Painting the Golden Gate Bridge

bathroom grey color

A sneak peek at one of the walls and the cupboard. The color is a mixture of many shades of grey, brown, silver, and blue (like the ribbon above). My fingernails have a unique manicure of thick paint to prove it. (Gloves would be too practical.)

French antique grey

Gloves, a ladder, masking tape, and paint brushes are important tools… but not necessarily needed when you fly by the seat of your pants. I have a stool, some rags, newspaper and thick manicured grey nails.
One wall and the cupboard (small armoire) have been painted. I am missing the blue sheet rock. Funny how one can change so quickly without knowing it. I would have never thought I would love that sheet rock blue and yet I think I do. See your response do have an effect on me.

painting a bathroom grey

I know, I know it is just paint and I can re do it … like my brother Mathew said, " It is not the Golden Gate bridge." Which by the way is not even Golden but a burnt reddish color. I would have painted in a burnt mustard color at least.

I wonder after the Golden Gate Bridge was painted if someone didn't say, "Yeah, that color is not right. In fact the color is all wrong. We should repaint it. It is just a bridge anyway and what is paint." With that the team probably looked at him and said. Yeah, forget it buddy let it stay burnt reddish until the next time it needs to be painted."

I have a feeling my manicured grey nails might say the same thing when I am done painting the bathroom…

inspiration board

Sacha is in bed sick with a lung infection. He is a solemn happy camper in bed. Paint, soup and sharing stories is what I am doing these days. This morning he asked what I was going to write about. I said "Paint, soup and you."

Soup for the Sicky and the Mother who Paints:

Miso, water, rice, one diced carrot and thinly sliced celery leaves.
Add the miso to a pan of water, bring it to a rapid boil, add the rice, diced carrot and celery leaves. Cover and simmer for ten minutes or so.
Pour soup-for-the-sicky into a pretty bowl, serve it on a tray, with toast and gentle words of, "hope you feel better."

Note: I'll be responding to the comments within the comment section. Not everyday, not to everyone but often enough.



Comments

50 responses to “Painting the Golden Gate Bridge”

  1. I have this vague memory of being told the orangey colour of the Golden Gate bridge was supposed to be the undercoat colour but everyone liked it so they left it!? Have fun with your paints…

  2. Love you
    Kisses
    Jeanne

  3. bee-utiful… of course!
    and tell me the secret of your perfect white towels.. *sigh* I have white towels but after the builder husband uses them to wipe his hands on, try as I might, they are never Shop White again..
    I made the pasta last night for dinner.. had such fun gathering bits from my herb garden.. used my own tomatoes too.. it was a big success 🙂 x
    re-reading your blog is such an inspiration..
    (and you never, ever know… we just might pass you on the road to Sturgess.. one of our dreams.. I am just not sure about the tassles some of the women wear 😉 – )

  4. The colour is exquisite. I’m guessing by the description of the colour composition that you mixed it yourself. I can’t wait to see the final result. I only found your blog yesterday, while looking on Google for some French country design inspiration. I’m enjoying it immensely. I hope Sacha feels well soon.
    Best wishes from Cape Town, South Africa.
    Colette

  5. Beautiful shades of grey.
    Kisses and get well wishes for your boy. x

  6. I’ve been to the Golden Gate bridge once, we walked half way across. One the way back we stopped to talk to a painter. I told him If I had known he was there I would have brought him a soda, he said no one had ever offered him something to drink before. He also said that they are never done painting the bridge, when he’s done on one side he goes back on the other side. What a job….
    _________________
    Hi Jewel
    I heard that they never stop painting the GG Bridge too.
    You think they would grow tired of that burnt red color.
    How kind of you to offer him a soda. French Husband are your listening??? S.O.D.A. or T.E.A.

  7. Debbie in New Jersey

    It’s beautiful so far, can’t wait to see the finished product. I’m inspired by you, can you share your technique?

  8. I am sending healing prayers for Shacha. Our men seem to heal fast, it’s an attitude or geneticness,,or something,,,being a good Mother,,,yes,,and soup! The gray’s are looking great, the finish will be fabulous.
    Nails,,,now who has nice nails..When you are done with the messy part, treat yourself to a manicure and pedicure, and some chocolate, and wine, in a bubble bath.

  9. Hope Sacha feels better soon!

  10. It’s funny how color affects us. I think it’s really interesting that you miss the blue of the sheet rock. I do like the treatment you’re doing by mixing the colors. I’ve done a lot of that kind of painting – mainly with a friend who decorative painted to make her living. She taught me a lot of things. Her fingernails always looked just like what you describe. I loved that about her. (She’s retired now and living the good life after getting married to an amazing man!) Tell Sacha we’re praying for him to heal soon! Although I bet he’s enjoying the TLC.

  11. My best well whishes for Sacha.

  12. Miso is always very healing. I especially like it with a few soba noodles and a couple of drops of toasted sesame seed oil.
    Your bathroom is looking very elegant.
    Get well soon poorly Sacha.
    __________
    Hi Duchess!
    Toasted sesame oil is the taste of heaven. Thanks for the hint!
    C

  13. almost has an unfinished… monochromatic finish look to it if that makes any sense whatsoever.
    have a wonderful day.
    hugs
    erin

  14. Hope Sacha feels better soon.

  15. Feel better Sacha!
    p.s Love the grey. 🙂
    Joy
    xo

  16. Love to Sacha. Hope he is soon well.
    Love, Naomi

  17. Fabulous shades of grey Corey…love it!! But of course I am partial to it….Hope Sacha is feeling better.

  18. Here is another soup: saute and onion. add broth and water. add lots of ginger and garlic–a dash of cayenne. add a couple of tablespoons of tamari. maybe a few greens and noodles. very healing.
    ————-
    Thanks Debra, that extra touch sounds like the spice to life.
    C

  19. The color is beautiful. But, it also makes me want to pull on warm woolen socks and a sweater. It could be a north country joke, “You might live in the north if looking at photos of grey rooms makes you shiver and think of storms and artic windchills.”
    ———————–
    Hi Karen
    Oh no I can see it now I will never want to get out of the hot tub.
    C

  20. Truthfully, I just love, love love this color. Very classic and I think you made a great choice!

  21. Love the colour! (I would never think of a grey to paint my walls! but now I have seen yours I guess next time I choose a colour it would b: grey! 🙂 (mango is one of my favourite colours for a sitting room….)
    🙂
    Hope Sacha will be better soon!
    xoxo

  22. Very somber IMO… more color needed! Hope it all works out for you.
    ———
    Hi Annette
    Somber it is. Nothing like my personality. But mix and match sometimes work.
    C

  23. GRAY & GREY…As the only shade possessing two spellings, it is splendid to see how you are splashing this array of palette! And in the most overlooked of rooms.

  24. This is turning out beautifully! It’s so soft and romantic. I love greys, there is such a surreal quality to them – what better environment to get lost in while in a deep tub of bubble bath?
    I’d love to see a shot of all the colors you used and like Debbie in NJ, would love to hear about your technique!
    Healing and healthy wishes to Sacha!
    xo Isa
    ——————–
    Hi Isa
    My technique? Oh Boy! Hit and miss, curse and smile, splash and rub, repaint and scrub and doubt and repaint and well you get the drift… there isn’t a technique, except to dive in and get one’s nails dirty.

  25. I absolutely LOVE the colour, Corey! It looks perfect. (btw, your socks in your previous post are seriously cool!)
    I hope Sacha feels better soon.
    xo,
    Lynda
    —————–
    Hi Lynda
    Thanks, I am doubting the color, but I’ll see when it is all painted before I decide.
    My socks!! Those are my painting socks!
    C

  26. Monteverano

    Tip from someone with kitchen training under a Japanese chef – You should never boil the miso paste. Miso is a fermented food. You must add it at the end, when everything is cooked and the boiling pot removed from the fire. Boiling miso changes its flavour and cancel its healthy benefits. For the same reason you never re-heat a miso soup. Since Sacha has a lung infection you could add some slices of ginger to the soup.
    —————————–
    HI Monteverano
    THANK YOU! lesson learned and kept. Tonight’s soup will be made with your instructions.
    Corey

  27. Me again 🙂
    I just noticed (and you can see more clearly when you click on the photo and enlarge it) there is a little rainbow on the face of the cabinet! To the lower left of the key.
    How special!
    xo Isa
    _____
    Hi Isa
    Yes that is the chandelier’s crystal reflected light. I thought it was a sign at forst.
    C

  28. Beautiful and soothing color…healing…as I’m sure your soup is as well. Get well wishes to Sacha.

  29. i have been told
    that there is constant painting
    of the Golden Gate Bridge.
    seriously.
    that as soon as they get to one end–
    painting from one side to the other–
    they must start over again as it
    takes
    so
    long.
    🙂
    i wonder if that is true???
    ??
    anyway,
    here is to hoping you are not constantly painting
    and painting
    the same thing over and
    over
    but move on…
    and then go shopping…………..
    ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
    ♥♥♥

  30. is there a better way to start my day than with my bowl of coffee and your blog? i ADORE it,thank you for inspiring me on a daily basis-hugs to s-no,better yet-just blow a kiss to him for me! :] ann-marie

  31. Gorgeous is all i can say!
    And what a great Mom and Nursie you are for Sacha.
    love, jody

  32. I was curious because I had heard the same info about the bridge, and here’s a link to some cool facts.
    http://goldengatebridge.org/research/facts.php#Name
    I like these (and see, with this “recipe” you could paint your bathroom the colour of the bridge!
    WHY IS THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE PAINTED INTERNATIONAL ORANGE?
    The Golden Gate Bridge has always been painted orange vermilion, deemed “International Orange.” Rejecting carbon black and steel gray, Consulting Architect Irving Morrow selected the distinctive orange color because it blends well with the span’s natural setting as it is a warm color consistent with the warm colors of the land masses in the setting as distinct from the cool colors of the sky and sea. It also provides enhanced visibility for passing ships. If the U.S. Navy had its way, the Bridge might have been painted black and yellow stripes to assure even greater visibility for passing ships.
    Many people ask how to obtain International Orange Paint – it’s easy-your paint store can mix it with the following information:
    The PMS code is 173 or the CMYK colors are: C= Cyan: 0%, M =Magenta: 69%, Y =Yellow: 100%, K = Black: 6%
    WHY ISN’T THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE PAINTED GOLD?
    Actually, the term Golden Gate refers to the Golden Gate Strait which is the entrance to the San Francisco Bay from the Pacific Ocean. The strait is approximately three-miles long by one-mile wide with currents ranging from 4.5 to 7.5 knots. It is generally accepted that the strait was named “Chrysopylae” or Golden Gate by Army Captain John C. Fremont, circa 1846. It is said it reminded him of a harbor in Istanbul named Chrysoceras or Golden Horn.
    HOW OFTEN IS THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE PAINTED?
    Many misconceptions exist about how often the Bridge is painted. Some say once every seven years, others say from end-to-end each year. Actually, the Bridge was painted when it was originally built. Until 1965, only touch up was required. In 1965, advancing corrosion sparked a program to remove the original lead-based paint (which was 68% red lead paste in a linseed oil carrier). The removal continued to 1995. In 1965, the original paint was replaced with an inorganic zinc silicate primer and acrylic emulsion topcoat. In the 1980s, this paint system was replaced by a water-borne inorganic zinc primer and an acrylic topcoat. The Bridge will continue to require routine touch up painting on an on-going basis.
    —————
    Thanks Tamara love the links and info.

  33. Always looking for minute details, I noticed your creativity shining through even in the tiny pins and old papers you show in your photo! If your painting job reflects such enthusiasm, you could paint your bathroom ANY color and it would be French-happy!
    I do hope Sacha feels better soon. We have had a string of days home with some of my children lately… keeps me on my toes!

  34. Hi Corey,
    Your paint job looks great! So does your blog!!
    My bro used to be one of the people painting the Golden Gate! Can you believe? Crazy!!!!
    Hope you are well.
    I’ve been in the land of paint too. My nails are grayish blue!
    xox
    Constance

  35. Ooh…I’m so sorry to hear that Sacha is so sick. Soup is the perfect medicine!
    I’m enjoy your bathroom stories. I can’t wait to see the finished product!

  36. Monteverano

    🙂 glad to be of help, hope Sacha gets better soon.
    cheers,
    M

  37. Why are any of us surprised that the color looks so yummy on the armoire and wall – you, of course, knew what you were doing all along!
    And the GG Bridge? – oh, I bet there was a lot of commotion when the original color was completed – we ALL do have our important opinions, don’t we?:)
    (P.S. Your site just gives me a peaceful bit of rest and beauty when I visit – thanks.)

  38. Just LOVE IT – so you. Poor boy hope he soon gets well.

  39. that’s a great paint job! maybe you could come redo my bathroom…..hope sacha feels better soon!

  40. Looking good so far. Hope Sacha is doing better.

  41. Healing thoughts to Sacha – I can tell you are a good ‘nurse’ Corey and are giving him love and soup – what more does one need when under the weather! Did hunting the surfer girl on a freezing cold mountain make him sick? I just hope it’s not pneumonia.
    I LOVE it – the grey is perfect and just what I’m trying to get in the dining room today as I slap on big squares of different greys, stand back as the light changes, and try to decide!

  42. Deborah P

    Gray is definitely not one of my colors because it can often feel too cold, but I love the look of the wall in your sneak peek – that mottled effect is definitely warm. Can’t wait to see the whole thing.
    I laughed at the thought that you intended the mirror to stay on the floor. I can’t see that particular mirror in your room, but what do I know? I wouldn’t have picked gray! 🙂
    ______________
    Hi Lynne
    I never intended for the mirror to stay on the floor. I wasn’t sure about it, so I didn’t want to hang it and then if I didn’t like it have to plug the hole. I am lazy like that.
    I took the mirror back and now am looking for another mirror.

  43. Deborah P

    P.S. I LOVE the color of the Golden Gate bridge AND the name – who cares if it’s inconsistent???

  44. dancing kitchen

    My mother always said life was not either black or white…but shades of grey.
    I think I could hang out with your shade of grey for a while!

  45. You truly have a gift for decor, Corey. The paint colours are beautiful, serene, elegant. I want you to come over to my place and redecorate it. I’ll let you go crazy. I’ll bribe you with red wine and dark chocolate. Lots of red wine and dark chocolate.
    And I laughed when I read “Sicky”. My sister and I call one another that whenever we’re ill. “Hey there, Sicky”, “How are you feeling, Sicky”, “Ew, stay away from me, Sicky”. Hope your son feels Better soon.

  46. ooh la la
    gorgeous!
    hope the sicky is up and running soon and make sure to eat that soup too and rest between painting etc:)

  47. I’m always fascinated by people who can cobble together such amazing rooms. The colors really are nice.
    I hope ya boy gets better soon!

  48. Hope sweetie Sacha feels better soon…
    In love with what I see!

  49. Janice Steffey

    I agree the blue sheet rock color is very pretty. Maybe you need to paint one wall blue and the other 3 grey. What ever you do decide it will be beautiful. Hope Sacha is feeling much better by now. Janice

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *