paint colors
am renovating a queen anne townhouse, and need to repaint most rooms. am trying to stay true to the turn-of-the century colors, but I’m not exactly sure what those would be. Would love any insight. Thanks.
am renovating a queen anne townhouse, and need to repaint most rooms. am trying to stay true to the turn-of-the century colors, but I’m not exactly sure what those would be. Would love any insight. Thanks.
If you are not planning to turn your house into a museum, choose colors that you enjoy. Times have changed, you don’t need to be shackled to the past.
Historical paint aside- the best advise that I have ever received about paint is to look at your clothes and use paints that are in the same color family of what you wear. You will always enjoy the rooms, look great in them and never tire of the colors.
Contrary to popular belief, much of the late Victorian color scheme was a lot brighter than we think. Paint, and even the pigments in some wallpapers, were made much differently 100 years ago. They used a lot more metallic compounds in their pigments, and these have oxidized into darker colors over the years. I think it is possible to be historically compatable without sacrificing 21st century comfort.
If money is not a primary concern, the Farrow and Ball paints would be the best, and would cost the most. They have a slightly chalky finish, which is much closer to a Victorian finish, and their paint is much more densely saturated with pigment, more so than most historic American paints, so the colors are very rich.
Ralph Lauren paint is also more color saturated, and easier to find, (Home Depot) and also comes in historic colors. I’d do some research in books with period homes, and also check out British home magazines for some good ideas on paint colors in historic houses. They have more of them than we do, and are very good at utilizing space, color and light. Try World of Interiors and British Homes and Gardens.
Farrow and Ball (can order paint from their website – as well as a great book about their traditional paints) has nice, but expensive, paints.
There is a paint line called Williamsburg (as in VA not BK) that can be formualted in Pratt & Lambert or Martin Senour paint. The colors are hostorically correct and drawn from Colonial Williamsburg and are generally muted but really nice. The line includes some dark colors and some brights as well. You might see if you can buy a fandeck of swatches online (I got one on Ebay) or go to Pintchik on Flatbush Avenue to see if they have swatches. Really great range of colors, but not so many that it’s totally overwhelming.
Are you sure you want those dark dreary colors?
I love some Victorian stuff but I like LIGHT! You’ll have to get dark green wallpaper and burgundy wall paper too with little flowers. (Are your sure?).
You should definately go on the house tour this sunday 1pm – 6pm.
you should start thinking wallpaper. and dark colors.