I’m getting ready to paint my dining room. I’ve chosen to use Ben Moore Mt. Rainier Gray as the main color, and New Hope Gray as an accent wall color. I have 2 questions before I get started:
1- It has a tray ceiling. Would you paint the edge of the tray the main color, or accent?
2- My dining room has a large alcove on one wall. It is about 10ft wide x 8ft high x 2ft deep… I’m guessing the main portion ceiling is about 10ft high, so it the alcove portion has a top that is separate from the ceiling and tray ceiling. Which portions would you paint in the accent color? The whole thing- back, sides, top; or just the back wall and paint the rest of it in the main color?
It looks alot like this, only bigger and not arched.
https://www.decorpad.com/photo.htm?photoId=120829
I would only paint the accent color on the back of the alcove. If it doesn’t give you enough oomph, it wouldn’t be hard to add it to the sides and top. There’s a good bit of difference in the intensity of your two colors so I think just the back is going to be enough.
I definitely suggest using the lighter color on the tray ceiling.
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While we are on the subject, can I piggyback with a question?
Flat or enamel for walls, and what is the rationale for your preference?
We are about to start painting in our remodel project, and I was asked which I prefer, and have no idea. We currently have no pets or young children in the family.
@Nrdsb4 I know you were asking for first hand experience, but thought I would share this:
https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/paint-finishes-decorating-ideas
https://shorelinepaintingct.com/blog/choosing-perfect-paint-finish/
https://blog.homedepot.com/painting-a-room-how-to-choose-the-right-sheen/
Flat for walls every room but those with moisture, i.e., kitchen and bathrooms. For the latter you need a sheen. But Ben Moore’s has a specialized Aura paint for kitchens and bathrooms, that is Matte, near flat.
Rationale: flat hides imperfections the best. Flat is the least washable, but with no kids, that should not be an issue.
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That’s exactly correct - and why many builders like to use flat paint so any sloppiness in the sheetrock finishing will be less noticeable.
Personally, I don’t care for the sheen of eggshell so I used Ben Moore Matte which is between flat and eggshell. They offer matte in both the Aura line and the Regal Select line.
Strangely we ran into a problem with one of our Aura color selections. It’s a very deep, intense color and the painters were having a fit trying to get a good finish on the walls. They painted coat after coat and found that the finish would burnish if you so much as touched the wall. Luckily I had a really terrific builder who wasn’t going to let that slide so they talked to the paint store and ultimately a Ben Moore rep about what was happening. Found out that due to the high level of pigment in that color, we needed to use a satin finish to get the quality level we wanted. I was reticent about that much sheen, but it turned out great and I love it. But the walls were brand new and in perfect condition.
Color on back only. I try to only change colors on inside corners over outside corners.
Personally, big fan of BM’s Aura Matte for indoor walls. (but its pricey)
I agree with only the back. While I like the look of back and sides better, I can’t stand the bleed that happens when trying to paint outside corners. Of course, if you are hiring a painter instead of doing it yourself, I would opt for the inside sides being the accent color but make sure they watch those outside edges. Otherwise, it’s not worth the hassle when doing it yourself.
I was thinking about using BM’s Aura but it was just too much. With an entire house to paint, we wouldn’t have been able to do as many of the other things I wanted.
For me, Regal Select in Eggshell is a good compromise. It’s still low sheen w/ great color depth but cleans well. I’ve always used Behr in satin previously, so this was a change for me too. I definitely like it alot more than the shinier walls of satin finish.
So far we’ve used 4 colors (3 bedrooms, office, library, and media room) and all went on the walls very well in just one coat. Each color has a slight difference in consistency and it seemed like the thicker the paint, the less touch up needed. Little S’s media room is a slightly bluer and brighter shade of Tar Heel Blue, called Greenhow Blue. It was the consistency of cold pudding! DH loved that paint! LOL
BM’s bathroom paint isn’t my favorite to work with but it looks great once it’s up! Wall coverage isn’t the best so you can expect to either do two coats or alot of touch up. It, too, isn’t exactly bargain priced.
The paint the builders used was something by Sherwin Williams and it’s awful! I have several smudges already that I can’t clean off and we’ve been in the house less than 4 months. Dh was hoping to not paint Every.Single.Wall. but no such luck. We still have the spare bedroom, loft, foyer, 3 hallways, dining room, kitchen, breakfast room, and family room to paint. Dh says his arms are going to fall off at the shoulders by the time we’re done. :lol:
The biggest tip I can give is to much sure you use really good rollers and brushes. Wooster is our favorite, and I promise it’s not just b/c we’re Wooster grads! LOL
Their products just take the paint better and spreads smoother.
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This has been helpful!! Hoping to get the accent paint and get started soon.
So would you start w/ the accent color, taping the surrounding walls? Or start w/ the main color first? Either way some newly painted walls will have to be at least briefly taped and I’m concerned about paint being pulled off. Anyone have any special tips for this?
That’s good to hear, since painting the bathroom’s is my next home project. And yes, I expect to use two coats, since Aura is designed as a “two-coat system.”
I’ve seen professional painters do both. And perhaps it depends on how well one of the paints does with touch ups. Ben Moore flat paint for example is generally very accommodating with touch ups, i.e., they blend right in, and are not noticeable. Thus, it would be easy to paint walls first and then the trim, and touch up any wall as needed.
I agree with using the lighter color on the outer portion of the tray ceiling, and am wondering if you plan to paint the rest of the ceiling the same color or white or something else? I like the look of ceilings painted the same color as the walls; if that feels too dark then 50% lighter can look good, too.
There’s a blue painter’s tape that’s labeled for use on delicate surfaces. It’s supposed to be best to use on recently painted walls.
I’ve been reading about various Benjamin Moore paints and am leaning toward their Regal Select for our next project. I used to buy only Sherwin-Williams, but have not been happy with it in several rooms painted in the past few years, regardless of the sheen or price point.
I’m still deciding. I’ve been looking at decorating sites and have seen tray ceilings done both ways and like both. I guess it depends how much DH whines when I ask! LOL
We had our entire house painted in BM Regal Select this year and it’s been great. They used another special paint for bathrooms but I can’t remember what it’s called.
All our recent painting was BM Regal Select. Painter decision, I just go with what he likes. Other than color…I like what I like.
Just decided to paint our house exterior in BM Regal Select. Will sign the quote in the next couple of days.
Hey! Did you paint exactly as you wanted? I’m in love with the colors you chose, especially the concept of using an accent color on the larger wall and the main color on the other ones.
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Sounds lovely… maybe we need a photo 