New paint color for main living area

2 years ago

Have a painter coming 1/2/24. Need to choose a neutral, warm paint color for main living area which includes kitchen, table area and short hall. Previous owner was a "cool" color person and liked shiny finishes. I am a warm color person who prefers "non blingy" look. Current paint color is Behr Sterling, a cool blue gray LRV of 60. Trim is white in most places, and wood in others not yet updated. Limited windows in area, the bay windows face east and the french

door to backyard faces west. Due to porch overhangs I would describe area as not having much natural light. Painter suggests SW Amazing Gray to help white ceiling, trim etc "pop." Concern is LRV is 47 and my goal is to warm and brighten the area up. Ignore the fireplace finishes, they will change; also hope to swap out backsplash to something less shiny. Forgive the Christmas cluttered look! TIA

Featured Answer

Beth H. :

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

I see you have Super White. I have it in my master bath. when you it's time for redoing the tile splash, let me know. It should be the last thing you do.

Any of these would work (and I'd do a darker stain on the mantle. )

pale oak or classic gray are also nice options.

Ya' know, You could paint your walls Simply White (eggshell) and then do all of your trimwork in one of these warm gray colors.

You can just make out the trim/baseboard on this pic

This one is BM White Dove and Stone Hearth paint colors

Shown here on this swatch. I love Wrought Iron. did it on my kitchen island.

Try some of these combos. see if you like them.

In my space I have Light Pewter on the walls, Simply White on the baseboard, Wrought Iron on the island w/a marble top that's similar in looks to your Super White.

It's hard to get all 4 in one shot, so here's the wall and baseboard shot

and a shot of the island in Wrought Iron w/the marble top. the cabs are color matched to Simply White

Some other warmer grays and taupes

Try edgecomb or Revere pewter if you think the stone hearth is too dark

I'd upgrade that fan too

For the kitchen, if you want to warm things up, I'd get new lighting, chairs/hardware.

Your current pendants are way too high. max height should be 36" from the top of the counter

Here's a visual:

I'd prob switch them out to something like these. (I have others if you don't like this) and get one of these textured natural wood loom style chairs.

you have the space for two Hood pendants.

hardware, i like the gold, but this nickle/chrome is also nice

The Knurled pulls are my new faves. all diff finishes and styles.

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Comments (10)

tealou
Original Author
2 years ago
Sorry, not sure why my kitchen/table area pic posted twice in the middle of words
Jenny
2 years ago
With the magic of cell phone cameras, your cabinets look a warm white in the first photo and cold grey with the paint swatches. If it is a warm white, I might try to match that color in a flat finish at least in the kitchen.
tealou thanked Jenny
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tealou
Original Author
2 years ago
Thank you to both Jenny and Beth for your comments.

Jenny: I brought an extra kitchen drawer front to SW to try to find out what color white it is (none of these finishes we selected- came with the house) It is most similar to Alabaster in SW. So overall warm vs cool.

Beth: So many good ideas - I have ruled out whiter walls with a more intense trim (although that look is appealing) as we have very little trim/interesting doorway shapes were that look would be appreciated. I'm also staying away from light walls or matching to the white cabinets as that can be so hard and the wrong white shade against white may end up with one, or the other, looking dingy.

Absolutely love your wrought iron colored island - going to remember that when we get to repainting/changing the island. Also appreciate the ideas for new pendants, ceiling fan and kitchen hardware ( I like the Knurled pulls too but anything that has the potential to "catch" my clothing I will steer clear of)

I believe we are leaning toward painting walls SW Amazing Gray; our painter says it is not as dark as you might believe (based on the LRV of 47); however we will keep the ceiling white vs. painting that too.

Will look forward to seeing your ideas on backsplash when we reach that next remodeling project.

Thank you both again for commenting on this project
ffpalms
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
I like your logic about the danger of trying to color match the cabinets. The Revere Pewter Beth H. posted above is warm and not too dark. Have you considered color drenching the front door? I think painting the door and trim the same as the walls would make the room calmer. I wasn’t able to find an example with wall painted as well, but here is door and trim.
tealou thanked ffpalms
Lyn Nielson
2 years ago
SW Alabaster is a great fresh warm white... clean and fresh to lift but add warmth.

ceiling walls and trim all the same. different sheens for a modern look.

Brass finishes for warm rather than the gray cool.

looks like it would compliment your upholstered furnishing too. nice rug.
tealou thanked Lyn Nielson
PRO
Diana Bier Interiors, LLC
2 years ago
The problem I see is that from the photo of the backsplash, cabinets and counter top, it all looks like a cool blue-gray. I don't think any of the warm neutrals are going to work with the tile and stone in your kitchen. However, the upholstery and rug look to be warm colors, and the kitchen is open to the living area, so there's a disconnect here.

You say you will replace the backsplash, so perhaps do that first, before you paint. It's easier to match a paint to the other surfaces than the other way around.
tealou thanked Diana Bier Interiors, LLC
tealou
Original Author
2 years ago
ffpalms: our front door will be replaced once the weather is a bit warmer; at that time will put in white trim to match the other updated trim. Its like the fireplace, on the list so ignoring for right now. I agree having it one color (and replacing the old builders grade door) will be another improvement!
cat_ky
2 years ago
I like the idea of Beths, to stain the fireplace mantle darker. The fireplace itself looks very nice. I wouldnt do anything to that. It will all blend in, once you get it all painted. I would also not use flat paint on walls. Use eggshell, so you can at least wipe off a bit of dirt, or fingerprints now and then. Flat paint is for ceilings. Eggshell and Matte are for walls, and satin and semi gloss for trim.
tealou thanked cat_ky
tealou
Original Author
2 years ago
Hello, painting is in progress, however a question arose regarding the painting the short wall that is on right side of staircase that goes down to basement. The left wall will be painted the new color (Amazing Gray SW) however painter said normally the right wall is not painted. Hopefully pictures will be attached to clarify the question. The wall with the wedding pic is to be painted; it is the wall on right, when looking down the stairs, that is in question. Also attached a picture showing the staircase from the basement. Of course,

eventually we will paint downstairs but that will be for another discussion. TIA for any input!