interior paint with cool undertones?

7 years ago

Hello all,

Recently, I was told that a cool tone (blue or green undertone) paint color would help to tone down the reddish undertones in these floors. Do you agree with this advice? Can you recommend a cool cream that would help me to tone down these wood floors?

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Kathleen K

7 years ago

I sure want to know where these " color consultants" get their credentials. So many Houzz thread start from consultant created problems. And don't get my husband started on the interior desecreation he has seen on multimillion dollar commercial projects when clients brought in their own color consultants instead of listening to designers with ASID credentials.
The only way a cool color would tone down those reddish woodtones is if a cool complementary color was mixed into the original wood stain while it was liquid. Side by side complementary colors intensify each other and can seem to vibrate. (Try reading red letters on blue or green.)
A warm white or tan would let the wood tones not stick out as much. Also remember rugs can hide some of the floor.

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Comments (8)

apple_pie_order
7 years ago
No, a cool tone will heighten the contrast. Pick a warm cream or warm greige instead.
Megan Fontenot
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank you! I initially wanted to paint the walls a warm cream, but the consultant at the store suggested otherwise. It is great to know I can go with what I originally planned.
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PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
No to the green undertone but warm is not correct either
groveraxle
7 years ago
These colors all have the same values (lightness), but different hues. Pure gray:

Green undertone:

Red undertone:

I'm surprised the paint person didn't know better. Red and green are complementary and as such, intensify each other when placed side by side.
Megan Fontenot
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank you all for your help. It seems the underling consensus of this tread is to try a warm white or beige. I will definitely try this, especially as it was what I originally was looking. Any paint suggestions?
Donna S
7 years ago
how about a nice area rug?
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
I use a grayed green often to work with those floors but IMO before choosing the wall color get the lighting addressed with some good pot lights LED in 40000K range then all the colors you choose and the ones you have will read true even at night. Remember once your furniture is in and a rug the floor will not appear to be so much of that color.