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Paint Design Dilemma living room

Paint color for a north facing condo with little natural

3 years ago

Hi all! I just bought my first condo. Im trying to figure out paint color suggestions. not only is it north facing, but it’s 4th floor and obstructed by the building next door’s grey, windowless wall (#citylife) so its dark and needs some warmth. I was thinking maybe a very light peach-cream color? I don’t really like anything pink but something warmer than just white.

I’m already looking into getting better light fixtures and bulbs. I also have to replace the very old windows, so Im not painting for a little bit. i also have a dark grey mid century modern couch that I would like to keep if possible but not opposed to switching it out eventually. I was

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Comments (6)

julieste
3 years ago
I too have a north facing townhouse, but mine is impacted by all the green vegetation outside. I had a terrible time finding a color that worked for me. It is so difficult, and IMO no one else can give you a color suggestion that is going to work in your space.

What I would do in your case is to invest in samples of a half a dozen different colors somewhere in the range that you are thinking might be what you want. Try those at different times of day on different walls and see what is closest to what you want. From there you can narrow down your choice even more by getting more samples that may be exactly what you want. It is time consuming and tedious and you are going to spend some money on the samples, but eventually you'll end up with what works for you and feels right for your space. Look at the LRV (light reflecting value) of your samples. I ended up with one that works FOR ME that is a LRV of 75 or 76 (pretty light), but I also have a wall of n north facing windows.

https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/paint-colours-and-lrv-the-ultimate-guide-to-choosing-the-right-colour/#:~:text=LRV%2C%20or%20Light%20Reflectance%20Value,the%20darker%20the%20colour%20is.
Marylee H
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Heare’s a warm, creamy colour with a good hit of Chroma (colourfulness), so not to feel washed-out.

Alternatively, why not pick a fabulous rug to inspire your colour palette?

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Hi again Erina -- When it comes to getting it "right" it's all about testing colors and seeing how YOU feel with them! So much of this comes down to finding a color(s) that work with your home + how you live in it + your innate preferences. [This gets more complicated if you live with someone who has different preferences!] I absolutely think you should explore the blush/pink idea. But I think we've all been there when we can envision something in our head and then have to go to Plan B when our sample is way off and it's not really a matter of choosing a close sibling. So I like to have backups in mind. ;) It's a little funny because a lot of the other color suggestions I have seem to be in line with the art over your sofa (from what I can see of it). The first one is actually for: the 2 blushes/pinks (the medium terracotta and the lighter warm blush) AND the medium taupe color (but is it more or less your current DR color?) ...and I think you could use 2 of the 3 in your LR/DR vs just a single shade for both Here's another example of a taupe (see ceiling!) Here are a few possibilities (grey and cognac already mentioned upthread) -- slate-y blue-grey (you could go with a lighter shade) and butter yellow (I know you nixed the deeper blues upthread but the warm medium blue IS lighter and brighter so I mention it just in case, ha!) Here's a golden brown -- you'd have to evaluate against your floors: Here's that butter yellow and pale blue-grey again in a better example of the colors currently in your rooms (I don't think you're wanting a leaf green but it's here for you if you need it)
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Thanks Ackcx3! Thank you so much, Nosoccermom! The rug is from rugsusa.com https://www.rugsusa.com/rugsusa/rugs/rugs-usa-tribal-medallion/Rust/200KHMC04A-P.html It's an amazing rug! I'm so impressed with the quality for how cheap it was. It's not super thick but feels very nice on the feet, the colors are gorgeous, and the fringe adds a nice touch. It's wallpaper https://www.grahambrown.com/us/geo-cream-and-gold-wallpaper/103003-master.html#start=22&cgid=geometric I've stenciled a few times and would not have had the patience to do a full wall!!
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Thank you @everdebz and @eam44 for the input. I did hire Kylie for a cabinet color consult and she did a good job (though I hadn't chosen a counter top at that point), I was more looking for a cabinet color that would be a "white" that would look good in a north facing room and this is from her consult - "SW Alabaster. This is a warm, creamy white. It will help to off-set the northern light coming in, without being as yellow as Dover White." She also suggested Westhighland White as a 2nd choice. SW 7566 but I feel I see a bit of pink...maybe I need my eyes checked. I do like Alabaster, but it seems a bit too warm for some of my counter top selections. What is the "nuance" of SW alabaster.... And does it contradict what Lori says about nuance below? From reading the chroma info from land of color expert @funcolors it seems I want "Colors with a nuance that is light and clear. Meaning choose paint colors that are clear but not vivid or bright", but how to pick one. Don't exactly understand how I figure out "nuance". Also, do I start with a paint color that will work in a northern exposure and then select a counter top to go with, or do I pick a counter top and then pick a cabinet color? I see so many counter tops that I like, yet I can't figure out how to pick the proper paint color that will work with the counter top AND the north exposure. And then to bring in a dark color for the island. Kylie suggested SW Cyberspace or SW Grizzle Gray 7068. I really like Grizzle Gray, but I am concerned it is too muddied and gray for the northern light. Will the gray stand out more? Say I chose something with green undertones (SW Urban bronze 7048) is the blue north light going to counteract to make these colors appear brown? or will the green tones be more prevalent. Bottom line I am still having a hard time figuring out what the natural light will do to the various paint colors. And because the house is under construction and my cabinet color choice needs to be made, I am not in a situation where I can wait until everything is in place.
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JudyG Designs
3 years ago
B.M. White Sand:
btydrvn
3 years ago
Since the windows will be your first project...i would consider double pane if you have cold winters/hot summers...and frosted glass..or a layer of frosted material if that suits your budget better....this frosted stick-on comes in pretty patterns that would be more decorative if you choose to not have curtains.... this will allow light but no view of the concrete wall...next i would assess if the silver piping is a feature you want ....or will you want to paint or disguise it in some way...as is ....it sort of implies an industrial vibe...painted it will look more architectural .... if these are your only windows i would recommend choosing a color from nature...like a pale aqua or blue like a summer sky...or a pale lemon or golden yellow like a sunny day...even a crisp white ....to allow more cheery colors and prints in the decor...
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Beth H. :
3 years ago
no peach/pink, no blue, no gray.

stick w/the creamy white tones. play up color w/accessories and art
calidesign
3 years ago
I love a blush color for walls, but it may not be the best option with your golden floors. I would stick with a warm white on the walls, more beige than yellow, and then get the warmth you want through deeper colored rugs, artwork, and furniture. You may have a place for a warmer colored accent wall like this, maybe the back wall of your dining area, or consider it for your bedroom. A colorful rug with white walls would also warm up the space.
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