Still stumped about LR paint color

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

So I tried BM Revere Pewter, Edgecomb Gray, and a few other similar colors. I think it was Edgecomb Gray which is really close to my trim color so maybe that is part of my problem because I like crisp whites. I have a gallon of BM Advance in Simply White so may try that.

I really wanted to like these colors, but I just don't think they work in our space. To give a recap the LR is 15'6 at the peak and open to the kitchen/DR above. The LR has three windows and faces East.

I want this room to feel comfortable and cozy. I want to sit on the sofa with DD and read a book while we're waiting for the school bus and have family gatherings in this room. The Christmas tree will go in front of the windows (I think I can get a 10' in there ;)

I am also working on the fireplace by taking off the tiny trim, mudding over to make it smooth, and will build a bigger mantle. I also will replace the FP tile with slate slabs.

Here is a picture of the LR. It is sunny today, and there are no lights on.

The darker, bigger square above the sheetrock is Revere Pewter and the one to the left is Edgecomb Gray. I think the Revere Pewter just seems so...brown.

Here is a link from my previous post for help http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/4201974/blank-canvas-for-open-floorplan

Cozy Living Room · More Info

The above pic is my inspiration pic in the the older thread because I love the coziness.

Interior Painting · More Info

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These two other rooms are very nice and cozy. I'm afraid of darker color for the tall walls but am willing to try. DH said he really wants color on the walls after I broke down and said to paint everything white.

Okay so I have also realized there is a good amount of brown in the other two pics just not on the walls.

Also we scraped the popcorn ceilings but still have to paint them. We get our new windows and doors next Monday and Tuesday. Then we can install the red oak hardwoods which will be a matte, natural color. Our new siding and gutters should be on in two weeks.

I really appreciate the help. We have been going non stop since we bought in July, and it would be huge to be able to buy a sofa for Christmas.

ETA: If anyone has suggestions for comfortable 'color' I'm all ears. DH is afraid of too much beige.

Featured Answer

CaroleOH

7 years ago

It's so difficult to pick wall colors when the room is so unfinished. Once all the trim is up and painted the wall color will look much different. I too have a very hard time picking wall colors. I have found the best way is to pick an inspiration piece - window treatment fabric, upholstery fabric or an area rug and match my wall color to that. Otherwise, it's crazy hard to find these items to go with a wall color you've already picked out. Since you have mentioned a large colorful area rug as an important piece of the coziness factor, I would purchase that first and then pick your paint color from that. It will also help you pick out your sofa and chairs if they coordinate with the rug.

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Comments (19)

User
7 years ago
BM Grant Beige. Here it is with Edgecomb Gray - EG on Top
Iowacommute
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank you Tibbrix. Grant Beige is nice, but I think it will be too much beige or at least that is what DH thinks. We really are color people although we do stay away from red and purple. Just about anything else I will try.

I had a BM sagey green color in the LR at our last house which had 9' ceilings.
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User
7 years ago
Wythe Blue (HC)

Wythe Blue Williamsburg Collection
Yayagal
7 years ago
I really enjoy the BM Affinity paints and tones. Here's a chart and the colors are just delightful. I've used several of them. I love marscapone as it's warm and makes me happy.Affinity paint chart
Iowacommute
Original Author
7 years ago
I don't know how to post a pic on my daughters tablet, but I found this thread about BM Urban Nature. It is a gorgeous color. Would it look okay with creamy trim or should I paint it White?

http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2559605/anyone-use-benjamin-moore-urban-nature
designsaavy
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Here's a pic of Revere Pewter on our walls in our kitchen:

And the living room:

It looks different in each room.

It's more gray in the kitchen (a bit of a concrete color) and more tan in the living room. In fact, two adjoining walls in the living area look completely different.

I know your paint swatch colors seem overwhelming when you first paint it on the wall against white, but we have 13 ft. ceilings at the top point, and it's fine once it's all done.

My ceiling is Revere Pewter at 25%.

If you want gray, I would choose a different color.

Looks like a beautiful space!
Iowacommute
Original Author
7 years ago
I have been looking at a lot of pictures, and I'm wondering if I should do a sage again. I love the greens in the BM Affinity Collection, and I lived the way my sage LR looked at the last house. it was the only room I was completely happy with.

I love the way Revere Pewter looks in pictures, but on some walls in my LR for most of the day they look muddy.

I am going to buy some more samples tomorrow to see how it goes.
designsaavy
7 years ago
Get large sheets of foam board and paint both sides with two different colors.

You'll have a larger sample and can move it around to see how it looks in different light and at different times during the day.
PRO
Anglophilia
7 years ago
A room is warmed up by books, pictures and rugs. What is going in this room?
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
7 years ago
BM Eternity , Storm, Solitude are all very cozy beautiful colors that would look great .
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
7 years ago
I love blue grays and chose SW Krypton for my new redo and absolutely love it. It also changes with the light and time of the day. The SW big bosses came over to see my house last week and they were very happy with the Krypton results too I told them they could put it in the magazine lol. They were very interested in our flood recovery story.

So if you want to consider blueish gray check out Krypton but look at lots of pictures none are the same .
maries1120
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Your inspiration pic looks like the walls could be a Manchester Tan or similar color to that. What color is the furniture you have or will all be new? Have you looked at any sofas? Is the floor wood or carpet? What color? Do you want a more neutral wall color or something like a green or blue?

i agree with Yayagal regarding the Affinity colors. Many nice more neutral colors.

or would you like something like Olympic Mountains?
chispa
7 years ago
I have Grant Beige in most of my house and also used Simply White for the trim and ceilings. The GB will look good with the wood tones you have in the rest of the rooms.

If you like color, you can add it in your furniture and art, and the GB works well as a backdrop for most colors.
Iowacommute
Original Author
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Ah. My response has been eaten.

I like the Grant Beige because of the green undertone.

I will probably go with a neutral sofa, and three chairs two of them matching. The rug will be large and probably have a geometric pattern. I'm a quilter, and I really love strong patterns.

I was an archivist, and DH is a programmer with major railroads so we really love old photos, rail and city maps. I also love old advertisements. We will also frame a couple of paintings DD made because I really love them.

Right now all of my books are in the family room. We discussed a tall bookcase next to the FP in the past thread, but with all of our projects (we have been DIYing the whole house remodel since July) the bookcase will have to wait. I would love to put a rolling ladder on it when we get there.

We're very laid back, t shirt and jeans type of people. I do like to keep a nice, comfortable house though. We also have a holiday Lego village I will have to find a place for. I suppose we're a bit eclectic.

The interior of our new front door and sidelight will be he same color as the exterior, it's similar to BM Country Redwood. I can paint it if you feel like it sticks out like a sore thumb. The door and the sidelight will also be 2/3 clear glass so not too much red.
Iowacommute
Original Author
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
I made it to the paint store and bought Creekside Green and Tranquility for the LR. I like them both think Creekside Green is a little dark. Tranquility has darkened on the wall, and while I really like it I'm afraid it could go all Easter egg on me.

Here is my Tranquility inspiration pic
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Although they have a lot of warm colors to balance the walls which I like.

The paint colors are not showing well on my screen.
graywings123
7 years ago
You might consider going to the Ellen Kennon full spectrum paint website and looking at her selection. She has a number of colors that seem to be almost universal colors - they look great everywhere. I'm not suggesting this for you, but her Gustavian Grey is my fav. I think Mushroom is one of the colors that a lot of people have used. She will do phone consultations with you.
Iowacommute thanked graywings123
Iowacommute
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank you Graywings. I will check out the paint line ou suggested because for some reason DH has decided to take an interest in my paint color dilemma. Of course we like different colors.

Thank you Carol. I have looked at more photos trying to decide what it is I really like about these rooms, and most of them have a darker rug with reds in them. They seem to be split on light or mid toned upholstered furniture with wood or dark toned side tables.

I think it will be helpful to find a rug since I'm expecting to buy maybe a 9x12. That's a lot of rug.
CaroleOH
7 years ago
I think of all the photos you posted, I like the color combo of Tranquility/red multi colored rug and tan sofa. There are many beautiful shades of that aqua blue/green color. I have SW Comfort Gray in my bedroom - it an almost identical match to Restoration Hardware's Silver Sage. I also like SW Sea Salt which is along the same tone but a lighter shade. Keep us posted, you have a beautiful room!