Myths and Old Wives Tales

How many of you have heard that a dark color will make a space look smaller? I am betting that most of you have. For those of you who would love to paint a wall or a room a deep dark color I have good news for you. Dark colors tend to open a space up!

It was probably 15 or 16 years ago when my partner and I were tasked with taking a long narrow hall and turning into a reception area for an appointment only bakery. The client gave us an invitation and asked us to work off of those colors.

The first thing we did was add a crown molding and chair rail to add a little sofistication. We came up with a great wall finish (I had just completed a course at The Finishing School) and I really thought I knew what I was doing. I was able to put together the color combination and mix the colors perfectly. As far as execution, well that was another story. Lucky for me I had a genius for a partner. That was for above the chair rail. Once we managed to get the top done with multiple color glazes and faux stone, we had the bottom to contend with. It seemed the only thing to do was a dark green. The Ralph Lauren paints were out at that point and the color collections were in this painters opinion the best that were out at the time.

We picked a very dark green. I was terrified. All that kept going through my head was, "oh no! this will take this skinny hall and make it look even narrow". The client was terrified and decided to let it go and just let us do our thing. They were out of money and paying us in cake. So dark green won and we rolled away. When it was all done, 75 coats later we could not believe our eyes. That hallway doubled in width. You could look into the wall and it kept going forever. Our clients were thrilled and our family members and friends received the most amazing birthday cakes for years.

From that project on I have continuously suggested to a client that they go for it if they desire a dark color. I often tell that story. To date I have never had to change a dark color. There was a lot of hand holding and therapy through the process, but the color always stayed.

I have found over the years that medium toned colors tend to cozy up a space. They seem to give the illusion that the walls are closer together.

If you want dark red, deep brown or even black, I say go for it! Remember it is only paint.