My Favorite Paint Colors

I get asked about paint colors a lot.  I thought I'd share my favorite paint colors with you.  First, I 'll share a little trick on viewing color.  I had a client whose entire business was analyzing color.  The FBI was a big client and they worked with organizations that required scientific data and color analysis.  He taught me a little trick that seems completely logical, but never in my interior design training had anyone ever mentioned this.  If you always view your color on a White background, the undertones will appear and you get a truer sense of the color.  I do this for fabrics too.  Have you ever had someone tell you that  a color has Green undertones and to you it just looked like plain Beige?  If you put paint swatches on a White background you will see those undertones.  Obviously, it is important to use a low VOC paint as well.  VOC stands for Volatile Organic Compounds, which are toxins in air vapor within a confined space.  VOC's are found in adhesives, stains, glues and paint.    I like Benjamin Moore's Natura and Sherwin William's Harmony.  To replace an oil base paint finish I like Ben Moore's  Aura.  An oil base paint is used for furniture or anything that requires durability.  However, oil base paint has high VOCs.

Here are my Favs:

 

These are all Historic colors from Ben Moore.  If you are looking for a neutral these are fail safe and are great for the body of a house.

 

These are all Ben Moore colors too.  They are my favorite Blues and Grays which I use a lot in bedrooms, dining rooms, sun rooms, and kitchens. 

 

The first swatch is Ben Moore and the last three are Sherwin Williams.  I use a lot of Black and White in my designs.  Linen White, Creamy White and Tricorn Black are great for cabinetry and trim.  Ceiling bright white is nice for ceilings when you need a White with a hint of Blue.  It is great for kitchens, sun rooms, and bathrooms. 

 

I'll be honest, I don't do bright walls often.  I'd rather the color in the room come from fabric, rugs, art, and accessories.  These are great colors for kid's rooms, guest rooms,  and powder baths.  The first three are Ben Moore and the Red is Sherwin Williams.   These are my favorite.  What are yours?  Please share.  I'll be joining Blue Monday at Smiling Sals andMet Monday at Between Naps on the Porch.  I'm also joining Timeless Tuesday at Paula Grace Designs.  Check out the great posts over there.  FYI, I'm writing about these products without any payment or incentives from either company.  I just like their stuff. 

 

 

   

 

Comments

[Emily {Frilly Details}]

Thanks for sharing! I'm going to start holding my paint samples against a white background.

[Rose]

Thanks, this was very helpful. My favorite color right now is Sea salt by Sherwin Williams. I used it in my daughters' dining room and did a post about it, titled, Beach House Chic. It looks grey until you paint it on and it dries, then it's a very calming spa blue/grey/green.

[Sally]

I like their paints too, and many of your favorites are also favorites of mine. Happy Blue Monday.

[Shy]

Pretty picks!I like the blue and the neautral.

[Manang Kim]

Very helpful information. Trying to find what is the best wall color for a very green carpet ^_^. Happy Blue Monday.

Marbles

[Kristin@Bouelvard Interior Design]

Chocolate looks good with Green. I like BM Jackson Tan HC 46 for Milk Chocolate and Pylmouth Brown HC 73 for Dark Chocolate. I didn't do my favorite Browns.

[Paula Grace]

Hey Kristin,

These are great choices. I use some of these colors as well. I love BM's Historical Colors because they each have some gray in them so they are timeless. You have an exceptional skill for color selection! The white trick ~ yes in deed ~ good point! Thanks for joining Timeless Tuesday!!

Paula Grace ~

[Julie]

I especially like your choice of Black & Whites... Classic! Nice Post!

[Lisa @ Destination Seaborn]

Kristin, I'm loving you right now! I really hate picking out colors! This information is so helpful!
Thanks!

[Kristin@Bouelvard Interior Design]

Hey Lisa, glad I can help. Everyone frets entirely too much over paint. I like a nice warm neutral to build on and have personally used all but the Wilmington Tan in my own homes( y'all know as a military spouse I've had 8 in 16 yrs of marriage). I've had the opportunity (or misfortune, depends how you look at it) to test drive many.

[Sharon]

I was thinking of using either BM Wedgewood Gray or the Palladian Blue that you have here in a bedroom (it is now a BRIGHT turquoise that my daughter painted while in High School). You can see that room from the stairs/hallway and I think it will tie in with the ocean colors in the curtains in the downstairs front windows. I'll put the chips against white to see if it helps me decide! Hope all is well!

[Kristin@Bouelvard Interior Design]

Sharon, Wedgewood Gray would be good for you. You could also consider Nantucket Fog. Although I love love love Palladian Blue, I'd use the colors mentioned above since it is visible from the hall and stairway. Those Blues work a bit better in your house.

[Sharon]

Thanks! You know how challenged I am with color!

[Dream Mom]

That's good information about the undertones. I had heard about viewing paint colors on white, but for a different reason.

I have a neutral paint color that I love, but it's custom mixed. I had it done years ago to match my sofa and loved it. I have continued to use the same color over and over again. It pops against the white crown molding.

[Julia @ Hooked on Houses]

Interesting tip about the white backgrounds! Makes sense but I never thought about it before.