I think you're on the right track. I also think the finish of the paint will help determine how much light is getting bounced around. Definitely think about going as matte as possible.

I'm not familiar with Porter Roasted Pepper, but if it has a lot of brown / blue in it (vice orange) then I think that's a good idea, also if it's deep in tone (has a lot of grey in it).

You're a v. thoughtful wife!

You don't have to paint it really dark, just keep in mind what the above poster said about the finish as that will reflect the light. If you make it too dark it will be cave like and not very, well may I say, romantic. Your toile bedding is very pretty. What brand paint do you buy? Maybe I'll have some suggestions if it's BM.

On the back of many paint chips is the light reflectivity value. That would help you choose....the lower the number the better in your case, within reason of course...you don't want black walls. That said a medium blue gray would be ideal for a bedroom.

http://searchwarp.com/swa108843.htm

Here is a link that might be useful: LRV

You could also buy him a sleep mask -- one of these things --

{{!gwi}}

I once worked third shift, and found them VERY helpful.

Deep rich red walls would look wonderful with a black-and-white toile comforter!

Just remember to prime the walls very well FIRST. On another forum -- the gal painted the walls black FIRST -- and then the deep red color -- with a very dark red results.

As for the windows -- try light-darkening blinds first -- and then curtains. Here's an example of roman blinds -- BUT this site offers other blinds WITH an option of blackout lining ......

Here is a link that might be useful: smith and noble -- roman blinds

The effects that gloss levels (sheen) has on light absorbtion and relfection is marginal - at best. I personally think it's a myth that sheen reflects any amount of *useable* light back into a room. Frankly, I see it as just plain glare. The average home with the average lighting plan most likely isn't going to have a lighting plan that would allow the sheen and reflectance from a paint film to contribute postively to the overall design and function of a room.

The reflectance from sheen is just as measurable as the reflectance from color. Problem is gloss measurements are not consistent throughout the industry.

LRV, Light Reflectance Values measure the absorbtion and reflectance of light and is pretty cut-n-dry, accurate and consistent. It's one of the few pieces of data about color that you can count on.

If you want to really darken your bedroom, you can choose any hue you want, just look for the paint color to have a LRV below 20. You likely will have to prime and make adjustments to your lighting plan for non-sleep times.

In general, I don't do red bedrooms. Nor do I do blue dining rooms or brown bathrooms. Few people have the color tolerance that fits with those color choices in those rooms/functions. Red bedrooms, blue dining rooms and brown bathrooms carry color associations that are opposite the basic functions of those rooms and for the majority doesn't work out so well. The colors sure look pretty, but the room *feels* weird. Mistake made - people only focus on stuff and how it will match and look and they don't consider their personal color tolerances and how it's going to work and feel.

For some people those color choices in those rooms can work. It depends. You guys might be red bedroom people - I don't know. Just be sure you take a minute to think about it to make sure it's a good color choice for you.

The red might meet his/your expectation for darkening the bedroom for sleep, but the physio/psychological response to a red bedroom may have an agitating, unrestful, uncomfortable affect on one or the both of you. Painting red is not the most fun in the world. You do have to prime, you are in for at least two coats, etc. Not knowing that red walls conflict with your individual tolerance for color and having to paint over them "to get your room back" really sucks.

Here is a link that might be useful: How To Use LRV

Wow, thanks for the info. I guess I'm the type that I'll try anything once and live with pretty much anything. Red's are bold, but can't they be toned down with accessories? Just thinking out loud. I love RED, it's one of my favorite colors. And I'm willing to try anything so he can sleep well when he's home (the whinning and complaining about the room being to bright wears me out). I'd consider using a professional painter for red because of the extra work that goes into it.

Our bedroom is really just a place to sleep and dress. We don't hang out in there and unfortunely, DH isn't very romantic .... maybe a bedroom makeover is what we need.

I do have the pretty sage that matches the current comforter. That would be nice since our bedroom is off the living room and the walls in the living room are Olive and Greige (both Porter Paint colors). DH had the paint mixed at work so, not sure about LRV. I'd use an eggshell finish.

THaNkS!

Christy

P.S. I'd love to see red bedrooms if anyone has one .....

Instead of painting all kinds of colors in the bedroom, why not put shutters on your windows. When I sleep in, I awaken at 9 a.m., and my room is dark as nighttime. I cannot wait to brush my teeth and open the shutters to see what the day really looks like outside.

It would be the only room with Shutters .... plus I just invested in new wood blinds before DH went to 3rds. And I'm one of those weird people who like all the windows on the front of the house to match. And my walls are currently stark, glossy white...stark white! I do think we need some heavier room darking panels and thicker tab-top panels. The ones I have are pretty thin... so they don't really help much.

Thanks!
Christy

DH isn't keen on a red bedroom. He likes the dark sage color we have mixed now. It matches a color in the quilt. I would be happy with it. Using lighter color accessories. But that black toile sure is pretty!!!

Christy