Once again, the ‘winter doldrums’ in February had me itching to freshen up a room.  This time the dining room was my target.  I was inspired by a color I had seen in a magazine and immediately knew it was for me!  However, I was torn between a lighter and a darker version.  I’m usually pretty quick to make a decision since I am confident with what I like, but because this particular room can change dramatically depending on how much light it gets, I had to paint both colors on each wall and see how it reacted to various light conditions.  Ultimately I went with the lighter version and could not be more pleased.  I couldn’t believe what a difference it made.  The brown furniture and antiques just seemed to pop and the soft gold and creams in the window treatments became even softer.  I can’t emphasize enough how much a color can change the look and feel of a room.  I highly recommend playing with color.  If you’re hesitant, remember, it’s just paint!