I’m joining Melissa over at 320 Sycamore for a paint party today, so I’ll be sharing my favorite paint colors. Since I have many colors in my house, I guess I would have to consider them my favorite, at least for the moment. Like many of you, I’ve been through all sorts of trends with paint colors over the years, but I’ve been really happy with the choices I made in this house. It has not come without trial and error, believe me.
I did a post last year about Choosing the Perfect Paint color, and if you read that, you will notice that I don’t claim to have the perfect paint colors nor is there a sure-fire way to pick the right one, other than that trial and error thing I mentioned above. It sure helps to have blogs out there now so that you can see a paint color in an actual room and know at a glance whether it might be something you could love yourself. So, that has helped me a lot over the years too.
But, one thing I did stress in the above post is this: you must test out a paint color in YOUR home to find out if it will work for you. I have painted over bathrooms 3 times trying to get that “perfect in my head” shade that I was looking for, so just because it looks great on a paint chip OR for that matter, in someone else’s home, doesn’t mean it will work perfectly for you. That’s always my disclaimer with paint when I’m helping someone choose a paint for their space. It can be a tricky process, to say the least. So, if you want more info about choosing paint, read that post from last year for lots more particulars on the subject.
Today, I’m going to share the paint colors in my house and how they’ve worked for me.
Above: on the left is Sherwin Williams Whole Wheat, which is the main color I’ve used throughout my common area. On the right is the newly painted dining room with Sherwin Williams Antique White. I’ve used 4 colors off that Whole Wheat color strip and it’s worked out very well for our home.
Another shot of Whole Wheat. I have really enjoyed this color a lot and it goes with so many fabrics and colors. A nice backdrop for everything.
In the upstairs guestbath, I used the darker shade on that strip, Camelback. It has more depth and is a bit darker for this smaller bathroom.
Another shot of Camelback.
And downstairs in the den, I used Believable Buff, again on that same color strip by Sherwin Williams. I’d highly recommend this strip.
In our master bedroom, I used Sherwin Williams Blonde. Sometimes in certain light, it looks really yellow, other times it just has a nice warm glow. It’s worked well with all my fabrics in that room too.
Blonde looking out to the livingroom with Whole Wheat. This is with no lights on, so it’s taking on a strange tone in this pic.
Kitchen has Laura Ashley Olive 4, which I loved so much in my old kitchen, I brought it over here too. It has quite a bit of yellow and I love this color. If you pick up a chip of this and look at it, you will swear it’s not the same color, since the chip looks so drab.
Downstairs guestbath is Ben Moore, Wedgewood Gray. This is the bath that I painted 3 times til I got the right color. Blues can be SO hard to get right. It’s still hard to really capture this color on camera too, as it is not quite as gray as it looks here.
And the beachy guestroom is painted with Sherwin Williams Rainwashed. It was actually a little more gray than I wanted after I got it finished, since this room gets hardly any natural light, only one window. So I colorwashed over it with an aqua I had around that just gave it a little more brightness. Again, this color is not accurate, it’s more lively than this in real life.
And, the laundry room is done in Behr Grasscloth (at Home Depot). I’ve really enjoyed this color and added it on one wall of my office nook as well.
Trim colors:
Several have asked me before about my white trim paint. It was here when we moved in and I was not about to change it. I took a small little piece and matched it to Lowes Anthem White and it matches my existing color perfectly. I might have picked a little more creamy white if I was choosing from scratch, but the good thing about a brighter white is, it looks great with any color on the wall and makes color pop out.
Other great trim colors that I’ve heard about: Sherwin Williams: Dove White
Benjamin Moore: Decorators White, White Dove, Linen White
So, that’s a wrap up of my favorite paint colors. I left out a couple of my rooms, but these are the main ones. So hop on over the party if you are looking to make some paint changes. You may be inspired by a pic to choose a whole new color for your home! I know I sure love to see what a paint color looks like before I even buy a sample. It helps to see the pic and then I always, always recommend buying a sample quart to test it out in YOUR home before you buy a gallon.
Happy painting!
Hi, Rhoda! This is really helpful, as is the other post you did last year. I have one question, though. What white do you use on your trim? There are so many whites, each with their own special undertones.
Thanks,
Mary Lou
I LOOOOVE that green!
I love your paint choices, Miss Rhoda! 🙂 We have a color very similar to Whole Wheat in most of our downstairs. I love it b/c it is a nice neutral that I can change other things in the room around with, without having "builder's beige" on my walls. 🙂
Rhoda,
very nice colors..I like the green…
Wow, really nice colors I love the green and the blue best. I'm glad to hear about the trial and error. Now I don't feel so bad. My husband hates to hear the word "paint". Sorry to say, I think it is time for a change.
Hmmm, what color will be next?????
Mary Lou, I just went back & edited to include some trim colors, as well as what I have in my house.
Thanks for this post. It is so
timely for me. I was out last
night looking at color cards
trying to decide what color to
paint kitchen and office. So
now I have lots to think about.
Rhoda~you give great advice about choosing paint, especially that just because it looks great in someone else's homes doesn't necessarily mean it will in yours! Trim is so hard to get right as well, so thanks for sharing those. The SW whole wheat swatch is a great one, and I love your greens as well! I'm seriously considering the grasscloth in my laundry room. Have a great day and thanks again for the support on my first blog party!! I really appreciate it~
Is 'Bagel' on that Sherwin Williams strip? Those colors look so similar. And, Bagel is one of my favorites. In this house, we used mainly BM Camoflage…very light green.
To answer your question…I am working on pics to show the house and should have them ready soon. I'll be sure to let you know!
Am loving your blog…you are showing lots of good stuff! Very informative!
Tonja
Rhoda, I don't know how I missed that gorgeous color in your dining room! I have been considering repainting my kitchen, and that is the color I'm considering. It has only been the green for a year (It was russet red for 6 years!), but it has been on my mind constantly lately. I'm going to show my hubby the post on your dining room tonight and see if he rolls his eyes at me or not! Thanks for the tour. You have great taste in green paint (wink!).
Rhoda,
This is an interesting and helpful post. I like that you used the Whole Wheat as the back drop for your main rooms. I think too many colors stop the flow of the rooms and if they do not coordinate, every room looks separate and boxy.
Your advice on using several relating colors on the strip is something I just started doing recently… what a lightbulb moment for Blondie!! You just can't go wrong!! 😉
Thanks again for all of your help!
xoxo
Jane
I love all the paint colors you used, Rhoda. That Wedgewood gray looks very much like the blue I painted my home office, and I really like it. It really is hard to capture the true color in a photo, though. I had trouble finding ones that were accurate representations of what my rooms really look like in person!
Hope you're having a great week! 🙂
Hi Rhoda,
It's such a good idea to use the other colors on a paint chip. The professionals have already done the work for you! 🙂
what great tips. We are extremely picky about paint here and I will ALWAYS get a sample before I buy a gallon. I am surprised at how many people don't!
Rhoda – First of all, a continual thanks for such an informative blog. I don't consider this time
wasted, but rather food for the mind to feather my nest ; which in turn loves my family!
ok- my lr/dr walls are very tall.
it really needs some lovin ;
did you have installed the crown molding & decorative detailing
(what are the pieces in the corners
called?)
hugs and blessings to you for such
a delightful-educational spot.
patti
Rhoda.. That is the second time I've seen the Laura Ashley Olive 4 this morning .. I think I'm in love! Great colors throughout your home.. thanks for sharing.
Debbie
Ahh! Miss Rhoda! I drool everytime I see pics of your home! Truly a lovely place for a lovely woman. I too have the SW Blonde in my kitchen it also makes me smile when I walk in there. I posted some pics of my living room I finally decided on the Ivoire and LOVE it! I'm going to accent with the waverly black country house toile hope to have that finished soon with some pics.
Thanks for all the great tips on how to choose paint colors. I LOVE the Laura Ashley green color! So pretty!
Rhoda – Your colors are wonderful. I totally agree with the blue issue. I am still battling the "blues" for my back entrance. I just need to do it and quit worrying if it is the correct one. I can always paint it again. Thanks as always for the knowledge you share.
Charla
A great color for a hint of blue is from Serena & Lily called "Air".
Very spa-like –