We bought our first home in 2001; a colonial built in 1968, nestled at the end of a wooded cul-de-sac. Tenderly loved by its original owners; it felt like home as soon as you walked through the door - if you were Marsha Brady. But I loved the layout and I could see past the silver sailboat wallpaper to all its glorious potential. I couldn’t wait to make this caterpillar a butterfly.

Before all the boxes were unpacked, I was tearing down wallpaper and old light fixtures. Ignoring the traditional style and integrity of the house, I blew caution to the wind and started painting the house in the latest trendy colors.

Here’s where it gets sketchy. On one particular evening, after painting the kitchen bright yellow (the adjoining room was stop light red), my husband came home from work, took one look in the house and said, “It’s like being at a circus in here”. My heart dropped for a moment. But he was right, we now lived in a McDonalds Playland. What was I thinking? Was I not the decorating diva I thought I was?

I went back to Home Depot, picked out a more traditional palette, and repainted. The butterfly was born and my home was beautifully transformed.

Painting can be scary, but you have to get past the fear and just do it. If you remember take in to consideration the style and integrity of your home, color can transform your space … and if you decide you hate it, you can always repaint like I did.

Here are some great links on picking out a palette that suits your taste and your home.

http://www.hgtv.com/decorating/10-tips-for-picking-paint-colors/index.html

http://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-pick-paint-colors.html