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Get the Scoop: Favorite Paint Colors {Part One}

It’s back! Top design and DIY bloggers share their favorite paint colors for interior spaces in this popular series.

You may recall the bloggers’ favorite paint colors series I hosted two summers ago. It actually doesn’t surprise me that it continues to be one of the most popular series on the blog of all time. I mean, paint is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to transform a space in very little time. Yet, selecting just the right color for a space can be so daunting.

If you’ve ever had paint color swatches taped to your walls for weeks and still can’t make a decision, this series is for you. These recommendations are coming from gals who have shortlisted some tried and true paint colors through hands-on trial and error (yes, they make mistakes too). They’re even offering up some tips and tricks too. Think of it as cliff notes for paint selection (no, you don’t have to read the entire book on this one!).

This time around, I have a few of the same design and DIY bloggers joining me, as well as some fresh faces (you’ll most likely recognize). Trust me, they’ve created some swoon-worthy spaces and I know you’ll walk away with some fresh new color ideas for your home. (I did!) Let’s get started…

Top Paint Colors

KariAnne From Thistelwood Farms - Favorite Paint Colors - SW Mindful Gray, SW Rice Grain, SW Anonymous

Thistlewood Farms

I was so excited when Shauna asked me to share some of my favorite colors.

So excited….I almost forgot what they were.

Butler's Pantry Painted in Sherwin Williams Mindful Gray

Butler’s Pantry Sherwin Williams Mindful Gray

And if you know me….if you have ever read my blog….Thistlewood Farms…..you know I couldn’t just write a post about paint colors. I have to offer up a big opinion. However…..I preface any and all big opinions offered here with the disclaimer that….

…I’m not an expert.

I don’t work for a paint company.

I have not gone to paint color school.

What I am…..though…..is so much better. I am the person who has painted and repainted and repainted rooms because I couldn’t figure out the answer to this simple question, “Why did the paint color in the store not look like the paint color on my wall?”

Formal Dining Room Walls Painted in Sherwin Williams Anonymous

Dining Room Sherwin Williams Anonymous

So if you have ever stood in front of a paint chip display and closed your eyes and pointed….

…..here’s a few tips just for you.

(1) The darkest color on the paint strip is your best friend

When you are looking at colors on two (or three different) strips of paint chips, many times the colors will appear to be the same. THEY ARE NOT! Do not be fooled. Each strip of paint color chips is tinted in a slightly different direction.

(2) Saturation is the Key

If you remember nothing else from this post. If in two months you say, “thistlewood who?”

Please, please remember this unsolicited advice when you are standing in front of that paint display:

Find the color you want…..and then go one shade darker.

Kitchen Walls Painted in Sherwin Williams Rice Grain

Kitchen Sherwin Williams Rice Grain

(3) You Can Never Have Enough Paint

You have seen them in the paint store mixing paint. They take the tinted base and then add different colors. Here’s the secret: no can of paint is exactly the same. They are close. Maybe you won’t see a difference. Maybe you will.

Don’t take the chance.

Buy a five gallon bucket and mix your cans together before you paint.

Not that I would ever know anyone who painted a two-tone room. :)

And lastly… see my favorite white paint colors.

Check out my favorite gray paint colors.

Emily from Emily A. Clark - Favorite Paint Colors - SW Shoji White, BM Hale Navy

Emily A. Clark

Hi there, I’m Emily from Emily A. Clark. Since participating in Shauna’s last paint color series a couple of years ago, I’m still on somewhat of a neutral kick, with navy being my go-to color to pair with light grays and whites.

Speaking of white, it can be tricky when trying to find the right shade. I’ve painted our master bedroom (and several other rooms in our house) Sherwin Williams Shoji White. It’s a really soft—not bright—white, with a subtle gray undertone. I layered off-white curtains over it beside of our bed and am loving the soft look of it all.

Master Bedroom Painted in Sherwin Williams Shoji White

For a bolder contrast, I painted our armoire a classic blue—Benjamin Moore’s Hale Navy—and paired it with gold hardware. This seems to be a tried and true color all over the Internet, and for good reason. It’s a true navy, without being too dark. I plan on using this color soon for a couple of other projects around our house.

Armoire Painted in Benjamin Moore Hale Navy
Shannon from AKA Design - Favorite Paint Colors - SW Analytical Gray, SW Peppercorn, SW Snowbound

AKA Design

Hi there Satori readers! I am Shannon, a Canadian writer, interior designer, wife and homeschooling momma. As well, I’m the writer and half of the creative duo behind the lifestyle blog, AKA Design.

I am so happy to be back at Satori to share my favorite paint colors in Shauna’s paint color series! The last time I was here, we actually lived in a different house so I have a couple of new favorites to share with you. I do find it interesting that my favorite paint color hasn’t changed though…

Sherwin Williams Analytical Gray

Analytical Gray was the color in our old living room and is definitely my all time favorite paint color.

Modern Farmhouse Living Room Painted in SW Analytical Gray

We loved it so much we used it again in our current dining room.

Dining Room Painted in SW Analytical Gray

Analytical Gray tends to be the color we recommend first to friends looking for that perfect taupe gray. It just plays so nicely with almost all colors because it’s not too blue and not too green!

Sherwin Williams Peppercorn

A newly discovered color for us, Peppercorn is the moody gray/eggplant/navy color of our master bedroom. (*note: Shannon originally thought this was a CIL color, but it’s actually Sherwin Williams Peppercorn.)

Sherwin Williams Peppercorn Walls with White Stencilling

Depending on the light and time of day, Peppercorn looks like many different shades of dark gray. Because of this it is perfect for a bedroom or even a powder room!

Sherwin Williams Snowbound

Also a new-to-us color, Snowbound by Sherwin Williams makes a wonderful neutral background color in almost any space. We’ve used it in our bathroom and I plan to use it in my office studio because it doesn’t cast any colors onto things I’m trying to photograph!

Master Bedroom Painted in Sherwin Williams Shoji White

Right now I’d say those three are my favorite paint colors.

Thank you so much Shauna for hosting this helpful round up of great paint colors!

Impressive, right? Loving them all, especially the Snowbound and Shoji White walls. I’m a sucker for white!

If you’re looking for a few more tips, check out the post I wrote on selecting paint colors with confidence. It’s the step-by-step method I use to find just the right color every time.

Considering a new door color? Check out these beautiful front door picks!

Tried and True Front Door Paint Colors

Be sure to come back tomorrow for part two of this paint color series featuring more top home bloggers. I promise it will be worth your time!

Thanks for stopping by!

Shauna at Satori Design for Living Blog - Home Decor, DIY, Vintage Finds, Recipes

5 Comments

  1. I wish I had seen this post earlier as I am doing a makeover of my office, not a home office but an office space at work. I plan to post and was looking for a grey paint that would be light and a great, soft contrast for my new white furniture. But if I have to repaint.. there’s some lovely color here:)

  2. I am trying to find a good living room color. My room is kinda dark, I don’t have very much natural light.I have light oak wood trim and a field stone fireplace. The rocks have a lot of gray and peachy pink color with gray cement around them.I didn’t know if a gray paint color would work?

    1. Hi Mary, It really depends on the other elements you plan on adding to your room (i.e. neutral decor or more colorful), as well as the overall feeling you want to achieve (light and airy or moody and dark). A photo and description would help a bunch.

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