anti-prose. random matter.
the wonder of paint chips and myself
Published on June 27, 2004 By crimson In Blogging
I've finally been given permission to paint my apartment. I've lived in this shoebox for more than 2 years now, and I'm pretty sure that I'm going to be living here for a couple of more years. I hate the place for many reasons, but since I finally got into Native Housing after 4 years of being on the list, I don't really want to move right now. With my new job, I will have to move, but for now, my rent will be staying the same, giving me the chance to bank money to afford to buy my own home in the future. (One of the main goals of Native Housing in this area, at least.)

Creek Bend is the color that I've become certain will be the new shade of my living room. Which is funny, because it's hardly a color at all. Basically, It's grey. Or gray, if you prefer. Either way, it's pretty unorginal, not very bold, and definitely not a statement-making decision. I seem to be in this kind of mood, lately. After needing to buy a new wardrobe for work, which requires a business-casual style adherence, I've become unimaginative enough to have shelled out a paycheck's worth of money for basically 3 pairs of pants, and 4 shirts in black and a pair of men's black dress shoes that I found in a secondhand store. I had given myself that opportunity to go out and get crazy in buying a real adult woman's wardrobe and have failed miserably by sticking to a uniform.

But black, in this case, and grey in the case of my living room, is safe. Everything goes with it, you can't get it too dirty and it will always be somewhat acceptable.

In retrospect, is this really what I want for myself?

Comments
on Jun 27, 2004
Hi nic...
It's been awhile since I checked in with you. I am catching up on your articles now. Awesome goal saving up for a home of your own. Have no fear, lots of colors go with grey. I hope the job is going well for you and you love going to work there. O.K> I 'm going to catch up now on your writing.
KellyW
on Jun 28, 2004
I love the name of the paint. I'm in a little apartment I'd rather not be in too, but am staying for the same reasons as you are. I thought about painting. I think making your world as comfortable for you as you can is a good idea. I found out though, that chalk can be a lovely thing. I know it sounds strange. But if you take white walls, which I have, or grey walls as you do, and I bet it would look great on grey, and you draw pictures and write little inspirational sayings on the walls, the chalk washes right off. My sister drew a lighthouse on one wall with dark waves beating around it as the light shines brightly. Written under it is one of our favorite quotes. "I'm not afraid of storms, for I'm learning to sail my ship."~ L.M. Alcott
on Jun 29, 2004
One of the offices I worked in painted an accent wall a dark grey and they had a blue/tealish couch in front of it - it looked sharp. I am definately with you that anything is better than white. I spent too many years in rental apartments with white walls and beige carpet. Now that I finally have a house I have "potters clay" - a nice light apricot/peachy type color - in my front living room/dining room and
"harvester" - kind of a straw/brown yellow in my kitchen family room. I want to get a job picking out paint color names - wouldn't that be fun? You know a bright red would look great on grey too - maybe you could have some artwork framed or matted in a bright red - I'm liking it in my mind.
on Jun 30, 2004
I picked grey because I've got a sweet black leather retro-style couch. (all right pleather, but it still kicks ass.) I've also wound up with a lot of other retro stuff, so it was the best colour I could come up with. I definitely am interested in artwork... just need the money for that!
Thanks for writing, all!