Best Paint Colors
June 13, 2016
Editor’s Inspiration: Cottage Paint Ideas To Try This Summer
Design editor Morgan Michener shares the cottage paint colors and projects inspiring her now.
Cottages let us escape the hustle and bustle of city life, reconnect with nature and enjoy some truly peaceful moments. So it should come as no surprise that quiet, neutral palettes abound in the cottages we feature in H&H. But when colors do appear, they really make an impact. Often they’re hues drawn from nature: a slate grey taken from a wall of granite, a dark green from shadowy woods. Other times they’re classic primary hues: a not-a-cloud-in-the-sky blue or juicy red. If you’d like to inject some color into your cottage this year, here are some of my favorite paint projects, large and small — perfect for your next getaway.
I love how these boathouse and cottage exteriors blend seamlessly into their surroundings. A deep grey gets tinted blue next to rippling water and forest green radiates against a wall of trees — it’s not a rule, but color coordination can work so well when it comes to exterior paint jobs. This summer, why not give your siding a fresh, nature-inspired coat?
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Left: Deep Space (2125-20) by Benjamin Moore
Right: Hazel Wood (460F-7) by Behr
If you fancy a smaller project, try painting out part of a bedroom wall to create a faux headboard. Here, designer Jay Hodgins painted the back wall of a niche a deep slate, pairing it with linens in stony shades for a cohesive effect.
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Plummet (272) by Farrow & Ball
To add personality to an all-white cottage, paint a small section of wood flooring in fresh, watery blue. Front entries, mudrooms and bunkies are all great choices for this lively treatment.
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Rialto (10BG 22/275) by ICI Paints
Remember that little can go a long way when it comes to color. Spray-painting all-weather chairs in mismatched shades is a simple weekend project that will give your outdoor space a fun, laid-back look.
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Chair, left: Rhubarb (2007-30) by Benjamin Moore
Make use of leftover cans of paint by having the kids paint stones to use as door stops or tablecloth weights. This makes an easy and inexpensive rainy-day project.
To give vintage wooden beds bold new life, sand them down and repaint them in a saturated, high-gloss color. Primary hues like sky blue and cherry red are classic accent colors in cottages, since they really pop in neutral spaces.
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Red Obsession (SW7590) by Sherwin-Williams
Finally, an “un-painting” project. If you’re staring at your wood panelling, having the “to paint or not to paint” argument in your mind, take inspiration from this gorgeous porch. Leaving the ceiling unpainted draws the eye up and makes the room look super tall, while the dark walls create a cozy feel.
…or personalize paddles with a signature color from your cottage’s color palette. (They’ll look even better with age and use!)