Having picked the wrong paint colours for my condo in the past, a forest green that looked black(!) on my windowless kitchen walls, I agonized over getting it right in my new house.
This time I was careful to chose lighter shades. I know it’s been said a thousands times but it's shocking how much darker paint looks when it’s covering an entire wall, as opposed to a two-inch paint chit.
After perusing numerous sources including the Style Sheet's
What’s Your Favourite Paint Colour blog post, and reading up on
designer-recommended colours, my husband and I chose the following colours:
- Pratt & Lambert Chamois 9-25, a warm Tuscan yellow for our open concept living/dining room, recommended by Calgary designer Paul Lavoie
- Benjamin Moore Smokey Green CC-700, a green that looks grey/blue once applied for the bedroom recommended by Toronto designer Costantino D'Elia
- Benjamin Moore Seahorse 2028-70, a pale yellow-based green for the nursery recommended by Toronto architect Dee Dee Hannah
- Benjamin Moore Mount Saint Anne CC-710, a smoky blue for the bathrooms that’s cool in the summer and warm in the winter recommended by Vancouver designer Paula Arsens
It took four weekends, but our place is finally painted and I’m in love with the results. All my research paid off. I would happily recommend these colours to anyone. Designers really do know their stuff.
Painting is a cheap and easy way to fall in love with your house over and over again. Just remember to pick your colours carefully, choose quality paint, and when it doubt, always opt for the lighter shade.