If you stepped through my front door this very minute, we’d probably high-five and do a little victory dance together. Summer has come and gone, and this year that simple milestone feels like a genuine celebration.
We get used to busy seasons, but this summer was especially intense. I never imagined I’d be cooking through those months, yet somehow we pulled it off—exhausting, exhilarating, and absolutely worth it. The relief at the finish line felt a little like a miracle.
Soon after I started this blog, I entertained a dream that felt a bit fanciful at the time—something I mentioned in passing and laughed about with friends. Then, surprisingly, that dream became real.
About ten days ago, Benjamin Moore reached out with a room-transformation opportunity. My heart leapt; I literally squealed and typed back an ecstatic “YES!” as fast as I could. It was one of those moments every blogger imagines but rarely expects to see happen.
The timing, of course, was challenging. I still had a week left of cooking for a large group, and the makeover needed to happen quickly. Thankfully my husband is used to jumping into these whirlwind projects with me. Together we balanced camp responsibilities while racing to transform a room.
I’ve been a bit sporadic with posts lately, but I want to take you along for this transformation. I’ll be sharing progress updates more often—so pour your coffee and come along for the process. Today I’ll start with the essentials: preparing a room properly before you paint.
Paint is one of the most powerful tools to change a room’s mood and character quickly. Over the years I’ve painted many spaces, so here are five reliable, practical tips to prepare a room for painting. These steps help the job go faster, cleaner, and give a more professional result.
1. Empty the room
Whenever possible, remove furniture entirely. If that’s not practical, move pieces to the room’s center and cover them. For our project we cleared out everything we could—except a large table that wouldn’t fit through the door. Clearing the space makes painting faster and protects your belongings from splatters.
2. Protect the floors
Cover the entire floor area with drop cloths, old rugs, or protective sheeting before you start. This small step saves time and stress during cleanup. Use heavier cloths near doorways and areas where you’ll be walking with paint supplies.
3. Remove switch plates, curtain brackets, and picture hooks
Take down switch covers, curtain rod holders, outlet covers, and any picture hangers. Store these small items in a labeled container or tray so you don’t misplace them. Reattaching everything goes much more smoothly when each piece is gathered in one place.
4. Use painter’s tape when you need precise lines
I don’t always tape off edges for basic painting, but if you want crisp, exact lines—around trim, ceilings, or built-ins—painter’s tape is worth the extra step. Press it down firmly and remove it while the paint is slightly tacky for the cleanest edge.
5. Gather the right tools
Having the right supplies makes a big difference. My essential painting toolkit includes: a lightweight step ladder, damp rags for quick cleanup, a paint roller tray and liner, a comfortable roller handle with an extension pole, quality rollers, and a reliable angled paint brush. Investing in good brushes and rollers saves time and frustration.
Benjamin Moore currently has a promotion with a kit that includes many of these basic supplies. We tested their roller and brush during our makeover and found their tools to be exceptionally comfortable and effective—especially the brush, which I’m particular about. If you’re refreshing a room for the season, look into inspiration and tips available from their resources and consider trying a kit.
Come back tomorrow and I’ll share how we started the actual painting and the first steps of our room transformation. I can’t wait to show you the progress.
Although this post has been generously sponsored by Benjamin Moore, the opinions and language are entirely my own and do not represent Benjamin Moore.