Paint colors - The hardest decision!

8 years ago

We are building a custom home and out of all the decisions we've had to make, interior paint color may be the hardest. We want creamy walls and soft white trim. I've told the builder our selections but now I am freaking a bit :-) What if the trim looks muddy/blah? That seems to be my biggest fear!

We've chosen Sherwin-Williams Westhighland White semi-gloss for the crown molding, window and door trim. Most of the walls in the house will be S-W Crisp Linen, bedroom walls in Natural Linen, all in Duration Matte finish. Ceilings are white. My idea is the soft white trim will contrast a bit to the ceiling white and the walls with more color (hue).

Has anyone use Westhighland White for trim? Does anyone have words of advice/thoughts for this combination? We've painted samples on poster board and then on the drywall. And we've painted trim samples to hold up against the walls. It seems to all look what we are after but paint is so tricky!

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JudyG Designs

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

Paint your ceilings the color of your trim, in flat/matte finish.

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Comments (12)

Yayagal
8 years ago
Read this article, it explains why the same color will look different if you use matte on walls and semi on trim. https://thedecorologist.com/best-white-paint-color/
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nanj
Original Author
8 years ago
Yayagal, nice to know. Still a bit nervous that Westhighland White won’t be white enough! I am not sure if SW offers samples in semigloss - I’ll have to ask.
nanj
Original Author
8 years ago
JudyG, I got an email from Houzz that said you recommended another trim color but it is not showing up on this thread! Can you repost, please? Thank you for your help.
PRO
JudyG Designs
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
nnj, I am perplexed…I didn’t recommend another trim color, as you mentioned you were going with West Highland White. I am not as familiar with S.W. as I am B.M., but if you want soft and creamy then do it.
Rachel Nye
7 years ago
how did the natural linen look in bedrooms? thank u!
nanj
Original Author
7 years ago
Natural Linen is a beautiful, subtle back drop color. We used Sherwin Williams Duration paint which has a very low sheen and stands up to gentle rubbing to get dirt/spots off. Two photos: the corner view and straight on view. The straight on view is across from 3 windows on a sunny day.

Hope this helps - good luck!
Rachel Nye
7 years ago
thank you so much. I was going to try BM pale oak but actually have a sample of this in the garage. Will give it a try:)
slk1000 K
4 years ago
I'm looking at Westhighland White for our trim, doors and cabinets and was wondering if the Natural Linen pictures above have Westhighland White Trim?
nanj
Original Author
4 years ago
slk1000, no, our trim is SW High Reflective White. Westhighland White was one of the final contenders, though. We wanted white, white trim and am very glad we chose High Reflective White as it is exactly what I was looking for. It has been over 3 years but I think I remember realizing Westhighland is too creamy - which may be what you want! Paint choices are hard!
slk1000 K
4 years ago
Thank you for letting me know. It looks beautiful.
nanj thanked slk1000 K
Alleigh Roshay
4 years ago
Such great advice on this app! I have a hard time with all things relating to decorating. Agree that paint is the hardest. One thing I have learned from everyone is the opposite of what I always thought….choose paint last. Sounds crazy right? I thought so too but I’m starting to understand now. Pick rugs, main furniture pieces (sofa, tables, etc.) THEN chose the best paint color to compliment your style of furniture, art, etc. I just read that in another discussion that was way out of my league.