Hello my people!
What color is on your walls? Probably my most asked question. My walls have been a lot of colors, and I have never been so content than with my white walls. I have learned a lot of things over the years, and I am sharing it all right here, with you.
Most importantly, the white one my walls, that you love so much, might not be the right white for you. There are a few things to consider when picking out paint colors. Lets dig into a few I have figured out, the hard way. My hope is that these tips will help you on your path to discovering the perfect color, white or not.
Do you prefer warm or cool colors?
Is the room North, South, East, or West Facing?
What is the natural light like in your space?
How many Windows, and is there heavy drapery?
Is there a porch, awning overhang, or maybe shutters?
Are there large light blocking green trees, or a red brick wall, right outside your window?
Also, did you know you can ask questions, right where they mix the paint? If you know you don’t want warm walls and you are choosing a white, ask if the color has any yellow in it? What you will want to hear, is that there is black in there.
These are a few things to consider when choosing your color. Always, always, always, collect your paint chips and bring them into your space, with your light, to evaluate them. Don’t go by my room, or something you read. Go get the chip, and get dozens and dozens and dozens. If you see a color you really like, also pick up one lighter and one darker. do this multiple times, until you have tons of options. Now take all of these into the space you want to paint, and look at them in your space, in the morning, in the afternoon, and in the evening. I like to compare one to another within my space, what looks beige when held against another beige, can prove one to actually be green. You can rule most of your samples out by comparing them to each other, in your space. Narrow it down to a few, and maybe go purchase a few samples. You can paint right on the wall on sample boards, to set around the room. I painted a sample near the stairs, near a window, and in a corner, also near the floor and near the ceiling. You might be surprised that a gray you picked up looks purple or even blue, or maybe what you thought was white is yellow. The light in your space will change the color, and this is why it is important to sample it. Though paint is the most inexpensive way to give your space a dramatic makeover, it is a lot of work. No one wants to go through, moving furniture, taping off moldings, laying down tarps, spending days painting, only to put everything back and realize you chose the wrong color. No fun. So consider each sample carefully.
If you have filtered or a North Facing room, your whites might look creamier or even yellow, depending on the white. And your gray may look blue or purple. If you have large green trees outside your windows, any color could have a greenish cast. Brick wall, your white walls might look pink. The room where you have the most light for the longest amount of time, might be a good choice for a darker color. Although I love a smaller room, cozied up with a dark color.
Now can I just rant on this for one moment, since we just talked about how much work painting is, worth it, but it is work. I highly recommend priming your walls, even though todays paints suggest they are Paint and Primer. Trust me. Paint is more expensive than primer, it is much better to prime once and paint two coats, than paint three coats. Additionally you will have a better finished surface. Also remember to choose the right tools, don’t go cheap here, the finish of your paint depends on the tools you use.
Oh I could go on, there is so much to say about paint. Next time lets talk about finishes, and how to choose Harmonious color schemes for your entire home. This is so important and I have a lot to say about it. Stop back for more.
Just an FYI
My Living Room is Painted in Simply White by Benjamin Moore. Ceiling is ceiling paint, walls-Eggshell finish. It is a white, but leans creamy.My entire home’s molding is painted with Chantilly Lace in a Satin finish.
My Dining Room Ceiling is painted in Simple White ceiling paint to match the Living Room, because they are open to each other. The walls are painted in Chantilly Lace in a Eggshell finish. Chantilly Lace is a pure white. And again the moldings are Chantilly Lace in Satin throughout my home.
Thanks Tammy Damore
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