— old country house blog, Original Cow paintings —

THE PAINT COLORS OF MY OLD COUNTRY HOUSE

July 22, 2013

UPDATED 2016 :

I LOVE COLOR

AND THE WALLS OF MY OLD COUNTRY HOUSE HAVE REFLECTED MY SEARCH…NOT FOR THE PERFECT COLOR..BUT THE PERFECT BALANCE OF COLOR. THEY HAVE ALSO FOLLOWED OUR FAMILY THROUGHOUT THE MANY PASSAGES. FROM LITTLE GIRL PINKS AND BABY BOY BLUES TO A MORE SUBTLE BACKDROP TO ALL OF THE COLOR IN MY ARTWORK AND OUR FURNISHINGS.

ONE YEAR AGO..THESE WERE THE COLORS..

THE PAINT COLORS OF MY OLD COUNTRY HOUSE: BENJAMIN MOORE- SIMPLY WHITE. FEATHER DOWN, SEA SALT, PARADISE PINK, CLASSIC GRAY , BIRDS EGG, MOUNTAIN PEAK WHITE, DOWNPOUR BLUE, CHANTILLY LACE, MARITIME WHITE, POOLSIDE, OCEAN AIR, CORAL GABLES, PALLADIAN BLUE, STONINGTON GRAY
THE PAINT COLORS OF MY OLD COUNTRY HOUSE: BENJAMIN MOORE- SIMPLY WHITE. FEATHER DOWN, SEA SALT, PARADISE PINK, CLASSIC GRAY,  BIRDS EGG, MOUNTAIN PEAK WHITE, DOWNPOUR BLUE, CHANTILLY LACE, MARITIME WHITE, POOLSIDE, OCEAN AIR, CORAL GABLES, PALLADIAN BLUE, STONINGTON GRAY
THE (WALL) PAINT COLORS OF MY OLD COUNTRY HOUSE - ALL BENJAMIN MOORE EXCEPT SHERWINN WILLIAMS STEAMED MILK
THE (WALL) PAINT COLORS OF MY OLD COUNTRY HOUSE – ALL BENJAMIN MOORE EXCEPT SHERWIN WILLIAMS STEAMED MILK

IRONICALLY…OR PERHAPS SURPRISING BASED ON THIS PALATE…MY HOUSE CONTAINS MORE COLOR THAN EVER..JUST NOT ON THE WALLS BUT INSTEAD THE FURNISHINGS. IT FEELS MORE CALM AND ALIVE AT THE SAME TIME. LETS TAKE A LOOK….

SHERWINN WILLIAMS STEAMED MILK
SHERWIN WILLIAMS STEAMED MILK

NO COLOR HAS SWEPT ME AWAY QUICKER OR MORE COMPLETELY THAN SHERWIN WILLIAMS “STEAMED MILK”.  FROM ACROSS THE CROWDED SOUTHERN LIVING SHOWHOUSE OUR EYES MET…..(I am being silly)   I DISCOVERED this BEAUTIFUL AND VERSATILE COLOR  THE 2015 SOUTHERN LIVING IDEA HOUSE. DECORATOR EXTRAORDINAIRE, BUNNY WILLIAMS, EMPLOYED IT THROUGHOUT THE HOUSE, STUNNING AND ALLOWING THE WALLS TO ACT AS A QUIET BACKDROP TO THE BEAUTIFUL FURNISHINGS

2015 SOUTHERN LIVING IDEA HOUSE, LIVING ROOM MANTLE
2015 SOUTHERN LIVING IDEA HOUSE, LIVING ROOM MANTLE

AND I HAVE USED IT IN MY HALLWAYS….

STEAMED MILK UPSTAIRS AND DOWNSTAIRS
SHERWIN WILLIAMS STEAMED MILK UPSTAIRS AND DOWNSTAIRS

THE  LIVING ROOM…

LIVING ROOM
LIVING ROOM
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SHERWIN WILLIAMS SEA SALT
LIVING ROOM PAINTED STEAMED MILK
LIVING ROOM PAINTED SHERWIN WILLIAMS STEAMED MILK

THE DINING ROOM…

DINING ROOM TABLE REFINISHED PHOTO BY SARAH CRAMER PHOTO
DINING ROOM TABLE REFINISHED PHOTO BY SARAH CRAMER PHOTO
DINING ROOM - PHOTO BY CRAMER PHOTO
DINING ROOM – PHOTO BY CRAMER PHOTO

OH MY GOODNESS…I FORGOT THE SHERWIN WILLIAMS SEA SALT IN THE OTHER “HALF” OF THE LIVING ROOM..CONNECTED MY POCKET DOOR!!!

SEASALT LIVING ROOM WITH ONE OF MY FAVORITE MAKEOVERS IS THE CABINET I PAINTED BENJMAIN MOORE PARADISE PINK
SHERWIN WILLIAMS SEA SALT LIVING ROOM WITH ONE OF MY FAVORITE MAKEOVERS IS THE CABINET I PAINTED BENJMAIN MOORE PARADISE PINK

THE MASTER BEDROOM AT THE SOUTHERN LIVING SHOWHOUSE

STEAMED MIL AT THE SHOWHOUSE...IN THE MASTER BEDROOM MANTLE
STEAMED MILk AT THE SHOWHOUSE…IN THE MASTER BEDROOM MANTLE
MASTER BEDROOM PAINTED STEAMED MILK
MASTER BEDROOM PAINTED SHERWIN WILLIAMS STEAMED MILK

THE WALLS OF PHOEBE’S BEDROOM AND ALL OF THE TRIM IN THE HOUSE EXPEPT THE KITCHEN IS BENJAMIN MOORE CHANTILLY LACE…

PHOEBE'S ROOM - CHANTILLY LACE
PHOEBE’S ROOM – CHANTILLY LACE
PHOEBE'S ROOM - CHANTILLY LACE PORTRAIT OF GUS
PHOEBE’S ROOM – CHANTILLY LACE
PORTRAIT OF GUS
PHOEBE'S ROOM - CHANTILLY LACE
PHOEBE’S ROOM – CHANTILLY LACE

COOPER’S BEDROOM WENT FROM A DEEP BLUE TO BENJAMIN MOORE HORIZON..A VERY PALE WARM GRAY..AND CHANTILLY LACE TRIM..

HORIZON
HORIZON
COOPER'S ROOM PAINTED BENJAMIN MOORE HORIZON
COOPER’S ROOM PAINTED BENJAMIN MOORE HORIZON
COOPERS ROOM
COOPERS ROOM

THE KIDS BATHROOM IS OCEAN AIR WITH ACCENTS OF “CORAL GABLES”

OCEAN AIR
OCEAN AIR
KIDS BATHROOM - photo Cramer Photos
KIDS BATHROOM – BM OCEAN AIR – photo Cramer Photos
the kids bathroom - OCEAN AIR WITH ACCENTS OF CORAL GABLES
the kids bathroom – OCEAN AIR WITH ACCENTS OF CORAL GABLES

THE LAUNDRY ROOM IS IN STRIPES OF OCEAN AIR AND MOUNTAIN PEAK WHITE…

GALVANIZED BINS AND BUCKETS ON THE LAUNDRY ROOM
GALVANIZED BINS AND BUCKETS ON THE LAUNDRY ROOM

THE MASTER BATHROOM IS PALLADIAN BLUE…

PALLADIAN BLUE
PALLADIAN BLUE
MASTER BATHROOM IN PALLADIAN BLUE
MASTER BATHROOM IN PALLADIAN BLUE

THE KITCHEN IS MOUNTAIN PEAK WHITE WITH THE SMALL AMOUNTS OF WALL PEEKING OUT NOW PAINTED…YOU GUESSED IT..SHERWIN WILLIAMS STEAMED MILK!

LesliHouse0096
MY OLD COUNTRY HOUSE KITCHEN PAINTED STEAMED MILK AND MOUNTAIN PEAK WHITE

I REMEMBER THE PROCESS OF CHOOSING A “RIGHT” WHITE FOR THE KITCHEN AS AN INTENSE, CONFUSING AND OFTEN OVERWHELMING PROCESS. FINALLY, I CONSULTED THE TRUE COLOR EXPERT – MARIA KILLAM – WHO SUGGESTED “MOUNTAIN PEAK WHITE”  AS BEING A WHITE WHICH LOOKS GREAT NEXT TO STANDARD  WHITE SUBWAY TILE. I KNEW I WOULD HAVE ALOT OF SUBWAY TILE  IN THE ROOMS (KITCHEN AND BATHROOMS) WHERE THE WHITE WOULD BE AND THAT WAS THE TIPPING POINT. I HAVE NEVER LOOKED BACK!!!!!

KITCHEN
KITCHEN
KITCHEN
KITCHEN

FINALLY…AFTER 140 YEARS OF BEING UNPAINTED AND EXPOSED TO THE ELEMENTS…WE HAD THE EXTERIOR OF OUR HOUSE PAINTED SIMPLY WHITE. WHO KNEW IT WOULD BE THE 2016 BENJAMIN MOORE COLOR OF THE YEAR!!!! SIMPLY WHITE IS A GREAT COLOR…WITH AN EVER SO SLIGHT TOUCH OF YELLOW..BUT NOT A CREAMY WHITE IN ANY WAY…A GREAT COLOR AND PERFECT FOR A HOUSE EXTERIOR!

SIMPLY WHITE
SIMPLY WHITE

LesliHouse0002LesliHouse0004

LesliHouse0008

LesliHouse0007

THROUGHOUT THE HOUSE ARE ACCENTS OF ALMOST EVERY COLOR…LOTS AND LOTS OF PINK!!!!

PINK CABINET
PINK CABINET

YELLOW…

THESE AWESOME YELLOW LAMPS HAVE BEEN IN ALMOST EVERY ROOM IN THE HOUSE
THESE AWESOME YELLOW LAMPS HAVE BEEN IN ALMOST EVERY ROOM IN THE HOUSE

GREEN….

LEAF GREAN Charleston lanterns From Shadesoflight.com
LEAF GREAN Charleston lanterns From Shadesoflight.com

TURQUOISE….

PAINTING BY LESLI DEVITO
PAINTING BY LESLI DEVITO
ENTRYWAY PEW PAINTED MARTHA STEWART DUCK EGG
ENTRYWAY PEW PAINTED MARTHA STEWART DUCK EGG

LIKE I SAID…I LOVE COLOR!

THANK YOU VISITING MY OLD COUNTRY HOUSE..HAVE FUN PLAYING WITH COLOR AND MAKE SURE TO SHARE YOUR COLOR QUANDRIES WITH ME!!!

 

35 thoughts on “THE PAINT COLORS OF MY OLD COUNTRY HOUSE”

  1. Hi Lesli! Beautiful paint choices!! I was wondering if you could help me out. I will painting a small beach cottage that I recently purchased and was thinking of painting all the walls white for continuity. What BJ white would you recommend for such a feat? thanks so much!!!

    1. I have thre favorite whites for an all white space…Mountain Peak White, Linen White and Cotton balls. If you wnat to break it up with some very pale gray..”Horizon” is a great pale gray. Have fun!

  2. For an exterior re-do a few years ago, I had the hardest time finding the right shade of taupe! Every time I found what looked like a great color in the store, it looked different outside, depending on the light. Did you try a few colors, too, or was your first choice the best?

    1. HI DEB,
      MANY of these colors I tried a number of times. For example, I have wanted to use Palladian Blue for years, but in MY home, it would look drab and grayed down, finally I discovered that the light in the Master Bath is perfect and give this color exactly what it needs to shine. You will also notice if you dig through the archives that I have changed the Dining room multiple times, trying to lighten it up, give it some depth. When I settled on Ashwood, I knew I had found it – THE ONE.
      In all honesty the colors I have now, I would probably use in any other house I would live because for me…the BIGGEST “ah-ha!” is that I can pop color in all over the place, change it out follow trends…WHEN THE background is a soft enhancing neutral. And even though each of the rooms are ever so slightly different colors..IN THE HOUSE – they appear the same due to the varying light in each room.

  4. Hi..great house! Thanks for sharing.

    Where did you find that AMAZING chandelier in Phoebe’s room? If by chance you refashioned out of another one could you share how you did it? I love it!!

    Thanks

    1. Hi Cheryl, Thanks for your kinds words. Yes, I adore Phoebes chandelier too! We got it at Urban Outfitters.com…I am not sure if they still have them but it seems they come and go…so keep looking!! xo

  5. Not sure if you already mentioned, what brand paint do you use? I love the kids bathroom color and want to find it:)

  6. I have your exact same style of trim and have been agonizing about whether to paint it all white or leave it in its original stained state! I definitely WANT it white but fear death threats from the hysterical “don’t paint wood!” fans. if I do decide to paint can you give me some tips for covering old wood? I don’t know what was used to finish it. the house was built in 1920 so im guessing varnish. I don’t want to use deglosser or stripper or Kilz because of the harsh chemicals and I cant sand because of the ridges like yours. Any advice? Your house is one of the most beautiful Ive ever seen. It looks like a home from Domino Magizine!

  7. forget my previous question! I just saw a before pic of your house and the trim appears to have been painted before you bought the house. I have also already painted one room’s trim in my house now and have no idea if ive done it right but boy does it look better!

  8. I love painted trim…it just looks so clean! I swear by kilz primer! Yes, our trim was painted, but in very very very old oil and had to be primed to take the latex paint. Thanks for stopping by!

  10. Hi -I was wonder where you purchased the chandelier in the master bathroom?

    Nicole
    Ps. LOVE all the color choices!!!

  12. Love the ideas, would never copy but draw inspiration. Would like to see more. Where do I go for that? Thank you, Tam

  13. Leslie,
    I am in the middle of a bathroom demolition. I have a furniture piece I am going to use as the new vanity. Can you tell me the make and model of the sink and faucets in your master bath? Love your home, it’s beautiful.

    1. Thank you Lee!
      The sink – Kohler Archer sink 3 hole Drop in – http://www.us.kohler.com/us/Archer-drop-in-bathroom-sink-with-8-widespread-faucet-holes/productDetail/bathroom-sinks/425417.htm?skuId=393912&brandId=1159441

      The Faucet (purchased on Vintage Tub and Bath GREAT SITE) http://www.vintagetub.com/randolph-morris-8-inch-bridge-bathroom-sink-faucet-rmnab758vmc-cp-s.html
      I went with polished chrome with the fixtures, I figured it was never going to be really IN or OUT and in an old house I try to look for more classic timeless fixtures without looking too Old fashioned.

      the bathroom reveal post is here:http://myoldcountryhouse.com/monday-makeover-master-bathroom/

    1. The vanities are by Martha Stewart and we got them at Home Depot. HOWEVER – I too adore the color and had it color matched . I will try to get the formula from my Benjmain Moore store and post it.

  21. Even today your colors are great! That means the will be great 10 years from now. Thank you helped more than you know.

  22. What color of white did you use on your trim and door in the kitchen. I love mountain peak white for walls
    Thank you

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