Ellen Kennon's color called Taupe is what I used for my kitchen and dining room. I was concerned about going too dark since this is a rental house. The color really looks FABULOUS with the tile floor. I just love it.

The left wall is the Taupe and the short wall I painted EK Adobe with some Taupe added since the Adobe by itself is darker and greener in tone.

threedgrad - I really like the taupe color. Think that or something similar would be alright since my carpet color is brown/taupey?

And to think I picked that color aiming for "neutral" so I could put anything in the room!

I don't know if you know this or not, so I'll just throw it out there. If you take samples of your carpet, couch pillow and/or chair fabric to Lowes or Home Depot, they can duplicate the colors and tell you what the base tone in them is. That will give you the jump start to choosing the correct color. It looks like the tones you have in your sample boards are grey based and they aren't working in your room because the base colors of your furniture/carpet might have a yellow base (as an expample only, pink or whatever) Once you find out what the base is though then it will be easier to choose the right green, taupe or beige because they can pull the color up in their computer and tell you if the base of the color your interested in is the same.

Which ones are you interested in seeing?

If you have your heart set on green, I think you shouldn't give it up so quickly. Greens (like blues) are hard-- but I think Parma's advice to match the green then go lighter (perhaps many stops lighter) is a good one. That will avoid the oh too minty colors. Also, take a bunch of cards home-- i find that I cannot pick a color in the store. I can select colors I love-- but when I get home, the ones I thought would work, don't.. and the ones I thought wouldn't do.

I know you don't like the baby turtle.. but I think a brown green might work. Be careful with the beiges.. you'll want one without any pink tones.

I am not aware of a BM store in the area where you actually get good color consultants-- if you find one please share! I use SW (you work on the east shore, right? there's one on jonestown road.. there's also one in the lemoyne plaza).

Good luck!

Well, as the lone voice in the wilderness - I don't think a green tone is out of the question with warm tones - I would have said the dark green you liked was not grey based, but had more blue tones in it.I couldn't tell if the color was in the pillow or not. don't give up yet - Do agree that you should take your pillow in - but one thing I have found, is that if I take color searching seriously, I just make multiple trips and get frustrated - treat it like you have just been given a giant 100 color box of crayons. - in a pinch, grab every single green chart they have, and take them home and play - no restrictions on "I want this or I don't want this" - you'll be able to throw out 3/4 on first pass, but it will tell you where your eye wants to go. (yep, did this myself, looking for the right brown - and it worked).

terry

lukk - You sure they aren't going to look at me like I have a chicken on my head? hehe It makes good sense and I think I'll try it.
mldao - I'd like to see them all if you have them handy.

funky - Yeah I was curious about the consultation thing in a hardware store. I've never had to buy any paint before so this is all new to me. The SW is on the east shore? I was going to check out the one on Jonestown Rd. Do they carry both BM and SW? Didn't know there was one in the plaza either. DH has his football draft tomorrow night and we're going to my grandparents so he can use their computer (they're in wormleysburg) because ours isn't always the fastest. Point of my story, I may check it out. :)
I just might have to try the baby turtle and see for myself.

OH.. yeah, if you are going to be in wormlesburg, drop into the plaza. It can't be more than 10 min from anyplace in wormlesburg! Though it is very close to me too, I usually end up going to the one on Jonestown Rd.. I don't know why. The one in Lemoyne used to have a great bunch of guys who worked there as a career (vs having a high turnover)-- everyone I know in the area goes there for their paint. Unfortunately, they JUST had a sale. I think it ended yesterday. (I didn't choose my paint quickly enough to take advantage of it either).

SW only sells their paint-- but i think they can mix BM. I know they have some other color charts. I'd just focus on one brand for now though-- you can only go so far selecting colors that are in other people's rooms-- or even in photoshop mockups. As you've seen, lighting and other elements in your room can completely change a color.

Approach this in steps-- you don't have to have THE color tomorrow night. Take the time to get the right color... and have fun with it.

Funky - what's the place in Lemoyne called?

Ahh so do I focus on greens or neutral ivory type colors? Do they have samples there you take. Those little strip things? I have so many Valspar ones now it's not even funny.

Any other colors to recommend?

It's a Sherwin Williams store-- that's what is on the sign. That's why I recommend using them-- they do paint, they know paint. It is somewhere in the middle of the plaza-- but closer to Karns. You can't miss it-- it is right in the main strip (not the smaller ones across the street).

Yes, you can take strips. I think you should go with your heart for the moment but pick up strips in both colors.

The only thing I am not sure about are the hours-- they may only be open until 7pm. Give them a call .. and maybe even let them know that you could use some help. Maybe they can recommend a person or time when they can best help you.

bigdtc - Your post wasn't showing up for me last night..weird. I'll def. take your advice and take a ton of strips.
Like I said above I was surprised at how close the sample color was to the paper strip. Does this happen with most brands of paint?

Funky - Gotcha. I actually am vaguely remembering seeing it now. Thanks!!

also bought paint samples for living room, breakfast area, foyer and up the stairs to the landing in my house. Painted BM Decatur Buff on a section of the wall, which is a warm tan color with an hint of gold, and Baguette, SW color next to it. I am leaning toward the Decatur Buff which is a warm neutral that would work well with almost any color....I have a beautiful wedgewood blue dining room, and lots of red and some gold in my colors of fabrics, sofa etc. Anyone have any idea of another warm neutral that might work. Anyone used wilmngton tan? I like warm neutrals with your sofa and draperies, as well. Look at Decatur Buff

eagertopaint - come paint my house!! :)

Here's some pic squirrel or lindybarts did for me awhile back that I saved.

I thought they made my carpet look somewhat dirty. I guess I won't really know until I try one of them!!

wilmington tan
{{!gwi}}

powell buff
{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

monroe bisque
{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

I've seen people in our local stores with the oddest of things to match colors and no one seemed to have a problem with it.

And you didn't mention this, so I'll throw it out there too, are you planning on changing your drapes or curtains? It's harder to match fabric to paint, then paint to fabric, so buy your drapes first and use them to pull out a paint color. If you're keeping your drapes, see if there is a color in them that you can use and have them match that instead.

lukkiirish - The drapes will go after I paint. I can't even imagine trying to match them too. I currently only have the side panels up. Also plan on buying a thicker rod and raising it higher.

I just got back from the SW store and I took so many samples I feel like I robbed them! I started off just grabbing greens and lighter colors. Then I started thinking bathrooms and kitchen. Haha the only colors I didn't touch were yellow and orange! Even grabbed some purple. I can't imagine going in there and just picking a paint and heading home with it. I know it's only paint but what are the odds you'll get it right on the first try?

If you are planning on changing your drapes, I highly recommend getting those first and picking the color of your wall second. I'm saying this from experience as we painted our livingroom before I even thought about drapes and am now looking forward to most likely having to paint over again. Our livingroom isn't small and DH is not pleased with this prospect at all. As I said, it's much harder to match drapes to paint than paint to drapes. What color are your panels anyway? Is there a pillow, picture or piece of fabric with the colors that you like so you can use it as in inspiration piece for you colors?

Also, did you know, you can buy the complete fan deck from SW for like 15-20 dollars? I'm always using mine, it's paid for itself several times over just in gas.

HA.. I always leave with a ridiculous number of cards. I didn't know josephine blow could buy a fandeck. I will do that next time!

It's funny. I *just* drove past the plaza (I had to pick up my organic veggies/CSA package a few blocks away) and I realized that I had I told you the Lemoyne Plaza but it is really the West Shore Plaza. Oops! Glad you found it anyhow. I wondered if I should pop my head in and see if there was a woman desperate trying to match her pillow and rug swatches and looking for an opinion!

I'll be eager to see if you find some good matches.

I meant to post these pictures for you last night, sorry. My PR is getting painted late next week so I don't have a picture of BM Hancock Gray.

This is the BM Yorkshire Tan.

BM Northhampton Putty. You can see my dark carpeting in this picture.

Hope this helps.

lukkiirish - Ah that will be a whole different thread. :) I had a couple of "what curtains should I buy for my LR" threads going on awhile back and a lot of people suggested painting first. I honestly think either way I'm going to have a heck of a time. Do you have any curtain suggestions? The ones that are up now are by croscill. the color is sage green. They're silky and too thin. Bought them offline because I "had to have them". The color looks very off in pictures.

I did think about the fan deck when I was in there but already had 50 colors in my hand and just kept goin!

Funky - haha your post made me laugh! I didn't drag the pillow and carpet along this time. You should've saw me when I went accent pillow shopping. At one point in JCP I had a pillow, curtains, carpet, and potential accent pillows all on the floor. Then I was asking random people. The one lady got real into with me.

When I was almost there I saw the signs for West Shore Plaza and wondered if it was the same thing. When you said Karns I knew where I was going. It's horrible I can picture places in my head but can't get to half of them around here. Even around home, DH will say about such and such a road or place and I don't know what he's talking about. I'm like,"yeah, by the pond where that big farm is..."

mldao - OOooo your house is so pretty! Very nicely done. Love the chandy. May I ask where you got it? I saw sconces at our Olive Garden around here that were similar but figured nobody would know where they came from. They were also really busy.

Back to paint colors - I REALLY like them both. They look similar in the pics. They both kind of look green on my monitor. I'm assuming it's the lighting since you said they're neutral and the names say putty and tan. Thank you for posting those!

Is SW and BM good at mixing each others paint? I've heard the horror stories about Lowes trying to match BM.

I also think the greens that you have on the wall are not warm enough to complement the rich colors in the room. We just painted our new construction powder room and laundry room BM Baby Turtle and I love it! The first few days, I definitely did not love it, but I think it just took me some time to get used to actual color on the walls, rather than white or beige.

Baby Turtle does remind me a bit of a pea soup green, but it changes throughout the day. I think it would look wonderful with your beautiful couches.

hahah.. well, I know where lots of things are because I grew up in camp hill.. but that was a LOT of years ago. I have been back in the area for 2 years but I still refer to places that have been closed for 10 years...

Too funny about you in JCP. People ALWAYS stop me and ask opinions or just talk to me about their kids or dogs or health problems or whatever. It's funny because I am really NOT all that social... or friendly. ;)

I REALLY like the northampton putty. It will work great with all your colors.

The chandelier is builder's grade so I have no idea. The chandelier shades I purchased this past year from Restoration Hardware and the color is chocolate. BM Northhampton Putty definitely has a lot of green in it but I think it would look fantastic in your LR. This color is so versatile. My neighbor has it in her home office and it looks very brownie/beige and another neighbor has it in her GR and it more green. I wish you lived nearby and I could give you a sample w/o the pain of purchasing a sample.

Shee,
The virtual of Wilmington Tan is off somewhat...I have it thru out the house & my carpet upstairs looks alot like yours. (dark to blend in with spilled cokes - after having cream in previous house!!)

I like the Northhanmpton Putty in mldao's gorgeous dining room, also.

For green, I have used SW Ardmore green - it is a nice earthy green. It was suggested to me by a color consultant some time ago - best $50 I spent for a huge house(to me) previously.

Your furniture is very rich & warm - you need a paint that will compliment it. Also think you need a leopard pillow/print somewhere for fun:)

Smiles:)

juddgirl - A lot of people suggested the baby turtle. I didn't care for it in the some of the pics depending on the lighting. BUT I saw and went through all bazillion SW samples last night and the green I kept coming back to was pea soupy (forget the color). Stayed at the grandparents last night (DH had a football draft, their net is faster than ours) so I was trying to match it to a red accent pillow they had. I'll get a better idea tonight.

funky - I'm also not super outgoing/friendly so I sometimes I amaze myself when asking people such things in the stores. I really like the northampton putty too. How does that work with the places around here that do carry BM paint? They only keep certain colors in stock?

Anyone know of a SW color that's similar to the BM northampton putty? Could SW mix a sample of the putty? ..that's accurate?

mldao - Thanks for sharing! I wouldn't of thought that chandy was builder's grade. I can order the samples off the BM site right?

Johnatemp - You have the Wilmington Tan color in the room I love of yours don't you?? I think I remember asking you that. Does it read yellow at all?
I wouldn't mind a leopard pillow somewhere but DH is very anti animal print for some reason. Ha! He doesn't say much about a lot of the stuff in the house so I let him win once in awhile. :)

What about curtains? Should I wait until after I paint? I was thinking some type of rich dark brown or dark green...but I paint green that probably won't work.

I would think that the stores that carry BM could mix up any color for you--I would also think SW could mix a BM color if you have the formula but I can't speak to their accuracy.

Did any of the SW colors stand out to you.. for this room or others?

Neutrals often have undertones of color (like the green you are seeing in Northampton Putty) -- I have a taupe that has a blue green undertone.. Northampton Putty seems to have a yellow green undertone. I know you don't want anything with a gold cast but I think the yellow greens will work better in your room-- as they tend to warm (where my blue green undertones tend to cool). Does that make any sense?

Here's my Tavern Taupe with blue-green undertones (but I should also say that it doesn't photograph all that well.. and it is another which changes in the light (I happen to love that))

I also have the Wilmington Tan and really like it, though I think the Northampton Putty is an excellent possibilty as it the Baby Turtle. It is very difficult to judge color based on someone else's house. I wouldn'y rule any of these out until you can put a sample on the walls and view at various times of day.

I wonder if anyone knows if you can order the BM premixed samples over the internet? I'm guessing while SW can mix up BM colors, they won't be able to do the sample size and shesharee would have to order several quarts of them. Once you finalize choice, you can always have SW color match it for you when you are ready to puchase the actual paint.

BM can color match pretty much any other brand. I just had an Ace hardware paint color matched in BM Aura, as well as a Dunn Edwards color. They seemed to have the formulas already in their computer. Not sure if they have SW colors, but seems like they would.

SW can match BM from their computer and then sell the quarts-to-go for $5.oo.

If you do that, be sure to ask them if the quart has all the colors that would be in the same gallon. For example, some gallons would have a tiny bit of a color that wouldn't show up in the quart but could alter the final color.

I'm finally seeing that the gray greens aren't working. I liked a lot of the colors I looked at.

My favorite green is SW Garden Sage. Sort of a green, brown, yellow color. I think it resembles BM baby turtle.

Next fav is SW Herbal Wash. A little darker. They had a brochure thing there with greens and that color is on the picture and i think it looks really nice. However, there looks like the room has good good bit of light.

Both colors are pretty dark though. That makes me nervous. I don't want too light that it doesn't look like I painted but nothing cave like.

I'll have to check more tonight when I'm at my house.

Funky - The Tavern Taupe is a really pretty color!

Val - does the Wilmington Tan ready yellow? I do like golds and tan colors just not yellow. Never been a favorite.

Parma - Good to know. Thanks! There's a chance the quart wouldn't have all the colors? Couldn't the just add them? Don't know that I want to chance that if it may not be the same.

Still really liking the Northampton Putty.

My painter uses Dunn Edwards and their color match was right on. I had the original small BM sample and wanted to make sure the color was accurate and it was. You can order the sample online. The color in my DR is BM Yorkshire Tan not BM Northhampton Putty. The Yorkshire Tan is another color I think would look good in your LR. Here's a website given to me by another poster (thanks newhomebuilder) easyrgb.com that can color match colors to other brands. Just click on commercial to RGB.

mldao - If I'm understand right, whatever color name I pick, match it to the brand and it will tell me if another company has a similar color?

I tried it with a couple and nothing showed up. Wilmington Tan did but it just had some numbers beside it..?

Shee, I think where they get into trouble is when the fraction of a colorant is so small (in the gallon), whatever measure they have isn't small enough to add it.

When I got my SW Ivoire, I was very surprised to find a dash of red in the gallon that wasn't in the quart sample.

Any paint store can color match a paint chip from any manufacturer. Look at My Perfect Color. They color match zillions of colors, all from different companies. That is your best bet. They sometimes have sales, and they will ship to you.

Here is a link that might be useful: MPC

kmcg - have you used this company? So I just plug something in and they'll bring up a color that matches?

I also noticed you can get x% lighter of color. I've often looked at colors and thought, if it were only a little lighter?

Also what type of paint do you use? Flat isn't an option. But what about satin or semi gloss? You can scrub both of them right? My walls now are so marked up I can't stand it (flat).

I actually just read the site. It states that they can match any color imaginable. Some colors I typed in showed up. Others said no match?? Example SW Herbal Wash? They don't really have all colors?

I haven't used them. Yes, type in the color you are looking for, example "Benjamin Moore Northhampton Putty". It will generate a match and a little picture you can enlarge of the color. If you don't type in the mfg. it will bring up ALL the paint colors that share the same name. As for sheen, I like eggshell. Satin is a bit too shiny. Eggshell is between flat and satin. Washable.

Here is a link that might be useful: Northhampton Putty

kmcg - gotcha now!

The BM Northampton Putty, does anyone know if it's anything like the SW San Antonio Sage? The color looks tan with green but it looks pretty dark.

As far as ordering samples go, I think it's narrowing down to Herbal Wash, Garden Sage, and San Antonio Sage from the SW group. Also should probably check out Northampton Putty.

sheeharee: I used the easyrgb.com website and when converting BM Northhampton Putty to SW based on the formula its:

SW Answers Paint Line
San Antonio Sage
Artisan Tan
Tent Tan
Tea Leaves

SW New Line
Burlap
Latte
Sawdust
Artifact

I don't know SW paints as well as BM. I only have a BM & Dunn Edwards fandeck, sorry. Hopefully, someone here has both and compare them for you.

I dont have any of those colors in my pile of paint chips-- but I think you are on the right track with the green-brown-gold colors. I love the gray-greens in my house but I think your furnishings and style need the warmth.

Just dive in and buy some samples and put em on your sample board. :)

mldao - Gosh I don't know why I'm not getting this. Maybe I'm not clicking on the right thing? Are you saying those SW colors are similar to the Northampton Putty?
I went to the "from commerical tints to RGB". This is the stuff that showed up for Northampton Putty.

C-89 NORTHAMPTON PUTTY
170.65 154.26 121.62 #AB9A7A

RGB 0-255 example:
R = 255
G = 171
B = 32
RGB 0-1 example:
R = 1
G = 0.671
B = 0.125
HTML format example:
# = FFAB20
You can also check our practical 3-steps guide to use this page.

calculator

HTTP = #AB9A7AWeb safe = #999966RGB 0-255 = 170.65 154.26 121.62RGB 0-FF = AA 9A 79RGB 0-0.1 = 0.66922 0.60494 0.47694CMY 0-0.1 = 0.33078 0.39506 0.52306CMYK % = 0.000 9.604 28.731 33.078XYZ = 31.806 33.212 23.023Yxy = 33.212 0.36127 0.37723CIE-L*ab = 64.332 0.875 19.352CIE-L*CH = 64.332 19.372 87.413CIE-L*uv = 64.332 12.159 25.614HunterLab = 57.629 -2.335 16.654Illuminant = D65Observer = 2° (1931)

I think i'm just going to order the BM sample online but this website sounds like it's a good thing If I could grasp what all of it means. Will I need to show with the BM NPutt color info at a SW store in order for them to mix it?

Do you happen to have any other pics of your BR with better lighting?

Thanks for being so patient!!

OK did BM stop making Baby Turtle?? Or do they only make so many colors in the samples?

I searched a couple times and that one isn't showing.

I am not getting something-- and I am afraid that it is because I misled you. You have a BM paint distributer near your work, right? (Ace Hardware?). I had suggested going to SW because you have paint experts in the SW store-- for consultation etc. There's no reason you couldn't just go to the local BM distributer to get the BM samples or paint-- and they will have all the formulas etc.

The suggestion to go to SW was solely for their value added service--at a hardware store, you may not get the same level of paint/color knowledge.

Funky - Another DUH for me today. I think I'm just overwhelmed with all my project going on my brain isn't working right as of late.
BM will mix Northampton Putty and Baby Turtle up for me, correct?

I'll be back a SW too!

I hear ya. I am there too. (plus add in perimenopausal duhs.. and overworked duhs.. on top of born scatterbrained duhs)

Yeah, BM can mix their formulas for you. When I lived near a BM paint store (in Lancaster), they had sample pots of selected colors-- not all. I am sure they can mix up quarts though (rather than gallons).

SW will mix quarts too.. i picked up one of my tavern taupe for touchups.

The website is a bit confusing.

1. Commercial to RGB

2. HC-89

3. BM Color Preview

Then you scroll down to where it states the name of the paint. To the right of that it should read:

Get commercial tints, calculator, harmonies

The get commercial tints is if you want this color in another brand of paint other than BM. That's what I clicked and then I chose SW from the drop down menu.

Harmonies is if you'd like to see what other colors compliment BM Northhampton Putty.

Please don't feel bad about this, I totally understand that overwhelmed feeling. I'm in the midst of trying to figure what color to paint my kids rooms. My painters are coming Monday and so far I've only narrowed down a color for my PR LOL. I still have 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms to go yikes!

Here's another picture of my MBR. I think BM Yorkshire Tan is another contender for your LR. I can send you more pics of the BM Yorkshire Tan, let me know.

BM Northhampton Putty

I have a a few pillows similar in color to yours in my LR. I'll put them next to the BM Northhampton Putty and post the pics later today, (running late).

Mldao  I finally get it! Thank you for explaining that. I was starting to feel like a real idiot!!

Thanks for the extra picture. I really like that color. I can also see the color of your carpet better in this one. It does look very similar to mine. Yes, if you could show me another of the tan that would be great too! Also if you could take those pics against your pillows that would be a big help! Thank you so much!
Did you pick out the paint colors for the rest of your house??

Mldao, that Northhampton Putty is a gorgeous color. Could you come over and repaint our master bedroom in it, please?

Sheesharee: Here's a few pictures of my pillows against the BM Northhampton Putty and BM Yorkshire Tan. They're not exactly like yours but I wanted you to see red with these two colors.

Parma42: I'd love to come over and paint your MBR. I'm looking for any reason to run away from home and my endless list of TO DO'S!!

BM Yorkshire Tan

BM Northhampton Putty

BM Yorkshire Tan

It's really hard to see their true color on a computer screen, but Northhampton Putty is greener and darker then Yorkshire Tan. I think either one of these would look lovely in your LR and really compliment your furniture.

I think my girls and I have finally settled on colors for their BR and bathroom. Now onto my DS's BR and bathroom.
Parma42, I'm on my way LOL.

I think the northhampton putty would look great--I have it on my kitchen backsplash and love it.
I wanted to throw out another color, though: BM Stone House. My friend has a sofa very similar to yours, similar furniture also and it looks fabulous. It's a taupe-ish color that takes on different hues depending on your lighting. The funny thing is she painted the whole room and did not put her furniture in and decided it looked like it had too much of a green undertone. She was going to repaint again and her hubby gave her a hard time, so she moved the sofa in and LOVED it.
Good luck!

mldao - Thank you sooo much!!! I'm going to be getting samples of both. They look so similar. I am still worried once it's on the wall I'm going to think it's really dark but again my walls are white so anything will look dark ..right?? I still think i'm leaning with the northampton putty. Maybe the yorkshire tan would work in my foyer/back the hall. I think both colors look good with the greens/golds/reds.

nys29 - You don't happen to have pics of your backplash or the BM stone house do you?? I'll have to look the stone house one up.

Thanks so much everyone! I'll keep you posted.