Several months ago I was contacted by Sherwin-Williams to participate in National Painting Week 2016.
If you’ve followed along with the blog, you’ve seen other rooms I’ve created for them.
Like this one.
Or this one.
Or this one.
But this time Sherwin-Williams wanted to try something different. Something bigger. Something better. Something much more amazing than a simple room makeover.
They wanted me to make over a space in my community.
A space with a view just like this.
I was so excited.
I live near fields and horse barns and cows and fences and meadows and acres and acres and acres of country side….
….and buildings like this one.
This is Carrsville, KY and the Carrsville Community Center.
It’s located along the Ohio River near the junction of KY 137 and KY 135.
At one time it was a bustling river town, full of shops and stores and boats and commerce and even a hospital.
It hosted famous dignitaries like Mark Twain who paddle-wheeled up the river and visited his uncle at what is now called the Clemens house.
You can see the history written all over the town with its historic buildings and homes still standing along the river.
In 2005, Dr. Doriss J. Hutchison donated the funds to restore a local grocery store and create a community center for the town.
The intent was to create a meeting place for events, like board meetings, city events, the local herb festival, fish fries, weddings and even Christmas parties.
The center is made up of a large meeting room, an office, community spaces and a brick front porch.
But eleven years later after it was first remodeled, it was showing signs of wear and tear.
The parties and events and festivals had faded and the building stood empty waiting for the next chapter in its long and illustrious career.
It needed a new outlook and a new perspective.
It had rooms that needed to be painted.
And a front porch area that needed a facelift.
And an office that needed to be organized and refreshed.
Enter Sherwin-Williams.
Kind of like Superman back when his red cape was super shiny.
Sherwin-Williams provided funds and supplies and asked me to draw up a design plan to bring back the community center to its former glory.
But Sherwin-Williams is only half the equation.
The heart and soul of this project are the volunteers who came together with elbow grease and determination and together transformed that community center on the Ohio.
We power-washed the front of the building and painted the door and the trim and added new furniture and cleaned out the flower beds and planted new plants.
In the main space we painted the entire room and the trim and rehung the curtains and made space for all the new tables and chairs.
And in the office we cleaned and organized and redecorated and made space so it can be used for board meetings again.
A community space refreshed and rejuvenated and ready once again for parties and festivals and events.
It was an honor to work on this project and I raise my coffee cup to all the volunteers and amazing individuals who made this project possible.
With this project, the most amazing thing happened. In refreshing the space….
….we refreshed a community, too.
And it all started with a can of paint. 🙂
PS These are just some before’s and a few sneak peeks of what the space looks like.
More pictures and the entire before and after reveal during National Painting Week.
I can’t wait to show you the spaces!
disclaimer: This post was written in collaboration with Sherwin-Williams.
All opinions are my own.
For more information, please see my full disclosure policy here.
FINALLY! Miz karianne, I have been patiently waiting for this reveal....so far it looks like I won't be disappointed! Way to go, little one.
OH I am looking forward to seeing what you all did...this is a wonderful project! Hope you have a lovely weekend, Karianne!
I can't wait to see it! :)
How fabulous! Love giving back and paying forward for future fun!!! Can't wait to see the reveal that created some awesome pink hair!!
What a wonderful project! Bringing the community together....and I bet you had tons of fun! Now, I'm anxious to see it all completed! Enjoy the weekend! ;)
What a heart warming project. The peeks are a tease.... I know the reveal will be amazing.
My heart was pounding/1! I thought it was the mini Thistles' room reveal! The tease you're giving us on this project looks just as impressive!! : )
I love any project that helps a community to become alive again! Bravo
Good morning KariAnne, Oh...this is going to be fun ...I can't wait to see how it all turned out! You are an amazing woman who sounds like she had an amazing team! Now we 2 special posts to wait for...the girls' room and this Community Center reveal! Thanks for sharing your talent with us AND your area... Blessings, Jeanne
I can't wait to see it all!!! I too thought it was the twins' new area:) You are one busy girl!! Happy Mother's Day!
Can't wait to see the reveal! You are an angel to your community for helping to spearhead this redo! Your town is fortunate to have you and the other volunteers who gave of their time.
Looks beautiful friend! Can't wait to see everything. What a wonderful person you are, thank you.
The sneak peeks are looking good! Can't wait to see it all.
Love this story! Looking forward to seeing the full redo!
Oh, how I love that you are doing this for the community! Thank you! And thank you #SherwinWilliams. You see, I'm from Kentucky. Born and raised....University of Louisville graduate....so when somebody does anything for a resident of Kentucky....it's like they've done it for me, too. I CANNOT wait to see the reveal. I wish I could be there. I wish I could work alongisde the residents. I wish..I wish. But, I guess I just have to contain my excitement and wait for the next email....knowing that since you are there, Karianne, this sweet community couldn't be in better hands. XOXO Susie from The Chelsea Project
Looking forward to seeing the finished project.
Love, love, love to see you bringing your community together for this project! Looking forward to seeing the finished project because the sneak preview looks might cute : )
How awesome to be part of something so transformative. I can't wait to see the finished space. I'm sure it is going to be a knockout. Nancy
I find it wonderful when people give back and help communities. I find it extra wonderful that the super busy, super-blogger you, helped make this restoration happen. Props to SW for promoting their paints (to which I am partial) while helping communities AND to all the volunteers that made this happen. :) I too, can't wait to see how rejuvenated and welcoming the center will be. (And can't wait to check all the styling ideas either ;) )
You are such a tease!! Cannot wait for the reveal.
Can't wait can't wait. I'm wondering if you used pink flamingos? :D I love Sherwin Williams paint.
so looking forward to seeing what you and the community volunteers did to transform this space!
Oh, my heart...what a beautiful thing for you and Sherwin-Williams to do! You are such a busy lady, so for you to take time out to do this for your community is HUGE! I soooooooo can't wait to see the reveal...I just know this project will pay back many dividends! Oh m'gosh, those pillows...I am dying here...I hope I can make it to the reveal! :)
How great that your blog opens up the opportunities to do things like this...enjoy!
I can not wait for the reveal....I just know it will be awesome if you are in charge, even if you had pink hair. So now we must wait............ So for now my fire HAPPY MOTHERS DAY !!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
P.S. BIG OOOPS, sorry it should have read friend
What a cool project to be involved with. And good for you for using your powers for good, you little Rock Star! What a difference this will make. As Chip Gaines would say "I'm prouda you!" The Other Marian
BRAVO! Every room in my home is SW painted - doesn't surprise me they came up with this! I know it will be an awesome reveal - bravo, well done, ma'am!
PS Your Visit the Forum link seems to be broken. : - (
Seriously?????? I was "Browsing".. and realized that I had missed this post... soooooo I am reading and looking and waiting for a few gorgeous "after" pics... and then...... ??????? WHAT??? this was just a little teaser???? Did I miss the big reveal??? I'm headed back to see what else I've missed!!!!! :)
I will be peeking in the windows if I am in that area! LOL We have a community center in the county I am from - Kirbyton Community Center. It was the original church. It is so charming, but white, white and more white. We had my niece's one year birthday party in the building this past weekend. I kept dreaming of your Carsville post and the potential inside our beloved community center. I was distracted from the party...busy designing, painting, creating the space in my mental sketch pad! Maybe someday I will have the opportunity to bring the vision to life! Thanks for the inspiration!