I’ve been meaning to paint something pink, so this project satisfied that urge–times five. The whitewash on the porch swing at our family’s summer cottage had turned dishwater gray so it seemed perfect for a little ombre. I bought Benjamin Moore color samples in a range of five pinks: elephant pink, ribbon pink, strawberry sorbet, autumn red, and italiano rose. I mean, who could resist those names?

This paint job was deeply pleasing but also time intensive and tedious–all those little spaces! I used to painter’s tape to demarcate the ombre pattern on the runners on the back of the swing, which I mention here out of pride (I think it looks swell). I’m hooked now–and considering painting the risers on my back stairwell in ombre . . . stay tuned.