Dining Room Makeover: Getting Started

As I’ve said before, I love Before/Afters. They make my heart pound with accomplishment and I can’t help but smile. Getting there may drive me insane, but it’s ALWAYS worth it afterwords. Nothing feels better than fighting your way through something and be able to see a tangible outcome- like for me- a beautiful finished Dining Room, done the way I dreamed.

To get the supplies for my room makeover we went to Wal-mart. (Ben just informed me I needed to take the hyphen out between “Wal-Mart”. Apparently they’ve changed it.)   I went with the whole family on a Saturday and I honestly I would have rather shopped alone! Between screeching, unhappy kids and a husband who likes to wander off towards the electronic department, family trips to Walmart have the tendency to drive me crazy.  I had a list and planned ahead but we left in a haphazard way, forgetting a few things and impulse buying a few others. (I’m so excited about my new Maybelline eye liner though!!!)

One of the first things I noticed when I began my Glidden paint hunt was the huge “Do It Yourself” sign in the paint section. It was a pretty sign too and I felt empowered thinking, “WHY YES I CAN DO THIS PAINT PROJECT!” Click here to see Walmart’s Paint and Decoration section online that has a lot of the same things I was looking at;  such as Glidden paint, curtains, decorations…. and flooring, WHAT? Walmart has flooring?!

Anyways, I’m a fancy girl living on a barely there budget and I was happy to see the attractive mirrors, centerpieces, chair cushions, place-mats and dishware selection. I could go on and on but suffice to say that I shall have fun indeed with this shop! Once I’m done painting, I’m going back for all the accessories I will need! I already had a mirror I was planning on using in there and surprise surprise, it was from Walmart a few years ago. The last few years Walmart has improved so much on their housewares, decorations and craft sections. It is a place I regularly shop and can recommend for the DIY’er, the crafter as well as a designer on a budget. Watch below for some video and pictures taken at Walmart during my shop!

When I started to paint with the Glidden Brilliance Collection, I noticed that my paint seemed pretty thin and watery. I was expecting a much thicker paint and was dismayed as I started cutting in and it was dripping off my brush and onto the floor. I figured this couldn’t be right. I called Glidden customer service and they were really nice to me considering that I was trying to describe the texture of my paint– HAH! The customer service person who helped me, Katie, somehow didn’t seem annoyed with all my questions and agreed that something was probably wrong with my paint. She gave me their return policy and suggested that I take my paint back to Walmart. I agreed but decided to give the paint another chance with a paint roller and it went on fairly well.

I was trying to decided if I wanted to be “that person” that took paint back to complain or not and settled on just taking it in and asking them to look at it themselves. If they said this was normal, I’d just put on a ton of coats and try to make it work and if they said it was bad I’d feel validated getting another gallon. Also- I had misplaced my receipt…  WHICH I RECOMMEND AGAINST! Home improvement receipts are very important to keep- for reasons like what I experienced or tax reasons, etc. but the people at Walmart were AMAZING. First of all they *remembered* me. I’d love to say that it was my charming smile, or friendly natural conversations we had- but when she saw Bug she immediately said, “OH, I remember you!” Sawyer had been screaming at the paint counter the whole time we there buying the paint a few days earlier. Embarrassing, but but helpful. They opened my paint, opened another can and with a stick in each, compared them. (Yes, really. I was impressed too!) They took one look at my paint and realized that it had been mixed improperly, instantly mixed me some new paint, *walked me* to the front of the store and exchanged it. Without a receipt. Seriously- I’ve been pleased with their return policy before but they outdid themselves in customer service and helpfulness today. Check out my video for my story and a sneak peek of the updated color in my Dining Room! SO EXCITING!

My update is simply that I’ve finally started painting. I’m so happy with the color and texture.  I love how easily it goes on. I love the instant “after” feeling of the red! I can’t wait to finish it up and post my FINAL AFTER here next week! If you have a fun painting project, click on the button on my sidebar for some great coupons! Or you can visit Glidden’s website for information on their products. Their paint is high quality and sometimes I avoid the highest priced paint because I can’t afford it but when you consider it has the primer already added, you will actually *save* money with less paint bought overall. I am having a blast and think I’ll put a coat on my half-walls before bed!

 

This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. The thoughts and opinions are completely my own!

 

 

 

  • http://www.insanityisnotanoption.com Christy @ Insanity Is Not An Option

    “STOP BITING ME…SERIOUSLY!”. I loved that! And the color looks awesome! I’m so glad Walmart fixed the error of their ways! Still waiting to see the “after”! I’m with you on this one! Before and afters are like no other feeling!

  • http://www.thegunnysack.com Tonia @ The Gunny Sack

    This is GREAT! A typical trip to Walmart…LOL! Things are looking good!

  • http://alwaysinwonder.com Jennifer

    Great job! I can’t wait to see eveything come together for you!

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  • http://TheBusyNothings.com Heidi

    Thanks for the comments! OH MY GOODNESS it’s been an adventure for sure!