Friday 11 January 2013

Colourful language

'I'm only working two days next week, are there any little jobs you want done around the house?' asks the husband.
I let a moment or two lapse before answering 'redecorate the hallway'.  He's taken slightly aback, think he may have been expecting something like 'tidy the garage' or 'wash the conservatory windows'.  And before you can say 'Farrow and Ball' I've brought out a paint chart.  This now starts a little game I call 'trying to avoid getting a paintbrush out'.  Seems our idea of what needs to be done differs somewhat.  One of us is going for the 'a quick coat of white gloss on the door frames will freshen it up' and the other is going for the 'total revamp' option.  
Attention turns to the paint chart - now who thinks of the names of these colours?  We already have James White on three of the walls of our kitchen (always confuses me as that was the name of our son's best friend at primary school).  I like the name 'clunch', not for the colour, but the sound of the word.  Clunch.  Churlish Green.  How can a green be churlish?  If you could see Charlotte's Locks, you'd recommend Charlotte went to the hairdressers for a few highlights.  Do you like fish?  How do you fancy Dead Salmon?  I think I'd prefer 'Smoked Trout'.  We are actually going to head into animal territory, we've disregarded Pigeon, Fawn and Dove Tail and gone for Elephant's Breath.  Until we look at the chart in daylight of course when round two of the discussion will start.  I guarantee that conversation will begin with the husband saying 'actually, I don't think it needs redecorating at all.  Maybe I'll just give the ceiling a coat of paint, I think it'll make all the difference.'  Swiftly followed by me saying 'and once we've completely done the hallway, we can think about a new colour scheme for the downstairs cloakroom.'  That should keep him quiet for a while!

12 comments:

Sandie said...

haha! What amazing colours for paint! As you say, some not very appealing. Elephants breath.... really?!
We've just redecorated with Boudoir and second colour of cardamom - that's more to my liking!

scrappyjacky said...

I bet it will be awhile before he asks such an innocent question again!!!!!

Elizabeth said...

Your sure know how to handle your husband. Before he knows it, the whole house will be redecorated and he won't know how it happened.

Scrappi Sandi said...

So funny! My Hbby does nothing in the DIY line without me standing over him!! I'm the one who brandishes paintbrush & hangs wallpaper!! Love those paint names...my sons room is painted in a lovely shade of taupe..called Pocket Watch...for the life of me I don't see the connection!! Hope he gets it all done while we're scrapping tomorrow!! See you there!! :D

Cheri said...

yikes Deb - I don't think I'd want to pick colors from your swatches! The walls in my office and craft area are "truffle" (sandy beige)and the ceilings are "subtle" (off-white). The main color is the sunroom is "honeymoon" (mustardy yellow) with a highlight wall in "dinner party" (a dark red). I'm thinking Benjamin Moore has much better paint color namers than whatever company you're using!

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

Haha - yes, I think this is a univeral husband/wife conversation topic. Since Doug is a professional painter, I regularly hear some of those crazy names that are given to paint colors. And if it's any consolation to you, Doug is a PAINTER and it takes forever for him to paint for me. ;o)

Denise said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Denise said...

There was a time when himself was like lightening when decorating was mentioned- sadly like Deb's husband,it takes forever nowadays..

Anonymous said...

And which of the 50 shades is Elephant's breath?

Alison said...

I am intrigued by 'Elephant' Breath'!!
Alison xx

Sian said...

I think we have looked at Elephant's Breath too! We have had the paint for our hall sitting in our utility room since September - the latest excuse was that there was no point in painting it before the Christmas tree came in and out to scratch it!

Beverly said...

ohhh I much prefer the paint names we have over here. Some of those are just dreadful! I hope your Elephant's Breath is just what you hope for and it is on the walls this week ;)