Let's Talk Paint!

Sunday, July 11, 2010


Since I started blogging a few months ago I've received so many nice emails and compliments. I really appreciate your interest and response to my blog (and frankly I'm still a little shocked that people actually find it, read it, comment on it and take the time to email me!).  Would you be surprised if I told you that most of the emails and questions I get are concerning paint colors?  It's true!  Most people are mystified and intimidated when it comes to choosing paint colors - which is completely understandable.  First of all there are thousands of options available - pretty overwhelming for most of us! And who hasn't purchased a can of buttery soft yellow only to discover that once it's on the wall it's really a garish shade of taxicab yellow.  Ouch!

I have found that after choosing paint colors for numerous homes and projects over the years, that there are some colors that work pretty much anywhere, and I find myself using them over and over again. These are my go-to paint colors.

 Benjamin Moore's Grant Beige.  This beige has never let me down.  It pairs well with both warm and cool accent colors and it always looks crisp! 


 Benjamin Moore's Alexandria beige.  This is "cocoa brown".  Warm, beautiful and perfect for those who fear dark paint colors. The second photo represents the color more accurately.  






Benjamin Moore's Hawthorne Yellow - I can't say enough good things about Hawthorne Yellow.  It's vibrant without being garish, it can go traditional or modern, it is luminous in bright light and retains its life in lower light.  I took the second image in low light.  I love this color!











Benjamin Moore's Georgian Green - a rich and beautiful yellow-based green. Try it with some black and a bit of hot pink! Again, my photo doesn't do the color justice :(





Benjamin Moore Sweet Dreams - Light, happy turquoise that I have used in the sitting room off of my bedroom.






Benjamin Moore Gray Cashmere - complex gray/green/blue that is a beautiful neutral.  Works great with dark wood, too (2nd image)

Image via Nest Egg





Benjamin Moore Pale Oak - a beautiful, warmish soft gray



And my go-to spray paint?  I love Krylon's Ivory!


Your turn!  Will you share your favorite paint colors with me?



Need some help pulling your style together?  The Green Room Interiors can make your home a beautiful place to be!  Call Kim at 423.653.3186 or email thegreenroominteriors@gmail.com



30 comments:

Kathysue said...

Hi Kim, great post and a wonderful line-up of colors. I always like to use what I call in between colors. You know the kind you have to use more than one of two words to describe the color. Those are the colors that seem to go with everything. Color is so subjective that it is hard to pull a color out of a hat but I truly think you have given a great selection. Kudos to you , Kathysue

Victoria Bellow said...

Those are chic and soothing bedrooms I've always wanted to sleep in!soo fabulous and I think draperies sometimes get a bad rap. When done well, like these examples you've shown, they make everything else in the room look all Gorgeous!this another Awesome inspiring post!Thanks :)
xoxo
Victoria

Stephanie said...

Some colors I've used recently and love are: Sherwin Williams "Techno Gray", Sherwin Willaims "Soft Apricot" and Benjamin Moore's "Linen White" (it's always on my list)! Happy Monday - great post!

Jade @ Flip Flops + Pearls Design said...

I am writing all these paint colors down! I haven't used any of them yet but they look beautiful!

Kelly Frances Dunn said...

OK, LOVING your blog! Thanks for stopping by mine!! It's people like you that keep inspiring me to keep going and continue to get out there. You have done a fab job and your well deserved of your followers :)

Kelly Frances Dunn said...

BTW, "Hardware" by Sherwin Williams seems to always turn out amazing...I have yet to see it not turn out! :)

jeanette from everton terrace said...

I don't have any "go to" colors. I painted almost every room in my last house a different color, and changed them all the time. My current house is all white and I love it. I'm certain to want something else in a few years but I like this for now. Never did find that perfect shade of gray I was looking for.

HAMPTON HOSTESS said...

great post! love the grey cashmere (love beautiful neutrals)BM always has great colors--just got back from Nashville (forgot you were from TN) visiting Vandy with my son--so much fun and great food! have a great week, barbara

Unknown said...

Oh, great choices! I love the cocoa brown! I love color, and want to do some painting, but we're moving in about 6 months, so no go, I wish I could, I would do red and black! XO!

A Perfect Gray said...

kim, great piece! I am one who tries hundreds before I can get it right. you may have just saved a few lives with this one!

this free bird said...

This is a great post. Color can be tricky and I love Benjamin Moore paint period. The yellow and varying shades of gray you showed here are beautiful...I have some swatches around here from a dark gray I painted the bf's bedroom as well as a dark brown color that went on the cabinets in his kitchen (sad can't find the swatch colors!! ugh)

If I find the swatches I will most def come back and share. :) Carrie

Kendall said...

I love using Benjamin Moore Grey Owl and also Feather Down. Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace is my favorite white. It's always soft.

little luxury list said...

Kim, thanks so much for these recommendations! I love, love Benjamin Moore's gray cashmere and Sweet dreams!

p.s. That is insanely cool that you live on top of a mountain and can sit and see the lights below! I'd love to do that some day! Thanks for stopping by my blog and hope we can become blog buddies. ;)

Diana Mieczan said...

I love love love this post...Such a great picks,sweetie:)
I adore light colours and my favourite one is light magnolia:)
Kisses my lovely and have a wonderful day!

Naomi@DesignManifest said...

Great post - I'll have to save this one. I'm the worst at remember which paints I've used :(

Sally@DivineDistractions said...

Great suggestions, Kim. I've used some of these as well. It all depends on the lighting in a space. One day a color looks great, the next house, not so much!
Enjoyed your comment on DivineDistractions, and appreciate you for dropping by.

Privet and Holly said...

Kim, I've copied a few of these colors for my idea file, since I'm doing a mini-redo in our master bedroom and bath. I wish I had some great color names to share, but I didn't write them down! I love buttery yellow walls, pale sage green and our lower level is cocoa. Just noticed your new header ~ very pretty. It would be fun to be a client of yours : ) Lucky Chattanooga!!! xx Suzanne

Anonymous said...

I love, love, love Manchester Tan by BM, also grant Beige.. Beautiful colors

Three on Grove said...

Hi there! I realize this is an old post, but just curious if you have any suggestions for a cream color to use as trim with Grant Beige for a vintage farm kitchen with white cabinets. I have tried several colors, including bone white and everything is looking too orange! Argh! Would love a suggestion if you know a few coordinating neutrals that are more cream than white. Thanks!

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Jennifer@ladybug nursery said...

I was trying to find out more about Benjamin moore's pale oak, but loving this grant beige color now! I will add that to the list of colors to look at, I worry the pale oak will be too pink in our room (open kitchen, living room). Thanks for this post!