Paint Colors - My Colors and Tips
"The details are not the details. They make the design." - Charles Eames
I often get asked about the paint colors throughout my house so I've included each space and the corresponding color to give you a better sense of each hue.
But while I'm so happy to share what's in my home, it does stress me out a bit! Colors can read so different depending on many factors; natural light, other colors (trim, cabinets, etc.), and editing can affect how paint looks in different rooms and I'm always so cautious sharing this info without fair warning. I don't want you to take a color I've used in my home, paint your whole new house and then realize that it looks totally different than what you saw on my feed! So my biggest tip before you paint any room is to make sure that you look at any color in different spaces online and then actually test the paint color in your own space at different times of day.
Start on Pinterest and Instagram for inspo; search a specific color to see it in multiple different spaces and applications. This allows you to see it on trim, walls, cabinetry, etc. and get a better indication for what it can read like in real spaces. This online review is a great way to get inspiration for your space and narrow down your choices, but NEVER choose your color solely based off of a photo – make sure you test it in your own space. This way you aren't blindsided by a white that looked so creamy in one space, but now reads stark and blue in your own.
Take your top color choices and buy samples of the paint to try in your space. The mini pots typically cost around $15 and are available at any larger store; I buy a pot for each color I'm considering. While you can paint directly on the wall, I prefer to buy cheap canvases from the dollar store, paint them, write the paint color on the back and move these around a space, putting it up next to other elements (like trim or flooring) – this will let you to test in a variety of locations and saves you from having various painted patches on your wall during the decision process. Another important tip: try the colors at different times of the day – you want to love it just as much at night as you do in the middle of the day.
Although it may seem like a waste of money to purchase a bunch of samples when you are already dropping a ton of money to paint, I promise this is always worth the investment to make sure you get a color you love. The little paint chip samples just don't cut it when making a decision on such an important detail in your home. Paint is so stressful – believe me I know – but this method takes some of the guesswork out of the process and helps you feel more confident moving forward with your color.
Now that I've given fair warning, let's proceed with the real reason you're here - the paint colors!
Main Color: OC-19 Seapearl by Benjamin Moore
This color is used throughout my house - Master bath, living room and kitchen, foyer.
Dining Room: SW 6245 Quicksilver by Sherwin Williams
His Office: Almalfi Navy by Ralph Lauren
Master Bedroom and Laundry Room: OC-23 Classic Grey by Benjamin Moore
Cash's Bedroom: CI188 Stormy Cove by Valspar
Winnie's Bedroom: RD-W3 My Sweetheart by Behr
Hopefully these colors give you some inspiration for your own space. If you do need help picking paint for a space in your home, check out my Ask a Design Question page. I can help you narrow down your colors to fit with your existing elements.
