I really like the way the colors work in this room. I recommended this palette from Sherwin Willaims today to Rebecca in response to the picture she posted on RoomVues. She said she wanted to find a way to make her studio apartment seem more “grown up” and I think that this color palette would be a great place to start.
The color scheme includes:
SW 6400 Lucent Yellow for the walls
SW 6399 Chamomile for the trim
SW 6163 Grassland for the ceiling
Besides just having a color scheme that works this room shows several things that can be used to make a space appear larger:
- The neutral scheme with hues that blend beautifully in a low contrast palette.
- Careful placement of the black to move the eye around the room.
- Smooth rather than rough textured fabrics and surfaces.
- The mirrored coffee table “disappears” rather than stopping your eye.
- They also used a fine black pinstripe on the molding that draws the eye up and around the space.
Picture from House Beautiful
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Today’s color dilemma:
I am really struggling with this - trapped by brick around the lower half of my house (yellow-beige with almost no variation in the brick) and dark brown vinyl window frames. Currently the siding, doors and trim around the windows is painted dark brown as well. We would like to go lighter on the siding but are really stuck about what might fit with the two “set” colors. Most of the neighborhood is 1960’s muted - whites, taupes, grays. Both of our neighbors have mostly white houses. Any ideas?
Barbara suggests:
Try something earthy but not of the same color family as what you currently have that can’t be changed. Perhaps a gray-green-something mossy or sage type. Maybe it could be just a little deeper in color than the brick. It’s hard to say exactly, but this could be a color direction you might try.
Another idea in a different direction: Rust type. But as I often say, it’s hard to make a recommendation without seeing even a picture, so you will have to test,test,test, on large areas, and view the colors at different times of day on different areas of the house - to see what looks good.
Suggestion: Use Tru-Hue test boards or poster boards, at least two of each color and at least 24 inches square for your testing.
If you use poster board prepare them just as if they were the actual siding by starting with a coat of prime. If you use the Tru-Hue test boards they are already prepped so you can skip the Prime. Then roll two or three coats of your color.
You will be able to move them around, tape them to the siding, etc. Do NOT do little brush strokes of colors on the side of your house, it won’t give you a true idea of the color and just leads to being more confused.
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Reader’s color dilemma:
I want to do my daughters room with a beach tropical theme. i would like ideas for the paint color for the walls. Thanks Kathy
Kate suggests:
When thinking of tropical colors luscious and relaxing colors come to mind. I am always drawn to the blues and greens of the sea surrounding islands or the shores of exotic destinations. But colors of tropical blossoms or the lush green of foilage can also be used to create the look.
Palm tree, beach or nautical prints could be incorporated but I recommend keeping these obvious elements to a minimum and using furniture, fabric, textures and accessories that are instead simply suggestive of the theme will keep the room from looking cliché. (more…)
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Currently as well as historically, the color purple evokes an aura of royalty, mystique, power, wealth and magic.
Purple reigns supreme, as togas in rich shades were worn by all the powerful Roman Emperors and it was a favorite color of Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt. Spiritually, it reflects pure thoughts and symbolizes intelligence and creativity.
The U.S. Military awards the Purple Hear, a decoration given to soldiers wounded in battle to recognize bravery. 
Several hues of the purple palette include grape, lavender, lilac, orchid, plum and aubergine.
Purple commands the eye to take notice and is prevalent in home interiors today. Using softer tones as a backdrop or as an accent color brings a regal air of beauty and harmony to any decor.
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Reader’s color dilemma:
I’m going to turn this into a bistro. Would love some suggestions. The theme is Mediterranean ( mostly Italian). Inside decor will be darker (mostly reds and browns) Any suggestions would be appreciated.– janemuir
Kate suggests:
I think this home will make a cute bistro. While the darker colors you mention could work on the interior I would start with something a bit lighter on the exterior. It will not only make the place look a bit bigger but will give you a canvas to add some details that can carry your theme to the exterior.
I’d start by painting the main part of the house with a color like Valspar 3004-8A Oatlands Gold Bluff or the slightly lighter 3004-6B Oatlands Yellow. Use a creamy white for the trim that has the same undertone.
I would go with a toned gray for the shutters. Something with a bit of color in the gray but not too much. 5001-4C Slate Court could work nicely but before putting it on slap on a coat of reddish brown first and let it dry. You don’t have to do this to carefully because it is an undercoat. Just avoid sloppy paint spills or drips. Once dry give the shutters a nice coat of Slate Court. When completely dry…and I mean completely…hit some of the high points with sandpaper to allow some of the undercoat color to come through and give you an aged look.
You can do the same thing with the door. You could use the same undercoat color as long as it looks different enough from the door color or you could go with a shade of blue or even use the leftover paint from the shutters. Again give the door a nice coat of a color like Valspar 1008-5A Belle Grove Flamestitch Red and then give it an aged look with a bit of sandpaper.
You can try out the look on a piece of scrap wood to make sure you like the way the undercoat looks when it comes through. You should also test out the main exterior, trim, door and shutter color on test boards so that you can confirm that the colors work perfectly before you begin painting.
You don’t mention if you are going to keep the awnings but if you could match them to the main house color, the trim color or do something a bit creative.
Giving the aged finish to the door and shutters will begin connecting your guest with the theme before they even get inside. A bit of landscaping to anchor the house and a few planters that look like they came directly from the Italian countryside and I think your place will say “Italian Bistro– Come on in!”
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Today’s decorating dilemma: I need a little guidance, I am renovating a Katrina damaged home,. It is taking a long time and I want everything perfect, or as much as it can be.
I have a town home, living room, and kitchen run together, maple cabinets with a mocha stain, so the cabinets are basically almond with a little color, I am using teak, hand scraped floors throughout, not much light, just a large set of french doors leading to patio, and a small garden window in kitchen, I was thinking black galaxy granite, little spec of bronze, its beautiful, and oil rubbed chandeliers and faucets. Soooo, what color do I paint, or should I change something? please help! –Sharon
Bethany’s suggests:
It sounds like what you have is generally dark so I am envisioning a scheme with lots of contrast. (more…)
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