i just spent a bunch of money on a color for the walls that my husband HATES! what can i do?

Question

i purchased a color called "mulled wine" by Behr paints, for the living room walls... our house has a really open concept and my husband does not like it.... says it looks too contemporary and that we have a "country" house.... is there anything i can do to make this better?

Answer 1

Depends. Is it already on the walls or still in the cans? If it's already on the walls, it's already too late. BUT, before you rush out and spend a load on changing it, I'd ask him to try it out for at least a month if not two. I suspect this color is very different than you previously had and it's a matter of getting used to it. After a fair trial period of 30 to 60 days, he may in fact grow to like it. If after the trial, he still hates it then you're probably going to have to find something you can both agree on. During the trial period, go to resale shops and look for household decorative items that you could use to blend in or contrast in a positive way, yet inexpensively. Adding accessories to make the "look" come together, can really make the difference. If it's not on the walls, take it back, INSIST that he come WITH you and don't get a thing until you both agree so that you don't run into this situation again. Some husbands never want to share in the picking out process, but sure know how to complain after the fact!!! You both live in the house, you BOTH need to be happy.

Answer 2

Make it better? Does that mean you painted the walls? It's tough, even for profesional painters to really know exactly how a room is going to look till after its painted. Professionals do have the advantage of having seen more colors and more room than does the average homewoner.

Other than white, paint is one of those things where it's really hard to know what it is going to look like till its on the walls, especially if it has any shade to it other than the lightest of pastels. My mom had a painting business for years and I've certainly done quite a bit of painting. When I paint with anything other than white, I always get multiple shades of the color I'm going to use and paint entire walls till I'm pretty sure I have the shade I want. Even then, it's really easy to go too dark.

Ask Home Depo (Behr is Home Depo Brand) if you can have a few busted up pieces of wall board. They always have broken pieces. Get some primer-sealer. Then try out various paints you like on the wall board and put the wall board in the room you are thinking of painting. Remember that if the color has any shade to it at all, the room will get a whole lot darker as you paint the walls (good assumption that your walls are either white or off white already - its the paint of choice for most builders and home owners).

One you get close on the wallboard, paint a whole wall and then decide if it's right.

BUT BEFORE ANY OF THAT ...

Get hubby to go with you to pick out paints and agree beforehand that in the grand scheme of things, paint is not something worth quibling over.

Answer 3

well this colour is a more contemporary colour but it can fit if you mix it up correctly. First have you painted all four walls the same colour? Maybe it's just too much for your husband.

Luckily for you when it comes to redecorating paint is the least expensive change you can make.

First off I would advise you to ask your husband to live with the colour for about 2 weeks. If at the end of the two weeks he still dispises the colour you can work together to find an alternate option that works for your situation.

Some ideas are, painting 3 walls a diffrent colour, doing a faux finish on the walls like ragging or even finding other tones that match this one and use all three on the wall graduating from the lightest to the darkest. or darkest to lightest which ever you prefer and then paint the other walls in the room either a netural colour such as tan, biege or kaki or the lightest of the 3 shades you choose. There are lots of magazines out there for you to get more ideas. You could even check out your local home depot or lowes to see if they offer any seminars on interior painting if you are doing the job yourself. Ask your husband to come with you and make it a project you do together. Think of it as spending fun quality time together.

Or you can simply repaint entirely. It is a hassle but worth it if your significant other is really not happy in your home with this colour. Make sure he is involved in the decision making of the colours you choose but remember that redecorating is supposed to be fun and exciting.
Good Luck!

Answer 4

Return the paint and bring home 10 or so paint chips to go through with your hubby. Choose one you both like....afterall, he'll be living in the house, too. I wouldn't like it if my husband painted the walls and expected me to "live with it." If you've already painted the walls, do not sponge over it...that looks really amateur and cheap. The color sounds dark, so prime over it and paint it a beautiful, elegant color that fits your country decor and matches your furniture, etc. Also, don't just add white to the paint you have...you will never get all the paint cans to have the exact same color.

Answer 5

First find some colors that he does like. Then you have someplace to start from. Go to the paint store and grab a bunch of samples if he won't go with you. Maybe show him some pictures in a magazine that you like that show that color wall paint or a range of colors like it.

Once you know what direction he wants to go, you will be more prepared to ask another question like, How do I make red paint green? Then tell us how much paint you have i.e. 1 gallon, 2 gallons, etc. And tell which color you want to do instead.

The idea about sponging it over is good, but you have to know in which direction you are headed. Do you want it darker or lighter? Redder or not?

Answer 6

You can take it to the paint shop and ask them to lighted the color - that color is so dark you are going to have to put primer on it and then probaly paint two coats over that primer if you paint the walls in it and he hates it.


This is an amazing site that lets you choose colors on line and then shows you a room in the color you create.

http://www.behr.com/behrx/workbook/

Next time you feel the urge to paint. Get the color in a sample can. Paint a 2 foot By 2 foot square on your wall and live with it for a week before you take that sort of a drastic plunge

Answer 7

If you haven't already painted the walls; take the paint back where you bought it and take your husband with you so you both can pick out a color together. My husband doesn't care what I do to our house. I call the den the hunting room 'cause that's where he stays most of the time and its decorated in wild turkey pictures along with a stuffed wild turkey and wild bore. The living room is my Betty Boop room since I've been collecting her since 1980 (no grandkids allowed in there).

Answer 8

Put the paint back in the buckets and get your money back. Seriously, have you 2 talked about what would be a nice color for the walls in there? Think his little bit of input would be a bit helpful, since it is BOTH of yours place.

Answer 9

that color is really bold, ive seen it on a wall before. i wouldnt be crazy about having it either. and im afraid if you try to lighten it by adding white, its gonna turn pink. adding green will make it turn brown, but this too will be a very dark, bold color. but probably more acceptable to your husband than what it looks like now. didnt he have any input into the color choice? if he hates it so much, why didnt he make a point of helping you pick it out?

Answer 10

Get a divorce.....not an option? Choose a lighter color and dab it over the mulled wine with a sea sponge, stiff brush or cotton rag waded up for effect. You'll have your wine and he can have his cheese