do blondes really have more fun?

I've always wondered. 

Have you seen this article that gives we brunettes colors that are most complimentary for our coloring?  Check it out.  In the meantime, I'll take it a step further and share my perspective on what I see as lovely surroundings for raven-haired divas. 

If you think about it, we all take a great deal of time selecting clothes that look best with our coloring, complexion, and body style.  So isn't it equally important to surround ourselves with colors that make us feel comfortable and compliment our features?

Let's start with my personal favorite, hushed CREAMS and WHITES.

White can go from simple and sophisticated....

to dreamy and whimsical...

to relaxed chic.

And it's always soft and inviting when you bring in accent colors and texture.

House Beautiful likes: Benjamin Moore BRIDE TO BE 1009  [a cooler shade with a purple undertone]

 

I like:

Benjamin Moore OATMEAL 268 [the cream I painted in my carriage house, very warm.  There's no pink, grey or green undertones]

Benjamin Moore NIVEOUS 0C-36 [the wall color in our main house, crisp off-white with the slightest hint of a yellow undertone]

Moving on to LAVENDER [a noted favorite of brunette, Windsor Smith]

A color House Beautiful suggests:  C2 PROVIDENCE 6264

CHOCOLATES are a delicious delight...

Another House Beautiful color suggestion: Benjamin Moore TOPEKA TAUPE 1463 [it's in the grey family so it's a dark taupe versus a chocolate brown]

Domino likes: Benjamin Moore BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE 2114-10 

I also like: Benjamin Moore NORTH CREEK BROWN 1001

GREENS are always a hit.

Soft ones:

 

And vibrant ones:

Color above is Sherwin Williams DIRECT GREEN 6924 

A favorite soft green I've frequently used is Duron MOSELLE 8194.  It's soft without being too feminine.  For instance, your man won't mind making it the wall color in your boudoir.  Many of my clients in the past found this green to be a "happy medium" for both sexes.  Looks fabulous with off whites, chocolates and butter yellows.  Warning: it looks a little like the color of baby poop on the paint deck, but don't be fooled.  And if you don't have offspring, this thought won't even cross your mind.

How about a splash of color?  Nearly every brunette looks striking surrounded by blues of all kind.

The exact color of the room above is Benjamin Moore BLUE WAVE 2065-50.  

I couldn't live with walls that bright, but could deal with it on an accent piece of furniture like in the stunning room below.

Or this jaw-dropping room.

[thanks stylecourt for image above]

Here's a soft blue from Windsor Smith's personal dining room.

If you like a soft blue, you may consider Benjamin Moore's WYTHE BLUE HC 143.  I have that color in my bedroom and on our hallway cabinetry in the foyer.  It's soft and serene which is very needed in this busy household.

 

I also love PALLADIAN BLUE HC 144.  A little different than the blue I just mentioned, it's lighter and a touch more fresh.  For contrast, it looks great with chocolates.  To keep it light and airy, you can pair it with crisp white linens and get the effect of the photo above.

And of course, RED and brunettes go hand in hand. 

 

My standby red paint has always been Duron's ROASTED PEPPER.  It's not too dark or too bright.  Just a good classic red.  Even pretty on a front door!

In my last home, I had all of the bland white cabinets in my laundry room painted Benjamin Moore's BING CHERRY 4155A and had a black glaze applied over it.  The glaze took the edge off the intensity of the red but still left me with the tanginess I was after.  Every time I entered that tiny room I felt happy.  Of course, until I saw the laundry piles.

If you are leery of putting red on your walls, try painting a chest like this one. 

Plop a modern lamp on top of that bad boy and hang a mirror above it and you have a great statement piece for just about anywhere in your home. 

Still gun shy with red?  Try using an amazing fabric on your windows.  Simple panels are always welcoming.  Or skirt a square side table with box pleats in a wild red fabric to add some sizzle.  Pillows are also a clever way to add a punch of red.

 

[fabric by f. schumacher]

Obviously this post only skimmed the surface.  But hopefully you'll leave feeling a little more beautiful about your own coloring and excited about all of the possibilities of what hues compliment you the best.  Hmmm, maybe brunettes have more fun!

Comments

[Dana]

Seleta-

I enjoyed this post so much! Ihad been tearing out these color articles in House Beautiful for ages and putting them in a binder- then noticed that they recently came out with a book with them all in there! I just got my copy from Amazon this week and its terrific. It is broken down into sections and has actual paint chips in it. I LOVE the bedroom you have pictured in this post with the Anthropologie bed, de Gournay bird wallpaper and turqoise lamps.....love!

[Dianne]

Almost just did my bedroom in Palladian Blue but changed to a tone on tone white scheme with champagnes. I love so many it's hard to choose! great post!!!

[Jessica]

I wish you had posted this many months ago when I was needing some good paint colors... ;) If it wasn't such a pain to paint, I would be re-painting several of my rooms now with some of your lovely choices. Random question - are you participating in the seaside half-marathon? I'm trying to decide if I should... I wouldn't know anyone (my husband and daughter would come for support), but I'm really needing something to motivate me to get in better shape. I'm not much of a runner, but if I had to run, I would want to run at the beach... still thinking about it though.

[MaryBeth]

I think the 3rd picture is my favorite bedroom of all time. I am off to read the article now. Unfortunately my hair is red and I have yet to meet a color that agrees with it. xo, MB

[CC]

Love this little lesson in color!!!! Thanks!!!

[seleta]

Hi everybody! You know I usually respond to you directly with your comments, but this one is for Mary Beth and any other RED HEADS out there.

A few paint colors that will compliment your coloring. I've had personal experience with all of these for clients and can attest to them all:

Sherwin Williams SAWDUST 6158
Sherwin Williams BELIEVEABLE BUFF 6120
Sherwin Williams SASSY GREEN 6416
Sherwin Williams NETSUKE 6134
Duron BALSAM BARK 8224
Duron COAST POINTE 8202
Ben Moore WILMINGTON TAN HC-34
Ben Moore WOODSTOCK TAN HC-20 [gorgeous color]
Ben Moore OLD SALEM GRAY [subtle green and very sophisticated]
Ben Moore SWEET DAPHNE [fresh green]

xoxoxo
SELETA

[Toni]

My first time to post....Wow! I love today's post. I love color and love paint! Everytime I get a Pottery Barn catalog I want to repaint and change color schemes! Thanks for the info.

[Fifi Flowers]

How silly... GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN! blonde, burnette, red, black, pink, etc... were can all be as COLOURFUL as we want to be or not!
LOVE THE POST!

[jae]

Maybe this puts some science...or at least a theory.....behind why this blonde is so color timid when it comes to walls or the clothing I wear. I love an unexpected small "piece" of color, but I'm pretty much white, brown, black and lots of texture for the "main" pieces. Interesting!

[Jaithan]

Great Post, Seleta!

I'm always a fan of white. Love that screen too behind the bed! Went to J. Crew yesterday after your post...alas, no golden yellow pants for me! xoxoJaithan

[Kwana]

Wonderful post. This focused color decorating seems so serene. I loved the lavender. I remember my lavender room as a teen. It was my sanctuary. I loved it.

[brandi]

Oh my goodness thank you for this post! I have been dwelling over colors for my house and now I realize that it`s because I changed my hair back to brunette...:D

[Norma]

Hi Seleta, I was looking at the same bathroom this morning, that white one I was having fun putting the colors in the room. here's the link. http://www.housebeautiful.com/cm/housebeautiful/templates/HB_Paintbrush.html

[Sara]

Seleta, thanks for the redhead suggestions! I love the post but thought, awwww, man, nothin' for me! ;) Those colors are great for reds.

[s.HOPtalk]

I am a brunette and I LOVE to have fun, so I can't say that the blondes have anything on us.

I'm so thrilled to see that two of the colors I've used in my home...chocolate and green (in our bedroom) coordinate with moi.

Great post my dear!

[simplygrove]

This was a great post!!! I so enjoyed it:)

[style court]

Seleta -- so many of my favorite rooms here. Love that Tom Sheerer bedroom. I think you are on target with your colors that compliment brunettes!

[Relyn]

I found my way to you via a comment you left on Sea & Jae. I'm so glad I did because I enjoyed this so much. You are obviously a woman of style who knows how to celebrate beauty. I'll be back for more.

[My Notting Hill]

Phenomenal post! I happen to be painting (finally!) my office North Creek Brown. I'll let you know when I post photos of it. I also happen to be a brunette - but now require the assistance of L'oreal to stay that way.

[DecorPad]

Adore this post! I'm so intrigued with Topeka Taupr!

[Mary Griffin]

Hi,

Struggling with choosing colors right now....so really enjoyed your website!! It is way cool and very inspirational. I am a brunette and am definately good with it! Sometimes I feel like a blonde....can't decide! LOL.
Do you know of a good hardwood floor stain color?? I have golden oak 18 yr. old cabinets in good condition (can't decide to paint or leave) Medium brown provincial stained woodwork ( I have a little french inspiration going on) and natural oak floors (yuk - yellow) that need to be refinished. Any ideas?? I actually have a warmer taupe and cream tumbled brick in family room. Someone said to stain the floors light walnut with minimal warmth in it, but don't know how that would like with butterschotch gold in the cabinets. Nutmeg?
any cool paint color ideas. I was thinking Bryant Gold (BM) in kitchen and
Alexandria Beige in family room. Please help!!!!

ttyl,

mary

[The Rauths]

great post on color for folks like me! timely that i read it because i am painting an old piece of furniture this weekend. might you have any photos from your old laundry room? i'm wanting a red with black glaze and with your impeccable style, i think i just found my color.