How to Prime Bright Walls Before Painting

Remember when our living room was salmon? It was hard to believe we lived with that color for as long as we did, but change is finally underway.

We’ve started with a primer coat, so the room already feels fresher and more promising. This is only the beginning: on Monday we’ll share the full story — the exact color we chose and the reasons behind it, step-by-step prep notes, photos from the process, and of course the final reveal pictures when everything is complete.

Today is the last day of our Florida road trip, so we’re trying to soak up as much sun as possible before we make the 14-hour drive back to Richmond. Even so, knowing we won’t be returning to a pink living room has made the thought of heading home a little sweeter. There’s something special about coming back to a space that already feels improved.

We often find ourselves squeezing in a last-minute project before a trip. It’s a little chaotic, but it’s also satisfying to come home to something finished that you barely had time to enjoy before leaving. We did a similar thing once with kitchen flooring that we had half-laid before a trip — the thrill of returning to a project in progress is real. This time, priming the living room walls was quick but meaningful; we can’t wait to walk you through the whole process from prep to paint to reveal.

Here’s what you can expect in the full post next week:

• Why we chose the new color: the inspiration, the mood we wanted to create, and how the color plays with our existing furniture and light.
• Prep work: the steps we took to get the room ready, from patching holes and sanding trim to protecting floors and furniture.
• The paint process: paint type, finish, tips for avoiding lap marks, and how many coats were needed to get even coverage over the primer.
• Before-and-after photos: close-ups of the details and wide shots of the room so you can see the full transformation.
• Final styling: how we arranged furniture, layered textiles, and added accents to make the room feel cohesive and inviting.

We’ll include photos at every stage so you can get a clear sense of how the transformation unfolded, along with honest notes about what went smoothly and what surprised us. If you’re planning a paint project of your own, we hope our experience will give you useful ideas and confidence to tackle it.

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As a little Friday bonus, we wanted to highlight a few active conversations and projects happening over on the community forums. These are great places to find inspiration, ask questions, or share your own progress. Below are four threads that caught our eye this week, including a recent giveaway announcement. Check them out and join the conversation if you’re interested:

If you’re following along with our trip updates or the living room project, thank you for the support and enthusiasm. We love that this space has become a place to share ideas, ask questions, and celebrate small wins, whether that’s a successful paint day or a clever DIY find from someone in the community.

We’ll be back on Monday with the full paint story — including the color name, swatches, tools we used, and the final reveal photos. Until then, enjoy your weekend, and if you’re making weekend progress on any projects, we’d love to hear about them when we return.