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October 30, 2008
Paint colors for tenants?
Brownstones with molding look nice with deeper colors and pale trim. But, on the other hand, rental units need neutral paint colors that appeal to as many people as possible. What, in your opinion, is the ideal wall color treatment in a rental brownstone apartment?
Comments
We paint our rental white (Dove) and we use flat, rather than matte, because it is easy to touch up. We used an oil based pure white for the trim. But our rental unit doesn't have any original detail and very little trim.
Posted by: slopefarm at October 30, 2008 3:35 PM
Antique white walls and white trim.
Posted by: SnarkSlope at October 30, 2008 3:36 PM
Eggshell linen white on walls, semigloss white trim/doors/bathroom, ceiling white. BMoore throughout.
Posted by: vinca at October 30, 2008 3:55 PM
I've got china white (a cool, almost purple white) walls with this very light yellowish white that looks like unsalted butter for the trim. Neutral, but also rich, and the purple and yellow kind of vibrate a little.
Posted by: vanburenproud at October 30, 2008 4:26 PM
Yup, white on white, baby!
Vinca, that's exactly how I'm doing my house! I hope my guests don't think I'm a renter!
Posted by: denton at October 30, 2008 6:39 PM
Denton, your cover is blown. Forget about your guests, and start worrying about losing status with the Brownstoner posterati. No matter, linen white is a great neutral for interior rooms and even better in sunlight.
Posted by: vinca at October 30, 2008 7:01 PM
Personally I dont think dark colors look good on brownstone walls in general - there isn't enough light. But for a rental, you have to go with light colors. A very pale beige is very neutral without being cold.
Posted by: Mrs. Limestone at October 30, 2008 10:10 PM
I like Benjamin Moore "Swiss Coffee" with white trim. It's an off white, a little warmer than regular white.
Posted by: vai at October 30, 2008 11:48 PM
Ah, rental beige it will be, I guess. My own landlord painted with Benjamin Moore linen white (I think) on the walls and Decorator White on the trim. I don't love it, but it does go with absolutely everything, and the wall color actually looks like a pale yellow.
For the owner's apt, agree you don't want to go too dark or dark all over the place. A nice medium color can be good in a center dining room with no windows, and a cheerful medium bright-ish light-ish color can be nice in a hallway. I like to keep the parlors and bedrooms pale but not necessarily completely neutral.
That brownstone for sale on Putnam actually had medium dark gray walls with white trim, and Martha Stewart green in the kitchen with white trim. Looked terrific.
Posted by: mopar at October 31, 2008 12:12 PM
I like decorator white throughout...it hides very well and can be found on just about any store shelf that carries benjamin moore.
Posted by: dillon at October 31, 2008 7:07 PM
I heard my tenants talking about the white walls and asked them what color would they want if they had the choice. Surprise of all surprises, they picked a nice shade of beige. So, they bought the paint beforehand and since I had to paint anyway, I used their color. Everyone was happy.
Posted by: i_heart_brooklyn at November 1, 2008 7:24 AM
For neutral walls I love cooler tones. Pale grey colors feel fresh and clean and go with anything your renter will want to put in their space. Here is a pale grey room:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3131/2782395295_c71a5ecf53.jpg
This one is a beige and has some warmth to it but not too yellow. It leans cooler toned:
http://www.housetohome.co.uk/imageBank/i/IHMARO7.63.jpg
Posted by: traditionalmod at November 1, 2008 3:37 PM
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