Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Like Watching Paint Dry

Perennial decorator go-to hue, Benjamin Moore's White Dove. (Interior by James Radin, via Milk and Honey)

The moment I have been dreading has arrived--it's time to choose the trim color. Why paint at all? Well, because the previous owner left us with absolutely every surface coated in a shade that looks like a manilla folder that was left in the smoker's lounge at the airport for 20 years.

I am ready for things to start looking fresh and clean and not so much like this...



Or this...

But even with all of those semesters of Color Theory behind me, I still believe that choosing the perfect white is a mind-numbing crapshoot complicated by a myriad of latitudinal factors. The only thing I firmly believe, is that better quality paint yields the best results (unfortunately for my wallet). So, back to the paint store I go for more samples.


(Extra points if you can name those teeth).

16 comments:

Things That Inspire said...

For me, it is easiest to pick a trim color and stick with it.

My neighbor is preparing for her 40th birthday celebration, and had the trim painted to get the house in tip top shape. She realized that she had 5 different trim colors going on.

For me - I always go with Ben Moore white dove for the trim, it makes life easy. Check out the colour me happy blog (I have her on my sidebar), she is a paint color expert and has some great posts on trim color.

Brilliant Asylum said...

Ah--thanks for the link. It is amazing how overly complicated I am making this chore.

GrannySmithGreen said...

Great post. I like to keep the trim color consistent throughout the house. If touch ups are needed, it's not nearly such a hassle.

I just linked a 2007 post of yours on my blog. The Golden Isles. Hope you like it!

Love your blog!

GrannySmithGreen said...

Oh, and the teeth--Hillary's aren't that stained are they?

Humm, what about Shirley Jones? No. Hers couldn't be that bad.

Oh well. Fun trying anyway!

Nick said...

Are those teeth Vivienne Westwood?

kadler said...

Haha... Love that old computer! Reminds me of the one my dad got for his office about a million years ago.

Luckily, that BM paint is gorgeous.

As for the teeth... someone British?

Freedy said...

OMG ...those teeth ....hilarious !

Christine said...

Nice to see you back - as a color consultant i totally empathize with your desire to find the right color but you are right the better quality the paint the better results you'll get.
Those look like magaret thatcher's teeth!
Christine

Brilliant Asylum said...

Granny Smith Green had it--those are Hillary's golden chompers. I am sure she would be thrilled to be confused with Margaret Thatcher!

jenniferjane said...

Reminds me of the toothpaste commercial where a young teacher is asking her students what color is grass, her sweater, and then her teeth. They answered with colors like beige, off white, and then my fave: mother of pearl. So glad you're back and can't wait to read more of your decorating adventures!

Brilliant Asylum said...

I love that a kindergartener in that commercial said her teeth were "ochre". Ouch.

But yes, trim color that reminds one of stained teeth is no good.

SGM said...

Ah, I knew it had to be a politician! Poor Hil. Totally cracking up about a little kid saying "mother of pearl."

Good luck with the white!

72 and sunny said...

this cracked me up! I had that computer as a kid - we played lots of 'pong' on it.

as for the teeth, hilary?

Anonymous said...

there is NO excuse for teeth that color these days. And that is sorry dental work as well. I'm shocked that is her!

Boxcar Goods said...

Hillary!

Anonymous said...

I just like to use solid colors in my house that aren't risky. Blue and red are pretty safe colors. I'm not as wild as other people that use pink or orange. I want to try those colors out some time though.

-Zane of ontario honey