Color Buzz

Design Dilemma - Living Room Color Compromise

Hi,

We are trying to choose a new color scheme for our living room. My husband would like to do the whole room in bright red, but I think this would make the room feel too small. It is the largest room in our house at 13x17. Ideally I'd like a color scheme that would make the fire place wall and the wall with the clock behind the couch accent feature walls. The other walls have a lighter earthy tone. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you!

Kim D., Salem, NH

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Dear Kim,

Thank you for sending the photo. It makes it much easier to figure out the right direction. Your instincts are right about the earthy tones. Take a look at Dakota Trail for the two walls you're thinking of -- this color has a hint of khaki in it which would allow the reds in the fireplace to come out making it a good color for an accent wall. This may make your husband happy. Try Woodlawn Misty Morn on the other walls, it's slightly lighter in tone. For the wall going up the stairs, I would try Epic as it is slightly deeper and would add more dimension to the room.

Dakota Trail 6008-3B	Woodlawn Misty Morn 6008-3A	Epic 6008-3C

Let us know how it goes. Happy painting!

Ann

Design Dilemma – Newlywed Bedroom Color

Hi!

I am getting married in 7 weeks and my fiancé and I are looking for the right color to paint our bedroom.  I’d like it to be warm, in the yellow family without it being too bright of a yellow.  If a color had a smell, it would smell like almond and vanilla. I’m attaching a picture of the bedding we’re using, but the walls in the picture are lighter than I’d like ours to be. Any suggestions? Thank you!

Erin K., Waco, TX

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Hi Erin,

Love that bedding.  Those colors are so cozy and sophisticated at the same time. 

For a deep warm vanilla try looking at:

Prairie Dance 3006-10A (most neutral)	Belle Grove Light Amber 3006-8B
Redstone Dining Room	Honeysuckle Beige 3007-6A (most yellow).

Let us know if these colors are in the right direction. Try some of the sample pots.  It's always good to take a little test run.

All the best,

Ann

Design Dilemma – Jill’s Kitchen

Hello!

My kitchen cabinets are a solid maple surface called "Oatmeal Crunch." We have cream accents in the adjoining dining room. I need a color to make the cabinets look richer in tone. We have too much yellow and it’s a bit overwhelming. I need a paint color that allows the cream furniture to pop but that is not overpowering. I’d like a calming color, if possible. Suggestions please!!!

Jill A., Pana, IL

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Hi Jill,

You could go in two directions to take the edge off the yellow. First, take a look at some neutrals that are similar, but go in a cooler direction. These will tie the yellows together but neutralize them and create a more sophisticated look. You can add accents of burgundy or rust to add some punch. 
           
Shoreline Haze 6008-1B  Dakota Trail 6008-3B      Milestone 6007-1B

The other direction to consider is with cool colors. These will read color on the walls. They will let the cabinets stand out but also offer a cool element to the space. 

     
Lament Blue 5001-5A    Journal Book 4004-5A

Let us know how it goes and happy painting!

Best,
Ann

Design Dilemma - Pairing Paint with Existing Furniture

Hello!

What colors do you recommend for the walls to match the couches?

Thanks!

Ana L., Oakland, IL

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Hi Ana,

Depending on the direction you’d like to take, here are a few suggestions:

For a deep romantic look you could try: 

 

Berry Brandy 1005-9B

For a cool casual look you could try:

       
Sand Storm 2004-10B  or   Balance 2004-10C

Based on the photo, I would suggest looking at colors that have a touch of rose to them. Let us know if you need additional colors.

Best,
Ann

Design Dilemma: Pairing Paint with Peach

Hello!

I’m getting married in May of 2011 and I’m looking for color advice. I would like suggestions of colors that go with peach. Do you have any recommendations?  

Thanks,

Yvonne

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Hi Yvonne,

Congratulations on your engagement! Peach is a great color and we will certainly see more of it this year. Peach is very flattering for almost every skin tone so painting a room this color is a smart idea for those who want a glowing complexion.

One of my favorite peach partners is a soft, gray khaki. Muted khaki allows peach to be the focus, while supporting it with green undertones. Look at Shoreline Haze, Milestone and Oatbran. Other colors that go well with peach are silvers, warm lavenders like Brushed Lavender or Timid Violet, gray sages like Mellow Spring or Pale Pastures, chocolate browns like Rich Chocolate or Lyndhurst Mahogany and taupes like Lilac Gray, Dusky Hyacinth and La Fonda Mindoro.  Of course, you can't go wrong with pairing it with other peaches. 

          
Shoreline Haze 6008-1B   Milestone 6007-1B         Oatbran 6006-1B

          
Brushed Lavender 4001-3B    Timid Violet 4001-3A

          
Mellow Spring 5007-3B    Pale Pastures 5006-3A

          
Rich Chocolate 1005-9A   Lyndhurst Mahogany 2002-9A

             
  Lilac Gray 1003-9C   Dusky Hyacinth 1003-10A   La Fonda Mindoro 1004-10A

 Have fun! Peach is a cheerful, happy color and any room would be lucky to be painted in it.

Best of luck,

Ann McGuire

Design Dilemma: Melissa's Bathroom

Dear Ann,

I have a small bathroom with the old style, aqua-bluish tub/toilet and sink. What color paint should be used to calm those down? The floor has a very light shade of blue tile and the counter top is white with blue swirls and stained woodwork.

Thanks,

Melissa

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Hey Melissa,

When you have a color you want to downplay, the first rule is "don't fight it". Find a soft neutral that will subdue the tone, and then bring in accents with colors to distract the eye. In your case, with aqua, I would go with a neutral that has a touch of green/gray to harmonize with the green of the dominant color. Take a look at Cliveden Mist or White Scallion. Then bring in colors you do want to emphasize through your shower curtain, towels and bath mat/rug. Try bringing in rusts or deep coral/roses in small doses. You could also try bringing in navy which can look very crisp and modern against aqua. Let us know how it goes!

Best,

Ann

                                   
               Cliveden Mist 6007-1A                  White Scallion 6006-3A

Design Dilemma: Pat's Family Room

Dear Ann,

I'm looking for help on colors for our family room. The picture is of the fireplace wall and shelving. Our trim is a medium oak and I am planning to put in new light and floor tile. I would like to use neutral colors which also have style and aren’t bland. What do you suggest? More than one color suggestion would be appreciated!

Thanks,

Pat

Design Dilemma: Liz's Sitting Room

Hi,

I am looking for a color to make my sitting room warm and cozy. I need to work around the existing furniture, which includes a sage green sofa and a deep red leather chair, as well as laminate flooring with browns/oranges in it, and deep red fabric for drapes, with small bits of deep caramel, cinnamon, and pale apricot in it. The room faces east, with two large windows on the east side, for lots of natural light, particularly in the morning. I am considering colors such as caramel, cinnamon, or even a pale dusty apricot, but am struggling with what will be the best fit. Any color suggestions? Please be specific so I can go pick up a sample pot. Thanks so much for your help!

Liz

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Hi Liz,

Thanks for your inquiry! It looks like you see gorgeous light in that room.  Because you have a lot of existing elements, I'm going to give you a few colors to consider.  They range from golden tones to more peach/apricot tones. Let me know what you think! 

                 
      Laredo 2004-5C  Oatlands Gold Buff 3004-8A  Belle Grove Light Amber 3006-8B

                    
   Warm Buff 3002-10A     Sweet Cardamom 2006-5C   Montpelier Peach 2006-6B

Best wishes,
Ann and the Beehive Studios Team

Design Dilemma: Letisha's Kitchen

Hi,

I painted my kitchen a Valspar shade of brown. I love the color but do not know the name. Now that it is on my walls, I don't know what to do with the new color. I like calm greens, golden shades, and elegant jewel tones in any range and would like to incorporate it with my new wall color. Help me enjoy my kitchen! I appreciate your help.

Letisha

Design Dilemma – Pairing Paint with Carpet

Hi!

I just installed wall to wall leopard carpet in my sunroom. What color can I paint the walls that will warm up this very bright room, keeping in mind that it is a very small space (11x15).

Thanks!

Kim

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Hi Kim,

I understand you are looking to create a warm and cozy space. Without having the fabric of the sofa and the carpet, I can give you a few suggestions that you can see which works the best.

Here are three color choices:

Oregon Coast 6007-1C – This color casts off an olive/green shade.

Warm Buff – This color has beautiful golden tones.

Coral Gables Biltmore Mediterranean Caramel – This shade has a toasty feel.

These are all mid-toned colors. You don't seem to have a lot of wall space and lots of light, which is why I'm going in this direction. If you don’t want to go this deep, you might also want to look at the colors above them on the chip.

Let us know how it goes.

Best,

Ann