Fridays At 5:00: 5 Paints We Use In Our Home

There are a lot of paint options out there, but after a lot of trial and error we have found some great ones! Come see the 5 paints we use in our home.

Choosing paint colors for our interior have been some of the hardest decisions we have had to make as home owners. There is so much pressure to “get it right” and unfortunately there isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” paint color that works perfectly for every room. What is more, I have learned that paint colors really do change depending on things like natural and artificial light. However, over time, I have found a handful of paint colors that we love.

One of the questions that I get asked most often is, “What color are your walls.” Whether I am showing our living room or our bedroom, you guys want to know! So, I thought I would share with you all the 5 paint colors that we are loving right now! My hope is that this little post will help you to find the perfect color for the rooms in YOUR home.

Light French Gray

(SW: 0055)

This is the color that we have throughout our main living areas. Our home is an open floor plan and because of that there is no real division of ‘rooms’ on our first floor. We wanted a color that was muted and subtle but that still offered a little color. We tried many grays but so many of them seemed to read “blue” to me. After a lot of deliberation, I decided on Light French Gray and we have been very happy with it.

Extra White

(SW: 7006)

This is the trim color throughout our home. We also have painted our fireplaces and our upstairs handrails this color. I love it because it is a true bright and vibrant white and it balances well with the Light French Gray. I feel that it brightens up the gray a bit and gives our home a lighter feeling.

White Dove

(BM: OC-17)

This is the color that we chose for our bedroom. I love this warmer white and I feel that it offers a more cozy feel to the master bedroom. It is a ‘shaded white’ so it isn’t as crisp as other bright whites.

Alabaster

(SW: 7008)

We chose Alabaster for the board and batten and trim in our son’s bedroom. Like White Dove, it too is a warmer white and that is what we wanted for son’s room. This warmer color helps to balance the cool light coming in from his double window.

Woodland Lichen

(SW: 3282)

We recently redid our son’s bedroom. His favorite color is green and he wanted to have a room that represented HIM. Together, we decided on Woodland Lichen and it may just be my new favorite color. This is a moody green and we are very pleased with it.

P.S.

It is important to consider the sheen (or gloss level) of the paint that you are choosing. The sheen that you chose will determine the amount of shine that it has. Typically, the more sheen your paint has, the easier it is to clean. Below is a list of sheens and a brief description:

• Flat or Matte: little to no shine and work best in low-traffic areas
• Eggshell: low shine and works well when minimal clean-up is necessary
• Satin: medium shine and offers easy clean-up for higher traffic areas
• Semi-Gloss: shine is evident and offers maximum durability
• High-Gloss: very reflective and works well for highlighting areas

Typical Sheen Choices:

• Living Room, Dining Room, Master Bedroom: Flat or Matte
• Family Rooms, Bedrooms, Kitchens: Eggshell
• Rooms that are high traffic: Satin
• Trim, Doors, Kids Rooms, Bathrooms (high moister areas): Semi-Gloss
• Trim, Molding, Cabinet Doors, Doors: High-Gloss