Okay, it's time for you to help me choose a new paint color for our living room. Like I mentioned recently, we will probably be moving over the summer, and I want to prepare now (as in possibly this weekend since Tim will be gone and I think he secretly despises it when I paint). One of the biggest problem areas, in my opinion, is the living room and all its greenness. Green is sort of a love or hate color; everyone sees greens differently, and I have a feeling there will be some people who see our living room and think: GAH! It's the 1970s all over again! As a matter of fact, I am starting to feel that way. Therefore I think it would be better to pick a more neutral color for our main living space that most everyone will find soothing. I am leaning towards browns.
So, lurkers, friends, family: please chime in and let me know what you think! I don't care if you have never commented, or if you comment several times on each post! Tell me what you think! Keep in mind that we live in Tucson (desert), that our floor tile and carpet are light brown, the tile grout is dark brown, the tile and grout are 'baseboards' around the living room, and that you can see the brown kitchen from the living room. I do not intend to repaint the blue entryway wall (unless several of you insist that it needs to be changed).
Do you think a shade of brown is appropriate? Or should I repaint it to match the 'white-like' color of the rest of the living room?
Here are a couple of contenders:
A Ralph Lauren 'suede' paint, most likely in 'mochernut' (make that 'Ayers Rock!', or 'Fawn's Leap'? - no peach, no peach!), or maybe a 'cedar key' or 'oakridge' from Pottery Barn. Do you like any of these? What is your favorite? Tell me your thoughts!
15 comments:
I'm all for the brown tones you picked, though I can't decide which. I kind of that the cedar key's a nice neutral that would probably make a room look bigger, and your base boards would stand out more. The darker you go, the more "cozy" you get. You guys have a decent sized living room too, so either way would work. I like all 3. That doesn't help, does it.. But I did hear that when trying to decide, instead of painting a strip on the wall, paint a large piece of (white)poster paper to get a better idea of what the room would look like. Good luck! I love this stuff! I just wish I could find time to do it. Are you getting a sitter? Do you need help with the actual painting?
I like the oak ridge color. It is close to what I painted Nicholas' room. I am not a big fan of the really dark browns although the ralph lauren suede is nice. Good luck!!!
Heather
I like the Cedar Key. It is very neutral and soft. (plus anything from Pottery Barn is a favorite of mine) I painted the outside of my house Pottery Barn Hale Navy. I'm not a big fan of the blue and since it is the 1st impression someone will get when they walk in the house, I'd tone it down to a neutral color too. Maybe the Oak Ridge in the entry? I don't think the green is bad though. I think it looks really nice and not 70's.
Why buy those expensive paints when you are going to be moving? (Maybe have Home Depot just copy the PB color?) I'm guessing the suede paint will be a pain to apply, but I could be wrong (but I do know it is expensive!)
I like the taupe color that shows through the arched window from the living room. I think, if possible, it looks really great when one color is used throughout many rooms. That is one of the reasons I was so happy to buy our house (I know it is so dumb), but almost every single room was painted the same tan color. It made everything flow really nicely! So, I say go with something that coordinates with the other rooms that you can see from there!!
P.S. I would definitely paint the blue wall the same color as the final living room color!!
I like all those colors you have in there, but you will definitely appeal to more buyers with the neutral!!
I like the Cedar Key and the more neutral tone of it. I agree, though, buy a cheaper paint. Home Depot's paint is actually rated really highly and goes on well.
The only way I would use a name-brand paint would be if I did a suede (I think they only come in the expensive name brands). If I did that, it would be to make someone fall in love with the house. Paint can do that, I know!
But otherwise, I will just take my printout of color to Home Depot and have them match it.
So, at least 2 of you think I need to re-paint the blue entryway. Anyone else have any thoughts on that? If I do re-paint it, I'm leaning towards the suede. It's expensive, but it looks SO COOL when it's done. Thoughts?
Also, Deborah: are you OFFERING to help me PAINT?
How on earth are you going to paint with TWO toddlers with Tim out of town (again)? I am mystified. Beyond mystified, actually. Bewildered. Please share. All my walls are white and they are driving me crazy.
I love the green and love the blue (even more). It's Tucson for heaven's sake. But then again, I left Catherine's orange and yellow room when we put our house on the market, which, in hindsight, was not very smart. But at least can't you keep the blue? I love the blue!
P.S. The "mochernut" looks like it might have too much peach in it.
Um, yeah. Painting with 2 toddlers and no backup. I'm not sure how I plan to do this yet. Naptimes and bedtimes?
Need more votes on the blue, everyone! I like it, and it is Tucson, but it is also quite bright. Votes! Votes!
I love the blue as well but if I was trying to sell my home, I would probably try to tone it down a bit.
Heather
I am totally biased because my entire house is essentially the Pottey Barns's Oakridge. But I have loved it for 3 years! There is a cohesiveness, and calmness to a house with just one color. Plus, it appears bigger. (NO, pink in my poor kiddos rooms, maybe next move) I have noticed all of the builders in our area picking a variety of this boring color...it must appeal to the masses. We are in the same boat PCSing this summer...I have already started loading up excess crap to the storage unit down the street. My vote is buy a paint gun and do the whole house in one go, it'll be so much quicker. Moving with toddlers certainly makes life fun! Wish I didnt have to try to paint over the thousands of baby prints on my nonwashable flat painted walls! Who puts flat paint on walls, ugh!!! PS Your girls are dolls! Best of luck, at least houses are still selling in Tucson! I will live in Wichita Falls the rest of my life! Noelle (de-lurking)
Noelle, thanks for the comments and ideas! Where are you PCSing to?
Is it too late to vote on your paint colors? I LOVE the green wall! As you've already been told, the blue is lovely but has to go. However, I think the entry should be the same color as the living room, anything else will detract from the green when you're in the living room looking that way. Unless I'm messed up on where's what in your house.
I also vote for Hong Kong.
Love, Aunt Phyllis
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