What trim w/BM Simply White? Plus other urgent paint questions!

3 years ago

We're in month 5 of a 6-month addition/whole-house reno and after passing inspections over the holidays, things ramped up into high gear. In the past 3 weeks, they've done insulation, drywall, and are almost done w/installing the siding & trim, tiling 3 baths, and installing hardwood throughout. It's exciting but also overwhelming, especially since every day brings a new request from the builders.

Last week they told me to have all the paint colors picked out by the end of this week. I have about 25 Samplize swatches and spent a few hours at the house this week, more confused than ever. And now they're pushing me to provide the final list today, so I'm a bit panicked. Thanks for any help you can provide!

1) One of the few conclusions I came to was that I want to use BM Simply White in most areas of the house. But what trim? I've always used White Dove and like it, but will that look too muddy with Simply White? Any other suggestions?

2) I'm stumped on a couple of spaces (photos below):

The master bath has black floors and mostly white tile and other elements (vanity, counter, tub deck, etc) with the exception of this Moroccan tile mural. The adjoining bedroom will be SW Sea Salt - do I continue that in the bath or revert to Simply White?

my teenage son's 12x12 bedroom, which lost a window to the addition but will gain a skylight. We're keeping the giant map I hung when he was 5yo. Any ideas for a good color that will avoid darkening the room but not look too young? Swatches are SW, Edgecomb Grey, Pale Oak, and Alabaster. I would prefer a blue or green but am struggling to find something that is not too dark or too babyish.

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Comments (5)

PRO
JAN MOYER
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Just use the simply white, and elevate the sheen to satin or semi gloss. There really ia no need to pick a different white. Try Chantilly Lace if you must : ) I sure don't see Sea Salt in the master bath, Match the white of the tile, and as to the 12 year old? I love Ben Moore "Wish" af 680 with the formula HALVED . It works with everything. It becomes atmosphere.
smalloldhouse_gw thanked JAN MOYER
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
3 years ago
I agree take this as aopportunity to keep things simple the different sheens is all you need . I would need to see the bedding in the boys room since IMO that is where the palette starts. And honestly he should be choosing the color he likes. I like bathrooms that adjoin bedrooms to have some connection to the bedroom so wall color is the easy choice to connect them.
smalloldhouse_gw thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
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JudyG Designs
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
For your son's room:

I agree that using Simply White is semi-gloss finish will be perfect.

I would use it on the ceilings, as well, in a flat finish.

Curious, and concerned, about no window in the bedroom. Because there is no egress, my understanding from a similar situation, is that the room will no longer be considered a bedroom. You should discuss this with your contractor. Value wise, should you sell, you can’t add that room, as a bedroom, to the property the listing.
smalloldhouse_gw thanked JudyG Designs
smalloldhouse_gw
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks all! Glad to know I can stick w/all Simply White - I had a million other whites and griege colors but the SW almost glowed. We've expanded all the windows so I want to maximize the light-and-bright feel. At the same time I love color so it's a little hard for me to walk away from a chance to have a big bold paint color in every room. We'll have a lot of old Persian carpets plus some changing out furniture and linens so maybe that's where I'll go a little wilder.

@JudyG Designs, the window pictured is staying and is sized for egress. Originally there was a second window on the wall opposite the map that was removed when we added a new master suite. The plan called for a skylight but due to the truss structure it will have to be only 14" wide, smaller than originally anticipated. Overall the room feels a lot more compact than it did before (despite the fact that we were able to raise part of the ceiling in removing a dormer.) So I'm thinking hard about the paint here for keeping things bright.
PRO
JudyG Designs
3 years ago
Phew!

My rule of thumb, smalloldhouse, is when a room is dim enough so that artificial lighting is usually turned on, go darker on the walls. I have found that artificial light can do mean things to white walls.
smalloldhouse_gw thanked JudyG Designs

What trim w/BM Simply White? Plus other urgent paint questions!

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Patricia Colwell Consulting

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What trim w/BM Simply White? Plus other urgent paint questions!

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JAN MOYER

Patricia Colwell Consulting

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JudyG Designs

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