Paint colors
Here are some basic recommendations for paint colors with a mid century feel. Important: We all care very much about managing environmental and safety issues properly, so when undertaking your restoration project, be sure to familiarize yourself with and use recommended best practices. For example, the EPA hosts a website on lead in the home and a website on asbestos in the home. Consult professionals regarding these materials, and also about the proper disposal of debris, etc.
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Here’s my dilemma: The brick siding on my ranch is in the orange shades and since there are four brick ranches, including mine, together on the same block, I’d like to paint the trim and garage overhead. I was thinking of avocado, but not sure yet.
Any suggestions, retro friends?
I have a 1955 large ranch home. When you enter the foyer you are just about in the dining room (the only feature I don’t like about my house). There is a brick planter box that is about 18″ high X 10′ long that separates the dining room from the foyer, has anyone else ever seen that? When we bought the home the dining room was painted an off white color – I think it might have been ony the second color the dining room had ever been painted. I painted it a very light green/gray color and I hate it! I have been on a kick lately wanting to paint it chocolate brown. But, I can’t find any pictures of brown dining rooms anywhere – I am crazy? I am open to suggestions. Also, I have a wall of built in china cabinets that are painted cream on the out side and a coralish pink color on the inside. Please advise!
Hi Diane, and welcome. Why don’t you send me some photos at retrorenovation at gmail dot com. Sound like you have a lovely home! Pam
Thank you! I think I have a wonderful house too, and as soon as I can figure out how to add pictures I will! I am very lucky to be the third owner of a very special home. Overall it is nearly 5000 square feet, with two kitchens and an actual “electrical room” not just one breaker box but about 10! The original homeowners were very well off and spared no expense when building the home which is my good luck. I am glad to be joining such a great site!
first time poster, love looking! I wanted to say thanks, I had a certain retro colour I was looking for so when I came to this section, I saw Sherwin Williams recommended. It was there in the Suburban Modern brochure! yeah! Burma Jade for our 50’s 1.5 story house. As it turns out a SW store opened a month ago up the street from my house and on the day I went in to get a colour swatch they were starting a 40% off sale the following day! The fates were smiling on me for sure! I have convinced my neutral colour lovin’ husband to paint the garage doors this colour in addition to the door I bought it for.
Welcome, Yvonne. The retro decorating gods were indeed smiling upon you! Send me a photo when you’re done! Send to: retrorenovation [at] gmail [dot] com. I can’t wait to see it!