Update: you can find my most up-to-date colors on my Paint Colors page!
The rest of this post reflects the paint choices before my house was repainted.
CHOOSING PAINT COLORS
I wanted to share the paint colors I’m using as I continue the ongoing painting projects at my house. Many readers ask about my paint choices, so this should gather those answers in one place.
My original plans for the house have shifted over time as I experimented and lived with different options. I try to keep choices flexible because the way a room feels is usually what guides me. I’m sensitive to atmosphere, so that inner sense tends to steer me toward what suits my home and my family best.
It’s easy to get drawn to trends or pretty images online and lose sight of what truly works for your home. By choosing colors that feel right rather than only what’s popular, I find a style I love living with and avoid many mistakes. The goal is to be true to what makes the house feel like home.
my mom made my curtains
Tobacco Leaf Paint by Martha Stewart
After many trials, I settled on Tobacco Leaf by Martha Stewart for my family room and kitchen area. I love this color. It’s a warm, elegant neutral with a brown undertone that keeps it from looking minty or too cool. I chose it because icy greens and cool blues felt too chilly for the cozy atmosphere I wanted.
Tobacco Leaf is on my kitchen walls, breakfast room, family room, and the small hall outside the powder room. It took many samples to find this shade, but it was worth the effort—now those rooms feel inviting and settled.
Martha Stewart Snail Shell – Powder Room
Snail Shell Paint by Martha Stewart
For the small powder room off the kitchen, I used Martha Stewart Snail Shell, a deeper khaki-green. We had this sample leftover from earlier trials, and it worked well in the powder room. It might change in the future as the rest of the house evolves.
The plan is to add white tongue-and-groove wainscoting on the lower half of the powder room walls. That update could prompt a change in paint, or it might stay as-is depending on how the home feels as we make progress.
Dining Room Behr All in One Studio Taupe
Behr All in One Studio Taupe Paint
For the dining room I chose a warm gray: Behr All In One Studio Taupe. I adore it. While gray might seem cold, this particular tone has warm undertones that create a cozy, classic ambiance. It complements the natural light and scenery in the Pacific Northwest, helping the rooms feel balanced with the outdoors rather than at odds with it.
Studio Taupe is darker than Tobacco Leaf but they complement each other nicely and create a smooth flow between rooms. I picked this gray not because it’s trendy but because it feels like a timeless neutral that works with white trim, colorful stained glass in the dining room, and my overall aesthetic.
What’s the next step in the painting process?
I’ve decided to continue Studio Taupe into the living room, entry, and up the staircase so the main floor will feel cohesive (except for a separate room that will become my new office).
My front rooms are bright and sunny, so Studio Taupe will appear a bit lighter there. I’m aiming for a craftsman house that feels a little “old world” and lived-in rather than like new construction.
I prefer warm neutral shades throughout the home. Variations in tone help rooms flow together without feeling overly coordinated. I typically choose paint colors last to ensure they work naturally with furniture, trim, and accessories. Walls should form a backdrop, allowing white accents, neutrals, pops of color in accessories, and warm wood tones to stand out.
I’m a creature of habit when it comes to comfortable, layered color schemes—highs, lows, and mid-tones create the visual variety I like rather than a monotone look.
Tobacco Leaf – Martha Stewart
If you’re curious about other paint projects I’ve shared, I’ve written about painting a dresser and a blue table in earlier posts. Those posts describe the colors and techniques I used for fun painted pieces.
As for the upstairs hallway and bedrooms, I haven’t decided yet. I often choose those colors as I go so they fit the overall feel of the home.
Luckily, my husband is ready to help with the taller walls, so we’ll keep moving forward. Thanks for following along on the painting journey!
related posts:
My favorite Antique White Paint
This post was shared as part of a paint-color feature.
Thank you to Diane for sponsoring this week’s posts.