Need recommendations for neutral paint colors

[CassieInVa]

I'm finally getting around to painting my interior. I've been living with the golden/yellow from previous owner for a year and still no closer to finding the right color. This is basically for the entire house - all main living will be same color - perhaps slightly darker tone in kitchen to offset granite, etc.

I have dark laminate floors, but tile and granite that must coordinate. I guess it is overall more warm tones, but I don't want it to look gold or yellow or off white.

I feel I want a neutral like on the design shows - doesn't look too tan or too gray - something in the middle that is ,pre warm than cool - like a light taupe. I'm considering Wheat Bread by Behr - but looks a bit cool on sample.

I've been to the paint stores, looked at samples and paint wheels and even painted a few sample boards, but they all seem to come out with green, gray or pink tint. Looking for the perfect warm neutral I guess.

I know there is a lot of painting and redecorating/design that goes on here in The Villages. Please feel free to recommend! I'm going to try to attach a few pics. Thanks!

[kfierle]

If you have a smartphone, the app called Paint Harmony Lite (use the free app) may be a great help in selecting a color. Just take a picture of the room and select from colors in all brands of paint. If you see a color you might like, just tap the picture of your room and it fills in the walls and leaves the furniture. It was a great help to me when deciding what color to paint. I made sure I used the app with pictures taken at different times of the day in order to see how the paint reacted to different light.

I know this does not answer your question, but it might help you select the perfect color.

[CassieInVa]

Wow, thanks I had not heard of this..... going to try it....

[Bjeanj]

Ruth Dyer is a decorator who has a column in Saturday's paper. She has often used paint color Interactive Cream (I think Sherwin-Williams) that seems to coordinate with much decor. You may want to check out that paint sample to see if it fits with what you are looking for.

[Investment Painting Contractors]

Cassie we sent you a PM

[theorem painter]

The only way you are going to know is buy the small paint pots like the ones Sherwin Williams carry. Paint it on a section of your wall and look at it in different lights. Much easier than looking at paint decks.

[CassieInVa]

Sally, I have been doing the paint sample on the wall route, it is just that there are thousands of colors similar to what I'm looking for and was just hoping for specific ones that I could try that have worked for others. It is a process!

[Phanatic Luvr]

Wow, I am NOT a yellow kind of girl but think the colors you have now, compliment everything. I love the faux painting in the kitchen. Just an outsiders opinion of course.
Maybe an Antique White or Vanilla if you want a neutral.

[Investment Painting Contractors]

Cassie Mary and I can show you a whole house that is painted in various shades of taupe, that from looking at your pictures could be a solution. We are just trying to help, there is no charge or obligation. 352-205-8213

[jnieman]

I have something that I will loan you that should help you out. Recently I went to Sherwin Williams and was having a problem choosing. I asked for a booklet of paint colors. Thinking I was just getting a small folder with paint colors. He came out with a huge fan of colors that he gave me. Must have about a thousand or more Sherwin Williams paint swatches in it. If you are interested in borrowing it, email me at jnieman@aol.com. I live in Hadley

[ticotom]

You might consider Sherwin Williams
Navajo White SW 6126
We found it to be a great color you get it at Lowes or Sherwin Willams
You can get a brochure at Lowes in their paint department under their American Heritage color collection.
Hope this helps

[Boomer]

Neutrals are hard for me, too. All those neutral shades have undertones that I don't always think I see.

Sometimes, after I narrow it down, I ask the person who mixes the paint what colors are in the formula. That has helped me several times to better see the undertones, which will determine the color effect that can drive or complement or really mess with a room.

[theorem painter]

Sally, I have been doing the paint sample on the wall route, it is just that there are thousands of colors similar to what I'm looking for and was just hoping for specific ones that I could try that have worked for others. It is a process!

Yes, it is definitely a process. First of all I am not a neutral kind of gal. All of the pictures you showed are neutral. Your furniture is beige. Your cabinets are white. Your kitchen furniture is white. You need some color. I would not repaint the faux painting in the kitchen. It is beautiful. I have the same faux painting in the kitchen that I did my self. I painted the rest of the walls a shade of apricot that gives enough interest not to be boring. Remember it is only paint. If you make a mistake, you repaint it. One thing I have learned is never make the decision that you hate it until you have all the furniture back in the room and the pictures hung. You have some blue in your rug. Maybe a coastal blue green like "In Your Eyes" by Benjamin Moore. Good luck. What ever you choose will be great.

[HoosierPa]

We have built and remodeled many homes and been there done that many times. Best way we have found is to walk through decorated models in new home delvelopments and when one of the finished models is just what you like, take out your color wheel and match it up

[Boomer]

This is a long shot, but take a look at Behr's Country Cork.........

I have used this on the highest part of a tray ceiling with Smoked Tan on the walls. In the part that transitions from the walls, I used Greywood. (I wish Greywood had shown up with a little more contrast with the Smoked Tan, but I can live with it.) The effect of the combination is warm but not too yellow. (I was working backwards from an adjoining master bath that had been newly tiled in gray when we bought the house.)

Behr's Country Cork and Smoked Tan worked out really well for me. I had been agonizing over Behr's Coordinated Palettes, online, between trips to the paint department. I was pulling gray and cream and dark wood together. I finally got what works, for me. I bought a wonderful, colorful painting at one of the art shows here. That painting makes a joyful statement above a desk between two windows in the room.

My favorite thing about using shades of neutral is that it is so easy to pop in accesories and art with lots of color.

Well, I think it is way too obvious that I like to talk about decorating. I have been that way since I was a kid and took an antiquing kit to my bedroom furniture, rendering it a hideous shade of olive/avocado green that I thought was beautiful. But, hey, it was the 60s so it was.

Anyway, maybe take a look at Behr's Country Cork.

Earlier in this thread, I said that I sometimes ask the person mixing the paint what is in the formula. I cannot remember exactly, but I think that one was rust and black and a small touch of some version of yellow -- but not much. I might be remembering wrong. I just know Country Cork worked for what I was trying to do because it was not toooooo anything and pulled things together.

Good luck with your choices.

Boomer

PS: I just looked again at your pictures. Country Cork or maybe even Smoked Tan might pull your stainless appliances nicely into the mix with the creams and dark browns. ------ Ohhhhh, I blush but must confess that nosey me is hoping you will let us know how it goes. :)

[Boomer]

Good morning,

Here I am, still in this thread, ready again to go on and on about the nuances of neutrals. And I am following my own post which means either that I am talking to myself or being excruciatingly tacky in the world of posting protocol......or both. I can't stay out of decorating threads.

Anyway, all I want to say today is to let the OP know that the decorating feature in Saturday's Sun, on E6, talks about a neutral called Bagel. There are pictures, too.

Boomer

[CassieInVa]

Boomer, thanks for the heads up. I think I still have that section and haven't read it yet!

[JSR22]

Good morning,

Here I am, still in this thread, ready again to go on and on about the nuances of neutrals. And I am following my own post which means either that I am talking to myself or being excruciatingly tacky in the world of posting protocol......or both. I can't stay out of decorating threads.

Anyway, all I want to say today is to let the OP know that the decorating feature in Saturday's Sun, on E6, talks about a neutral called Bagel. There are pictures, too.

Boomer

The living areas in my house is bagel with accents 2 shades darker. I have had a lot of compliments on the color. I did not pick it out. Scooters painted my house and Glo one of the owners did the colors for the entire house. Looking at the pictures I think my tile is the same as the OP.

[CassieInVa]

Wait, is your username bagel and your paint color is bagel? Lol would you happen to have any photos that I could look at? I'm going to get a paint sample of that and try it. Thanks!

[PennBF]

Do Painters in the State of Florida have to be or can be "Licensed"? Thanks for the info.:ho:

[Investment Painting Contractors]

Do Painters in the State of Florida have to be or can be "Licensed"? Thanks for the info.:ho:

Good question, I always read about painters being licensed but unless something has changed Ill quote from a letter I received Dated 6/28/07 from Tom Swains office. "IN ACCORDANCE TO SUMTER COUNTY ORDINANCE 2007-01 THE SUMTER COUNTY TAX COLLECTORS OFFICE WILL ABOLISH THE SALE OF BUSINESS TAX LICENSE FORMALLY KNOWN A OCCUPATIONAL LICENSE ON JULY 31ST 2007. THIS ISSUE WAS VOTED ON AND PASSED BY THE SUMTER BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ON January 9TH 2007." This is for Sumter county I don't know about Lake or Marion. To be safe ask to see their License when you check their insurance.

[Chatbrat]

Word to the wise think twice about personalizing any house, unless you plan on living in it till you croak, if its short term stick with the basic Villages paint that comes in all new houses of your particular model

Went thru a couple of premier's the other day would have had to spend mucho $$ if we wanted to buy--to remove the previous owner's color scheme & wall paper choices

One of the houses is 2 years old

[CassieInVa]

Well I'm not sure if I'm going to croak in this house, but I can't imagine not painting it to my liking. I'm not painting it anything wild, but a bit of color instead of builders white/cream works better for me. After all, I have to live here and I want to enjoy it.

[Investment Painting Contractors]

Its your house pick what you like. Most houses in the Villages can be repainted for under $2000. Your home should reflect your personal taste, and be your sanctuary where you can feel comfortable. Good luck with whatever you choose.

[Medtrans]

The only way you are going to know is buy the small paint pots like the ones Sherwin Williams carry. Paint it on a section of your wall and look at it in different lights. Much easier than looking at paint decks.

Actually better to paint sample on a poster board. That way you can move it to different areas of the room to check how it looks in different light.

[CassieInVa]

Yes, I've purchased some of those sticky paint sheets they have in Home Depot. I'm just searching for a nice taupe-ish neutral - like a model home. Not too green, not too blue. It is not easy! Thanks for all of the recommendations!

[Boomer]

I just learned that our house's exterior colors are Sherwin-Williams Accessible Beige with Tony Taupe trim. You might want to google those two colors to see if they can lead you in the right direction. I think it looks warm-ish.......Or it DID until the rabbits ate my roses.

[Investment Painting Contractors]

Our offer to show you a complete house which is painted in various shades of Taupe inside and out still stands. Looking at your pictures it could be your solution Mary 352-205-8213

[Boomer]

I am getting ready to give our guest bathroom a little makeover. Nothing major. But I need to find a paint color like the ones we talked about in this thread last spring.

I am glad I remembered this thread and found it because the OP was looking for close to the same kind of color that I now need. So I am going back through the posts.

I want a warm, medium depth tone, maybe not quite camel but getting close. Not too much gold but not drab either. I plan to check out bagel and wheat bread mentioned here.

Additional suggestions welcome.

[HimandMe]

Your colors look wonderful now but I understand wanting a change. As mentioned the light to dark Browns give lots of choice but if they are too timid for you, I've seen "some" reds that work and a faux look that uses your existing color as background adding in two or three other colors from your home in a pleasing design on top of it. It has a fantastic look.

The "right" peach may work and avocado from the Traditional paints at Home Depot if you want deeper lux look.

60293

[HimandMe]

This is darker than I think you are looking for

[springfield]

call Sherwin Williams and ask for their paint consultant, Donna Gould. There is a $75 charge but you get $50 credit for paint. She is amazing in helping you pick the right color. There are so many thing to consider light the light at different times of day, your furnishings, what makes you feel good.

[jnieman]

We just finished our room. We painted our living room and kitchen a two tone with a chair rail in between. The bottom is a goldish brown and the top a creamy white with white chair rail. Also just bought a new rug and put it down. Here's a pic. If you are interested in our paint color or want to come see, let me know.

[JAV0108]

I would recommend a soft blue/grey. It will go great with your dark floors and also your furniture and pillows and your granite. Just my opinion. Your house is beautiful by the way.

[CassieInVa]

I guess this post was resurrected. I just had surgery so the painting was put off for a bit. The current color scheme is just a bit too mustardy/gold, especially considering some of the furnishings.

I'm appreciating all of the input. I think a gray or blue might clash with the brown in the tiles in the kitchen. I've looked into extending my laminate into the kitchen, so then I wouldn't have to coordinate a color that goes with both the granite and the tile, but I'm told that I would have to have a T bar or moulding between the two and I don't like that idea. Oh well, I will figure it out eventually!