a painted office

In between lounging in the sun, reading, grilling, and porch sitting over the long weekend, we managed to get two coats of paint up in the new office. Thanks to everyone for weighing in on your favorite neutrals! I love your suggestions and think that post along with your comments is a definite keeper for future rooms.


As it turned out though, so many of the beiges, tans, and taupes that I liked and were recommended were way too dark for this space that sees little natural light. In the end I went with something that in a room with normal sunlight is off-white but here reads like a dark linen. I used Benjamin Moore's Grant Beige, since I liked the tones (I've also already used it up here, in the tiny guest room), but in an effort to lighten it up, I cut it to 50%. It was the right decision—and actually came out even a bit deeper than I expected or wanted. If it was a client, I may have gone out and picked a new color. For me, though, I just want to make it work.

Sherwin Williams was having a paint sale so I had them color match the Grant Beige in their Harmony paint, which has zero VOCs, a must for pregnant women, infants, kids, elderly, or anyone with health issues, and actually probably a good idea for anyone and everyone these days. Why add those chemicals to the air and your house if you don't have to?


Just a reminder, this is what the room looked like before.

And again, now...


I am more than a little excited to finally be getting this space on its way to a new look. Next up, new carpet goes in a week from today. I seriously don't know if I can wait.

9 comments

Gretchen O. said...

amazing the difference paint makes! Looks great! Good to see Grant Beige at 50%.

McKae @ Kaes Corner Design said...

The color looks great! Can't wait to see more!

Meg said...

I love the Grand Beige at half strength! I think it's a really pretty neutral and will work with almost any decor choices you make when you're pulling the rest of the room together.

Sarah said...

Looks great, Casey!!! I always wondered about halving paint, do they just add white to fill in the rest? Does it look a lot different than say a lighter swatch on the same paint chip? New carpet will be so exciting!!!

Kate said...

I like it, Case! Great color choice by cutting it by 50%. Excited to see the space come together after carpeting and decorating!

Holly Gruszka said...

Great choice - it looks so cozy just with that new paint on the walls. And I'll have to add this one to my paint files. Amazing how light can make such a huge difference. I'm considering painting our entire first floor and I know it's going to be such a decision because of our lighting issues.

Fran said...

Looks good, Casey! I'm always interested in what paint colors look like in rooms with not a lot of natural light. I know that'll be my challenge in a couple of months!! Can't wait to see the carpet!

Unknown said...

The paint color looks great! I love using neutral walls & brining in the color w fabrics, accessories, paintings!

Looking forward to seeing the next phase!

www.lifeofamodernhousewife.com

The Vintique Object said...

I like it a lot, Casey. It has a very warm, cozy feel, doesn't it?

I'll have to remember that trick about cutting the paint by 50%.
Camille