I had this great idea of painting the dining table white. I was so enthusiastic I went and bought 4 litres of paint, as it was nearly the same price as 2 and I wanted to paint the bookcase also.

Andy initially gave me the go ahead to paint away during one of his, “oh yes babe” moments where he pretends he’s listening but he’s not really listening at all. He had a turn around once he realised I was about to start sanding and refused to let me paint it. He hated the idea of a white dining table.

I listened to his point of view and tried my best to change his mind, but he wasn’t budging.

The next few days were speckled with grumpiness and a few occasions where we butted heads. Not about the table, I'd been trying to come to peace with that, but somehow regular daily happenings became irksome and difficult.

After a few days of moping around and being grumpy, blaming my mood on lack of sleep due to a teething baby, the table kept coming back into my mind. I was in need of this project. My creative self wants to be expressed.

My mother self is very fulfilled but my essence is still putting it’s hand up saying hey, I’m still here, play with me. These little projects bring such a fulfilling sense of accomplishment once completed.

We all need something to fill our happiness piggy bank. I find especially now I'm mother to an 8 month old, who dictates my days and evenings (bless her in all her gorgeousness) anything that I can achieve outside of mothering is worth it’s weight in gold.

Being creative is so important for happiness.

After Andy proposed a two week holiday away and I still didn’t cheer up (I couldn’t help it) When I eventually explained I was creatively stifled he agreed to let me paint the table, but suggested I paint in black instead.

Actually that’s quite a good suggestion. I feel I should listen to him, as it will add a big injection of edginess into my scheme. Otherwise, had the table been transformed into the slightly rose white shade I’d chosen, and the dining chairs painted white and upholstered the gorgeous blue sky floral fabric of my dreams from designers guild, the whole effect would be super girly … This compromising thing has it’s benefits.

I get to paint my table and achieve that sense of accomplishment and Andy gets to feel like he has a say in our house style. Our home is harmonious once more.

So now what to do with all that white paint?

Image credit Designers Guild, designersguild.com