Let's talk about all the good things and the bad things that paint can bring, so let's talk about it! Choosing a paint color is like choosing where to eat on a Friday night, the options are endless. Why are there so many shades of grey? How can white be any more different than the next white? How do you pick a color to brighten a room or make it feel more cozy? These questions plague the mind of anyone looking to spruce up their spaces.
Did you know that there are depths and undertones within a grey, white or beige paint color that can be geared more towards green, blue and even purple? It is important to understand what undertones and depths you're wanting to achieve before deciding on a paint color. Do you want more of a blue-grey vibe or a grey-blue? Sounds the same to the every day person, but they are completely different to the every day designer.
Painting can be cumbersome, it's a daunting task and you don't really know once you're done painting, if you will get the look you were hoping for. This totally has happened to me (check the baby blue walls below). But painting can truly give your home the facelift it so desperately needs. Look at this fireplace resurfacing we did at our previous home. Just by painting the exposed brick white and painting the inside of the fireplace black, it completely updated the focal point of our home.
Did you know that a room can look totally different when the day is overcast than when the day is bright and sunny? The weather can affect how the paint on your walls are displayed. Knowing how much natural light is invited in by your windows or doors can make or break your paint color decisions. Most brands of paint have interactive virtual design tools on their websites that can help you visualize your space with the different paint options at a click of a button.
Because our living room only truly has one source of natural light, which were the patio doors, we had to choose a paint color that would feel fresh and bright but that was also cozy and warm, so we went with Sherwin Williams Repose Grey.
Though choosing a paint is half the battle, the other battlefront is making sure that painting is done right. If you're wanting to go from a darker wall color to a lighter one, purchasing a paint with a primer is always your best bet. I personally think that choosing a built in primer is essential if the roles were reversed, say for instance, going from a lighter wall to a darker wall. I know priming is an additional step that will require more time in getting the overall project done, but it is totally worth it! Primer helps smooth out your walls, it brings out the true natural color of the chosen paint and 9 times out of 10, there are no doubts that what you picked is what you're going to get. If you're going to take on the task of painting the walls yourself, make sure you have all of the necessary supplies to do a good job: blue tape, a plastic tarp to lay on the floor, good painting brushes & rollers for the corners and ceiling and a few painting pads. If you're like me, who would rather pay a professional to do the work for you, make sure you've done your research and have found a reputable company with an extensive portfolio that displays their work.
Ivyleaf Tip: I have found some of the best painters walking the painting aisles of Home Depot, Lowes or Sherwin Williams storefront on an early Saturday morning.
If I haven't made it very clear thus far, I am a true advocate of painting the interior and/or exterior, especially if the space looks dated and uninviting. Though there are ways that I've revamped a space with wall art, floating shelves and greenery, if there's room in the budget to paint the interior, I almost always suggest it as an interior decorator. Sometimes even adding a darker accent wall to compliment the lighter walls can give your space the warmth it needs while still keeping it fresh and inviting. One of the darker grey's I love is Sherwin Williams Casual Grey.
If you've been following my blog for a while, I always like to post the work that I've done, personally. All of these photos are from my previous home and I wanted to show you that interior decorating has always been a passion, even when I didn't recognize it. I like to be as transparent and as helpful as possible so if you have any questions on which paint colors to choose for your home, send me an email at hello@ivyleafinterior.com
But for now, if you want to go it alone- here is a list of my favorite paint colors by brand and by shade:
Grey
Sherwin Williams- Repose Grey
Benjamin Moore- Stonington Grey
Benjamin Moore - Rockport Grey
Whites
Sherwin Williams- Aesthetic White
Sherwin Williams- Snowbound
Benjamin Moore- Chantilly Lace
Blacks
Sherwin Williams- Black Magic
Benjamin Moore- Black Beauty
Blues
Sherwin Williams- Debonair
Sherwin Williams- Bracing Blue
Sherwin Williams- Indigo Batik (bold, darker blue)
If you're going to use one of the paint options above, take a before and after picture and tag @ivyleaf_interior on insta!
-Jeannelly Jay
www.ivyleafinterior.com
hello@ivyleafinterior.com