As I type this the walls are drying in the 2nd bedroom after what I can only pray is the final paint project in unifying our house with a consistent color scheme. A couple of months ago we noted how the warm, neutral wall colors in many model homes inspired us to tone down the rainbow theme we had going on. Especially since we had read that repeating colors in a small house can really help make it seem larger.
So, as of just about right now, our house painting is officially done…for a while at least.
We decided to use that fancy floorplan we created using Floorplanner to demonstrate the change. Oh and these colors are taken from Glidden’s digital swatchbook so the color on your computer screen is only as accurate as your monitor.
Color Scheme: THEN
I know, I know. It looks fun and cheery – but it was a little schizophrenic. In fact, the only color we repeated at all was the bold turquoise color in the 3rd bedroom (which was the dining room at the time) and the 1/2 bath. Now we understand that in a small house you want continuity and rooms that feel like they flow- and not like they’re chopped up with different color schemes.
Color Scheme: NOW
Only the master bedroom and the sunroom escaped the repainting massacre, and while it may not look exciting on screen – it totally made the house feel bigger, more connected and a lot more grown up. Here’s the final report on the paint colors, in case you’re looking for some inspiration yourself:
Ok, now I’ve gotta go wash some Sand White off my hands. It feels good to be done. Although a homeowner’s work is never really done…
Angela says
Hey, hey! My boyfriend and I bought our first house together! Before we move in we’re trying to plan some updates (so as not to live through the painting/construction). Two quick questions… 1) I’m looking at Benjamin Moore’s manchester tan for paint color, but I really like your Glidden Sand White. I saw all your paint fan decks so maybe you can tell me. I’d like a color that’s more brown/tan then yellow/tan (if that makes sense). Which one do you think is more brown/tan? (I have identical floors to what you had previously and would love to have them refinished to be darker. I’m getting an estimate on Thursday so hopefully it’s not too expensive.) I also have a black leather couch and a beautiful dark stone fireplace so I’m thinking a white area rug would lighten it up some. 2) Crown moulding. The house has none and I’ll like to put it in. If I’m going white with the ceiling, should it be painted the same color (flat ceiling white)? Or should it be painted gloss white (like the trim around the windows)? BIG Thanks!!
YoungHouseLove says
Well, lighting definitely changes the tones of a paint color, but in my lighting sitch the Sand White swatch is a lot less yellow than the Manchester Tan (and Glidden’s Water Chestnut is also a nice brown tan option too). As for the crown molding, definitely go semi-gloss white for wipeability just like the trim (while the ceiling gets flat paint to hide imperfections). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Angela says
Girl, you’re quick! :) Thank you! Did you have wood doors in your original home? Did you paint them white? I have flat wood doors (no panels) on all the bedrooms, closets, etc. and they’re wood colored similar to the original floor. Since I’m thinking of darkening the floor, I wonder if I should attempt to darked the doors or if painted white would be better? (And should this too be semi-gloss)? Which did you do? Thanks again! So excited to have found your blog.
YoungHouseLove says
We painted ours semi-gloss white (they were flat hollow cheap-o wood doors to start with) and we love the look. It’s crisp and current and it allows the floors be the real star of the room. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Amy E. says
you’re going to have to update this now with all the painting you’ve been doing lately!
YoungHouseLove says
We’re already on the case! Stay tuned…
xo,
s
Jenny says
This is my first time commenting, and I just want to say that I LOVE LOVE your blog! I just bought a home built in the 50s and reminds me of your before pics. Your blog is oh, so helpful! And I love that you’re living in Richmond…I grew up in Midlothian. I have a dilemma…What do I do with dark brown/black carpet, wood paneling, and a dark fireplace (which covers most of the wall)?? I’m planning on painting the paneling and brick, but I’m worried that it will totally contrast with the carpet! PS We have a dark greenish sectional too…Any ideas??
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Jenny,
Good question! Do you know what’s under the carpet? You might be able to remove it to reveal wood floors and even raw concrete can be painted to instantly update the space. Home improvement stores also run all sorts of recarpeting specials with free installation so keep an eye out for good deals. Bringing in a nice tan colored berber would be great. Even if you have to live with the dark carpet there’s no reason not to paint the walls to brighten things up. We have dark floors all over our house with light walls and we love the contrast. You could also bring in a nice tan area rug to offset the dark sofa from the dark carpet for some nice layered and inviting style. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Miranda says
Forgive me if you’ve answered this question a million times before. Which kind of paint do you recommend for walls? Flat? Eggshell? Satin? We have three big dogs who have the run of the house and while I love the look of flat paint, it constantly needs to be touched up or it looks dirty. Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
We used to use flat paint in every room except for the kitchen and the bathroom (where we used semi-gloss) but we recently tried eggshell paint in the nursery and we love it. It’s still not super shiny but it’s easier to wipe and care for. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
mary says
Hi… I just stumbled upon your blog today… love it! Can you tell me the name of the granite you used in the kitchen? I am replacing our countertops and cant seem to find a light colored granite that looks uniform. I love yours! Thanks for sharing.
mary
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Mary,
We got our granite through the Home Depot (it was called Pashmina at the time). They sadly no longer offer it but if you go to any local stoneyard and ask them to show you a light colored granite that’s white and gray with marble-like veins and garnet flecks they should be able to show you the exact variety that we have in our kitchen. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
kelsy says
Hi there! i have been enjoying your blog for a while (just became a FB fan ;)). recently we moved into a house that has both wood trim and wood 6panel doors in a honey maple color. i REALLY want to update the trim and make it white but was hoping to leave the doors wood tone. what are your thoughts on wood doors with white trim? too crazy?
YoungHouseLove says
Go for it! It’s totally personal preference and you just might love the look. And if you don’t you can always paint those honey doors but they sound so lovely that we bet you never will.
xo,
s
kelsy says
wow! you are fast haha! do you have any tips on where to stop painting white? do i simply paint just the trim, or do i continue inward and also paint the door jam? thanks! :)
YoungHouseLove says
If you’ll be painting the trim white we would definitely continue the white tone inside the door frame and to the other side of the door (where there also should be trim). That way it’s an all-white area of transition between rooms. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
kelsy says
shoot! i was afraid you would say that ;) definitely more work than just painting trim! thanks again!
Erica says
I love your site & refer back to it often! We are beginning to plan a small update of our kitchen it is the only room on the first floor that isn’t done, it is currently painted white. The cabinets are staying & are a made of cherry but have a sort of orange tone to them. I’d like to extend the SW Versatile Grey from the dining room into the kitchen but I’m afraid that the grey-ness will excentuate the orange, which I’m not fond of. In a perfect world I’d paint my cabinets but the husband will not agree to it. We did change the door pulls & it looks way better now so I do like them now. Can you reccomend a color that is going to help down play the orange? Or should we just stick to white? There isn’t much to paint because the cabinets take up much of the wall space. The floors are recently re-done, slate tile but the counters and back splash are old formica blue with white trim. I’d like to update with soapstone & maybe white subway tile, but I’m just not certain yet. Do I need to figure out counters & back splash first?
YoungHouseLove says
Usually any tone of green (gray-green, khaki green, light lime, sage, celery, etc) looks great with orangy-toned wood. And the other way you can go is with tawny wheaty amber or tan tones. We’d suggest bringing a bunch of swatches home to hold up with your cabinets in both of those color families is the way to go. You’re right about the gray most likely accenting the orange in the cabinets and making them look mismatched in the end. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Erica says
Thank you Sherry, I’m going to go get the colors you suggested & see what happens!!! Seriously did you get any formal training or are you just a natural at all this stuff? I just never tire of looking through your site! The best part is that you do it all on a budget so us real people can actually follow & use the same sources to get the same stuff! You amaze me!!! Keep up the good work!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Erica,
Nope, we actually pride ourselves on not having any formal decorating training (although I did go to an art and design college in NYC which is where I believe I picked up my love of color and proportion and all that good stuff). We think it’s actually that lack of official training that helps us keep things doable (while keeping our budgets nice and low) so we love to tell everyone that we just learn as we go (and share all of our adventures along the way). And if we can do it so can everyone else! Happy decorating…
xo,
s
jessy says
What color’s can I coordinate with a black living room? I want to paint my living room black w. white/lt yellow/god accents.
http://mynottinghill.blogspot.com/2008/05/black-walls-would-you-dare_26.html
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Jessy,
We love the idea of a bold black living room with white, light yellow and gold accents. As for what other wall colors can work with black (in those adjoining rooms) you can always pick the same soft yellow tone that you’ll be bringing into the black room to keep things cohesive. Or you can go for white for a nice stark contrast (and use black and yellow accessories in those rooms to keep things feeling connected so one room isn’t out of left field). Other tones that work with black are neutral tans, golden wheat colors, and bright canary yellow. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
jessy says
ps: sorry I made a typo I meant “gold” accents.
The kitchen is off the living/dinning room btw.
Jessy says
Tks so much. I had a feeling of adding a citrus yellow with white & black on to the adjoining rooms.
Currently we are tackling our HWFs. Last night we removed the shag carpet and the under pad has been a pain to remove. BTW previous owner had 13 cats and let them “go” anywhere on the shag carpet. VERY gross.
Stephanie Hebard says
Hi, Im so excited to be commenting. I have to say (as everyone else) I LOVE this site! You guys have given me so much inspiration I cant thank you enough. I knew the look I was going for but had no clue of how to achieve it. Thanks so much for breaking things down me. I know with the baby and all u two are so busy. If u could please just give me any advice on a wall color for my living room. I have a denim PB sectional sofa; just got a jute rug today with lots of ocean & shell accesories. I’ve also been getting lots of White accesories. My walls are more of a tradional yellow by BM and mexican tile floor. I’m looking to bring more calmness to my multi colored room. Should I go for a gray or tan wall color? Im also trying to figure out what color my frames on the walls should be. Right now they’re like a honey color (so is all the wood–ie. TV Stand, Dinning room table & Chairs). Should I paint them white? Depending on the wall color. Also in the process of getting a round- dark wood or espresso colored coffee table. Right now I have a honey shadow box with shells in it. So sorry this is so long. Im running over with ideas now……….just need help pinpointing what colors would look best. Thanks so much for your time! Enjoy that bundle of Joy.
Stephanie
West Palm Beach, FL
YoungHouseLove says
We would actually introduce a soft blue-gray color on the walls. Since you have a jute rug and a mexican tile floor you’ll want something soothing and cool to counteract and balance the warm tones that are already in the room for an inviting look. Try Benjamin Moore’s Quiet Moments (and yes, painting those frames white would work really well with all of your white accessories). Good luck!
xo,
s
Steph says
Wow………… I never thought about that color. Thanks so much. Hubby just left to pick it up. I cant wait to transform the room with the paint and accesories. That color will actually flow into my kitchen……..its Wedgewood gray. You guys are amazing! Thanks for the quick response.
Pics to follow.
Stephanie
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yeah, it’ll look amazing with the Wedgewood Gray!
xo,
s
Justin says
Really neat blog. Just stumbled on it while looking for decor ideas. Excellent color choices btw. They appear to be very cheerful colors.