or damage. All of my designs are not professionally designed and are for private use only.**
