Better Than Beige…The Explanation

by Susan Gruenling on December 19, 2008

I love color…and yes even white is a color. It is truly amazing how a new paint color on the walls can transform a room. As long as you paint your own walls you get the most impact for the least amount of design dollars just by adding a new hue.

Beige is everywhere. Our Valley homes have been populated by a color too dark to be white and not rich enough to have another name except “builder’s beige”. It covers every square in every room of the home; no accent walls, no interesting color in the bedroom or kitchen, just every wall the same. As Realtors, we see it everywhere. I know it’s safe and it’s easy. Sorry folks, but I’m just not a big fan.

There is a rainbow of colors available. Different shades and tones and hues and saturation.  So many I have found that I once had more than a dozen samples on my kitchen walls trying to choose THE one. I believe that even white has it place and have surprisingly grown to love it more and more. (Yes, yes white IS a color). I favor a modern or urban look and white walls really suit this aesthetic. Crisp, bright and clean. And grey is very overlooked. Soft fog, oyster, pewter, steel or simply soft grey is a much overlooked neutral.

Colors are a great way to express yourself. Shy?  start off with your walk-in closet or hall bath. Even the interior  walls of the  block fence around your home will transform with a coat of color. A green will blend in with any plantings in the foreground, a deep color will mysteriously disappear at night. What color would best highlight the climbing bougainvillea or flowers?  Still unsure? Perhaps you can purchase a colorful piece of artwork to hang on your walls.

Having lived and traveled from coast to coast I find it interesting that a majority of Valley homes are painted extremely neutral whereas color is widely used elsewhere. Why do you think that is?

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