Sunroom Makeover – Step One

Time for a quick sunroom makeover update! What once was Manchester Tan, is now Simply White.

(Note: The existing ceiling fan fixture will soon be replaced with some kind of chandelier.)

They’re both Benjamin Moore colors, but we had ours mixed in a semi-gloss finish at True Value.

Now that the trim and ceiling are done, we’re looking forward to painting the walls in there. Stay tuned for the next sunroom makeover update- coming soon to a monitor near you!

This post is part of our 2012 True Value DIY Blog Squad series.

“Truly Valuable” links:

 Twitter.com/TrueValue, TrueValue.com, StartRightStartHere.com, TrueValuePaint.com, Pinterest.com/TrueValue, YouTube.com/TrueValue. You can also find more info about True Value DIY Blog Squad on True Value’s Facebook page. We’ll be hosting an “Ask The Blog Squad session over there on December 18th!

Legal stuff: We were selected by True Value to work on the DIY Blog Squad and have been compensated for our time commitment to True Value-related blog posts. We were also given a gift card to purchase the materials needed for our True Value-related projects, however, our opinions are entirely our own and we haven’t been paid to publish positive reviews. Boom!

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73 Responses to Sunroom Makeover – Step One

1. Bethany says:

   Nov 2, 2012 at 7:51 am

   I never cease to be amazed at the difference that bright white trim makes! The trim looks great and I absolutely love your new home! Can’t wait to see how the room turns out

   

   Reply
   • Layla says:

     Nov 2, 2012 at 8:16 am

     I know, right? Thanks for leaving us such a sweet comment to find today!

     

     Reply
2. Deidre says:

   Nov 2, 2012 at 8:06 am

   Love it!!! It is amazing how much “sunnier” the sunroom feels with the white trim and ceiling. So excited to see all the progress in your new home. It’s beautiful! :0)

   

   Reply
   • Layla says:

     Nov 2, 2012 at 8:14 am

     Thank you, Deidre! Kev’s hoping to have the room painted by tomorrow. I look forward to blogging about it as soon as he’s done!

     

     Reply
3. Sarah @ Thrifty Decor Chick says:

   Nov 2, 2012 at 8:12 am

   Oh my…how I love bright white trim!! I can’t wait to see more! So happy for you guys!

   

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   • Layla says:

     Nov 2, 2012 at 8:13 am

     Thank you, Sarah! I LOOOOOOVE your beautiful new (white) built-in’s, too!

     

     Reply
4. Julie B. [Holland] says:

   Nov 2, 2012 at 8:31 am

   Waiting, for more pics to come! Love your new home.
   Thanks for sharing your updates.

   

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5. Megan says:

   Nov 2, 2012 at 8:35 am

   It’s amazing how much white can freshen up a room. Great job! It looks good!

   

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6. Myra @ MyBlessedLife.net says:

   Nov 2, 2012 at 8:39 am

   LOVE the progress!! We’re actually painting over dingy cream-ish {hideous looking} trim too at our new house. Yep, we’re moving…again!

   

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7. Jo @ To a Pretty Life says:

   Nov 2, 2012 at 8:40 am

   Wow, I thought it was white before! But now it’s really white! I can’t wait to see what wall colour you choose.

   

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8. Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says:

   Nov 2, 2012 at 8:42 am

   Oh yeah…big difference! The tan looks dingy and the white just pops. I can’t wait to see more and I knew that ceiling fan’s days were numbered!

   

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9. Shannon says:

   Nov 2, 2012 at 8:44 am

   Wow! That white trim and ceiling brighten up the room so much! Looks absolutely wonderful! Can’t wait to see it with the paint on the walls! 0:)

   Shannon

   

   Reply
10. Sally says:

    Nov 2, 2012 at 8:46 am

    how in the world do you paint such straight lines??? i’m working on repainting rooms and that’s the hardest part. hehe
    looks great!! can’t wait to see more!

    

    Reply
11. Lela says:

    Nov 2, 2012 at 8:48 am

    The white is right! It’s so clean and refreshing. Can’t wait to see the color you choose for the walls.

    

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12. Kari Korte says:

    Nov 2, 2012 at 8:50 am

    I am a big fan of white trim and ceilings, it always brightens up a room! Looks great and I just LOVE your new home and neighborhood.

    

    Reply
13. Krystle @ Color Transformed Family says:

    Nov 2, 2012 at 8:53 am

    Crazy what a difference such a subtle change can make. We experienced the same thing when we repainted the trim in our bedroom this past Summer.

    

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14. Teresa says:

    Nov 2, 2012 at 8:53 am

    Amazing what a difference a little white paint can be. Can’t wait to see what else you do.

    

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15. Mandy says:

    Nov 2, 2012 at 8:54 am

    Looking great so far! Excited to see what chandelier you guys choose!

    

    Reply
16. K @ Shift Ctrl ART says:

    Nov 2, 2012 at 8:54 am

    It’s amazing such a difference a great white can make. We moved into a house that was entirely yellow in one shade or another and it was so great to see it all change to something more crisp when we painted the trims and ceilings white and the walls a nice warm gray.

    

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17. Brooke says:

    Nov 2, 2012 at 8:57 am

    Bright white trim is the best! Think I need to go paint mine now! Lol can’t wait to see how your room turns out! Have a wonderful day!
    Brooke

    

    Reply
18. Brooke says:

    Nov 2, 2012 at 9:01 am

    Amazing difference! So clean.

    So my friend, (you don’t know we are friends but we are!) what would you do if your cabinets were off white and you started to paint your trim white. Would you leave the new cabinets off white and paint or would you paint new cabinets?

    Can’t wait to see what color Kevin is covered in today!

    PS My True Value will not make Ben colors in Easy Care. Can I tell them that you said it’s ok?? : )

    

    Reply
19. Jan Birkey says:

    Nov 2, 2012 at 9:02 am

    LOVE white trim. Creamy, off-white, etc. colors are pretty too, but nothing makes a wall color pop more than white.

    

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20. Angela S. says:

    Nov 2, 2012 at 9:02 am

    I love the bright white. Look’n good!

    

    Reply
21. Ter'e Crow Lindsay says:

    Nov 2, 2012 at 9:04 am

    What a huge transformation this was! Before, it looked like smokers lived in the house!!!!! Now it is fresh and pristine, just like the 2 of you! Such a small change and what a HUGE GLORIOUS difference.
    I can’t wait to follow you guys thru this house!
    I want to run downstairs and paint something! (Shoot, we just did the laundry room).
    Maybe I need to take a second look at the half bath down there…………hummmmmm maybe I need some new paint and a jazzy light fixture.
    LOL. xoxoxoxox Ter’e

    

    Reply
22. Liz VanKirk says:

    Nov 2, 2012 at 9:08 am

    Love the white trim! I don’t understand why so many people with newer homes just go with the tan sprayed paint throughout every…. room of the house. Ugh! It’s like their afraid to paint.

    Can’t wait to see what’s to come…

    

    Reply
23. Crunchy Diva says:

    Nov 2, 2012 at 9:21 am

    That is the same color combo I used in my new hallway! I use Simply White for all of my trim. If you want to see it you can have a look at my blog – the best pix are on the staircase before/after post. I hope Kevin has decided on an outlet for his music! Keep us posted.

    

    Reply
24. maggie says:

    Nov 2, 2012 at 9:23 am

    that looks so much better!

    

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25. Bekah says:

    Nov 2, 2012 at 9:28 am

    What a nice fresh update! I am slowly getting to the trim in our house! I did the downstairs but seem to have stalled out on the upstairs.

    

    Reply
26. Janel says:

    Nov 2, 2012 at 9:29 am

    What a difference the white makes! Love it! QUESTION FOR YOU – I’ve always painted ceiling first, then walls, then trim. Is it easier/better to do trim BEFORE walls? Thanks!!!

    

    Reply
27. littleoakcreations says:

    Nov 2, 2012 at 9:48 am

    Isn’t it amazing what a little paint can do? Another blogger I followed just tackled her very similar beige/tan trim and painted it a nice bright white and the difference is astounding. The tan looks so dingy and dirty and the white is just a breath of fresh air. Very nice! Thank you for sharing it with us.

    

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28. Dawn says:

    Nov 2, 2012 at 9:56 am

    Wow! the white just makes it look so clean! I love getting to join you on your new house adventures! I can’t wait to see what you do next! Thanks for sharing!

    

    Reply
29. Brenda says:

    Nov 2, 2012 at 10:07 am

    That looks amazing! I love what a bright coat of paint can do.
    QUESTION… would you mind sharing your favorite brush or rollers that you paint with? Also, do you tape?

    Thanks and good luck with the new home. It’s beautiful.

    

    Reply
30. A Yellow Bungalow says:

    Nov 2, 2012 at 10:08 am

    I absolutely love the white and cannot wait to see it once the walls are painted! Oh…and the chandelier…well that’s just the cherry on top

    

    Reply
31. Carol Sullivan says:

    Nov 2, 2012 at 10:15 am

    I have a question please! Why do ceiling fans have such a bad reputation? It seems they are the first things to go in blogging and television redos! I have never understood that. In the south ceiling fans are very wonderful and useful, yet they get no respect! Can you explain?

    Otherwise, I love your new house, and check every day to see what’s new! White trim rocks!

    

    Reply
    • Layla says:

      Nov 2, 2012 at 11:07 am

      Hi Carol! I haven’t a clue about their reputation…but I do know that we aren’t fans.
      Get it?
      “Fans”- LOL!
      #TheyAlsoMakeMyVertigoActUp

      

      Reply
32. Andrea says:

    Nov 2, 2012 at 10:17 am

    The room looks better already. I’ve noticed in some new homes in my neighborhood (we like to peek before people move in) that the trim is more beige than white.

    

    Reply
33. Kristi @ Creative Kristi says:

    Nov 2, 2012 at 10:24 am

    I just love bright white painted trim! Such a difference! it’s like Christmas every time you post about your new house–I’m so SO excited to see all you do with that lovely house! xo

    

    Reply
34. Sue says:

    Nov 2, 2012 at 10:33 am

    Carol,We are in the desert Southwest and would DIE without our ceiling fans so I am inclined to agree with you. Although the chandelier will add charm and character – here in the desert I would have to forgo it for “survival” sake. Love the white trim and ceiling!

    

    Reply
35. Karen Fields says:

    Nov 2, 2012 at 10:34 am

    I love your blog! Very inspiring!

    

    Reply
36. Julie says:

    Nov 2, 2012 at 10:39 am

    I am just out of control this morning. The very first picture… and my mind goes not to how great the new white looks (and it does). I think, “That photo looks like it is taken in the process of painting. If that were me every single door and wall would have been taped off with blue painter’s tape. And, I would still have spots I had to touch up!”

    DIY Talent Envy… because I started painting the trim in my house and we have decided to sell it and move elsewhere. And, now I have to finish it for someone else… And, when you have to tape everything first, it takes FOREVER!

    

    Reply
37. Heather@ThriftyStories says:

    Nov 2, 2012 at 10:50 am

    Wow. Little details like this one can make all the difference. Love the contrast and look forward to seeing the rest of the sunroom makeover.

    

    Reply
38. Jeanne says:

    Nov 2, 2012 at 10:51 am

    Wow! I didn’t realize even the trim was TAN!! Crazy!! I just thought the pretty sunlight was reflecting off the walls and floor making the trim look tanish. Looks great! Did you seriously not tape??

    

    Reply
39. Carrie - The Corson Cottage says:

    Nov 2, 2012 at 11:18 am

    I love the white! I’m am a huge fan of white trim. We are planning to do white walls & white trim in our house. That is when the new electrical & plumbing goes in & we can install the walls to paint. I’ve been searching for the perfect white on white combo. Loving Simply White. Looking forward to seeing your wall color choice.

    

    Reply
40. Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says:

    Nov 2, 2012 at 11:49 am

    It’s amazing the difference a little white paint can make!

    

    Reply
    • Miranda says:

      Nov 2, 2012 at 12:29 pm

      These are the kinds of posts I absolutely adore! Sure, I love the finding of objects, the subtle stagings, etc. ..but this is where it’s at! Something so “small” makes such a HUGE difference! An example like this is actually how I got my husband on board to paint our trim earlier this year. He was amazed

      

      Reply
41. Keeping it Cozy says:

    Nov 2, 2012 at 12:29 pm

    I’m so looking forward to seeing your progress as you work in your new home! The paint looks amazing… Simply White is my favorite white and I’ve used it all over our home! I always have at least a gallon on hand.

    

    Reply
42. Reenie says:

    Nov 2, 2012 at 12:37 pm

    Much better. Forgot to mention in my comment on the doggie post…. that I love your hair that length. It looks so healthy ~ very pretty.

    

    Reply
43. Stephanie says:

    Nov 2, 2012 at 3:48 pm

    I love white trim! It makes such a difference in your sunroom also! Can’t wait to see all the other changes you guys are going to make.

    

    Reply
44. Susan @ Afford Your Passions says:

    Nov 2, 2012 at 4:05 pm

    I wasn’t a big fan of ceiling fans until we moved to Texas, and now I love them. They aren’t as pretty as chandeliers, but having some cool, moving air (even with air conditioning on) is wonderful in the Texas heat (especially when I’m in my studio, which has 3 exterior walls, so it gets warmer than most other rooms in the house.

    I love the white trim! I wish my trim was white – I don’t hate the color that it is at the moment (a nice shade of light brown), but I think I would love the “cleanness” of having white trim!

    Have a wonderful weekend!

    

    Reply
45. PreK Teacher says:

    Nov 2, 2012 at 4:28 pm

    I’m feeling the need to repaint the trim!

    

    Reply
46. Sandra says:

    Nov 2, 2012 at 5:16 pm

    It looks great! I can’t wait to see what color you choose for your wall.

    

    Reply
47. Megan says:

    Nov 2, 2012 at 6:03 pm

    Simply White is one of my favourite whites for trim. It is one of those perfect whites that isn’t too stark or too creamy. I think if you had to pick a white then Simply White would be at the front of the line. Good luck with the rest of the painting.

    

    Reply
48. Megan says:

    Nov 2, 2012 at 7:03 pm

    I love white, chunky trim! My house’s trim was painted (by the previous homeowners) avocado green in the kitchen and butler’s pantry, two sheens of white in the TV room and dining room, chocolate brown in the living room, baby pink in one bedroom, baby poop brown in another bedroom, blue in the bathroom, and two different colors (to match the walls) in the master bedoom. Seriously!

    

    Reply
49. Ter'e Crow Lindsay says:

    Nov 3, 2012 at 6:46 am

    Why have i been so dense???????? I have never seen your Pinterest before. WOWEE!!!!!!! I am taking notes! Oh I can tell – this is going to cost my honey MONEY! LOL

    

    Reply
50. Tonya@mycozylittlefarmhouse says:

    Nov 3, 2012 at 7:38 am

    I love a crisp white trim! Looks good!

    

    Reply
51. Shirley says:

    Nov 3, 2012 at 9:46 am

    It looks fantastic! I don’t mind the old color too much. I mean, they certainly worked well together, but the white definitely brings life in the trim and doors. I can’t wait to see the walls completed. I know it will look fantastic. We have a lot of painting coming up, I hope ours turns out as well as yours is. Starting with ceilings, which I dread (mostly because I am so short!)

    Can’t wait to see whats next!

    Shirley

    

    Reply
52. Rachel S says:

    Nov 3, 2012 at 11:02 am

    Any tips for painting trim? Do you find it is an enormous task? We are looking for a new place (our current home has unpainted wood trim) and I am insistent on getting a house with white trim. I want white trim and I do NOT want to have to paint it all white myself! It just seems like such a huge task.

    

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53. classiccasualhome.com says:

    Nov 3, 2012 at 11:06 am

    Looks so fresh! Nice work.

    

    Reply
54. Daree says:

    Nov 3, 2012 at 9:24 pm

    I think your new home is beautiful! I am dreaming of having a home to remodel and redecorate. Trying to pay cash for a house is taking a while to save up for, but I will have more money to paint the walls. Love your blog!

    

    Reply
55. Amanda Mae says:

    Nov 3, 2012 at 10:00 pm

    Ok, I’m ready to paint my living area now! Love how fresh it looks

    

    Reply
56. Pam Lowe says:

    Nov 4, 2012 at 12:21 am

    Just had the master bedroom walls painted a serene blue/gray, the ceiling with a hint of wall color, and he repainted all the trim and doors bright white, love it!!! Now i want to repaint all the trim in the house!!
    I enjoy watching you progress, thanks for the inspiration!

    

    Reply
57. Shannon says:

    Nov 4, 2012 at 9:42 am

    I love the simply white trim. I am wondering why you choose semi-gloss and not hi-gloss for the type of paint. I always thought that it was hi-gloss straight across the board. I am about to paint all the trim and doors in the upstairs so any help would be cool By the way I just love your house, the neighborhood, and that Kevins buddy lives to close. Way awesome:)

    

    Reply
    • Layla says:

      Nov 4, 2012 at 3:03 pm

      Hey Shannon! Our painter friend recommended semi-gloss, so that’s what we got! Thanks for the sweet comment, and don’t work too hard on that trim and those doors over there!

      

      Reply
      • Shannon says:

        Nov 6, 2012 at 5:41 am

        Thanks

        

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58. Gayla Templeton says:

    Nov 4, 2012 at 10:06 am

    Isn’t it amazing what a difference a gallon of paint can make? I love True Valus and I’m not getting paid to say it. It’s so nice to walk in and be asked what they can do to make my visit work. Here, we have a brand new Menard’s Super Store, Lowe’s, Home Depot, Sutherland’s and a couple of others and I still go to TV first. At my age, not having to walk a mile to find what I came for is a treat. The one I usually hit has hired a man who is in a wheel chair and is hard to understand when he speaks but all you need to do is tell him what you want and he is off to zip over to where it’s stocked. He knows the stock there better than anyone and I so appreciate it that the store could look past his issues and hire him. Yep, I love me some True Value.

    

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59. Axelle the french cook says:

    Nov 4, 2012 at 11:59 am

    It’s unbelievable how much just white paint can change a room!

    

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60. Rhonda says:

    Nov 4, 2012 at 2:17 pm

    Looks so great already! Do you feel like the paint and primer works well on the trim? I have glossy sage green trim that I need to paint white and it’d be nice to skip the priming step!

    

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    • Layla says:

      Nov 4, 2012 at 3:04 pm

      Hi Rhonda! It seems to have done the trick, so I’d say “yes!”. Happy painting!

      

      Reply
61. Michelle says:

    Nov 4, 2012 at 3:23 pm

    It’s a amazing what white paint can do for a room. I’m in the process of painting all of our trim and doors bright white. It is such a long process but I love the outcome.

    I love your knew house and look forward to reading more post.

    

    Reply
62. CJ Dellatore says:

    Nov 5, 2012 at 7:15 am

    I’ve got an 1822 farmhouse outside of Hudson NY (which I’m slowly renovating). I’m a fan of white ceilings, but have discovered through some period research that ceilings were often painted the palest shade of cream/yellow because white paint was more expensive…. have you heard of that?

    

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63. Missy says:

    Nov 6, 2012 at 2:43 pm

    Hi Layla, we recently moved into a new home. All of our trim is also a horrible beigey tan. Not even off white. I HATE it so much. It is also oil based. Did you sand and or prime before you painted over it?

    

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64. MikeP says:

    Dec 5, 2012 at 10:45 am

    Great colors! Will there be any wide-angle full-room shots?

    

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    • Layla says:

      Dec 5, 2012 at 12:20 pm

      Thanks, Mike! And, yes, there will be wide-angle, full-room shots when the wide-angle, full-room is all ready to go- LOL!

      

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