Painting the trim white will make any color (except white) really stand out nicely. It also unifies the house by having a bit of the same thing in all the rooms. I am sorry, but when I see the trim painted the same color as the walls, it just seems like someone did not want to take the time to do the trim, although I know in your case, that is not so because you had a different finish.

Thanks, I think I agree. The designer said that using the colour would unify everything making the entire wall look as one rather than cutting it up.

Definitely a mistake, in most cases it looks as though you forgot to put on a bit of lipstick and jewelry when going to a special occasion. Plain jane. Handymam is right, looks like someone wouldn't be bothered to do the trim. Get a nice shade of white on there and watch your rooms wake up. :)

Plain Jane is exactly right. Even the different finish doesn't help. Thanks.

I recently bought a small house and everything was painted an off white. Trim and walls matched. I chose a slightly darker off white for the living room and painted the trim white, and mforr is right, it really wakes the room up.

That's exactly my thoughts on my mistake.

No, I cannot mforr, lol.

We just painted our foyer in Revere Pewter with Regal eggshell, and the trim is White Dove using BM Satin Impervo Waterborne. I highly suggest it!

mforr, are these pictures of your rooms? If so, what are the colours that you used? THere is white and then there is white? Just wondering. Thanks.

No they aren't, but you're right, there are many whites, I'd love to suggest a few options. What are some of the other colors besides revere pewter? :)

These are benjamin Moore whites that would be very good with revere pewter
Simply White
White Dove
Chantilly Lace
Oxford White

I use the brightest white I can get. No undertones to it that are easily detectable.

We have painted with BM winds breath and also with BM Dove Wing. I am also planning on painting BM brandon beige in the family room.

Any of the colors I showed above would be lovely with those, pick up some large swatches from benjamin Moore and see what feels right to you, you'll be so happy when you show the details of the trimwork and give your rooms some definition :)

Thank you so much for your help. I looked at the walls again this morning and agreed that they are just so dull right now. Since you really seem to know what you are talking about, I have another question for you. Our new powder room is quite tiny. About 5 feet long by 35 inches wide. The toilet will be at one end and the vanity at the other. Due to a venting issue, the ceiling is quite low. I am at a loss as to how to finish this room. I'd like to try to give the illusion of a larger space and just don't know what to do. Some have suggested a really large graphic wallpaper to give the eye something to look at, others have said that wallpaper is old fashioned and out. Some suggested painting horizontal stripes on the wall to give the illusion of more length but I think that it will end up looking like reverse cell. The latest suggestion was to choose a colour and paint two walls that colour and the other two opposite walls, a variation of that colour as an accent. I was told not to go too dark as dark will make a small room even smaller. I'd love to have your thoughts and suggestions.

I think the best way to open up a small space is to use a pale color, perhaps an airy blue, or something like SW sea salt, and white trim, also use a large mirror over the vanity, also with light colored frame, or silver toned. Is there a window in the space? If so, perhaps a semi sheer fabric that let's a lot of light shine through, or plantation shutter that you can leave louvers open until you need to close for privacy. Don't use a dark color, it will make it like a small cave, also the two different wall colors will just look busy. Wallpaper in a light color in a large pattern can stretch the walls too. Think of something like a large fern leaf, scattered around with mostly the background color showing. I'll find a pic of what I mean. :)

No window. Will the two colours look too busy even if neither is really dark and they are variations of each other? If I paper, should it be on all the walls? The floor is a light marbled taupe/beige. We were thinking of a brownish glass vessel sink and thought I would try to incorporate those colours into the walls. I'll try to send pics of the sink we were thinking of.

I'm not saying you should use a fern leaf, I'm just saying something with a random pattern, larger scale, pale colors, can be great. Plus, sometimes a little bit if wallpaper in the house is nice, a little detail. Powder rooms are great for wallpaper, not really any moisture, unless you're washing your hands for half an hour each time, ;D

:)

I would use one color, or if papering, I'd do all walls.

I have the sink pics on my email, not sure how to send them to you.

Do you have an ideabook set up that you can load the pics into?

This is the kind of size pattern I mean. Also, it does actually help if it's a bit nature inspired, giving the feeling of being outdoors, can fool the eye and the mind to think the space is larger.

No and not 100% sure how to do that either.

You could tell me the name and model of sink, I'll look it up and post it for you. :)

one is the VIGO zebra glass vessel sink. The other I took a picture of in the store and don't have the details of but it is along similar lines.

Like this?

The other can be found by going to York Taps website (that is in the Toronto area) and looking at the Inner COre Overmount sink bowl, product ID: YT-IC

Exactly! What do you think?

How about something like these sherwin williams colors with white trim?
Navajo White
Netsuke
Muslin

I like the netsuke the best.

Definitely wouldn't do a fern wallpaper though :)

This one?

I think I like the York better, but the same colors work with it.

Yes, that is the one. Too much for a small bathroom? Be honest.

Not at all, as long as the sink, the mirror frame and the finish of the faucet and toilet flush are the only things in a dark finish, like antique brass or oil rubbed bronze. What color is vanity and counter? Medium color stain would be ok for vanity or a painted ivory.