WHAT COLOR SHOULD YOU PAINT YOUR HOUSE?

That's a loaded question...

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and with all the paint color possibilities out there

[thousands]

you are not going to want to hear my answer...

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I. DON'T. KNOW.

Selecting a color you want to live with day in and day out

is a very personal choice

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and I don't know you

yet.

BUT I CAN HELP YOU DISCOVER THOSE COLORS

if you give me some good information,

some photos of your space

and possibly some photos of the rooms you love.

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DON'T WORRY ABOUT A COLOR FOR EVERY ROOM,

your home will do just fine with just 3-4 colors

[more or less depending on size].

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BM Pleasant Valley Blue

Too many color changes can make your eye stop and start

which makes your home feel smaller

because you are seeing individual spaces instead of an overall flow  -

especially if you have a more open floor plan.

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Don't be hesitant to reuse colors throughout your home,

it creates a color and design flow that is good to have

USE SOFT NEUTRAL TONES

Why neutrals?

Because they last.

Because they are a good background.

Because they STAY in the background.

Because they go with so many many other colors.

Because they don't take over the room.

Because your furniture and art look awesome with them.

Because they are more livable.

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WHAT IS A NEUTRAL?

Nearly every color can be a neutral.

I call it 'graying it down'.

Basically, its the muddied or gray version of that color.

A softer, more soothing version.

For blue, its a gray blue version of every hue.

Some are gray with a blue undertone.

For green, a grayed green.

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Browns and beiges go softer into gray beige and taupes.

Purple gets muddied and softer.

Some colors are already neutral - of course

but it doesn't have to be limited to beige, tan and gray.

TRY BEFORE YOU BUY

You simply MUST try the samples in the actual rooms

Why, you say?

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Your home's light,

its ceiling height,

its room size,

the flooring,

the number of windows,

the direction the room faces,

the current color on the walls..

all will affect paint color.

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What looks perfectly lovely in a photo of someone else's home,

or on the paint swatch at the paint store,

can look completely different in your space.

So, buy a sample of the paint,

and some poster board,

paint one coat and let it dry,

(leaving a good margin of white around the edges)

then paint another coat - just like you would on your walls.

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When it is dry, thumbtack it to your wall

and observe the color throughout the day.

Move it around,

see how it changes, and how it looks in natural and manufactured light.

If you love it

BUY IT!

AND PUT IT ON YOUR WALLS!

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HERE ARE SOME BEAUTIFUL, LIVABLE, LOVELY

NEUTRAL COLORS TO CONSIDER

AGANTHUS GREEN Benjamin Moore

BRANDON BEIGE Benjamin Moore

GRAY WISP Benjamin Moore

GRANITE GRAY Glidden Paints

MAGNETIC GRAY Sherwin Williams

MUSHROOM Sherwin Williams
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SEA SALT Sherwin Williams
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SVELTE SAGE Sherwin Williams
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MOONSHINE Benjamin Moore
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THUNDER Benjamin Moore
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BOOTHBAY GRAY Benjamin Moore

CAMOUFLAGE Benjamin Moore
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CAROLINA GULL Benjamin Moore

DRY SAGE Benjamin Moore

GRASSLAND Sherwin Williams

GRAY CASHMERE Benjamin Moore

GRAY HORSE Benjamin Moore
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NORTHERN CLIFFS Benjamin Moore

PALE SMOKE Benjamin Moore
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PASHMINA Benjamin Moore

SEAFOAM STORM Valspar
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SEATTLE MIST Benjamin Moore

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QUESTION FROM A READER:

Hi There,

We are looking at updating our home using the gray palette. I want to use grays that have green or brown undertones and I really do not want the blue; however, if I have to have an undertone I would go with the blue.  I have read you recommended to use three colors throughout the home.  How exactly do I go about doing that?

Our master bedroom is rather large.  I would like to accent the wall that the bed is on with a dark color like graphite and graphite may be too dark.  I would appreciate color ideas on guest bedrooms, dining room, living area, entry, daughter's bedroom and hallway. I want to create a modern looking home.  I would greatly appreciate any advice you can give to me.

Thanks so much!

Charlotte

Dear Charlotte,

Choosing a color palette for your home requires a little homework.  For example, what are the permanent surfaces like - tile?  wood?  carpet?...  The colors on your permanent surfaces will help determine what colors to use because they will have to coordinate with those surfaces.  Do you have existing furniture you need to consider?  Once you have that squared away, go to your neutrals in the paint colors swatches and pull out a few that appeal to you.  Hold them next to the permanent surfaces to see if they blend well. Do the same with the furnishings that will remain in the room.  Choose 3-4 that look good together and that look good with your permanent surfaces and furniture, and you will be well on your way.  Neutrals are easier because they go with nearly everything.

I can suggest a color for your bedroom, but if you want help with the other rooms in your home, you can email me privately for a quote on a color consultation.  Unfortunately, I am only able to answer one question in this format.  I'm including a photograph of a room where I did a graphite accent wall and I think it turned out rather beautifully.  The color I used is Dunn Edwards/California Paints LEGENDARY GRAY.  

www.yournestdesign.blogspot.com

Good Luck