Paint the walls and ceiling?

5 years ago

We bought an old 70s house. We love many of its original design features. I really liked the wood grain on the ceiling in the living room. However, between the Saltillo is and the dark ceiling, the living space feels heavy. Two questions:

Would y’all paint this ceiling? We will be doing recessed lighting. All of my furniture will be light beige/white.
What color should I paint the walls? Someone said to go with SW Alabaster but I put it on one wall and it seems too stark white next to everything else. A lot of my wooden furniture pieces are a mid toned or dark toned wood, kind of lune the ceiling. It may just be that next to the old paint color it seems to white, but are there slightly darker, very neutral, creamier, warmer options you’d recommend?

Featured Answer

houssaon

5 years ago

Stunning space. I would leave the ceiling. Once you get colorful furniture and artwork in the space it will seem more balanced.

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Comments (10)

Carolyn C
Original Author
5 years ago
Thank you! And what about the walls?
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cat_ky
5 years ago
I would not paint the ceiling either. Its really pretty. Painting it will take away the character of the house. If the paint that is there in this room now, is in good condition and it matches with your furniture, then I would leave it.
Emily
5 years ago
Definitely leave the ceiling. And you could try something BM soft chamois. I was also going to suggest BM swiss coffee but it has a higher lrv than SW alabaster. I agree that once you have things in the space it will seem less stark.
decoenthusiaste
5 years ago
Paint should work with your fabrics and textiles. Move those in, along with art, and see how it feels for the next 6 months. Leave the gorgeous ceiling alone! If the textured ceilings are popcorn, have those scraped smooth.
Carolyn C
Original Author
5 years ago
Thank you all!! This is helping a ton. I put up some swatches today. I painted one wall SW Alabaster but it’s way too stark against the floors. I need something warm without being too creamy. Anyone have other ideas? Here are some of my swatches from today’s tests on the wall that is painted alabaster (too white in my opinion). Note: the paneling at the bottom is not painted yet, just primed. So it does look whiter.

Anyone have other ideas?
Jennifer Hogan
5 years ago
Have you tried SW Creamy? It is warmer and a lovely color.
daisiesandbutterflies
5 years ago
BM Mayonnaise is a nice warm white.
Belahn
5 years ago
I would not paint the ceiling and I love the floor. Any light color that you like will be good. Doesn't have to be white.
User
5 years ago
This is an occasion when I think paying a lighting designer would really pay off. Leave the ceiling and floors but light the room really properly. The lighting designer might also be able to suggest just the right paint color.