I'm as guilty as charged...I do not swatch paint.
It's my version of living life on the edge! A risky strategy that has had lady luck on my side until this weekend. Half the hallway has now been painted, but I do not like the colour! We decided to indulge on our new married home, by going to Fired Earth - however slight damage control was exercised with use of a 20% off paint voucher from Living Etc magazine.
Without a dado rail which can help balance a strong colour with a neutral colour, I usually paint all hallways brilliant white; it's fresh, it's light and a fantastic canvas for wall art and embellishments that bring a space together. For my home, I decided to be a tad risqué...by going for a very pale colour with chutzpah. After much Internet scouring, this "robin's egg blue" found on the Martha Stewart website, seemed to fit the bill...it's perfect for what I envisage.
Without a dado rail which can help balance a strong colour with a neutral colour, I usually paint all hallways brilliant white; it's fresh, it's light and a fantastic canvas for wall art and embellishments that bring a space together. For my home, I decided to be a tad risqué...by going for a very pale colour with chutzpah. After much Internet scouring, this "robin's egg blue" found on the Martha Stewart website, seemed to fit the bill...it's perfect for what I envisage.
With pseudo-confidence, I bought 20 litres of "Nordic Light" from the Kevin McCloud collection, believing it was a very close match to the colour above. I dutifully arrived at the house at late dusk - some time after the builders had gone and left clear instructions on the tins and walls for what was to be painted, where. The following day we went back for our daily progress and catch-ups. Looking at the top of the stairs I noticed that Nordic Light had began her relationship with our walls. She seemed remarkably blue, more so than I had imagined, I quickly decided it was due to lighting (or lack thereof). I imagined in the entrance, with all the light streaming through the south facing door she would be perfect! We left the for the afternoon, and returned later with a few bits and bobs. More of the landing had been painted and my true reaction fought through through all the modesty and declared that the colour was simply not right. "I want a dado rail" I demanded, that way the colour is not so "in your face", I explained. My husband patiently interjected that time was of the essence and cost was a negating factor and asked if perhaps there was a compromise. Instantly guilty at my outburst, I suggested that we bought some sample pots and test them on the wall, before anymore Nordic Light was opened up and that being a bank holiday weekend we had enough time to test and decide.
This is where we find ourselves now. Five samples of "blue" in the hallway and I think I know which one I love. We will go back tomorrow with fresh eyes and decide.
The first pic is a close up of each sample (all from Fired Earth) including Nordic Light:
This pic is the swatch wall from different perspectives. Here you can really see how "dark" the other colours seem in second picture, blue moon however (bottom left swatch) still seems to shine and reflect light:
I think all the colours are great, even Nordic Light (in the right setup). However, Blue Moon is the one that evokes the same feel of the original picture; light, bright, with some personality. It's blue, with a touch of green, with a touch of turquoise, with a touch of personality, with a touch of something...
What do you think? Whatever you decide - word to the wise: swatch your paint first...you can never fully know how a colour will react with the natural light, artificial light and features in a room. Make sure it's a big enough swatch to fully appreciate the colour. Save money and time!
