Here’s another set of vintage and midcentury paint colors to add to our list — the HGTV Home by Sherwin Williams ‘Vintage Finds’ paint color collection, available through Lowe’s. We first received a tip about this paint collection from reader Lisa in April, but were unsuccessful finding any information online. So I took a real-life trip to Lowe’s to look for myself. Sure enough, nestled amongst several other themed paint collections was a cheerful mix of vintage inspired paint colors.
The photos in the ‘Vintage Finds’ brochure feature a mix of midcentury modern decor from the 1950s and 1960s. This paint collection seems to be a contemporary update to the classic, now-discontinued Sherwin Williams Suburban Modern paint collection — although if you refer to our archived chips, you can still get the Suburban Modern colors.
Like the brochure’s imagery, the range of retro modern styles is reflected in the paint colors themselves. Of the 20 colors in the ‘Vintage Finds’ pallet you will find several cheery colors that evoke a 1950s and early 1960s feel — such as Refresh (aqua), Lotus Flower (light pink) and Dusty Coral… along with paint chips that speak more to the later 1960s — like Amber Wave (bright orange), Red Cent (burnt orange) and Frolic (acid green). To appeal to the mainstream trends, there are also several neutral colors like Softer Tan, Fenland and — gee, golly, ugh, this is why we call this collection a “modern” update to Suburban Modern — the collection includes a color called Perfect Greige. Note: We don’t h*** the color gray — for sure, we see gray used in midcentury homes — Pam says she adores pink and gray bathrooms, for example — it’s just the gray on virtually every surface throughout the house circa-2013 trend we continue to challenge.
The versatile ‘Vintage Finds’ paint collection has a little something for everyone — and can be used to create looks that are modern or retro, colorful or neutral.
Mega thanks to reader Lisa for the tip!
We have a lot of research on paint colors for midcentury and vintage houses — check out all our stories by clicking here.
Bootie Queen 
What to do with an off-center roman brick fireplace? 
Retro Renovation’s 2014 Color of the Year: Harvest Gold 
You say “crazy paint chip lady” like it’s a bad thing 
COMMENTS WILL RE-OPEN on MONDAY, DECEMBER 2. For the first time in, like, 13 years, I am taking a real vacation from the blog, to spend un-distracted time with family. As part of this, Commenting on the blog is paused. Meanwhile, please enjoy reading all the many stories in our archives -- and come back Monday, Dec. 2 when I will launch our annual giveaway of a vintage ornament wreath made by Georgia Peachez -- and when comments will reopen so you can enter to win! HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING, EVERYONE!
Joe Felice says
2013??? Heck, greige seems to have been the rage, at least with builders and HOAs, since the late ’80s. There are neighborhoods in which house after house is a shade of grey or light brown. Makes me physically ill. Some people are really afraid of color, I’ve learned, but that’s not I. Fortunately, color has crept back to the front, and people are re-discovering it. However, in the condo & apartment realm, burnt orange and light sage seem to be all the rage, and I’m already tired of that. Not to mention the boxiness and flat roofs. These things are thrown up in no time. Doesn’t bode well for the future. Even people who have no interest in mid-century style are turning to colors that were popular back then.
Nicole says
I do straight grey (it has hint of blue if anything) instead of grey, and it’s not that I’m afraid of color. It’s that I LOVE the monochrome look. Light grey (almost silver but not metallic) walls with charcoal curtains and rugs? Fab. It’s all about playing with texture.
pam kueber says
Okay but… one of my battle cries (in addition to Save the Pink Bathrooms) is “Resist the Greige Nation.” I think all you gray-fans have been mass hypnotized by contemporary marketeers. Back in the day, this was all called “battleship gray” – and it was the color you painted your concrete basement walls. The rest of the house: Got happy color because finally, we could!
Midge says
Love how the paint companies are reviving vintage colors! Dunn Edwards Paint has also put out a line of vintage colors this year! It is called “The Then, Now, and Forever” collection.
sherree says
While visiting family in Toronto I found a similar paint collection sold exclusively at their Home Hardware stores. It is also called “Vintage Finds” by Beauti-Tone paints. It has wonderful retro colors with names like Bewitched Blue, Eames Blue, Plastic Pink Flamingos, Atomic Sage, Nuclear Fizzin’, Yellow Submarine, Retro-A-Go-Go, Shag-tastic and more. Maybe our Canadian readers may want to check this out 🙂
Reid Sondrup says
Don’t believe I’ve seen this color palette discussed. http://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-collection/lifestyle-collection/retro-revival/ They don’t quite hit the mark for me.
Artie B. says
We just bought a mid-century ranch (built in 1957) in Arvada CO, just outside of Denver. We are going for that mid-century “modern” look. I am thinking of doing the whole house walls in Fenland, (keep in mind the trim and doors are stained honey-wood color) the ceiling in Choice Cream, and the bathrooms in Bungelhouse Blue. What is your expert opinion on this scheme?
Yolanda Castillo says
I would like to use the Choice Cream as a neutral wall color. I’m liking mid-century with a little coastal feel. I think I’d like a bright white, semi-gloss trim. Any suggestions to spice it up?