Choosing Paint Color to Complement Art – Is White Right?

One of the things I love best about what I do is getting to work with interesting collections and art.  

folk art sweet olive

 

Studying the things people collect give me great insight into what makes them who they are and helps me learn what they want for their home.  This couple had collected Louisiana folk art and primitives over a period of time.  

DSC_0779

before

 

Because their art and furnishings were already so colorful, they had relied on white walls to showcase their collections. Unfortunately, they found that gallery white did not give them the warmth or finished feeling they wanted for their home.

before

before

 

The entry/living room also included bookcases where antique books and primitive art could be displayed, but little seemed to be noticed like it deserved.

bookcase before

before

 

As a color and design consultant, I see my role as helping clients make choices that enhance and bring more life to the things they love and want to live with in their homes.  Paint color and paint color placement can be very important in creating just the right backdrop for the things in your home that are meaningful.  My clients had tested many paint colors, resulting in patchworks like this in several rooms of their home:

testing paint colors

they should have used Small Wall paint sample boards

 

They finally gave up and googled for help.  I’m glad they found me!  The funny thing is, once we began working together the wife discovered that her mother follows my blog.  It really is a small world, isn’t it?  We worked together to find just the right paint colors to complement and enhance the collections that were so important to them, then rearranged furnishings and collections to create a living room that looks like a work of art.  Here are some of the “after” photos I took last week after doing some final tweaking of the space:

best gray paint colors

the right gray is the perfect backdrop for punches of color and vivid art 

 

louisiana folk art designer room

 

 

painting backs of bookcases

the addition of color in the back of the bookcase gives new life to this side of the room

 

 

primitive folk art

 

 

best paint colors

 

So, what do you think?   I have another room in their home I want to share later this week.  To make sure you don’t miss out on any of my before-and-afters, sign up here to subscribe to my exclusive emails 2-3 times per week!

 

15 Comments

  1. Maxine

    I learn SO MUCH from your before/after pics! Keep ’em coming!

    Reply
  2. Emily

    It’s amazing how such a subtle change makes the space look finished and the architecture pop!

    Reply
  3. Judy Sutherland

    Beautiful rearrangement of furniture and soft gray paint to complement to the art!

    Reply
  4. Jenny B.

    I love it! The colors are perfect, and the new furniture arrangement works so much better.

    Reply
  5. julie

    Luv it! But those sample patches on the wall – YIKES!

    Reply
    • Kristie Barnett

      Yikes is right! Of course, I used Small Wall paint sample boards when choosing the paint colors for this house.

      Reply
  6. kelly

    The gray looks nice. I also like to use bolder, darker colors for art walls to really made the art pop. Nice job Kristie!

    Reply
  7. Stacey

    Oh boy the paint really made a difference. I’m in love with their style! The unique art they’ve collected and all the colors in the room are amazing. Can’t wait to see more. I wonder if they would share info about some of the art? That could be a cool blog post in itself.

    Reply
  8. Luci@BungalowAtHome

    I like light walls to showcase art and collectibles but that does not mean it has t be white. You still kept them light but chose just the right color, once again! My favorite change has to be the back of the bookcases!

    Reply
  9. Linda

    I love the soft gray. So warm and inviting and really makes the art pop. The back of the bookcase are awesome. The color really ties everything together. Love it all as usual!

    Reply
  10. Leigh Ann

    Absolutely gorgeous. They had beautiful pieces and bones and you made it come together perfectly. So happy to have met you at the conference. Your work and educational approach in the blog are inspiring. Thanks Kristie!

    Reply
  11. Beth

    They must be delighted. It looks SO much better!

    Reply
  12. Mary Charles

    Lovely! Do you have the name of the gray paint? Beautiful job!

    Reply
    • Kristie Barnett

      Thanks, Mary! If you’d like more information about the paint colors used in this client’s design, contact my assistant at [email protected]

      Reply

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