What colors go well with Antique White walls?

Question

The previous owner of my home painted the entire interior an Antique White (satin, except the kitchen and bathroom which are semi-gloss) including all of the walls, front, rear and side doors, floor trim, door trim, closet trim, etc which makes it all look a bit boring. I had considered painting the trim along the floors/doors/closets white (semi-gloss?) to add some much needed contrast but I have heard that may cause the antique white on the walls to look "dingy" Other features of note in the home are a large red brick fireplace with black cast iron wood stove in the living room, the carpet is kind of a steel grey berber throughout, the kitchen and bathroom both have a wood grain vinyl flooring, and all of the interior doors (bedrooms, closets) are wood also. It's all a bit overwhelming (in the dull sense) with too much of the antique white on the one hand and wood on the other! I need help! Any suggestions for guy with no color sense? (yes maybe thats a bit redundant!)

In the living room the primary piece of furniture is a blue sectional.

As far as the other rooms go there isn't much in the way of furniture as I just moved in so I can get things to match later after painting.

The wood interior doors are somewhat dark, I don't know what kind though.

Answer 1

I'm a big fan of light green-not lime, maybe like a toned down pine color. It looks fantastic, and if you use it on door frames, cubbords, etc., it hides spots and dirt pretty well. I have 3 little kids that are big on fingerprints, and that color camos it pretty well. Most home interior stores have a lot of accesories in green, so it'll be easy for you to find things to match. Another good color is "elephant blue", kind of a blueish-gray tone, looks great with wood floors. You can never go wrong with yellow (go really light, not canary yellow though), but any dirt will shine through, it may be kind of high-maintenence. Good Luck!

Answer 2

Oh yes. I know what you mean.. I love to coordinate colors. Yes, painting part of the woodwork WHITE(semi-gloss) would make the antique white a bit dingy. Personally I do NOT like antique white because in time it tends to turn a bit yellowish.. I much prefer Swiss Coffee white and that is what I have used throughout the places where I have moved to. Now.. as for the colors of the rooms.. I think you would be unhappy to paint all the rooms the same. I would take the bedroom, for example, and choose a soft, warm light beige to the color of wheat.. being careful to not make the yellow anything predominent and the other room, a soft, light green(I do not like green but this light green I love) and another room one of my favorite colors is a coral color. I ONLY paint the walls a satin finish.. woodwork a semi-gloss and I always paint the ceilings also.. I paint the ceilings the SAME color as I paint the walls but in a flat color

Answer 3

Perhaps you could try painting a few walls another color to go with your stuff. An easy way to do this is to chose one thing in each room that you really like and choose a color that is in this one thing. You make it a focal point for choosing your color. And yes, not only will painting the trim make the antique white look dingy, but it will also make your rooms seem much smaller. I would also add some greenery... plants help to change the blah feeling. Good luck.

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
What colors go well with Antique White walls?
The previous owner of my home painted the entire interior an Antique White (satin, except the kitchen and bathroom which are semi-gloss) including all of the walls, front, rear and side doors, floor trim, door trim, closet trim, etc which makes it all look a bit boring. I had considered painting...

Answer 5

Antique White Color

Answer 6

Paint paint paint. I don't know why people paint wood work. But once it has been painted it is a pain to restore and stain. What color is your furniture? Go to Lowe's or home depot and get some of their palate suggestions and have a good time. Antique white with grey carpet is a sin....One room at a time and you will have the house of your dreams. Good luck.

Answer 7

I have a living room that was the same color as you're describing, antique white (gag) and I painted it with colored Kilz paint "waterwheel blue". As far as I know, the only place you can get this paint is at Walmart and it's vinyl and very good, like the Kilz primer, but in colors. This color is so subtle, that you really have to look at it to see it's blue. With at blue sofa, it would be beautiful and white trim (satin) would be perfect. I have medium wood tones and red as my accent colors, with an asian feel. I decorated it all with thrift store finds and it's beautiful. Wish you luck. Godloveya!

Answer 8

You didn't say if the wood is dark or a warm oak or pine.....Ok here we go. Get a large propolyene area rug for the living area. Buy one that has a contemporary look in a burgundy and gold pattern. Paint your trim a dark gold ocre. In the living room paint one of the walls a textured burgundy. Accent it with a large mirror with a silver frame.

Use some gold drapes on the windows. Have some end tables and lamps with a wood that matches the kitchen wood. For accents pillows, get solid colors in gold, burgundy,grey and kelly green. Use a lot of silk plants to accent one corner in the living area and have accent uplights using flourescent bulbs to cast shadows in the ceilings.

Use several large carved wood black accent pieces. These can be any theme from native to contemporary things. Just to bring out the cast iron you have.Finally, make or buy metalic silver lamps with dark green shades to pick up your plant colors.

Good luck and enjoy!

Answer 9

EGAD! Since I cannot look at your house may I suggest that you go to a quality paint suppier with some well (but not overly) lighted digital photos of your interior. Get a professional consultation. Off the top of my head I'd venture to guess that you will have to choose an 'old fashioned' color that somehow goes with the paint and the carpet. Consider having the bricks stained or painted as well as restaining some of the wood work to mix it up a bit. Good luck and have fun with it.

Answer 10

Basically you are saying that your house is a blank canvas! You are quite lucky! You could have gotten stuck trying to live with the previous owner's choice of colors and you might not have liked them. Taupe, French Vanilla and a pale creamy yellow are safe colors. You are not sticking with bland, dull colors that way. With white trim these colors make a room, any room feel warm and welcoming. They also speak volumes to the senses. They are not overwhelming. Sounds like you have an interesting project ahead of you! Don't be afraid to paint...it's not like wallpaper, if you don't like what you see, paint over it! Paint makes the biggest impact on a room and brings about instant change. Have fun!