What colors?

[talula]

Well, I bought a house. It is my first house and we are really happy so far.

We have lots of time to get things fixed up but Gemm and I (the roomie) wanted to start thinking about what colors to paint the interior with. I got a swatch of a couple of blues and we liked them so we did some test painting. Some photos of what I'm talking about are here. (http://eunuch.org/painting)

Help us decide please! We would like vibrant colors that are somewhat classical and dignified but yet not oldfashioned. Please choose the ligher blue, the darker blue, a different blue or a different color. If you choose a different color or a different blue, would you post your choice? Please note that one of us is pretty color-blind so greens turn to blue or brown and oranges turn to yellow. Red Red is ok.

Thanks muchly folks!

tal

[fhunter]

Of those two, lighter blue, IMHO, looks better. On second look, it will probably strongly depend on lighting and windows location.

But, I can not help much, as I prefer warmer and more subdued colors for my home. No blue for me, it looks too cold.

[tugon (imported)]

I love my blue and when I am home with the computer I will repost my photobucket link. There is a lot posted about colors and shades depending on room size. Sometimes a dark color can make a room seem smaller. I love color and finally at 56 had the confidence to choose colors.

http://s1343.beta.photobucket.com/user/ ... 0567001245

[AtomicMush (imported)]

I speak from experience, DO NOT paint with a dark blue. You will tire of it quickly, andd it takes a lot of effort to paint over it. Go for lighter shades.

[kristoff]

Agreed, lighter shades, especially in a kitchen. Dark and bright colors overwhelm. Soft, warm colors sooth the hungry chef. Of course you could always do some of the colorful pastels so favored in the southwest and across the border. Just don't do landlord off-white like my rental unit.

[Dave (imported)]

When I had my house built, I fell in love with Kohler bathroom fixtures in what was called "BLUEBERRY" ...

A friend of mine who was an interior decorator lectured me about getting tired of a permanent color that deep and intensive

So my bathroom guest bathroom is sand and my on-suite bathroom is a shade darker and richer (you might way beige)...

I put color into the towels and accessories. Anything that you can change in 5 years. Put color in draperies, pillows, pictures (starving artist price unless you have the desire for real art)

Atomic Mush is right, you get bored of those really intense and vivid colors in about five years.

All of the wood moldings, beams, doors, cabinets, and some paneling (very little) is a reddish Teak that matches a real teakwood table I bought. It's only deepened in the rich red color over the years.

My kitchen has stainless steel in both polished silver shiny chrome and and I've added to that effect over the years. Again, all the kitchen colors of fruits and vegetables are in pictures over the counters -- I have no upper cabinets because they didn't make any I could reach back when I built the house. Now they make them with folding down trays that put things and counter height.

My Father was color blind like you are and we used to pick his ties. He liked Countess Mara and I must admit, they were handsome ties. I like Kenneth Gordon, Talbot, Joseph Abboud, and Ferrell Reed... Every so often we'd tell him that some piece of apparel was maroon or dayglo-green when it wasn't. That usually resulted in him picking the wrong tie with chuckling results. We were mean kids like that.

He once told me that he never saw red in a traffic light that all three lights were the same grayish sort of color. However, he could tell which one was lit by position and that was how he drove all of his life. That's a close as I relate to color blindness.

[OneBallBoi (imported)]

Congratulations on buying a house.

[MacTheWolf (imported)]

Pick a cherry color like yellow. If you want warm looking carpeting, get red, the same red used by a particular nun we know.

[kristoff]

Pick a cherry color like yellow. If you want warm looking carpeting, get red, the same red used by a particular nun we know.

I dont have carpets - hardwood floors. I have a 120 YO morrocan rug that is worn and beat to hell on my front room floor; there it is.

[Paolo]

Believe it or not, a nice neutral gray is good when you have a lot of wall hangings, and especially around the computers. For the kitchen, I'd pick something earthy and warm. Not into the blue shades at all. Well, perhaps for the laundry, utility, or the loo!

[considering (imported)]

Congratulations on your new home. Assuming you're willing to have a do over, it's your house, paint it however way you want it. In a year, perhaps less, you'll wonder whatever got into you (other than about a quart not counting ice cubes) but the good part is, it's your house and you can do it over. Although I agree about strangely coloured fixtures that a coat of paint won't cover. The second time you'll get what you want to really live with. However, the first time around, go for it. It may be grim, even ghastly but if you've always wanted a cyan ceiling with "accent" walss of all the primary colours, it's only paint. (semi gloss only, and latex, please.) Have fun with it. My home, inside and out, is primarily shades of grey with yellow and white accents. Many find it....disturbing but I like it and that's all that counts. And, again, a house is a wonderful thing to have, love it and love in it. PJ

[george2u2 (imported)]

A new mortgagee! I always want white ceilings. A friend has every wall in the house a different bright intense color. If he tires of one color he just sits toward a different wall. Go for both.

[Cainanite (imported)]

Of the two colors, the lighter blue will be more cheery, and keep the place feeling more open.

I admit, I am much more a fan of neutral colors for my own walls. I find it very difficult to decorate around a bright color. Grey, eggshell white, light tan. Those are the colors I go with when I paint. Dark colors are very tiring. It can also make a room feel a lot smaller than it is, though I generally live in homes with small living spaces.

I have had to paint over dark colors before, and it is a real pain. It takes forever to cover up the old color. I see you have to paint over red walls. That will take at least three good solid coats to cover, whatever you choose. Though, I recommend steering clear of the dark paints. Dark paints will also show the marks on the walls a lot more. It is a real pain all the way around.

All that being said, this is YOUR house. Paint it florescent yellow with green polka-dots if that is what you like. It is your house, your rules.

Again, Congrats!

[Losethem (imported)]

I agree with much of what has been said here. Those blues are VERY strong colors and if you paint with the darker blue, it's going to make it look like someone took a shrink-ray to the inside of your house. Dark colors tend to make rooms look smaller. Also, if you get tired of a dark color, it's going to be very difficult to cover up. Take a look at your photo where you painted over the red - see how that red is bleeding through your dark blue? The dark blue will be more difficult to paint over than the red you see there.

I really agreed with Dave, pick something lighter and decorate with towels, pillows, etc. The other thing you're "fighting" with is the hardwood trim work throughout the house. When paired with an appropriate color it's fantastic, but it is often difficult to decorate against. I'm in the process of painting my own house and putting in new flooring, we chose a cherry colored wood floor with white baseboards and trim, and a putty color on the walls. We're planning to decorate with colors in pictures and curtains, etc. It's coming together well.

The best piece of advice I got when I did this the first time - when you choose a color on a paint chip, go one lighter to get what you really want once you put it on the walls.

Since it is your house and you're planning to stay there, you can get away with some things other would likely shy away from since you're not decorating it to sell it. So you can go wild in some choices, but I would strongly encourage you to use that dark blue sparingly.

Congrats on your purchase. I hope you enjoy it for years to come.

--LT

[fhunter]

All that being said, this is YOUR house. Paint it florescent yellow with green polka-dots if that is what you like. It is your house, your rules.

That reminds me on how we repainted a lab assistants room at the university. It was supposed to be off-white or at least warm colour... but ended up pink (almost hot pink, but not quite). It involved - 3 people doing repainting (including me), low budget, overly sure of himself lab assistant/student and waaay to much pigment for that bucket of paint. On the other hand no one expected it to turn this way . I can probably even find some photo

Due to low budget, it stayed that way for at least 3 years.

[raymar2020 (imported)]

Congrats on te house !!!! Now comes the work .

As a degreeed designer, I will tell you that there are some color tenets that you should keep in mind. Warm tones, like reds, and oranges are appetite stimulating. ( Notice that you never see a successful restaurant with the walls painted blue or green). That said, use those kinds of tones in the kitchen and dining area. Be mindful that the darker they are , the harder to change later. Grey primer though really helps to eliminate dark tones. It also will reduce the number of finish coats when you use deep tones like red , and navy.

Blue tones, and even many greens have a negative effect on many people. They can cause mild depression. They need to be either very dark or very light. The mid-range shades can have a negative effect on mood. For many years my living room was painted a very dark navy. I have lots of art , and mirrors, and many in large ornate frames. I found that the Navy made the walls disappear, and made the space feel larger, and of course it was an excellent backdrop for the art.

My dining room has been red for as long as I can remember. It creates a warmth when I entertain that can not be duplicated with other colors. Most of my visitors simply love it.

An excellent gauge about color is to look good at whats in your closet. People tend to wear colors that make them feel good, so look to your wardrobe for a guide into what will make you most comfortable.

Trends today are that you use relatively neutral shades for walls and flooring, and add punches of strong color with art , accessories, and even possibly upholstery. If you are unsure how you feel about a color, go find a large item, in that shade, and put it in a prominent spot in your home. Gauge how you feel about it after a week, a month, maybe longer. If it does not make you feel comfortable, then shy away from that color.

Remember that ultimately your home is an expression of your personality, so do not allow others to deter you from doing what makes YOU feel good. They don't have to live with it , you fo, and each space should make you feel happy to be there. Also , don't allow yourself to be trapped by "trends" , if bright red is what you fancy , go for it, even if the furniture showrooms are pushing brown.

Raymar

[george2u2 (imported)]

Oh, Oh, Oh, I shouldn't have slept on it. Go with the darker blue, Next mom we can all take tooth picks and paint the milky way.

Huggs

[Paolo]

We don't look in Talula's wardrobe. I once stuck my head in there, and a lion almost bit it off!

[Uncle Flo (imported)]

Even the lighter blue is too dark for my taste. My kitchen and bathroom are sunshine yellow with wood trim, my living room is a goldish tan most of the other rooms are variations on white walls with darker trim. My favorite small kitchen was highway department orange and white. Can you tell that I am afflicted with seasonal affective disorder? (or, as I say, I am solar powered). Then again, should you follow the advice of someone who voluntarily had himself neutered? All kidding aside, have fun with making the house the way you want it. --FLO--

[kristoff]

We don't look in Talula's wardrobe. I once stuck my head in there, and a lion almost bit it off!

That was the cat you disturbed!

[Paolo]

Have you chased Father Nelson out of your wardrobe yet?

[OneBallBoi (imported)]

Looks like Raymar has a pretty good handle on what it politically correct.. I know I like the lighter colors and my woodwork in Natural tone with clear poly on it. I love light blues and tans. Look how I dress, my favorite shirt color is Red..

[Sweetpickle (imported)]

I have a light blue "accent" wall in one room and a orangish one in another,

it's a pleasant effect.

That's just one wall out of four!

[george2u2 (imported)]

Looking at the photo again I realize this is the kitchen, They took out the microwave and left a hood.

My daughter just redid my kitchen in sand tile floor, White washed wood cabinets with glass doors, stainless steel sink and surround, white appliances, and butcher block countertops.

The light tile floor, and the Stainless steel show all the spills, drips, and splashes. The white appliances and the butcher block counters that I thought would be hard to keep clean looking are actually the easiest to keep looking good.

[gareth19 (imported)]

You never paint kitchens blue. It attracts flies. Yellow shades repel them.