The "Wow!" Effect - Part 3 Add Some Color

The first time we painted a rehab with something other than white, beige, or other neutral color it felt risky. However, what we found was that color creates a "Wow!" when used the right way in coordination with the other elements of the house. We do however stick to very basic and complementary colors that seem to be everywhere (and popular) these days. The good news is the paint department at Lowes and Home Depot has already figured out what colors fit together with all those color strips. We do not cheap out on the paint quality and usually $5/gal makes a big difference in how the paint spreads and covers. The last rehab we used 24 gallons of interior paint which equals a difference of $120 more than the cheap stuff - I highly recommend you do the same, it'll pay off.

The Valspar website has a pretty cool on-line digital painter program that can be a great starting point when considering colors. When the Palette is displayed select "Modify Palette " and then the "Our Suggestions" Tab. The screen shots to the right should help.

We use no more than 3 colors per house with gloss white one of the colors for the baseboards, trim and doors.   We usually use a neutral color in the larger rooms like living rooms and colors in the bedrooms and kitchens.  We do not get too crazy with multiple colors in the same room.  If you are uncertain what to do in a room use the neutral color and remember if the color does not fit with the flooring, cabinets, etc. don't force it.

We are creatures of habit and when something works we do it over and and over.  Every once in a while we'll try something new but for the most part stick to the same colors.  Here's some examples of the colors we've used.

Kitchen rehab - We refaced the cabinetsand installed granite, added a piece of trim to the plant shelf and painted it white, nice green on the walls, faux stainless applicance package from Lowes, and last the cool lights rather than the old track lights.  Tile floors came with the house.

Bedroom Rehab - They had an ugly peach color and had cut a hole in the wall to the closet for something? We added hardwood floors (bamboo our favorite), gloss white on the trim and doors, patched the hole in the closet and replaced the shelving, and took a chance with the yellow. We also painted the adjacent bathroom the same yellow color. The windows were also trimmed out and painted gloss white. In the end the room popped and had a nice clean modern look to it.

 

One of the neutral colors we use extensively is made by Valspar as part of the Earth Elements collection.  It creates a nice contrast to wood floors and white woodwork.

Jan and I discuss the colors all the time and when we can't agree I usually give into her. Remember men are color blind.

Good luck in rehab!