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paint color disaster--please help!!

14 years ago

I am at the tail end of renovating my new home and am getting desperate to get it done. I had already had my hallway painted with BM shaker beige. It looked great so I decided to extend it to my living/dining room (it is one big space). It is a complete disaster. It makes the room so dark and some how in the light the color is really disagreeable (a bit like baby p**). I can't live with it but I can't decide what works with it. The kitchen is done in BM Yarmouth blue. Is there a good color that would tie it altogether?

Thank you to any color savvy person who can help.

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Comments (5)

susanilz5
14 years ago
My first choice would be HC 24- Pittsfield Buff, but you never know with your light. Did you try Monroe Bisque and Putman Ivory, both very popular neutrals? It amazes me how I fall in love with a color in one area of the house, and it looks completely different in another part.
scanmike
14 years ago
Okay, I am not the best at this but I will give it a try. I am surprised Shaker Beige went dark and "poo" on you since it has a pinkish undertone to my eye. Not sure what is causing the poo color. I would try BM Manchester tan HC 81 (a bit greyer),BM Pale Almond OC2 (more of a pink/peach undertone , BM Cream fleece 233, and SW Softer Tan 6141 (true tan, no undertone). Monroe Bisque, Pittsfied both have green undertones and are more yellow. I happen to love Putnam Ivory, but it's also a more yellow beige. Buy a few samples and paint them on a board, not wall. Decide which one plays with your lighting best. All of the above are lighter than Shaker Beige. To my eye the cream fleece and SW Softer Tan are more in the same family, but you never can tell with lighting. I also would wait and see how the lighting affects the Shaker Beige throughout the day. You may freaking out and not giving it enough time. I know how you feel. You just want to "love" your color. I have a sunroom which turns my lovely creamy Latte green! I have to deal with that one day when I get the energy.
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suzan30
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for these suggestions. Another consideration--my floors are red oak and my furniture natural cherry. Right now, everything looks really red . . . maybe because of the pink undertones of shaker beige. Now I am thinking of something light and neutral but which will still contrast nicely with the white trim. Any more possibilities?
susanilz5
14 years ago
That's the trouble with neutrals they have undertones. Since you have a lot of red undertones in your flooring and cabinets the shaker beige is picking it up, and the lighting is probably different. Try someting with a yellow undertone, such as BM Pittsfield buff or SW Ivoire, Both look good with white trim. If it's a north faceing room I would try BM Desert Tan, another yellow tan. I don't think green undertones would work for you, since you have the yarmouth blue in the kitchen and it looks good. I have two friends with cherry cabinets that love the Pittsfield Buff. But you have to get the swatches in your room with your lighting to really see the color.
scanmike
14 years ago
Also try SW Believable Buff.Another very popular color here on the forum. Desert tan is a really nice color. If it's too deep a color for you,you could have them lighten it up.

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