Go from dark and moody to a light and bright space with paint!
I absolutely love the dark and moody room! Our cozy family room downstairs is a perfect example of how I like to color the space with a dark paint color.
One of my next projects is to continue the beautiful green throughout my office to match the dark green bookcases I built. Warm and deep colors are comfortable for me.
But lately I’ve been drawn to brightening up some spaces too!
This post may contain affiliate links for your convenience.
I may receive a small commission when you make a purchase through the links.
Next on my list was our dining room!
The builder called this room the “morning room” because it opens to the kitchen and family room. It gets beautiful natural light through all the windows.
That’s why I was sure it wouldn’t look too closed with dark blue accent walls:
This beautiful blue paint color is called Cyberspace, and I first used it on the tall fireplace in the nearby family room. I liked the idea of continuing this color in this space.
But in the last year or so, it felt too much for me, and I started looking for lighter paint colors to brighten up the room.
I was looking for a neutral color that was lighter, but had some warmth. I had been thinking about some green colors for a while:
But I already have a lot of green accents throughout our main level.
Instead, I kept coming back to the “warm and welcoming” color palette I picked up from Sherwin-Williams:
After months of considering different colors, I finally made the decision and went with Pachyderm from SW.
I mixed it with a satin finish and started painting with a dark blue. Colby observed from the stairs, as usual:
When I paint a room I go in this order:
Clean any dust and dirt from the trim and/or panels, even if you are going to tape them off. You will need a clean surface for the painter’s tape to stick to. Use nail filler and/or caulk to fill any holes in the wall or gaps along the trim. If you’re not going to do the trim (paint along the edges and ceiling without masking tape), use your painter’s tape to tape everything off. FrogTape is my favorite painter’s tape ever! I cut with a brush first, along the ceiling and trim. I like to do this first because I can cover up any brush marks with a roller later. When you have finished cutting or painting around the ornament, you can begin rolling the flat surfaces with a paint roller. I use 3/8-inch nap rollers for flat walls (no texture).
When I installed my handmade picture frame years ago, the dark wall color must have hidden a lot of gaps and holes! I had a lot to fill after my first coat of paint:
Closing those gaps and holes makes a huge difference! Much better.
It took me about five hours over two days, but the difference was immediate! It felt brighter and more open when we walked into this space!:
The color is very beautiful and warm, especially at night. It’s very comfortable.
This Pachyderm paint color would be beautiful in bedrooms or bathrooms.
It looks great with the brass accents in this room too. I was a little worried that the light console table would interfere with the design too much, but it turned out to be a nice combination:
And I really love how the light neutral color looks with the crisp white trim and cabinets!
For several days it was shocking when we walked in here, and the difference was huge. The lighter color really opened up the space:
It also gives me more options for statement colors. The change was perfect for summer, but it would look beautiful against the deep, warm colors of fall and the holidays.
While I was painting the room, I decided on my next project here. I’d like to add a little more character to the front of the built-in window seat:
Stay tuned for this update!
This room feels like a breath of fresh air now:
Do you prefer dark, rich walls or light and bright rooms? I love both! What a difference a few coats of paint can make to a space!
