WHAT IS YOUR COLOR PALETTE?

We love our world of color, don't we?

Nature surrounds us in amazing hues each season.  

The fresh greens of spring and its blossoms,

Summer's bounty of flowers,

Fall's warmth

and Winter's dramatic contrasts.

Each of us has a particular palette we choose to dress in, paint our nails with, and plant in our garden - but when it comes to wall color even the most color courageous among us are stumped.

Some of you have specific questions, and I will do my best to answer them or at least lead you in the right direction....

QUESTION #1

Hello, I just spent the past week and weekend struggling to pick a color for the walls of our kitchen. The cabinets are beech, the countertop is ubatuba granite and the floor is a mix of green, beige and white. I have painted some samples on the walls. Putnam ivory (BM) is a bit too yellow and dark. The muslin (BM) is too light. Any thoughts? What do you think about a green or peach? Thanks so much.

Dear Anonymous:   Green, beige, white and the light beech cabinets with the darkness of ubatuba granite - I think I'd go a gray/green in a very soft tone - on the light side.  In the peach tones - I'd go bolder - peach is more 90's - a dated hue - but a terra cotta or persimmon is current and bolder.   It would be hard for me to give you an exact color since I don't know the exact hue of green on your floor, but you may try one of these and see if they blend with your colors:
Benjamin Moores: Hancock Green and Guilford Green



Hancock Green, Guilford Green (Benjamin Moore)  Vert de Terre (Farrow & Ball)

Farrow and Ball's Vert de Terre.  Also look at Benjamin Moore's Soft Fern or Mesquite.

Benjamin Moore Soft Fern

Mesquite is a little darker, but still a great gray toned green.



Mesquite - Benjamin Moore

Let me know if any of these work for you!

QUESTION #2

By Anonymous on EXPLORING WALL COLOR: GRAY on 10/14/11

this blog is great! I have a question: Our hardwood floors and stairs color is maple chocolate brownie(Mirage) and the stair wrought iron color is gun metal. Our kitchen cabinets are cream matte. What grey BM color would work best with the colors to give the open concept main level a light, airy, and happy feel? Thanks.

Dear Anonymous: Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore is a greige, or a soft grey with a beige or warm undertone.   I also like Wedgewood Gray - a beautiful gray blue has plenty of light in it.


Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter (Decorpad)



Wedgwood Gray, Benjamin Moore

QUESTION #3
By Anonymous on ASKED AND ANSWERED - COLOR HELP on 10/18/11

From Sara W: What gray would you use with a red sofa in a room with golden oak trim?
 (Don't love the trim, but it's here and I have to work with it because I'm not motivated enough to change it)



Hi Sara W: Depending on how much color you want on your walls - for a darker wall - Storm (Benjamin Moore), for lighter -Edgecomb Gray (Benjamin Moore) or Stonington Gray (Benjamin Moore)

Mesa Verde Tan - Benjamin Moore (Tweaking Home)

Edgecomb Gray, Benjamin Moore

Stonington Gray - Benjamin Moore

QUESTION #4
By mcook on EXPLORING WALL COLOR: GRAY on 10/19/11

hey Claudine, im looking for a color for my new bathroom. I have an espresso vanity, multi color slate floor and white subway tile shower with slate accents/floor.
Im thinking of a grayish color. In the hallway leading up to the bathroom we have manchester tan - so I want to make sure it flows. Any suggestions.

 

I'll start by asking you a question.  Slate is a natural stone that is multicolored in tones from dark gray and orange/russet tones to blues and greens.  What colors does your floor contain?  Since I don't have that information - a color that would go well with either the warm or cool tones and nicely also with Manchester tan and espresso woodwork and white tile...

Try Valspar's Autumn Fog,  Behr's Flint Smoke or Benjamin Moore's Silver Gray

Blue tones would go well with warmer tones in the slate - I'd go with a grayed down blue/green - like Wythe Blue by Benjamin Moore - their 2012 color of the year.  Blue in all its hues is coming back in a big way for 2012. A lighter GREEN/BLUE hue that is very beautiful with dark woods and tans is Sea Salt by  Benjamin Moore.

QUESTION #5

By Anonymous on EXPLORING WALL COLOR: GRAY on 10/19/11

Do you have a Benjamin Moore Color that would be similar to the Sandy Hook Grey? I'm trying to paint a gray that has tan undertones to coordinate with the tans/beige/creams in my bedroom. I have the same tray ceiling and I love how the photo looks. Thanks!

Sandy Hook Gray - Benjamin Moore

Well you are in luck.  Sandy Hook Grey IS a Benjamin Moore color and I have no idea why I have it listed as a Dunn Edwards color.  I will make the correction on my blog.

QUESTION #6

By Anonymous on EXPLORING WALL COLOR: GRAY on 10/20/11

Claudine, I would love to send you a photo of our recently purchased 1916 Craftsman home. It is painted yellow, with Green trim and red accents. Many people love the colors, which are historically accurate but we find it a bit much. We need help. Would you share your ideas with us please? If so, where can we send the image?

I would love to help.  Please send to your-nest@hotmail.com. 

QUESTION #7

By Anonymous on EXPLORING WALL COLOR: GRAY on 10/21/11

Wow, love this website! Claudine, wondering what you think for a brand new townhouse at the beach. The first floor has a large foyer which will become a sitting room, and is open to the rest of the first floor which includes a kitchen and very large family room. I am thinking the entire first floor needs to be one color since there is no separation of the rooms. I would live a light, beachy feel and am open to anything! I also would love a suggestion for the second floor going up the stairs and hallway to bedrooms. Thanks so much!

Oh to have a beach house.  I'm so envious!  I can answer best by telling you what I would do... Fresh painted creamy white woodwork, with walls the colors of beach glass, driftwood and the ocean.
 Light woods, slipcovers and painted furniture.  Check out my post on that subject:  http://yournestdesign.blogspot.com/2010/03/going-coastal.html
As for colors: 



Tranquility, Benjamin Moore



Dolphin Fin, Behr



Cliffside Gray, Benjamin Moore

Fresh Dew, Benjamin Moore

Dune Grass, Benjamin Moore

Cape Hatteras Sand, Benjamin Moore

QUESTION #8

  

Silver Fox, Benjamin Moore

Claudine - You have such wonderful taste in colors so was hoping you could help me out! I am trying to pick a color for my living room which is in between the kitchen and the master bedroom (old house with long add on). The kitchen is a light grey with heavy blue undertones and I just painted my master bedroom in Silver Fox from Benjamin Moore which I love. I am trying to find a brown / grey color for the living room since my furnishings are more on the dark brown / reds and golds. I am hoping to switch out some of the furnishings but cannot right now so was hoping to find a color that blended well from the kitchen into the bedroom - staying away from anything too gold. Any suggestions??? I was looking at BM Kangaroo and Bennington Gray. Thank you!

Bennington Gray, Benjamin Moore

Again, you are on the right track, I just suggest trying a couple out on poster board (2 coats) and taping them in the actual room.  I also suggest trying Grant Beige, it is one of Benjamin Moore's most popular gray/beige colors.  Browns look wonderful with those tones and your Silver Fox as well as the grey with the blue undertones should work as well.   Good luck!

Grant Beige, Benjamin Moore