DON’T FEAR A SHIFT OUT OF NEUTRAL
Sick of grey? Dark, deep colours make a comeback
Fear of colour is a common condition among homeowners who long to escape the beige trap but are afraid of making a mistake. For those who feel timid about spinning the colour wheel, first, stop and consider how fearlessly nature combines a whole world of contrasting and complementary shades, then seek out the advice of an expert if you need further reassurance.
Sue Wadden, director of colour marketing for Sherwin-Williams offers solutions for common colour problems and reveals her criteria for choosing the perfect shade of white.
Q I would love your suggestions for choosing a shade of white for all rooms in an open floor plan. Any suggestions, also on trim?
A Finding just the right white can be daunting. I’m a fan of the Goldilocks principle when it comes to white: not too cold (sterile), and not too hot (yellow). I call the whites done right “neutral whites,” which include Heron Plume, Alabaster and Origami White. If you’re looking for a shade darker, try Egret White, Eider White or City Loft. For trim, try Extra White or Pure White.
Q I plan to paint the first floor of my house a single colour to make it appear larger and more unified. Can you suggest some grey paints that are on the warmer side?
A I love warm greys. My favourites are Repose Grey, Agreeable Grey, Fleur de Sel and Popular Grey. These are very nice light greys that trend warm. If you want something a bit darker, just move down the strip a shade or two deeper in the same colour family.
Q I hit the jackpot when I painted my den the Sherwin-Williams colour Whole Wheat, which looks gorgeous day and night. But I just can’t make a decision about my fairly large old kitchen. We just installed unfinished upper and lower cabinets. I tend to like Tuscany-style colours and I’m not averse to painting the upper and lower cabinets different colours.
A Dover White is a timeless white that is consistently a top pick for whites. I’d suggest painting your upper cabinets Dover White and keeping your base cabinets wood. This would allow for a soft colour on the wall, such as a warm grey or soft grey-green, which would balance the Whole Wheat den. For grey, try Mindful Grey or Colonnade Grey. For a grey-green, try Comfort Grey or Contented.
Q My husband and I have been arguing over what colour to paint our front door. We have a red-brick row house with a white door, white door frame, black shutters and white windows. I wanted a yellow front door, and he thought that was too bold. We compromised on a blue door. We were looking for a cross between a dark blue and bright blue and settled on Sherwin-Williams’ Naval. What’s your take?
A Your doorway is the entry point of your home, so why not use the opportunity to showcase a fabulous colour? And Naval is a fabulous colour. What I like best about this particular blue is that it’s a bit brighter than the standard navy. Based on the criteria you were looking for, I think you and your hubby made a fabulous choice.
Q I just bought a charcoal couch and chairs that have a pattern (white with grey and a pop of royal blue). I’m pairing them with a white shag rug on dark hickory floors that have a touch of grey. Would I want a warm grey or a cool grey on the walls? The adjoining dining room is painted slate blue.
A I generally recommend a warm or neutral grey versus a cool grey. Here’s why: Cool greys can change colour on the wall and appear blue. Check out Repose Gray.
Q I’m not afraid of colour, but I’m also not thrilled with how all new homes have the same “grey” look. I want something fresh and new. Suggestions?
A We’ve been seeing grey in design for five or six years now, and the trend is starting to shift to warmer neutrals. I am not suggesting beige is coming back, but we are seeing neutrals in balance, meaning grey, taupe, cream and ecru together to create a beautiful, harmonious palette.
Here is my rule of thumb for bringing colour into the home. Stick with odd numbers and select three, five or seven colours, plus trim, in a coordinated palette (meaning select colours of the same value — for example, five middle-of-the-strip colours). Or, alternatively, choose colours on the same strip in varying shades. I am loving the resurgence of dark colours, such as berries, charcoals and deep greens. The impact can be stunning, and we have been in a neutral universe for the past five years, so it’s fun to get back to colour!