Spring is springing, and I have the itch to decorate and do projects like no one’s business. I am already signed up to work on living room lighting, and the office update begins tomorrow. Now, I also am thinking of painting all the trim in our living room / dining room / foyer a shade of green — maybe this shade of green used by Julie Dastvan in the 27th annual Historic Ellicott City Decorator Show House.
Yes, these photos are all of Julie’s beautiful showhouse design (not my living room). When we first moved in 10 years ago, all the trim was a bright white. It may have been Atrium White — which has a pink tinge. Atrium white did not please me. I began to experiment with off-whites, and with the help of a friend in the painting business, came up with a custom off-white that is based on linen but with most of the yellow taken out. I have quite enjoyed my off-white trim… and the paint finish still looks great (Graham Ceramic Satin)… but still, 10 years have gone by… and if I can muster the energy and the GUTS, I am ready to make a commitment to a true color. It may be this green, or darn close: Benjamin Moore Rosemary Sprig #2144-30.
Where did I find this color? In a story some time ago on the DC by Design blog (link gone) — and it’s this story that convinced me, my trim would/could look great painted green. I chased Julie down for the name of the paint color. She kindly got it for me. She said this green trim color was already used in this bedroom — it was the one element that she could not change and had to work with. I think she did a fantastic job. This room is just lovely — timeless, I think.
Don’t miss the ceiling — that’s stenciling in two layers, flat and glossy paint. Hey, how about I also stencil a design like this across ginormous living room/dining room ceiling; these adjacent, open rooms together measure 15′ by 45′. I have a lot of ceiling. Oh my aching back and neck. I can feel their protest already.
Interestingly, when I was initially painting my living room / dining room, I could see from inside cabinets that a minty green had once been used on the trim in my room. Intensity-wise, my 1960s (?) green seems like it was lighter than this BM Rosemary Sprig. You know the color — an almost hospital-like minty green. I am aiming for a not-too-dark, not-too-light…
…Benjamin Moore is calling Rosemary Sprig “bold and saturated.” It may be just right… Yes, gasp!, a light avocado? Shhhh! BM surely does not want that word to get out! Of course, trying to guess whether colors will work from photos and on computers only gets you pointed in a direction. Let the games and sample-pint purchases begin….
But, Reality Check: Do I have the real drive to paint all my trim, really? There are 3,000 little pieces of dentil molding dentils in the ceiling beams. 3,000! And while my DIY ambitions usually extend just as far as DIY-check-writing, painting is one thing that I do myself. My ambitions for spring updates may be an overstretch, given time and money realities.
Meanwhile, this week I will go get a sample of Benjamin Moore Rosemary Sprig. I’ve heard good things about their new Aura line of paint — it’s a latex that’s supposed to look just like oil. I’ll paint it on cardboard or something like that, though. Not the trim. So I don’t have to commit.
Credits:
- Angie Seckinger, photographer
- Designer: Julie Dastvan of Dastvan Designs (301) 330-9595
Julie’s description and source list for this project:
A regal town and country master suite created using deep jewel tones, rich textures, and handsome furnishings with timeless elegant touches and treasures from travels abroad reflect the lives of my aunt and uncle, Doris and Lee Caldwell, to whom I dedicate this master suite.
The Oscar de la Renta fabric used for the drapes and bed canopy was the inspiration for the design. Red velvet chairs with a tailored linen ottoman and a queen tufted bed draped in luscious fabrics offer an inviting place to start and end the day.
The stenciled ceiling design was inspired by a traditional octagonal coffered ceiling, and the walls were finished using a faux linen technique. The custom pinched moiré area rug has the look of a priceless well-worn antique carpet.
Finally, the irresistible draw of the balcony invites you to take in the views from the comfy outdoor seating while wrapped in a warm throw for those chilly fall evenings.
Credits:
Art/Accessories: Avery Art, 202.506.4180; Century, Henredon and Robert Allen showrooms, Washington Design Center; Hollis & Knight, 202.333.6999
Drapery Workroom: Drapery Designs, 301.330.4418
Fabrics: Kravet, Duralee, Old World Weavers, and Robert Allen, Washington Design Center
Faux Finishes: Anna-Marie Gallart and Karen Furman, 301.252.7974
Furniture: Century, Washington Design Center, 202.488-4400; Henredon and Hickory Chair, Washington Design Center, 202.554.3340; Hollis & Knight; Kravet, Washington Design Center, 202.479.0144; Offenbacher’s, 301.881-8565
Lighting: Annapolis Lighting, 301.231.4994; Hollis & Knight
Paint: Sherwin Williams, Enchanted Forest Shopping Center, MD, 410.203.2912
Rug: The Fernhill Group, 410.531.8990
Thank you, Julie! Thank you, Angie!
JKaye says
It certainly is a lovely color. But, what kind of feeling do you want the room to have? Do you consider the room to be informal or formal? Do you consider woodwork painted in a color to have a formal or informal look? Do you think the color will make the woodwork more or less formal than the white woodwork? Would you consider using that color on the walls, and leaving the woodwork white? Will you be bothered by having woodwork in one room of the house painted differently than woodwork in the rest of the house? These issues might be more important to consider than the amount of work the paint job will involve. Once the work is done, you have to live with the color for a long time.
pam kueber says
Hi JKaye, I think the green paint will make the room less formal – a plus. I can’t paint the upper part of the walls, because that’s covered with grasscloth — which we added a few years ago, and which we love. A key issue — which you have hit smack — is whether it will bother me to have green woodwork in the living room/dining room/foyer, but not in adjacent rooms. I’m still mulling that one…
lynda davis says
I think it is a very pretty color. You might check out the new Color Stories paint by Benjamin Moore. The colors have do not have any black in the mix so the colors are clearer….so they say!
Rebecca says
Pam, my white trim in my 1957 house is all chipping and underneath I can see that it was originally a color similar to this. (My walls are currently a similar color–it’s called White Grape and I love it. It’s not really minty–more of a yellow-green, and depending on the light it looks more yellowy or more greeny. I love it)
go for it–these rooms are gorgy.
BK31 says
That is the EXACT color we picked about a month ago to paint our base cabinets and trim in our kitchen. There were just too many layers of paint on the pine for me to deal with so I figured I’d just add another layer. Now if I can ever get around to painting our cabinets I’d have a pic or two for you.
Jay says
Go for the green!. One of my favorite colors. I am presently painting my bathroom a light minty green.
emily says
Sweet color! I even love the name. It does suit many eras and decors, which means it truly is a GOOD COLOR!
Having painted all the trim in our small 1960 ranch (we went with white trim), I can attest that it’s no small feat (as you well know)! Lots of time and a very crooked neck at the end of the week.
MCM is Grand says
I think “minty green” was quite popular in its heyday…I have lived in 3 homes all built circa 1950, and the interior of every one has had this color visible under another, (later) layer of white!
Becky Leach says
Although I’m not familiar with the interior version, we had our farmhouse painted a lovely, clear shade of light yellow in Aura, last spring. I sprang for the extra cost because I’d learned that yellow paint fades quickly. I’m happy to report that after a full year of our brutal NW Iowa weather (wet springs, torrid summers, and bitter winters–we typically experience 100 degree temperature extremes!) the paint jobs looks brand new.
Kate says
Pam, if you can commit to the time it will take to do all that painting, then DO IT! It would look so awesome! It is hard to commit to a color for time intensive stuff like that. I could have easily painted my kitchen cabinets white and called it a day (white goes with everything) but choosing a light minty green absolutely made my kitchen! As long as you’re sure of the shade…do it!
🙂
Lynn-O-Matic says
I really like that color and I think it might enhance your existing design very nicely.
Rather than cardboard I’d get a piece of scrap wood and prime it first. You can also get a piece of MDF trim that comes primed. You’ll be able to see the color and finish much better.