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Home Decorating

Light and airy or dark and dramatic?

12 years ago

I can't decide between a light color or a darker color for my dining room. The room gets enough natural light that dark would be ok, but currently it's painted a lighter color and I like the brightness but feel its lacking in personality. My favorite colors this week (subject to change of course) are Sherwin Williams Blonde for the lighter color and Ralph Lauren Poplar Island as a darker choice. I don't know if they still sell RL paint, but I would have it color matched at SW. I need to get a sample, but was wondering if any of you know this RL color and also would like to know if you prefer a light DR or if you like a darker color. I will add that if I go with the RL color, I'm seriously considering the Blonde in the foyer, LR and maybe kitchen. Thanks so much!

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Comments (2)

randita
12 years ago
I have SW Blonde in my dining room which gets a lot of natural light (so much so that I keep sheers drawn during the afternoon to protect the furniture) and I wouldn't consider it light and airy. It does have character though and appears darker at night when you're likeliest to use your dining room.

I've read that SW Restrained Gold and Mannered Gold are popular shades for dining rooms so if you like the character of Blonde, but want to be a little more daring, you could try one of those. If you have wainscoting or beadboard in white, one of the darker shades can be stunning. I only have a chair rail in my dining room.

Only way to be sure is to bite the bullet and buy either sample jars or quarts of the ones you are considering and paint a large swath.

It's a matter of personal choice and I don't think you could go wrong with lighter or darker as long as you really liked it.

I'd post a picture, but the room is full of musical instrument cases right now. My husband has a repair service and we run out of space for the finished ones in the summer so the dining room is the overflow space. When we have company, we have to eat out on the porch in summer. There are, however, numerous photos of Blonde on this site. Try a search if you want to see some.
Betsy418
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks Randita. I know what you mean about DR tables being in disarray. At least what's on your table represents income; mine is just a convenient dropping point for anything and everything!

It was on this site that I fell in love with Blonde. My sunporch is painted SW Ivorie, which I believe is on the same strip as Blonde and I bought Mannered Gold (2 YEARS AGO!) to paint some wicker furniture but haven't done it yet.

I hope someone is familiar with RL Poplar Island and will share an opinion.

Thanks again!
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