Our Painted Living Room With Pigeon by Farrow & Ball

You saw it in Casual Friday first. We painted the living room–like all of it. I chose a trusted color, one I've used before and recommended to many–Pigeon by Farrow & Ball. We first used Pigeon in our home office, 5 years ago and decided it was time for it to make a comeback. I think I've been wanting to bring it back for a while now and I can't think of a better place for it than our entire living room.

Before

After

And a little reminder of what this room looked like before we even installed new flooring.

The before before

The living room today

This is a mood-ring of a paint color and I couldn't love it more.

Just recently we shared the living room "today," and I mentioned that a lot of our furniture wasn't translating well and that the layout needed some adjusting. Of course when you paint a new room, you've got to rearrange the furniture. We didn't buy a single new thing and it feels so much better. I do PROMISE this room will continue to evolve in furnishings and decor (hi, we gotta fill some blank walls!) and lighting around the room--for a shop your house session, it's feeling pretty darn good.

Recently

Today

What do you think–are you team lights off or lights on? The furniture shots were in early evening. We really tried to show how the room truly looks in person, and obviously the different lighting changes what you see.

Making a decision

To be honest, selecting a paint color for the living room has given me some major headaches. I've had decision paralysis over it for weeks, and I couldn't for the life of me muster up confidence in any colors. I channeled my own tips in choosing a paint color and palette that flows from room to room that I shared here and that was a good place to start. I wanted a color that would compliment and support the neighboring rooms like the green island in the kitchen, the blue in the pantry, and the wallpaper in the powder bath.

Spending my day walking in and out of the living room, holding up the paint deck in different light, wasn't getting me anywhere however. You know what they say about the definition of insanity right? Something about doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. I was in a loop and I needed to switch things up. So we decided to "try-on" a few paint colors with the magic of technology.

Magic right? Although these aren't any actual paint colors, it was SO helpful to see some options of what this room could be.

When it came down to it, I've been wanting to use a mid-tone paint color ever since I shared all my thoughts on the newer trend in this post here. To sum it up, we're seeing less and less of high contrast paint colors (dark tones and light tones) and I couldn't wait to do it in my own home.

Is it blue? Green? Gray?–It's pigeon.

The blue-green-gray color stood out to me and actually reminded me of Pigeon. A chameleon color that I've loved before, and once I said it, I knew it had to be. At different times of day this room could look completely different and I'm leaning into that. Truly a living, breathing color.

We actually color matched with Sherwin Williams Emerald Designer Edition. Here's the color match code for reference.

For the walls we used the Emerald Designer Edition in Eggshell, and for the fireplace and all of the trim and baseboards we used Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel in semi-gloss.

I have to say, Pigeon is going to look different in everyone's house. Our living room is probably one of the darkest rooms in our house, therefore the paint color is going to look darker. I like that this room can feel moody, while still being a mid-tone. My sister compared it to a mood-ring and I think that analogy fits perfectly.

Oh and also, hello new light. See here to read about the bent-up condition this light was in before we hung it.

Sources:

Paint Color: Pigeon by Farrow & Ball

Chandelier, Rug, Sofa, Navy Pillow, Throw Blanket, Leather Chairs, Coffee Table, Wicker Tray, Tapered Candlesticks, Candle Holders, End Table, Tapered Lamp Shade, Midnight Art, Black Shade Floor Lamp, Pleated Floor Lamp, Bench, Wool Blanket, Pedestal Table, Large Vase, Faux Stems, British Designers Coffee Table Book