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Design Dilemma Paint

Wrong Paint Sheen?!? (Dark Green Living Room)

Brighton Portman

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

HELP! We just bought a new home and are doing some painting before moving in. I wanted a bold, rich emeraldy green for the living room. We went with Behr Equilibrium and I LOVE the color, but I think we may have chosen the wrong sheen. We did Satin and I think it’s reflecting too much light and we should have done flat. We primed and did 2 coats of the satin. Can I go over it with 1 coat of flat??? please tell me we dont have to prime and start all over again…

Comments (6)

PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
2 years ago
Dark colors, unless they are lacquer, typically should be flat or matte so they don't show the wall irregularities and don't create 'hot spots' or reflections on the walls.

This dark blue wall illustrates the 'hot spots' I refer to.

See images below for rooms with matte or flat dark green paint. No Hot Spots.
chispa
2 years ago
If I was painting, I would lightly sand the gloss down, wipe down the walls and then paint over with flat paint.
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Hi Jane..., Sheen choice is such a subjective thing obviously. Some like a "glow" on the walls from nightstand lamps, etc., & others' don't. Some feel Flat finishes look rich, but cleanability drops off. Overall, the Eggshell SHEEN (not color) seems the most popular in our store. Consider your cleaning-styles/frequency too. If you're a fussy cleaner, Flat might not be for you; UNLESS you use a Premium-flat like C2 or ACE'S Sensations flat with Scotchguard-VERY cleanable. Don't be scared to "go deep" with color, if only on an accent wall. Deeper colors in Bedrooms can feel very cozy & warm...kind of the way a Bedroom should be! Be aware though, some dark colors need a dark primer under them. TWO topcoats still needed though!! (Of course, big color changes usually lead to new drapes, etc., etc.,.... ;-) Faron
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What a lovely room! My concern is that there is a lot of gold and orange coming out of the woodwork and any greens will add a contrast to that rather than a blend and greens/grays can be cooler than that warm feeling you want. I would suggest going with the more traditional off white to keep it warm and neutral against the dark woodwork and then let your fabrics and furnishings bring the color you want to the space....but an off white that is much warmer than what's on the walls now. Maybe like a BM niveous... [Traditional Living Room design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-living-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_718~s_2107) by Minneapolis Architect TEA2 Architects [Traditional Living Room design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-living-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_718~s_2107) by Minneapolis Architect Murphy & Co. Design
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Hi Stephanie, I like your instincts for Jack Pine or something similar in the north room. I recently used SW Evergreen in a laundry closet. Now, after looking at your post, I am thinking it would be great in my north living room. I noticed that lamp light makes an interesting effect on my dark green that I never noticed in rooms with white walls. It creates an island of bright color. I am curious as to how that looks in a large dark room. I see pictures in this post. It looks dramatic and exciting. But is it so in reality? I think you can be more adventurous because there is a natural border defining your living room from y dining room. But what will you do on the wall going up that beautiful staircase?
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Yeah, I retract seaweed. ;) I love the indigo Strawberry Thief, but am wondering if that pattern is too big. What about something funky like this -- this is the wallpaper in my daughter's room (came with the house!). On the one hand, it looks like Where the Wild Things meets MJ Farm. On the other hand, it's seriously awesome. (This is a screenshot, not my daughter's room! ha) https://www.wallpaperstogo.com/p-222328-chiavi-segrete-leaf-green-wallpaper.aspx?gclid=CjwKCAjw14uVBhBEEiwAaufYx6FNZK56AEC0ZHUZQTmohm3_hfduZXCde7OnyUnzhk2jYMxG6E5jIhoC67MQAvD_BwE
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Rachel Lee
2 years ago
Yes, flat. What chispa said.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
2 years ago
I also find dark saturated colors need more than 2 coats and as stated a very fine sandpaper and an all over very light sanding to give the matte paint a good tooth. You will love the end result.
cat_ky
2 years ago
I wouldnt use flat. I would use eggshell finish, or matte finish, so you get a bit of washability if needed. With all the dark in that room, please make sure you have a lot of lighting, with daylight type light bulbs.
Debbie Downer
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
How textured are the walls - a palm sander hooked up to a shop vac would knock down a lot of the gloss, fairly quickly (220 grit). There are deglosser products , but I would prob do some amt of sanding anyway just to assure best adhesion. The sanded and/or deglossed green then becomes your base coat - no need to go back to primer. Lovely color - looks great with the floor and fireplace.

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