This weekend I brightened things up in our formerly dark gray-brown bedroom. Now that we are getting settled into our style, we are revisiting rooms that we painted/decorated quickly (and cheaply) when we first moved in and...tweaking--which I actually highly recommend. Yes, you might end up painting a room twice, but when you're just getting started by all means explore any color you think you might like. Get over the fear. That's what I say.
I thought I wanted white, but after staring at white swatches on the wall for a good month, and not deciding on one, I pulled out some light blues and within an hour I fell for Farrow & Ball's Skylight. You can (and should!) order a Farrow & Ball swatch book and catalog for free from their site. I did months ago and remembered I had it tucked away in my swatch basket last week and it came to my bedroom-color (ahem...colour) rescue.
(^Skylight is the third one down in the second row from the right.) It is a definite light blue--but sophisticated with gray, warm undertones. Here's how it looks in our room:
When Chris first saw it (he was out for the day with Greta while I painted), he was a little shocked and I believe he called it, "baby blue" and I made him take it back immediately. He likes it, really, and we agree it has definitely changed the whole dark, heavy feel of our room in its previous state.
As for getting a Farrow & Ball paint color in our city without a retailer--I thought about getting it shipped to us ($$$), but called around to our Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams store to see if they had these color formulas on hand. Both did, but the Sherwin Williams clerk just sounded more confident--so I went there. I can't vouch for the texture match--I've heard amazing things about Farrow & Ball's paint--but the color is spot on and cost half the price.
I'm not diving head first into the bedroom--it's just something I plan on working on as time and budget permits. Buuuuuuut, ripping out the carpet and old baseboards and painting all the trim and doing something about dressing the window and bed linens and adding a sliding mirrored door to the bathroom is all on the list. I am definitely using the Clare Elsaesser print as a color inspiration. I want to incorporate layered blues and a lot more fine art and just keep a relaxed, calm vibe. Also, new lamps might be on their way--and I think you're gonna approve.
[…] Studio Green and knew that Sherwin Williams had most of their formulas since we color matched F&B’s Skylight there for use in our last bedroom with great […]
nice, it reminds me of a misty morning :)
Love it! It's a gorgeous color! I've actually been debating painting our master bedroom a darker, cozier color, but now I'm thinking maybe I should leave it as is.
I'm coming over to take a nap.
How would you describe your style, the one you guys are really honing into. I'm just curious cause I can never narrow mine down to less than 4 adjectives so I envy those who can!
Classically Modern. I'm super not into everything "now" or decorating our house like Pinterest exploded all over it. Ya know?
I love how much it lightens the room! I'd use the mushroom color in a closet or a dramatic bathroom. I'm going to order the color book NOW!
So dreamy! My parents have a room in their house that has a similar color and I LOVE sleeping in there. We call it the beach room.
That is a very beautiful color! I'm looking for something similar - gray/blue - for my living room. It's a sunny room so am leaning toward something that is a darker shade. Really lovely!
Love it. So soothing - great choice. Looks perfect in there. :)
Ooh, I definitely love it. Major upgrade. What is that photo on your nightstand (formerly hung above the bed)? I can't tell what it is, but I think I love it too!
Oooh. That's a print of a Clare Elsaesser painting that looks a lot like Chris and I (I pretend it is)--but isn't. I have a couple pieces from her and they are all fantastic.
So light and bright! I definitely liked your previous color, but I can completely understand wanting a lightened up space. The new color is gorgeous! :)
Nice change! I kind of struggle with admitting prior bad paint choices, but I've learned the art of not "admitting" so much as just saying "it's time for something new!" to justify repainting a room (or in my case, the entire main floor of our house). Glad to hear I am not the only with with hasty paint decisions only to go back and redo - your new color is great!
Haha. Thanks Brit! At first it was hard for me to admit, but there's no shame! It's the easiest, cheapest way to change a room.
Sweet! When we moved into our current home over a year ago we decided on a grayish purple. I hated it after a bit. A few months ago we finally repainted the room to Sherwin Williams seasalt (a blue/gray neutral) and I can't get enough of it! I don't have the before photos up yet (working on house tour) but here is the finished room. Maybe you've seen it already? http://www.idlepress.com/simpleprettythings/mini-bedroom-makeover/ but we like it so much more now! Enjoy your room!
I have seen it Kristi and it's so pretty. Well done!
I like it! Skylight definitely lightens up the space. I'm a new(ish) reader, and I've always wanted to see the foot of your bed. (Is that weird? I could never tell if it was a sleigh bed or not.) I like that, too! :)
Hahahahaha. That is hilarious. We have kind of a weird situation going on with our visible box springs but we'll remedy that soon.