Colours
Style Secret: Airy Palettes Cottage colors feel as soft and clean as a cotton sheet fresh from a clothesline. No jewel tones or shocking brights here — think white mixed with ivory mixed with cream. Layer in pale pinks, blues, greens and other washed-out hues. Don’t combine too many pastels; stick with one or two shades instead. Hot tip: If you can’t resist a bit of bold color, go right ahead. But limit it to a handful of smaller furnishings or accessories, and keep it tone on tone. One turquoise pillow in a tumble of pale blue ones might look fresh and appropriate, but if you also throw down a chartreuse rug and paint the ceiling lemon yellow,
OK if want dark on one wall but maybe not at cottage: For those who prefer strict neutral hues, Kelly-Moore is offering Kettleman as its choice for 2017. It’s a dark gray that has a touch of warmth to it, perfect for those who find true gray too chilly. Like Shadow, it’s a rather dark color, so it needs to be used in small doses or paired with plenty of contrasting light hues.
2017 paint colors: It’s worth pointing out that homeowners are in no way expected to change the color scheme of their home with each passing color trend. Where these selections can be useful, however, is when there’s a particular color being touted that you really like. It becomes much easier to find furnishings and decorative accessories that coordinate with the favorite hue because it’s trending. Shown here are the various 2017 paint colors of the year, from top to bottom: Shadow, from Benjamin Moore; Violet Verbena, from PPG Paints; Byzantine Blue, from Glidden; Cloudberry, from Olympic; Kettleman, from Kelly-Moore; Poised Taupe, from Sherwin-Williams; and Honey Glow, from Dunn-Edwards.
Chantilly Lace by Benjamin Moore When she’s going for minimalist style in a design, Chantilly Lace is a no-brainer for interior designer Genna Margolis. “It reads cool and it’s clean, crisp and simple,” she says. “Sometimes when people are fearful to go too white, they wind up choosing something with a yellow undertone, and it winds up reading yellow, making the room look more rustic.” The paint was the right choice for the peaceful, minimalistic look of this yoga studio Margolis designed.
Pure White by Sherwin-Williams “I love Sherwin Williams because they are very user-friendly and they provide large swatches to designers — not all companies do that,” Harmony Weihs of Design Harmony says. One of her go-to whites is the company’s Pure White. She used it on these cabinets in this kitchen. “I love this white because it’s on the brighter side for a white while still being warm, which works great for all of our gray Pacific Northwest days,” she says.
Imagine .01 by Colorhouse Health and environmental consciousness is priority No. 1 for Michelle Ruber of Encircle Design and Build. Her favorite white comes from her favorite paint company, Colorhouse. “I was drawn to the company for its environmental benefits — the paint is zero-VOC and has no fumes, which is extremely important for the painters’ health and for the health of people who are living in the house during a remodel, not to mention the health of the planet,” she says. “So you have all that, plus the colors are amazing — every one of them is spot on.” In this Portland, Oregon, vacation rental that Encircle designed and remodeled, Ruber’s spot-on choice was Colorhouse’s Imagine .01. The white brightens up the walk-out lower level and can hold its own against the city’s many gray days.
Decorator’s White by Benjamin Moore “For white trim color, my go-to for years has been Decorator’s White,” interior designer Nikki Dalrymple of Acquire says. “It’s a true bright white that never disappoints. The undertone is so subtle that it never seems to fight with any chosen wall color.” In this lovely living room, the white on the millwork provides a clean contrast to the creamy tan hue on the walls. Wall paint: Monroe Bisque, Benjamin Moore
Pointing by Farrow & Ball “Pointing is a wonderfully classic white with just a hint of warmth. I use it often because it reads as a warm white without veering yellow,” interior designer Lisa Tharp says. “It reminds me of fresh cream in early-morning light.” Tharp is also careful about designing in a healthy and environmentally conscious way. “I like that Farrow & Ball’s line is comprised of healthier low- or no-VOC formulations, depending on sheen level,” she says. In this library in Brookline, Massachusetts, she selected Pointing for the millwork because it offers a clean and warm counterpoint to the metallic specialty finishes on the walls and curved ceiling.
White Wisp by Benjamin Moore “All whites have some undertone. White Wisp has a very slight gray undertone that keeps it from feeling cold or icy,” interior designer Ginger Curtis of Urbanology Designs says. In this dining room, the paint works wonderfully with the bright Texas light and the different browns and tans in the reclaimed wood.
Simply White by Benjamin Moore “Simply White is a more modern, clean white,” Ben Leavitt of Fox Design Studio says. “It is a beautiful natural shade that works well with any gray tones.” In this space, Leavitt chose Simply White for the walls and ceilings, then painted the trim and doors in Thunder by Benjamin Moore for contrast.
The Spectrum: Light to Dark Light: If you crave bright, sunny spaces bathed in natural light, you belong squarely on the light end of this style spectrum. Light lovers also tend to crave open-plan spaces, high ceilings and large windows with views — anything to create a serene, expansive sense of space. Light spaces are often white (even all-white) but you may also be drawn to pale washes of color, soft pastels or milk-paint hues.
Traditional: Timeless, elegant and honoring of traditions, this style is all about comfort and grace. If you land at the traditional end of this style spectrum, you’re probably drawn to spaces rich with antiques and designs that have stood the test of time. Traditionalists value quality craftsmanship and subtle elegance.
The Spectrum: Modern to Traditional Modern: Clean lines, simplicity and an efficient use of space characterize modern design. If you’re drawn to midcentury modern or contemporary furniture or architecture, your style lies closer to the modern side of the spectrum. Modern style can be warm as well, and allows the natural beauty of materials to shine.
The Spectrum: Neutral to Colorful Neutral: People who love neutrals are drawn to warm, rich, earthy tones, natural materials and varied textures. Far from being boring, a well-designed neutral scheme can be sophisticated when layered with a range of tones, from parchment and cream to “greige,” mocha and espresso.
Option 2: Neutral With a Twist If you favor an eye-catching vibrant door or trim color, then you definitely want to keep the body of the house super neutral. Of course, neutral doesn’t have to be boring. Here we’re showing a perfectly practical medium gray siding color that then gets a lively boost of leafy green on the front door and window sashes. If green isn’t your favorite, you could easily swap it out for another bold hue since the gray and white play well with just about any color.
Hydrangeas make a lush border. Hydrangeas’ bloom period stretches from midsummer to fall, making these versatile shrubs a good choice for filling borders all around the yard. Tip: It’s easier to turn blue flowers pink than to go from pink to blue, and white flowers (Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ is seen here) aren’t affected by soil pH, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac. Hydrangeas of all colors may take on a pink or dusky brown tone in the fall as the blooms mature.
In my opinion, nothing is better than starting a summer day with a cup of coffee on the porch. For an east-facing outdoor space, a warm white paint color will maximize the sun’s crisp morning rays. For a serene monochromatic look, paint the entire area — columns, siding, ceiling and even the outdoor furniture — with the same hue. A similar color to try is White Flour by Sherwin-Williams.
Eastern exposure. Rooms that face east receive morning sun. These spaces get direct sunlight that is warm and clear with yellowish undertones. Light tans and other soft earth tones work well in these rooms. These toned-down hues allow your room to look bright and light-filled in the morning without feeling too intense. And in the afternoon, when the room is covered in shade, you’ll have a cozy space that’s perfect for taking an afternoon nap. A similar color to try is Awakening by McCormick Paints.
Western exposure. West-facing rooms are my favorite because they receive the afternoon’s orange-tinted natural light. Also, if your windows are perfectly positioned, you get a spectacular view of the sunset. For large rooms that face west, I often specify an off-white that has a slightly mauve undertone. It’s a great way to amplify the sun’s rays as they turn peach late in the day. A similar color to try is Everyday White from Sherwin-Williams.
Northern exposure. A north-facing room gets very little, if any, direct sunlight, and the light that does filter through is cool and less intense. The room also appears darkened by shadows. I’ve had many clients who’ve been frustrated by the lack of sunshine in their northern-exposed spaces, especially since certain paint colors seem to just disappear on the walls. In this case, a great hue to use is a peach or an off-white with peach undertones. This color mimics the sun’s rays and will make your space feel as if it’s drenched in warm natural light. This paint color is Happy Valley from Benjamin Moore.
If you prefer a neutral color for your south-facing space, gray is the natural choice. Just remember that grays, like all colors, can have warm undertones. It’s best to avoid ones that “read” taupe or greige. Instead, look for a gray that leans toward blue. In fact, depending on the time of day, this type of gray could appear as if it’s actually blue. However, with a bluish undertone, you’ll know that you’re getting a neutral that will cool down your sunny space and provide a contemporary look. A similar color to try is Wind Chill from Behr.
Southern exposure. South-facing rooms receive an abundance of sunlight most of the day. Sometimes this light can be very intense, so I often recommend that homeowners use a cool color on the walls, such as blue. But keep in mind that even some lighter blues, such as turquoise and aquamarine, have warm undertones. Therefore, to stay cool in your southern space, look for blues with silvery-gray undertones, such as denim or storm-cloud blue. A similar color to try is Bastille Blue from Glidden.
What’s with “greige”? A neutral that’s winning votes is “greige,” basically a warm gray or a cool beige. Beige loses some of its warmth and cools towards gray, but not all the way. It has a foot in each camp and so is a very easy neutral to live with. At the lighter end, it’s placid and organic; in darker tones it packs a stylish punch. Check out some greiges among Dulux’s Perfectly Greige, Taubmans’ Stonehenge Greige and Resene’s Triple Rakaia.
Note the warm carmel leather chair: Cuddle up to warmer grays. Some of our experts say gray hasn’t been knocked from its perch yet, and there’s a definite trend toward the warmer shades. Of the grays that are getting a big nod of approval from clients, Hawkins cites Haymes’ Smudge Grey, White Tea and Smoke Signal, and Dulux’s Dieskau and Silkwort. “The all-out favorite is a warm gray from Murobond called Cracker,” she says.
Maybe because it has a touch of remembered homes, beige and slightly shabby knockabout vacation homes seem to fit together. Weathered, faded textures add to the sense of nostalgia that beige can bring on. White with sandy beiges and textures borrowed from nature have casual, unfussy appeal. Beach salvage, found objects, bleached wood and vintage rugs and furniture, freshened with indoor greenery in plants and eclectic fabrics, combine for a timeless look that has withstood the fashion for gray.
Tap into texture. Dig deep for textural contrasts with an earthy edge when beige is your background envelope. Briggs recommends a variety of textures to stop it from falling flat. Pair it with tactile creamy caramel, chestnut or chocolate leather, bronze and golden metallics, velvets, natural linen and a combination of hard and soft, glossy and matte accessories and fabrics.
Pep up beige with brights. Vikki Montalban of VMDesign believes beige’s versatility is a strong asset. “Gray has its place, but I’m not keen on gray without the balance of a warmer color or texture. The same applies to beige. For a basic to suit all styles, it’s hard to beat a warm neutral — my name for beige — linen sofa. I’ve teamed beige sofas with beachy brights, highlights of white and pale aqua, and navy. My favorite look is with chocolate leather cushions. That’s four different looks with the same warm neutral base.”
Unite beige with other neutrals. Color blocking is a stylish way to combine beige with other neutrals: Elegant combinations are charcoal and buttermilk, a pearly beige with graphite, or creamy beige with gray and taupe. It’s a confident and very contemporary look that taps into the trend for organic, natural shades that look fantastic with wood.
Beige but add current colours: Den maybe: Invite today’s colors in. Invite energy and character into a beige palette with modern colors trending towards bold and saturated. Also, keep in mind that neutrals have complex undertones. Briggs says the way to get beige wrong is to choose paint colors and furnishings in shades of beige that have clashing undertones. To identify the subtle nuances of beige, talk to your paint specialist, arm yourself with fabric swatches and samples of wood when you go paint shopping, read these expert tips on testing paint colors or play it safe by enlisting the help of a color consultant.
Once upon a beige. While gray has been a strong performer for quite a while, and has knocked a lot of other neutrals out of the ring, some have never strayed from the beige path. Judith Briggs from Colour Consultants Australia and author of Bye Bye Bland, says, “Many people are still in the beige phase that was fashionable before gray. I’ve worked on several new houses recently that need a contemporary feel injected into their all-beige color schemes.”
Give beige a chance. Why is beige a five-letter word to so many people? Cries of “Boring!” and “Drab!” are heard from the anti-beige brigade. Beige is often disowned as so last century, even though we loved it to bits back then. A beige-based scheme can lack spark, just as gray can if mismanaged. If your knee-jerk reaction to beige is “Ugh!” or something similar, you may be missing out on what this quiet achiever can accomplish. It can be soothing, sophisticated, flattering, rich and mellow, formal or casual, and a perfect launching pad for bolder decor choices. It is also never clinical or cold, an accusation often leveled at gray.
The Floor Vote Has It Mixed flooring is a great way to define different rooms within your home as long as it’s done in a cohesive way. Merging wood floors with stone that resembles the type you’d put on your outdoor patio imparts a courtyard feel to transition spaces, such as hallways and entryways.
5. Don’t think you have to be matchy-matchy. Sometimes breaking rules can bring surprisingly good results when it comes to design. Utilize colors that aren’t related to each other to create a free-flowing yet modern space. Mix vibrant shades with a grounding one to add playfulness in any space.
4. Start small. It’s only natural when moving away from grays and beiges to feel lost and unsure of where to begin. Start with colorful accessories so that you aren’t married to a particular hue. For example, a colored area rug can set a mood without breaking the bank, and you can even change it seasonally.
Add colour in winter (not orange though) 2. Create a focal point. Using colors and patterns together is powerful and eye-catching. It allows that one special room to stand out from the rest of your home and become a focal point. Mix different sizes of patterns with bright colors for an even more dramatic effect. Wall color: Palladian Blue, Benjamin Moore
1. Keep it cool. When using color in a large space, tone it down to achieve a calming effect. While bold colors can add energy, working with soft, muted colors in restful spaces elicits a feeling of serenity.
2. Tone on tone. This sublime living room in Perth, Australia, shows the power of decorating a space in similar color tones. From the walls to the tufted furniture to the Greek key-bordered rug, this space is awash in shades of beige. The overall effect is soothing and confident
Could do breakfast bar in bolder colour
2. Use rustic details. For many homeowners, large, white kitchens are the stuff dreams are made of. But without thoughtful details, these kitchens can look somewhat predictable. If you like a casual, laid-back style, consider adding rustic elements to your kitchen. Install hardwood flooring that looks like it came straight out of a barn house. Grace the island with a butcher-block countertop and pull up a few country-western-style stools. These rustic details will flood your kitchen with an unmistakable warmth.
. Maximize seating. An expansive white living room is ideal for arena-style seating. Use a mix of chairs and sofas in tone-on-tone fabrics, and anchor the space with an oversized coffee table placed in the center of the room. This is a great idea for big family gatherings or for entertaining large groups. To avoid a room that looks stark, use an off-white wall color for a warm, welcoming appearance.
Natural wood interior windows again
What about natural wood windows on inside
Beige and navy
Blue with beige
Siding color: Blue Note, Benjamin Moore
How to choose the right white trim color. On its own, a white paint swatch simply looks white — but put several side by side and you should start to notice that some white paints appear warmer (more beige or a touch yellow) while others appear cooler, like a very pale gray. So, which one to choose? Picking the right white trim depends on what color the walls are painted: Generally speaking, warm goes with warm, cool with cool. Tips: Take a cue from the color palette in the room: If the walls are a cool color (green, blue, gray, purple), choose a cool white trim; if the walls are a warm hue (red, pink, brown, orange, yellow), choose a warm white trim. For cool white trim, try Site White SW7070 from Sherwin-Williams, Full Moon 780E-2 from Behr, Mineral Ash 7006-19 from Valspar or Horizon from Benjamin Moore. For warm white trim, try Creamy SW7012 from Sherwin-Williams, Popped Corn W-B-200 from Behr, Snow Cap 7003-8 from Valspar or Acadia White OC-38 from Benjamin Moore Guide: Trim Color Tips: Get Your White Trim Right
How to spice up neutral kitchen: 4. Let wood add warmth. One of the most common complaints about neutral kitchens is that they appear too sterile. Some even say they feel like hospital rooms. A simple solution is to bring in natural wood accents wherever you can. This Rhode Island kitchen benefits a great deal not just from the midtone wood floors, but also from a trio of midcentury modern-style bar stools. Even the wood cutting board, serving tray and knife block go a long way toward ridding the space of harshness. Another photo, taken from a living space, shows how the concept extends into other rooms, with a natural wood dining table and chairs, and even a weighty wood side table in the foreground. Wall paint: Manchester Tan HC-81 (eggshell), Benjamin Moore; trim paint: Creamy SW-7012 (satin), Sherwin-Williams; ceiling paint: Waterborne 508 (ultraflat), Benjamin Moore; custom cabinet fabrication: Ugol Woodworks; cabinet paint: Cocoon, C2 Paint; pendant lights: Cisco Home; John Vogel counter stools: West Elm; dining table and chairs:
How to spruce up an all white kitchen 2. Introduce black for contrast. Black is perhaps the best way to break up a white color scheme. It provides contrast that helps the eye rest and lends a classic style. Here, black window trim (Black Magic by Sherwin-Williams) and dark pendant lights seem to enhance the shadow reveal of the cabinetry — even the dark range top — creating a graphic element that exudes sophistication. One can imagine how this kitchen would almost disappear without these details. Honed white Carrara marble island and perimeter countertops: Marva Marble & Granite; marble fabricator-installer: Absolute Stone Design; Vapor counter stools: CB2; floor: acacia in Cologne, Johnson Hardwood; wall ovens: Sub-Zero and Wolf
7. Use white as an accent. Accent colors are normally thought to be anything besides white. However, in this bathroom, white plays a supporting role to the bold tile color, therefore becoming the accent. The natural wood finish on the trim and cabinets anchors the entire space. This is a great example of how to incorporate color into a clean-lined, contemporary space. A paint color to try: Bleached Linen by Behr
5. Create a blissful bedroom using similar color tones. In an era of the 24-hour news cycle and endless other distractions, it’s more important than ever to make your bedroom a haven. I encourage my clients to remove the television from their bedroom and to keep the decor simple. You can accomplish the latter with a soft, tone-on-tone color scheme using off-white and varying shades of light brown. For a twist, use a high-gloss finish on the ceiling instead of the floor. The wall color in this room is Boutique Beige by Dunn Edwards; the ceiling color is a custom mixed lacquer.
4. Start with a blank canvas. Neutral whites don’t necessarily look warm or cool, so they make an ideal backdrop for dramatic elements. This room shows us that serene spaces need not be boring. A paint color to try: Pure White by Sherwin-Williams
Also note the light: 3. Go slightly gray. This laundry room is a perfect example of how industrial design can look light and fresh. No need for wrought iron and dark finishes here! Get this look with a soft, grayish-white wall color, and natural wood floors and countertops. The paint color used here is Classic Gray by Benjamin Moore.
2. Warm up unexpected spaces with tints of tan. Foyers and hallways are also ideal spaces for warm and inviting whites. Even with the ornate lighting fixtures in this hallway, the soft wall color and light wood finishes allow the area to remain peaceful. A paint color to try: Swiss Coffee by Dunn-Edwards Tip: Light flooring can make a long, narrow hall appear larger
***1. Look for the undertones. It can be a challenge to create a cozy atmosphere in a room with white walls and high ceilings. The trick is to use a white paint color that leans toward ivory or has subtle peach undertones. These types of whites pair well with honey-toned wood finishes, and together they can add a surprising amount of warmth and calm to a large space. A paint color to try: Alabaster by Sherwin-Williams
Make sure your lighting is in place as you’re considering colors. They may look quite different in bright bulbs that you prefer for nighttime use — or softer yellow-hued ones, if that’s what you’re going for — than they do during daylight hours. Having the right fixtures and bulbs in place can help you decide which shades will work for you. If you’re not yet sure what lighting you prefer, you can use the time examining your samples to experiment. “Even changing out lightbulbs is a good thing to do,” says Carl Mattison, an interior designer in Atlanta. “Like any color in the world — just like your eyes or your hair or your skin tone — things will change in different light.”
Place Lighting Before You Test the paint color It’s simple, but true: It’s better to use the lighting that fits your needs than try to select your lighting to complement your paint colors. “You wouldn’t want to pick a lightbulb that looks good with your paint color, but you can’t read in the room,” says Jennifer Ott, a San Francisco-based color consultant and interior designer. Here, the overhead lighting is casting a yellow glow throughout the room, warming the color of the off-white paint toward a pale shade of honey. Make sure your lighting is in place as you’re considering colors. They may look quite different in bright bulbs that you prefer for nighttime use — or softer yellow-hued ones, if that’s what you’re going for — than they do during daylight hours. Having the right fixtures and bulbs in place can help you decide which shades will work for you.
Heritage Hues Farmhouse bathrooms favor simple, natural color palettes. White with crisp black trim is a popular choice; for richer hues, look to nature-inspired neutrals and other classic colors. Colors for farmhouse bathrooms: Crisp contrast. White, cream, black Natural neutrals. Buttermilk, straw, gray, khaki, stone Other classic colors. Barn red, denim blue, robin’s-egg blue, sage, deep green
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