CasaSugar

Ask Casa: I Need a Paint Color

CasaSugar — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 16:00:23 -0700

Hi Casa,

I would love to pick your brain for a quick second. I'm moving into a new apartment and my new room is currently light chocolate brown. My furniture is all dark wood, and most of my other accessories are in the blue/green family. I'm thinking that I'd like to repaint the room (maybe a light shade of green?) but was wondering if you had any advice. Have you seen any amazing lighter colors recently that might work?

Thanks!
Ramya

To see my response, read more.

Hi Ramya,

Without knowing the exact shades of your green and blue accessories, it's hard for me to say exactly what shade of wall color would be best. I can tell you that using a semi-gloss paint will help to visually expand a room, while an eggshell or satin finish will add a more subtle sheen.

Your chocolate brown furniture will add coziness and comfort to any room, while the blue and green accents contribute serenity, calm, and a healing energy to the space. This is a great foundation already!

I agree that changing the light chocolate brown shade on the walls is for the best. I would lean towards a blue-toned neutral. You could go for a crisp white that has a blue-tone base, or go a little more dramatic with a grayer shade, which is very trendy right now. Try Benjamin Moore Gossamer Blue for a refined, blue-tone gray.

I hope this helps!

CasaSugar

If you have a suggestion for paint colors, please leave them below.
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Midday Muse: A Place For Grays

CasaSugar — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 12:00:17 -0700

While not one of the paint colors I immediately gravitate towards, gray can have an immediate and dramatic effect. I love how stunning it looks here, as a background to this romantically red velvet sofa.

Do you have grays on your walls?

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Dressing My Walls: Color-Coordinated Bookshelf

CasaSugar — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 15:35:38 -0700

Just in case you were wondering, yes, I've been working on my walls, too! Last weekend I spent some time reorganizing my bookshelf by color, and I'm kicking myself now for not taking a "before" picture to contrast with the "after," because the difference is truly phenomenal. (And no, that is not my teddybear. It's my fiancé's from when he was a wee thing.)

So my challenge to you this weekend, Casa readers, is to rearrange your bookshelves by color, and send me your photos. Can't wait to see the improvement!

Dressing My Walls: Grouping Art by Color

CasaSugar — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 09:00:16 -0700

These pieces have seemingly little in common save the color. One's a tiny acrylic painting of a cartoonish girl; another a hand silk-screened concert poster; another a welded, upcycled fish sculpture, and the last a collage made by Karen Ondracek. Yet, given the shared color scheme, they all work together.

Hvenbnd's Beautiful Wall Colors

Casa Community — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:00:43 -0800

Su Casa member Hvenbnd recently asked for your advice on wall colors. See how her painting quest has progressed since we last checked in with her.

I posted an earlier entry asking the community for help with picking paint colors. I just could not narrow it down! Finally I discovered Inspired Design. Diane really helped me choose colors that work with my vision, furniture, art and personality. Here is the kitchen in process! All paint is from Sherwin Williams.

Have you made any recent improvements to your home? Show them off in Su Casa!

View 5 Photos ›

Dark Interiors For the Not-So-Dark Decorator

CasaSugar — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 10:00:33 -0700

While many of us are reluctant to stray from the whites and neutrals that currently adorn our walls, there can be a big payoff when you go for bold color. Not sure whether to believe me? Then check out these dark wall colors and wallpapers to see what I mean. You might just be convinced!

View Slideshow ›

In Your House, Do You Prefer White Walls or Color?

CasaSugar — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 04:00:44 -0700

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Ask Casa: Help Me Choose Paint Colors

CasaSugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:00:19 -0800

Hi Casa,

My boyfriend and I are about to move into our first house and I couldn't be happier! I can't wait to get in there and start putting our touch on things! The only problem is that I am having a tough time picking a paint color for the living room.

A few years ago, I bought a set of three prints that I absolutely love. I want to hang them above the sofa in our new place, but I'm having a tough time finding the right paint color to highlight them. When we first bought the prints, our living room was white and they popped beautifully. But now I'm a little sick of white and want to add some color, but I'm not sure what direction to go. The living room in our new place opens onto the dining room, so whatever color we choose will have to continue into the dining room too.

Any suggestions?

Thanks for the help,
KatieMise

To see my suggestion for KatieMise, read more.

Hi Katie,

Great prints! I love them. This isn't a tough one. When choosing a wall color for a wall with artwork, my rule of thumb is always to choose a hue that's an accent in the art piece, but not the primary color. You should choose a complementary color, too. In this case, the background colors of two of your prints are a greenish-blue and a true blue, and in all three prints there is reddish detailing. So, I think a red or watermelon hue would really make your prints pop. Not only are they on the opposite side of the color wheel from those greens and blues, but reddish walls will make the red detailing in your prints pop!

I made a couple of mock-ups to give you an idea. But the best thing to do is head to your paint shop and grab a few samples in these colors, and then bring them home to see what works with your prints. Then, test the paint on your walls before you paint the whole thing. If a whole room in a red color is too much for you, you can always just paint an accent wall and then leave the rest of the walls white. I think it works with the artwork, too, because red is a really important color in Asian culture.

Hope this helps!

Cheers,

Casa

Have You Ever Painted a Mural on Your Walls?

CasaSugar — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 09:00:00 -0700

Whether it was an experiment in your teenage bedroom of yore or a more professional endeavor, tell me: have your walls ever showcased more than simply color?
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Casa Quickie: Making Small Spaces Seem Bigger

CasaSugar — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 08:05:44 -0700

One way to make your small pad seem visually expansive is by exercising a light touch with your color scheme. If you use lighter textiles for upholstery, blond wood for large furniture pieces, and a lighter color palette for your walls, your small space will gain some visual square footage.