Ceilings: Color from Head to Toe
04/25/2007 03:46 PM by Gretchen Schauffler

At some point along the way, having a white ceiling became gospel. I don’t have any record of when it all began or who started it, but I can tell you that everyone recites the same mantras, with unwavering conviction about why you should have white ceilings. You know what I mean. Try to remember the first time you heard someone say that your ceiling should be white, that it would make your space appear lighter.

Let me be the one who spreads the new common wisdom about ceilings. Think of a ceiling as the lid on a box. Should every lid be white, regardless of the box color? Think of a ceiling as the perfect hat. Should every hat be white, regardless of the outfit? Should you put a white toilet lid on a colored toilet? These are some of the questions I would ask when color consulting with my clients. The fear in their eyes, when I said that the color on their ceiling was “to be determined,” was palpable. Lucky me—I had reasons they could trust.

To me, tall peaks, beam-like trays, and angled bevels are not ceilings. They are folded walls, like paper folds. Often, these creased walls are there to give height or interest to the room, so extending the wall color to include them will make the walls appear taller. For me, ceilings start at the 90 degree angle where the horizontal plane at the top of the room meets…whatever it may meet. Think of the ceiling as the mirror of the floor. Of course, there are dome ceilings and cove ceilings, but unless there is a molding breaking these shapes, to me they are, technically, walls.

Once you determine where the real ceilings are, then you can decide which color can best balance the room’s other colors, from above.

Finally, people are looking up!

Gretchen Schauffler
Artist and Founder of Devine Color®

Your typical white ceiling

A softer neutral ceiling color

Ceiling in the same color

Ceiling slightly darker with crown

Ceiling in a favorable color

For this look try:

walls:
Devine Haze, Devine Blush, Devine Cayenne, Devine Toile’

ceilings:
Devine Macadamia, Devine Oat, Devine Filbert, Devine Hazelnut, Devine Cabernet

  Textile Help

  1. I painted my basement in Devine Filbert. I know need to paint a bathroom and bedroom off of the basement and my husband wants something lighter, he thinks the Filbert is too dark. What color would tie nicely with the Filbert and work in a bathroom and bedroom with white cabinets and trim? Macadamia?


    — Debra Koehn    05/11/2007 10:31 AM    #

  2. Devine Macadamia is a great choice, and so is Devine Shell, Custard or Feather. Remember that our fabric-like finishes play with light, so I suggest Devine Delicate.
    Enjoy, g


    — gretchen Schauffler    05/11/2007 10:47 AM    #

  3. I have done a living room ceiling in Lemon Drops with 3 walls of Foam and the wall with the white brick fireplace in Black and Blue Beans. In my bedroom I wanted the “evening sky” and chose Blue Silk for the ceiling. The walls are Berries and Beans and Bananas and Beans. Both these room are good-sized rectangles and I could NOT see a huge “white” area (even though I do use usually and love Whip for my ceilings) in these two rooms! In smaller rooms (my scrapbooking room and a former bathroom) I have used Devine Blue or Spray for the ceilings. I do love the sky or feeling of openness.


    — Donna    06/20/2007 12:20 PM    #

  4. Donna:

    Send pictures, please, so people can continue to be encouraged and live with colors they love and thank you for sharing with us.


    — gretchen Schauffler    06/22/2007 02:44 PM    #

  5. I am painting my bathroom walls with Macadamia. What would you recommend for the ceiling? We have lots of light wood in the bathroom along with a dark tile floor and dark countertop


    — Amy    07/14/2007 02:43 PM    #

  6. Amy wrap Devine Macadamia around and try Devine Sumatra or Hazelnut for size. If you dare, see How Devine Cocoa feels, sounds like you space can take the richness!


    — gretchen Schauffler    07/14/2007 03:51 PM    #

  7. Hello,
    I found out about devine paints from Patricia Gaylor. This article and blog really appealed to me because I’m currently painting my house and I want colors that speak to me. And I’m trying to choose a dark brown color for my ceiling to compliment my wall choices. But it is proving very, very, difficult for me. My living room, entry way, and hall (I own a split foyer) wall colors are more or less settled. I am painting the long walls in devine shade or teak, the smaller far wall sangria, the last and opposite wall will be painted two colors; the lower half (starting from the split level foyer) teak, and the upper half black and blue. My floors are brazilian cherry. But the color choice for my ceiling has been driving me nuts for the last two months. In my master bedroom I have sangria on the ceiling, with blush, teak on 2 walls, and black and blue. It looks great to me. But I want a dark brown color in the living space since the sangria will be on a wall opposed by the dark blue counterpoint across the room. I have been going crazy trying to pick the right color. I’m mostly settled on spice, but I also like the cocoa ceiling shown in the photo elsewhere in your blog. I’m afraid the spice won’t be a dark enough counterpoint. After reading this article I thought I’d share my search for color in case someone has comments! I also enjoyed reading your book!
    Best wishes,
    Dustin


    — Dustin    08/07/2007 10:30 PM    #

  8. A quick update on my previous submission: I saw a color sample of devine truffle at a paint store and it was exactly what I needed, so I’m all set!


    — Dustin    08/12/2007 08:32 PM    #

  9. We are painting two rooms in Devine Pine, the Master Bedroom and a downstairs “Powder Room”. The Master BR has a beige carpet (that goes well with Macedamia and Hosta used elsewhere in the home), but the Powder Room has a deep reddish wood floor and is a much smaller space. The current ceilings are an off-white in the tan direction. What would you suggest for ceilings in these spaces? I’ll send photos of the house when complete.


    — Stephen    08/15/2007 08:31 PM    #

  10. I want to paint my living room ceiling cocoa and walls muslin. My living room in open to my breakfast nook AND kitchen with no stopping of the ceiling. So I would have to paint ALL the ceilings. Is that too much? THEN, what about ALSO painting one accent wall (around fire place) w/cocoa as well?
    Thanks


    — Martha Finley    08/23/2007 06:04 PM    #

  11. Stephen:

    As you can see, I am a big fan of painting ceilings as part of the dimensional box we live in. So, wrap the ceiling color all the way, up and over, we are only talking about a very small lid!

    Send pictures!


    — gretchen Schauffler    08/26/2007 09:40 PM    #

  12. Martha:
    It is hard to know what one accent wall will do, it can either look like a great focal point, or get the wrong-kind-of-attention. Please go to our new Devine Flair section where people can load up their pictures (next week it will be fully functional), and I have loaded several to start. It will show you great ideas. Think of your space as 3-d, so make sure all the angles are covered in beautiful color!


    — gretchen Schauffler    09/01/2007 10:54 AM    #

  13. We have had two friends recommend Devine paint and are trying it out finally and painting most of our home. My husband is the paint color picker in my family and he usually does an excellent job. He has picked 6 colors and I love them all wtih one exception…he has chosen Devine Skyline for our baby daughter’s room…he assures me it is a lovely purple color, but to me the paint looks too grey! We are painting the ceiling and wood trim in Whip. Please help…is it grey or light purple? Is it a good choice for baby’s room?


    — K. Gunning    11/24/2007 12:19 AM    #

  14. P.S. Just outside the baby’s room will be Manzanita in the hall extending into the living room again with whip ceilings and wood doors and trim. our adjacent bedroom will be Storm with Whip again..


    — K. Gunning    11/24/2007 12:27 AM    #

  15. K Gunning:

    I can tell you that Devine Skyline is the color of the evening sky as the light changes it to a purple soft whisper. It will be beautiful, and yes, while tempered it will be soothing. Next to Manzanita, delicious! Good job husband, my husband is a color picker too!
    Let us know how turns out and please use our gallery to show all of us your project!!
    g


    — gretchen Schauffler    11/27/2007 02:07 AM    #

  16. What do you think about cocoa for the ceiling in a bedroom that does not have any crown molding and the ceilings are not real high. I think they’re like 8’. With Muslin on the walls? Just didnt know w/o the crown molding.

    Thanks

    Martha


    — Martha Finley    12/05/2007 07:46 AM    #

  17. Hi Martha:

    The answer is, color on the ceiling, darker than the walls, regardless of crown molding, will produce a great effect. The ceiling will lift off, and soften. Devine Cocoa is a great choice!

    Thank you for writing!
    g


    — gretchen Schauffler    12/10/2007 08:03 PM    #

  18. In the process of choosing a ceiling color I am having a hard time envisioning a darker color than my walls. Walls will be painted Blade, Breeze, Cypress, Foam, Spray, Latte. Trim will be Icing. My floors are a light oak with colors that are in your Natural Blondes Pallette. I was considering Reef for all the ceilings but as I read your blog entries, I saw that would not fit the “darker than the walls” rule. My ceilings are only 7’5” and I would like to use one ceiling color throughout to unify as the spaces are open to each other. Would you recommend a ceiling color for me?

    Thanks so much for your reply!


    — Christine West    01/12/2008 04:13 PM    #

  19. I love Devine Reef with your combinations! There are no rules but shadowing ceilings with a darker color produces a great effect…..Another way to go is, if the room is Devine Latte, do the same on the ceiling…in other words all your colors are very light… so splash them up as canopies.
    g


    — gretchen Schauffler    01/14/2008 05:48 PM    #

  20. I painted Devine Foam in our new bathroom remodel full of warm orangy/yellowy walnut travertine. Took me a couple days to comprehend the change- but I love it! I love the greenish blues, the orangy yellows and warm reds and greens.I’m not a burgundy or purple person- still trying to figure out why! In the masterbedroom (white millwork/cherry-mahogony funiture)I was originally going to use Devine Filbert- then I frieked and thought it was to orange (samples were painted on an awful light blue color)-I ended up painting Miller Latte thinking it was less orange- a week later I want to repaint! It looks pink and dull looking into the bathroom! Yuk! I’m thinking of doing Devine Filbert- but since I’m looking at a redo (and now that I have read our book- loved it by the way!) I’m wondering if I should be more open minded to other colors? Any advice would be awesome


    — Lisa    02/10/2008 09:33 PM    #

  21. I’m having a hard time choosing a ceiling and trim color for an open floor plan. (kitchen, dining room, family room, entry) My walls are going to be Manzanita with Paprika on the wall behind my kitchen cabinets and in the entry way. Do you have any suggestions? This area of my house doesn’t get a lot of natural light so I would love to warm it up a little.


    — Kris    02/12/2008 08:30 AM    #

  22. Lisa:

    Glad to see that you are ready to embrace color in a way that is not safe but thrilling! Why not make that Devine Foam even cooler with a hot Devine Blush, Devine Shade, Devine Dust ooooor Devine Filbert?
    SEE what you THINK :)
    g


    — gretchen Schauffler    02/13/2008 12:58 PM    #

  23. Kris:
    You are right about making sure you have a warm Ceiling with those colors. I would suggest Devine Muslin, Filbert, Shell or Macadamia. As far as trim, Lets do Devine Whip.

    Give those a try and SEE what you THINK!

    g


    — gretchen Schauffler    02/15/2008 09:18 AM    #

  24. I am painting my new master BR and bedroom in Peanut. What about the ceilings. My tile is Systina, Rasella by Emser tile and my shower floor is by Florida tile under pebbles. It’s the Mixed salad. Very rich warm tones Thanks !


    — Heather Voyles    02/27/2008 12:18 PM    #

  25. Heather:
    Do the same Devine Peanut on the ceiling for an overall look, you can use Devine Custard or Shell as lighter partners! If you are in the mood for drama (the good kind) try Devine Teak, Cafe or Spice

    Se what you think!
    g


    — gretchen Schauffler    02/28/2008 07:01 AM    #

  26. I am doing up my basement and have virtually no natural light and 7 foot ceilings. I am putting in a chair rail and am thinking of painting the walls with Devine Birch both above and below the rail. My problem is the ceiling and the darker shade rule! As it is I have very little light. Would Devine Icing work?


    — Colin    03/10/2008 08:34 PM    #

  27. Colin:
    Do Devine Birch below the chair rail and Devine Butter above along with the ceiling. Do not cut the room into thirds, as this will make it even shorter..(yes, even with an Icing ceiling)

    This way you get a little contrast and fun…..

    See what you think!
    g


    — gretchen Schauffler    03/11/2008 04:12 PM    #

  28. I have used Latte in the living room, steamer in the study, paprika and latte in the kitchen all with quarter toned latte ceiling color. Looks great. I need help with the masterbedroom. My husband wants a tropical airy feel. We like Blade. We have a panneled wall behind the headboard and was thinking it should be an accent color and don’t know what to do with the ceiling. My husband is ill and I want a relaxing, healing feel. Thank you for your wonderful paint!


    — Gail Dyer    03/17/2008 11:37 PM    #

  29. I just painted our bedroom Blade and will be putting in a natural bamboo floor. What would be good color matches for the trim and ceiling. It’s a bright room with east and south exposure.


    — Paul    03/18/2008 05:49 PM    #

  30. Paul, what about warm neutrals like Devine Custard or Peanut. You can also see if you like the coolness (all the way around) of Devine Moss or Roast. If you are more at ease with the expected, try Devine Whip, Icing or Vanilla!
    “See” what you “Think”
    g


    — gretchen Schauffler    03/19/2008 02:09 PM    #

  31. Gail:
    Devine Blade and Breeze or Devine Blade and Reef would be fresh, while Devine Blade and Cocoa, Cafe or Spice would be grounding! Thanks so much for the great compliment and I am happy we can make your world more beautiful! Wishing you great health.
    g


    — gretchen Schauffler    03/19/2008 02:17 PM    #

  32. Our family room is a rectangle shape open to the kitchen which it will also share a ceiling with. We have painted the 2 side walls in the Family room Oat and the back wall Sangria, we just love it. The floor in the kitchen is a deep red 5 inch Cherry and the carpet in the family room is a warm lighter brown (has a gold tone). The furniture definitely has warm deep gold and red tones to it. The room has 3 windows and gets sunlight most of the time, considering the rain here! We just aren’t sure what to paint the ceiling. Okay, let me rephrase that; I am not sure what color to paint the ceiling. My husband the builder has chosen a color and I don’t know that I agree….OF course I am usually wrong! I would love to know what you would do to keep our warm flow going through out the family room and kitchen.


    — Christine    03/21/2008 11:09 PM    #

  33. I suggest you keep the wonderful gold tones flowing and do the ceiling either in Devine Oat, or Devine Shell. On the shadier side, try Devine Filbert. Go ahead and make the ceiling look smashing!
    g


    — gretchen Schauffler    03/25/2008 02:43 PM    #

  34. I have brazalian cherry hardwood floors in the den along with a red brick fireplace. I want to purchase a red sofa. What color should I paint the walls & ceiling? What colors should I use to accent?


    — CeeCee    03/30/2008 09:45 PM    #

  35. CeeCee:

    That is a loaded question considering there are so many directions to go towards…so I say go towards the light! Set off all that red in your stuff with yellows and/or greens as backgrounds…Try Devine Hazelnut, Devine Moss and Devine Maple as starting points, and see what rocks your boat. After that, find the other color relationships in our palettes that compliment the direction you want to go in…

    g


    — gretchen Schauffler    03/31/2008 10:14 AM    #

  36. I want to paint my house, have a big brick wall in front, white trim, white garage door. I am thinking of a dark clay brown or a forest type of gray green called Fir. Any ideas?


    — judy belford    04/06/2008 11:12 AM    #

  37. I am putting Devine swatches on the wall and have settled on Muslin. I am struggling with a good ceiling color. I have tried, Whip (too white), Feather and Custard and they don’t seem to fit. I am trying to create a warm environment for what it’s worth. Can you suggest a good ceiling color to compliment Muslin?

    Thanks!


    — John    04/06/2008 12:16 PM    #

  38. Edit to my post. By swatches, I mean actual paint samples. We also have in mind an accent wall color of dark chocolate.


    — John    04/06/2008 04:14 PM    #

  39. I never thought about painting the ceilings until I read this blog….what a great idea! I love it!! How would one decied what colors or colors to choose? Would you choose one color or differant for each room and could you only paint one ceiling in a room and leave the rest white…for now????


    — Casey T    04/07/2008 12:04 PM    #

  40. John:
    Muslin on the ceiling please :) Nice, clean and fresh! If not, by now you know your ceiling is begging to go darker (none of the lighter colors worked). What about Devine Filbert, Sumatra or Mocha. Do you dare go Devine Tamarind?
    g


    — gretchen Schauffler    04/07/2008 10:28 PM    #

  41. Judy:
    I love your Ideas. Red brick looks traditional with green, always, and also, very sophisticated with all flavors of chocolate, from milk to bitter. :)

    White or black trim does the trick, make sure your black is soft.
    g


    — gretchen Schauffler    04/07/2008 10:34 PM    #

  42. Casey:

    Some ceilings are meant to have the same color as the wall, and some are meant to shine with a stunning contrasting color. But none are never meant to be left naked, undressed in white, unless white is used as the wall color. Having said that, choosing which ceilings get a contrasting color is tricky. In small rooms, you might as well carry the same wall color, up and over, as you would not want a funny little square above as an accent. Where you have crown molding or coves, go to town. All others, use your better judgement, gut, and intuition.
    g


    — gretchen Schauffler    04/07/2008 10:50 PM    #

  43. I have a dining area w/ 10inch ceilings and trim in the middle with wainscotting on the bottowm)I painted manago tango on the walls, with white trim and bordeaux on the wainscotting. It looks great. Right now the ceiling is white. ANy color suggestions for the ceiling? Also I am trying to find a color to go in the room next to this. That room is 11X17 with tall ceilings. I am struggling to find a color that will work with the orange and red because the opening in between the two rooms is about eight feet wide.


    — nicole    04/11/2008 10:42 AM    #

  44. Twice I have painted yellow in our kitchen/family room (open to eachother) filled with lots of yellow/orange cabinets and bookshelves and floor in kitchen. I thought I could make the rooms feel bigger if they were seemless and blended with the cabinets. We have a floor to cieling used look orangy/red fireplace in the family room. I love greenery and green in general. I have always painted these two rooms the same color. Trim is icing-no crown moudling. After reading your book, I realize yellow probably wasn’t the best choice- I want to make a great choice next time- any suggestions? (these are north facing rooms, but do get lots of natural light). Also needing to replace the carpet in the family room- should I go towards orangy/yellow neutrals? I just did the girls playroom in 3 walls Devine Berries and Beans and accent wall Devine Stone- trim and ceiling in icing. I was afraid of pink walls- but the room is so cute! I get lots of compliments – it reminds me neopolitan iceream! Thank you for your time!


    — Lisa    05/02/2008 10:38 AM    #

  45. Hi Lisa:

    It is hard for me to give you direction on carpet because of so many brands and color choices that may or may not fit your home with out seeing it. You are fighting with yellow, so how about bringing in warmth with colors like Devine Blush, Ginger, Dust or Cafe? Mix those with Devine Filbert, Shade or Pecan?
    g


    — gretchen Schauffler    05/07/2008 03:44 PM    #

  46. Thank you so much for your input- I realize I have alot of orange (10 year old natural orange oak floors and cabinets). After looking at your suggestions (#45 above) and reading through your book (again!)I really do enjoy it. I think Devine Blush would be a great choice in the kitchen. Having said that would you recommend a yellow (other 2 yellows weren’t Devine), and a blue that would be great with Devine Blush? I was looking at Devine Straw or Devine Gold, Devine Breeze or Devine Reflection. Personally I don’t like yellows to turn green. I love the orangy reds, greenish blues and yellow greens, although kitchen counter and backsplash are khaki green. P.S Wondering if you are coming out with outdoor pallettes and paint? Thank you!


    — Lisa    05/11/2008 10:57 PM    #

  47. I love the idea of painting ceilings! However I have a few questions. I am painting my kithen and half bath Lemon Drop Beans and Pistacho Lime Beans. Mostly Lemon in the kitchen…What do you think I shold paint the ceiling in the kitchen? I know for sure I will do all pistachio lime in the bath room. My seconds question is I am planing to painting the living rm -Steamer and the dining rm-Almond. what color should I paint the ceilings? These rooms are next to each , kind of like one big Rm but broken up by small a square arch way? Thanks so much for taking the time to read this and give your imput. It so helpful!!!


    — Casey T    06/22/2008 05:40 PM    #

  48. I am painting my master bedroom and bathroom and would like some suggestions for ceiling colors. Neither room gets much natural light. There are no ceiling moldings. I am mostly there when it’s dark out (morning and night). The bedroom will be Fog with an accent wall of Honey. The furniture is cherry. I rent artwork from Rental Sales Gallery (the room holds 3-4 paintings) so I don’t want to feel that my choices are too restricted by the ceiling color, but the juncture of Fog and white seems too stark. The bathroom will be Green Tea with an accent wall of Breeze. Cabinets and counter are light.
    The hallway into the bedroom is Reflection.
    I’ve used your paints throughout the rest of my home and love the depth of color and how they play off each other; for example, Reflection abutts Cypress and in some light the two look the same.


    — Lauren Z    06/25/2008 01:54 PM    #

  49. Lauren:

    Fog is light enough to go on the ceiling. If not, what about Devine Butter or Silver. These colors will give cast the ceiling in the same tones you are using on the walls. In the bathroom, I would do Reflection or Breeze on the ceiling, and the hallway, do Devine Reflection or Reef. Sounds fabulous. Please send us pictures! You can upload them in our gallery.

    Thanks!
    g

    ps: The our tinting methods, in our bases truly make these colors magic.


    — gretchen Schauffler    06/30/2008 09:29 AM    #

  50. Help! I have a 7 year old and a 3 year. old. They argue about their room, but the one thik they like is the top is cream and to bottem is a light pink. Their comforters are large colorful fun flowers on it…like a patchwork quilt. I want their room to be a desireable place to be, so they feel SAFE doing homework, haveing friens over. What color should I paint their room that would be tranquil, safe, comfortable and happy!

    Help! I Sincerely thank you! Kim Wilemon, Dallas, TX.


    — Kim    09/09/2008 10:42 PM    #

  51. Peace comes from understanding and being understood :)))) So I understand how exciting and intense it must be to have roommate negotiations going on between a 3 and 7 year-old. Lets take it from the top (sort of speak), divide the room into 2 L-shape corners. In other words, if the room has 4 walls paint 2 adjoining walls in one color and the other 2 in another. This creates visual independence for them. Let them decide on a color from the rainbow: purple, blue, yellow, red(pink), green, and orange. It is important that they get to pick the color. Use our Hot and Sweet Beans palette page in our Trend-proof Color Collection™ as a guide. Once they pick the color—lets say one picks pink and the other one green—you pick a unifying color, like a yellow or a chocolate, to play with the following options:
    1-do 2 walls in green and 2 in pink with a yellow ceiling.
    2-do the bottom half of two walls in pink and green and the top half in the unifying color, including the ceiling.
    3-do wide stripes in their color and the unifying color
    If you send us the picture of your quilts we can recommend the colors! Hope this helps. I would suggest getting our Trend-proof Color Collection.


    — gretchen Schauffler    09/10/2008 08:51 AM    #

  52. I have a sample of your devine straw. Is that too much for a bedroom? I was a soothing tan-gold? Thank you.


    — Pam Harrington    09/21/2008 09:15 AM    #

  53. Devine Straw is a fabulous color and very rich, like an eggyolk. If you are looking for less intensity, look at devinegreen: Coyote™, and look at devinegreen: Chicken™. Also Devine Peanut™ in Pacific Trail Mix and Devine Soiree from our French Casino line might do the trick!


    — gretchen Schauffler    09/23/2008 07:23 PM    #

  54. I am painting our family room off the kitchen – has a small south window and a triple-width slider on the west wall. The wall/ceiling height is only 93 inches. I also need to paint the living room/dining room and the short hallway between the living room and the family room. The living room windows face the east. The dining room is an L on the west side of the living room and has a window facing west and a triple skylight above the dining room table. I have lots of warm red cherry and walnut antique furniture in the lr/dr. It is carpeted now, but I want to put down a Brazilian cherry floor. New frizzee golden/beige carpeting is going in the family room. I have lots of oil paintings in the living/dining rooms – older landscapes with greens, golds, peach. The sofa is a soft green and lr chairs are green tapestries with with lots of peach and gold colors. I want some warmth on the walls (right now the walls are a peach that is much too pink and flat) – I am thinking of beiges that are orange/yellow not blue beiges— on the walls. The lr/dr ceiling is an inverted V that starts at 93” on the east and west sides and vaults up to 11 feet across the middle. The vaulted ceiling makes the lr/dr feel big and open. Woodwork in all rooms is painted white and the windows have white plantation shutters on them – no drapes. I am thinking of painting the family room in Devine Sand and the lr/dr in either Devine Shimmer or Devine Cashew, but I am worried that the Cashew will be too dark since the east/west windows don’t offer much light and there are lots of angles connecting the two rooms. I am completely flummoxed about what colors to paint the ceilings, especially the lr/dr. Thanks for your help!


    — Beverly Wilson    10/23/2008 04:21 PM    #

  55. Beverly:

    I would love to help. It is important to note that when a ceiling is not a sharp 90 degree fold, I consider it a wall. I believe there are 2 kinds of ceilings, a flat under belly and a paper fold and you must treat them as part of the “box” you live in. Choosing a overall wall color in your case, that can creep up onto paper folded ceilings, and spread nicely onto under belly ceilings will make all the _different heights_appear more unified and harmonious. Even if you then have another color on a contrasting wall, such as a red, or rust, the ceilings will all be pulled-together. Devine Shimmer, or Sand will be more light and golden while Devine Cashew or Shade will be a little richer and earthier. These last two will POP the white shutters and molding. Contrast is good when rooms are darker because darker colors will make lighter colors “lighter”. Take a look at the new devinegreen: Chicken and Coyote. These also have the golden-orange you are looking for. Let me know what you think!


    — gretchen Schauffler    10/24/2008 12:53 PM    #

  56. We have a small (1700 sqr ft), but charming Craftsman-style home. Eight foot high ceilings, soft white wood work and ceilings. My husband painted the downstairs Macadamia. As a Latina, I would like some color on the ceiling, and “red” highlight wall. Do you have any suggestions? I know it is difficult without seeing the floor plan. My husband and I go back and forth on what wall,(s) to do.
    Ten buen dia Suyapa


    — Suyapa    10/24/2008 05:27 PM    #

  57. Supaya:

    I love the idea of setting off your ceiling, especially if you have soft, white crown molding. You can warm up the ceiling with Devine Macadamia or go richer with a color like Devine Sumatra or the new devinegreen: Bison. Of course you can do color on the ceiling. I know it sounds scary but it could look smashing! Take a look at these pictures in HOW TO TEST WALL COLOR. As far as reds, the sky is the limit. We have lots of beautiful reds that make a perfect red wall. See ABOUT OUR REDS. It is difficult without pictures, please send us some if you can.
    Muchas gracias!


    — gretchen Schauffler    10/27/2008 08:42 AM    #

  58. We are painting our living room. My husband the plasterer did our ceiling with a knock-down finish in ginger and the fireplace a raisin color. The room is large and has several walls; I want to do Divine Roast with a powder finish but should I be doing them all one color or mixing them up? The fireplace wall is long and I think the fireplace itself will be the “wow” factor so I’m not sure if I need to do anything more with that wall. One wall has our large picture window, another wall leads right into our foyer (which we have full view of from this room) and the same wall that has fireplace on it is also part of our dining area. So actually, we are talking about a living/dining room that shares one wall, one wall with window, plus 2 other walls….do you think this will be too much divine roast? I have no idea how to separate a wall with colors…..help?!
    -Dona


    — Dona    10/27/2008 10:51 AM    #

  59. I am confirming your intuition! Devine Roast is all you need because the fireplace, windows and transitions leave very little wall space to cut-out. Sound fabulous, please send us pictures so others can be inspired. The foyer sounds like the place to do the next color that keeps Devine Ginger and Devine Roast in good company…
    g


    — gretchen Schauffler    10/27/2008 12:26 PM    #

  60. Gretchen –
    Thanks for your suggestions. I tried test painting Devine Cashew on the living room/dining room walls and decided it was too something – I liked the way it pops the white trim, but with so many angles and shadows in the large room, it felt too heavy and it seemed to dampen the look of my beautiful oil paintings, most with walnut/cherry toned frames. So I am rethinking my choices and considering using Devine Shimmer on most of the walls and the ceiling. I also like Devine Glow and Devine Clay – possibly as one or more contrast walls? With all the angles in the large “dual” room, I don’t know which walls should/could be painted in contrast color: The North wall is the largest, longest “unbroken” wall—about 28 feet long – it forms the vertical line of the l.r./d.r. “L” and extends from the front door/entry in the living room at the east end to the northwest corner of the dining room. The wall space of the north wall is broken only by a hallway to the bedrooms. The ceiling line on this wall forms a perfect (unbroken) inverted V. The east living room wall includes the front entry and a punched out bay window and the ceiling line is low (93”). The west wall of the living room includes a fireplace and the short hallway to the family room on the south. The west wall also goes up to the inverted V ceiling, but the V is interrupted by the south and west walls which form the boundary of the kitchen and create the inside of the living/dining room “L.” The west wall in the dining room includes a 5’ square window and also has the ceiling line at 93”. I have thought about painting the west dining room wall in a contrast color – that might be the “safe” choice. It is a small wall compared to the other walls. However, I am inclined to paint the south living room (fireplace)wall in a contrast color. This fireplace wall where many of my large oil paintings hang in a dramatic collage. If I paint this wall in contrast, however, I don’t know where to end the contrast color. Should I end it at the southwest corner over the hallway or should I also paint the south wall between the l.r. and kitchen and that continues as the hallway wall into the family room? I apologize for this confusing ramble. It is difficult to explain in words without pictures. Thanks for any advice you can share.

    Beverly Wilson


    — Beverly Wilson    10/28/2008 01:30 PM    #

  61. Hi Gretchen,
    I’m almost done with my house and have used Divine colors throughout. I have been very happy with my color choices so far but I’m stumped for a ceiling color for my family room. I have Divine Cappuccino for the upper part of the walls and Divine Cocoa for the lower part of walls which is only about a foot tall(under window seats) very rich looking but what about my poor white ceiling? I don’t get a lot of light in the room but so far the room is very cozy with these darker colors. The upstairs is done in Divine Moss. Thanks again for all your help.
    Lisa.


    — Lisa    10/31/2008 12:07 PM    #

  62. Lisa:

    Take Devine Cappuccino and finish the ceiling, it will make the ceiling disappear and look cool!! Please send us pictures! Love to see the colors once they are done and thanks so much for trusting in Devine!


    — gretchen Schauffler    10/31/2008 01:34 PM    #

  63. Wow!! Painting ceilings is an absolutely new concept to me. My home is not an open floor plan.. but a more traditional two story with the entry being two stories high. Otherwise, the ceilings are regular 8’ high. I also have archways and rounded corners which have been addressed in a different blog. The colors I have pretty much settled are Devine Peanut in the living room, entry, one family room wall, Devine Ginger in the dining room (which does have a tray ceiling), Ginger on one side of the kitchen and on into the family room then the fireplace wall of family room, then Olive on the other kitchen wall (small section of cabinets opposite the Ginger side) and it wraps back around into the entry…. My woodwork is maple flooring, and light hickory cabinets in the kitchen… how do I choose a ceiling color with this mix? Am I better off using the Peanut over all? I don’t really want the ceilings to be different colors, although I possibly could as the living room and dining room both have separate ceiling space. I appreciate your help so much and have found amazing advice on these blogs. I can hardly wait to start painting!


    — Dorene Dundas    11/04/2008 01:13 PM    #

  64. I have a small dining room with Devine Whip on the wainscoting and crown moulding. The ceiling is now whip. The room has a Pottery Barn black dining set with the chairs covered in a black/cocoa brown/gold/sumatra colored fabric. What color would you paint on top of the wainscoting on the walls, and would you paint the ceiling something other than Whip? Thanks!


    — Becky    11/13/2008 11:22 AM    #

  65. My teenage daughter needs a new paint color. Her furniture is black french country, her new bedding is black/white (very Parisian) with hot pink trim/balls. Outside of her door is Muslin and the bath next door is Reflection. Across the hall is little sister’s room, berries & beans. What would be a fun, grownup color for her room? Thanks!


    — Becky    11/13/2008 11:25 AM    #

  66. Hi Becky:

    First the dining room! The options are truly endless! You can do Devine Straw with Maple on the ceiling, Devine Green Tea with Fescue on the ceiling, or devinegreen: Lobster with Impala on the ceiling. You can search in Pieces of Paradise and do something bold with Devine Agave with Devine Truffle on the ceiling! I am about to blog on what to do when you have lots of choices. I hope this helps! Are you thinking Powder or Delicate on the walls? Do the same finish on both wall and ceiling surfaces.


    — gretchen Schauffler    11/13/2008 12:11 PM    #

  67. Hello Becky:

    Love all the colors! So following along those lines, you can do devinegreen: Toucan or Flamingo, Devine Birch, Devine Saffron, Devine Adieu, or Victorie to make it French and beautiful. Take a look at this girly room! Show her the pictures in the blog, let me know what she thinks…


    — gretchen Schauffler    11/13/2008 12:18 PM    #

  68. Becky I just thought of another color combo for your girl, what about PURPLE! Try devinegreen: Jasmine, Devine Laissez-Faire, or Devine Dusk….


    — gretchen Schauffler    11/13/2008 12:27 PM    #

  69. Gretchen-

    We are building a “rustic” cabin in the woods
    just set back from a lake. The cabin is a two story A-frame (very high ceilings) and very “open concept.” The kitchen, dinning room, living room, hallway and loft all flow together. The floors are an old barnwood (with a slight red-brown hue), cabinets the color of black coffee, and the rugs are a caramel colored frise. The brick for the fireplace is a faux rock with gray and rust undertones. I love the Devine Hazelnut and think it would be great but I’m scared? There’s not a whole lot of natural light in the cabin, even thought the entire front of the structure is thirty feet of windows. We are just now getting to the electrician part. Do you think Hazelnut would work for this 1,300 sf home? Should we paint the ceilings the same colr? Would love some suggestions?
    -Jocelyn 11/13/08
    — Jocelyn    11/13/2008 03:05 PM    #

  70. Jocelyn, sounds beautiful, warm, and cozy. With so many windows, and high ceilings, I thinks a rich color is well deserved! Devine Hazelnut has a warm green cast that will make the space feel like it’s “among nature”. Also take a look at devinegreen: Orangutan, Devine Spice, or Devine Ginger for other rooms. For a lighter version of Hazelnut, there is Devine Pecan or Macadamia. I hope you read Color Advice 101: Painting rooms with different wall and ceiling angles. I say carry the wall color up to the ceiling, because it is a A-frame and this shape determines how the color flows…Make sure you have used the Devine Color Palette and gone through our process to nail it down. If you haven’t, you have to read the comment left by Dorene, How to Use Our Paint Palettes.


    — gretchen Schauffler    11/14/2008 09:15 AM    #

  71. Gretchen, love the Straw and Maple with the fabric for the dining room. Will these go with Muslin, Sumatra, Oat & Cocoa which are also downstairs or should I look at Green Tea, Lobster or Agave for the walls? I’ll let you know what my daughter thinks about the colors you suggested – she’s going to love some of those sassy colors!


    — Becky    11/14/2008 09:55 AM    #

  72. Ding the bell went off! You love Devine Maple and Straw but you are now thinking about the whole palette. Do this: Go the the room that has the most colors that represent your home, Look at Muslin, Oat, Sumatra and Cocoa, ask your self, what’s the next perfect shirt to add to this ensemble? Is it Green Tea? Lobster? or Straw?. Tel me what you think….Please send me pictures of your daughter’s room after you paint, sounds DArLin’!


    — gretchen Schauffler    11/14/2008 10:29 AM    #

  73. My husband feels that ceilings should be white and uniform throughout the house. I have eight foot ceilings, no south windows, and very few windows at that. I plan to use a lot of Bavarian (at 75% because it is too intense for the space at 100% and turns brown). Also, I will use Bordeaux in the Kitchen and my fireplace wall is a color that resembles storm. I don’t know which light color to try on one ceiling to show him that it might look much better that way than the builder’s ceiling white. I have considered Bavarian at 25%.


    — Cheryl    11/18/2008 08:29 AM    #

  74. Cheryl:

    The colors sound beautiful. All you need to do is warm up the ceiling with a natural color. Here are my suggestions:
    Try Devine Stone, Devine Latte, Devine Muslin, or Devine Sand. I would compliment the Bavarian this way instead of making it lighter. Read Adding White to Lighten Colors. Lightening the Bavarian might make it “gray”. Also use the Delicate Finish on the ceiling to reflect luminous light above.

    Show him our pictures, especially the blog article on Light Colors For Dark Rooms. Resort to logic (men love logic) and say that wearing a big white floppy hat with a Devine Bavarian suit is different than wearing a white shirt. White need to have a purpose and be in the right place, your ceiling in this case, is not the right place for white. Try lots of light neutral whites in pillows, chairs, art, and accessories! Have him go through the process with the palettes so he can see color relationships working as a whole. We love white ceilings as part of the wall outfit!


    — gretchen Schauffler    11/18/2008 12:42 PM    #

  75. Thanks for the suggestion on using the Delicate Finish on the ceiling. I had suspected that I needed to do that, and you have confirmed my plan. Most of my art is black and white photos and drawings in black or pewter frames. The trim on the windows and doors is white.
    From your suggestions, I think I prefer stone for the ceiling. I looked at some of the lighter colors, and I can visualize the “gray” effect and I do not need cloudy skies. It was the Light Colors for Dark Rooms blog that convinced me that my choice to use Bavarian (I decided on that color last winter, but haven’t painted yet) is correct because the light color that I have used definitely looks like a dreary day. The light color was intended to make the space look bigger, but it still looks like a small space.
    I will try showing the palettes to my husband as you have suggested. He has two concerns: his space needs to be “quiet” and have a wide appeal for “resale” value. I have successfully “quieted” a couple of the bedrooms with darker neutrals, but they still have white ceilings. I always get compliments on my current use of taupes and grays, but I can see great improvements ahead! I started to see how it could really work when I bought your palettes last January, and I’m anxious to get started.


    — cheryl    11/19/2008 09:16 AM    #

  76. I have painted my bathroom your beautiful Toucan. I love it. The cabinets are a zen like warm bamboo color. Of course, the tub/shower and sinks are white with a soft grey floor tile. What would you suggest for a ceiling color. I was leaning towards Muslin but am not sure.


    — DJ    12/08/2008 02:30 PM    #

  77. I forgot to add that the hallway leading to the bathroom is painted Medallion.


    — DJ    12/08/2008 02:48 PM    #

  78. Dj:
    So happy you love our devinegreen: Toucan. Devine Muslin sound beautiful. Also try Devine Filbert or devinegreen: Persian for a richer kick. Which ever one is the closest to the wood tone of the bamboo.

    Have fun painting!


    — gretchen Schauffler    12/09/2008 08:51 AM    #

  79. Gretchen,
    Thanks for your blog. Can you please tell me if these choices work? My kitchen has light cherry wood cabinets all the way to the ceiling and only one small wall above the sink, with black granite counter tops and medium oak floors. It opens up to a eating area and then a vaulted family room. I plan to use Ash on the ceiling in the kitchen and dining room, Macadamia on the wall by the slider , Roast on the vaulted ceiling and walls in the family room and an accent wall in Ginger. Thanks for your thoughts. Hope the picture link works.


    — Randy Frost    12/15/2008 10:59 PM    #

  80. Gretchen, My 20×16 beamed and panel wall den needs a ceiling color. Carpet is plush light mint green and mixed wood’s in accent furniture.
    Huge FP with Charleston Brick has multi colors that match perfect with adjoining gazzini basic grey tile. Dining room and kitchen have orangey-apricot hues, cabinetry is white and ceiling is white. What color for the ceiling in the den?
    Also, same tile runs to 9×13 foyer with white molding and walls are currently gold with white flat ceiling that enters hallway with that oak paneling again. What color to put on ceiling and new wall color choice to match tile ‘translucent grey chalk look” and color to paint the hallway paneling leading to rest of house away from kitchen, dining and den?
    Thanks for any input.


    — Carole    12/16/2008 01:49 PM    #

  81. Randy:
    We have a process that works every time. Have you read this blog? Read How to use our Devine Palettes and use our Trend-proof Color Collection the way I suggest. The rest of the colors will speak to you out loud and show you exactly which ones are the “perfect” ones for all the walls in your home. So here is what I would do. You have to find an over all color to replace the builder white as your “skin”. I love the idea of Devine Macadamia as your overall color to start with…also consider devinegreen: Siamese and Persian. You have a lot of Orange in the wood so make sure that the “best overall skin color” looks the “best” with your wood. Your surfaces are rich and beautiful, you home can afford to get filled with color. Choose the rest of the neutrals, reds ect.. like a perfect raibow coming out of the “skin” color. Any color that looks tense, minty, fleshy or plain ol’ weird…pull it out!.


    — gretchen Schauffler    12/17/2008 10:14 AM    #

  82. Carole:

    Matching a color from tile, fabric or patterns rarely works as a paint color. The reason is proportions. A color in a small tile can be drab, loud, or crazy as a “billboard” wall size. Instead of matching, lets try complimenting. How about colors like Devine Glass, Devine Ginseng, or Devine Crunch? On the other hand, read about Spaces with lots of wood and see if richer colors can make the difference…if you really want to do this right from the get-go and not waste any time getting the wrong color, Read How to use our Devine Palettes and use our Trend-proof Color Collection the way I suggest. The rest of the colors will speak to you out loud and show you exactly which ones are the “perfect” ones for all the walls in your home.


    — gretchen Schauffler    12/17/2008 10:31 AM    #

  83. I have a bonus room that sits above our garage that we use for our office. It is technically considered a bonus room and not a bedroom because it has no closets. It’s one of those rooms that has short walls and the walls angle up towards the ceiling, so I’m not quite sure where the ceiling starts..lots of angles. White walls, white trim, white faux blinds and all black pottery barn desks, book shelves and picture frames. I want a calming office space. Any suggestions on wall and ceiling color? I was thinking a darker blueish color? Thanks


    — Lauren    12/19/2008 09:41 AM    #

  84. Lauren:

    Blues are amazing when it comes to creating think-tanks spaces like offices. Dark blues such as Devine Cool, Tide, and devinegreen: Jay would POP the blacks and whites in the room beautifully. What you don’t want is a “weird folded white cone hat” above you as a white ceiling. Lots of angles means lots of line variations for the ceiling. Having high contrast colors between the walls (dark blue) and ceiling (white) can look like a jagged tooth line around the room. So, if I were you, I would be brave and bold and carry the color over me like a beautiful canopy. Get really good “focused” lighting for the desk and work areas. Please send us pictures! We all want to be inspired…Have a WONDERFUL holiday!


    — gretchen Schauffler    12/23/2008 10:47 AM    #

  85. I have sloped ceilings upstairs that need painting. We are painting everything, including those walls. THey truly feel more like a wall than a ceiling because the ceiling is so sloped. The ceiling goes from 2ft to 20 ft. Help, is my only alternative some type of white so they don’t feel so oppressive?


    — maria    12/24/2008 01:16 AM    #

  86. Maria:
    Your only choice is not white paint. A beautiful canopy of paint color can unify your walls with your ceiling and make you feel fantastic in the room. The feeling of oppression comes from wall colors that feel wrong. In some cases that can mean wall colors that are too dark for the room. In other cases it can be the temperature (too cool or too warm) of the wall color. Here is what you need to know. SInce you have more “ceiling area” than “wall area” you have to have one paint color be the overall color in the room. You have to love that color and the color has to look stunning, not pretty, nice, or safe but STUNNING with your stuff. This means that starting with the Pebbles and Cream Palette and working your way through till you see the ONE color that jumps out at you as perfect. I promise you we have many—from light taupes to fresh greens—so please Read How to use our Devine Palettes and use our Trend-proof Color Collection the way I suggest. I have pictures of a room I plan to blog about shortly with lots of ceiling surface and angles…stay tunned


    — gretchen Schauffler    12/29/2008 03:29 PM    #

  87. Do you have an opinion on if it is generally best to have the dining and living rooms with same/similar colors in craftsmen style homes where these rooms are connected without a wall between but side bookshelves. Our wood is hemlock, unpainted, dark stain. We live in the NW with the dining room getting more light than the living room. our dining room looks fabulous with Devine Straw, and the living room has Devine Maple, which is nice in the evening but during the day (and from the dining room) the living room Maple walls have a greenish tinge to them. So second question, what other possibilities would you suggest for our living room? Is there a deeper, more saturated version of Devine Maple that wouldn’t turn greenish but would go well with Devine Staw? or should we paint both rooms the same color? Thanks for your help, Christina


    — Christina    01/01/2009 03:46 PM    #

  88. I have dark brown paneling throughout my home and need to repaint the ceilings, which color would look best to brighten things up?


    — Shelly    03/02/2009 02:43 PM    #

  89. Shelly:
    With dark paneling I suggest you invest is really good lighting and try to create contrast with your furniture…(light fabrics, bold color). As far as the ceiling color, take a look at the Pebbles and Cream palette with all that woo. If you want to get clever, add crown molding and paint it a third color. With our knowing what other colors exist in the home, it’s hard to guess the perfect one. GET THE TREND-PROOF PALETTE and use it like I suggest and it will show you the way!


    — gretchen Schauffler    03/02/2009 06:12 PM    #

  90. I have a catwalk that looks over the living rm. The ceiling areas are high and sloped with 2 skylights. The walls seem uneven where they connect to the sloping ceiling on the main/fireplace wall. My husband wants to add molding to this room…? Do we? He wants to trim out the sloping ceiling and trim out the skylght boxes. I have no clue, and have never seen this done..what do you think we could do to play up the ceiling which is a shade lighter than the rattan color on the walls. Thanks so much.


    — Tamara    03/07/2009 05:24 PM    #

  91. Tamara:
    Not sure…If you are trying to even out the line where the ceiling folds around the room make sure that you paint the walls, crown, and ceiling all the same color. Painting the ceiling lighter might make it look like you have a “dunce” cap above. Making the crown an accent color might make it look like you are trying to interrupt the flow. Paint it all the same with a richer color. Do add an accent color trim around the skylights as a focal. Read about SLOPED CEILINGS


    — gretchen Schauffler    03/09/2009 04:49 PM    #

  92. I am painting a daylight basement macadamia the carpet is an olive color the trim is pine other woodwork (wet bar and shelves) are in hickory there is a beam running through center of ceiling and ceiling is 7’ 9” to add to the confusion there are soffits in the corners of the room I am in a quandry about the ceiling it is so low what do you suggest. There is also a master bedroom with double doors opening out on this large pool table room same olive carpet same type of wood work with hickory built ins I was going to do the same macadamia on those walls but still have soffits that sneak out into the room about 50% light than the large room. All woodwork is very light. Can’t decide what to do on the ceiling do I include the soffits with wall color?


    — Alexandra Amick    03/10/2009 01:34 AM    #

  93. Alexandra:

    Do the whole thing in Devine Macadamia, creamy, yummy and delicioso! Let lighting do the rest of the magic.


    — gretchen Schauffler    03/10/2009 01:31 PM    #

  94. My husband just had our backsplash (Terracotta) and floor put in witch is slightly darker than the back splash, my counters are granite (brown and black) my cabnits are blending with the tile. My problem there is NO contrast and with out redoing my cabints will painting the kitchen and breakfast area help cut the peach orange bleed. And if so what color.
    thank you


    — Jalene    03/19/2009 05:52 AM    #

  95. Jalene:

    Will it EVER!!!! Love your use of words.
    ok You have to go rich and deep. Remember you have NO wall space literally (cabinets, windows, doors take up most of the room) So reds like Devine Clover, Cabernet, Sangria, Ginger…Neutrals like Devine Roast, Bavarian, Cocoa, Bison…Blues like Breeze, Denim, Macaw…Choose your direction and set the course with our Trend-Proof Color Palette. Use it way I suggest.. you will find many rich and warm colors that will make your walls stunning surfaces. The Trend-Proof Color Palette will show you several color directions you will feel confident to follow. I can certainly help you narrow it down once you fall in love with several :)


    — gretchen Schauffler    03/19/2009 11:59 AM    #

  96. I have a very small room which has just been painted Irish Cream. The crown molding is White and so is the ceiling. Would it be better to paint the ceiling the same Irish Cream?


    — Alexandria Kasper    03/31/2009 11:55 AM    #

  97. Alexandria:
    That’s correct, or try even going a shade deeper like Devine Muslin to make the cream and white even brighter!


    — gretchen Schauffler    03/31/2009 01:56 PM    #

  98. first of all i would like to say that i love your
    paint. used it in our guest house several years ago. i am now in the process of updating colors in our home. my kitchen, breakfast area and foyer are all open to one another with a step down into the den with dark pecky cypress walls and old brick floors. my kitchen cabinets are very creamy white and i have ceramic tile floors that are kinda grayish maybe. i am trying to decide on a color to paint this horrible popcorn ceiling in all three areas. i only have one area of wall color in the kitchen and it is cayenne pepper at the moment but am thinking i want to try another color. any advice. i have used macadamia on the ceilings at the guest house


    — louise    04/05/2009 09:24 AM    #

  99. Louise:

    Devine Shell, Macadamia, Siamese, or Sand will do the trick! See what’s best, specially with the gray surfaces. I suggest using the Canopy Ceiling Paint or Powder for the popcorn texture!


    — gretchen Schauffler    04/06/2009 09:06 AM    #

  100. I painted my guest room Divine Reef and the master bedroom Divine Spray now I want to bring bedding & drape colors in that “WOW” the room. What colors do you suggest?


    — Colleen Currier    04/17/2009 12:25 PM    #

  101. Colleen:
    With those fresh colors you can do anything from rich chocolate neutrals to bright red and white floral patterns. Navy and silver might make it very glam! Send pictures!


    — gretchen Schauffler    04/21/2009 08:58 AM    #

  102. ‘When colour sings’a great book to dip into. I am about to use Devine paint for the first time and want the colours to flow into each other. My family room mainly used for t.v. & reading. Its 17×15 ft. ceiling 9ft high with Plaster cornice on walls and centre rose. Fireplace floor to ceiling red/orange brick with fitted black stove and black granite hearth. This is a dark room which we love, very cosy in winter.Only light is from a not very big window facing south & 1/2 stained glass door leading to the sun room. It has a white oak floor teak doors,skirting and architrave, an burnt orange 2 seater, 1 brown leather reading chair, & two arm chairs with a stone/olive/kaki background with a similar burnt orange colour pattern. The fireplace wall has a wooden cabnit under the t.v going from the wall to the fireplace and the other side of the fireplace has the same type cabinet and bookshelves overhead. If I painted the walls devine olive what would I paint ceilings, cornice, and the wooden shelves and cabinets beside the fireplace. The curtains are orange.
    The floor nearly looks the same as the doors. Should I paint the skirting boards. Can you see other options?
    Thank you
    Angela


    — Angela Hickey    06/02/2009 07:31 AM    #

  103. Angela:
    Follow the wisdom, trust the color! So happy you are reading the book. So as you know there is a process that leads to perfect color choices for all the paintable surfaces in your home. With Devine Olive, take a look at colors like Devine Macadamia, Roast, Cocoa, Shell, or Cafe as neutral partners. As far as color partners, the sky is the limit. Depending on the kinds of oranges you have in the room colors like Devine Blush, Ginger, or Spice might look stunning for the bookshelves.

    Our color palettes make it so you can have personal color combinations that make you love everything in your home. The question is which direction to go. Get out our Trend-Proof Palette, follow our PROCESS, follow our PROCESS, and then narrow down choices. The context of this color collection is that all the colors have to coordinate the past, present, and future of color trends. They are truly Trend-proof so that if you have a sofa from the 90’s with 200 year-old rug and a 2 week old kitchen remodel, you will find not just one color but all the colors that can coordinate everything and make it look “meant to be”. The average Devine Color home has anywhere from 7-12 colors. All our color collections are finger-painted you so you can see the real color and how that color looks next to each other. It makes you smarter! If you don’t have our Trend-Proof Paint Palette, get one right away and start working.

    I can suggest tons of great color combinations but its a little like taking a stab in the dark. I rather you try our approach and see what you love appear before your eyes and I can make suggestions based on what you love!


    — gretchen Schauffler    06/08/2009 08:46 AM    #

  104. ps. You can paint the skirting trim if you think it will enhance the look of the room. You can paint it a contrasting dark or “shadow” color, a light or “highlight” color or make it blend right in with the wall color to make the wall appear longer…all depending on the colors you end up choosing for the ceiling and other paintable surfaces.


    — gretchen Schauffler    06/08/2009 08:54 AM    #

  105. Hi,
    We are painting our livingroom/dining room. Our ceilings are just under 8 feet high and I want to give a feeling of “higher” ceilings. We are thinking of doing a “cream” color for the walls. Do you have a suggestion for a ceiling color to make the walls seem taller?


    — betsy    07/11/2009 04:36 PM    #

  106. Betsy:
    Keep it all one color and wrap the same color up and over the ceiling if you are doing “cream” but sometimes a little drama makes the room feel perfect and takes the “focus” away from the low ceilings. For that, take our Trend-Proof Palette, follow our Devine Color Process and see what other colors can truly make that room a jewel!


    — gretchen Schauffler    07/11/2009 06:30 PM    #

  107. Help! My kitchen needs a refresher. Cabinets are a light birch, countertops are white, floor is light beige, walls are a sagey green. What color walls would add some zing?
    Thanks!


    — annette    07/12/2009 07:48 PM    #

  108. Annette:
    The sky is the limit with your light natural surfaces. I can suggest tons of great color combinations but its a little like taking a stab in the dark. I rather you try our approach and see what combinations appear before your eyes and then I can make suggestions based on your narrowed selections!

    The question is which direction to go. Get our Trend-Proof Palette, follow our PROCESS, and then narrow down choices. The context of this color collection is that all the colors have to coordinate the past, present, and future of color trends. They are truly Trend-proof so that if you have a sofa from the 90’s with 200 year-old rug and a 2 week old kitchen remodel, you will find not just one color but all the colors that can coordinate everything and make it look “meant to be”. The average Devine Color home has anywhere from 7-12 colors. All our color collections are finger-painted you so you can see the real color and how that color looks next to each other. It makes you smarter! If you don’t have our Trend-Proof Paint Palette, get one right away and start working.


    — gretchen Schauffler    07/14/2009 05:18 PM    #

  109. Hi, I have a traditional late 60’s split level we have updated. I have Devine Cocoa in the tall entry way and Devine Pecan on the walls. For weeks I have been looking at my Devine paint samples and cannot choose a ceiling color. My house is pretty basic with not a lot of textiles at all, but I do have brand new orange couches. I was thinking maybe Devine Mocha or Devine Macadamia or even doing the ceiling in the Devine Pecan as well. I would appreciate any other suggestions. Thanks, Kristin


    — Kristin Senner    07/31/2009 08:50 PM    #

  110. I am brand new to your lovely paints having just discovered them. We are remodeling a large 900 square foot great room, kitchen, dining room combined. There are very large windows, many cherry cabinets, lots of light, and very little wall space. There is also a new paper fold ceiling as I see you describe it. I love color and have chosen devine cafe,haze, and perhaps a small amount of ginger for the corner fireplace. Can you help me put the colors appropriately in this room?? Thanks so much. I will be awaiting your input. The next room going down 3 steps will begin with cafe, also.


    — Colleen Basney Norris    08/01/2009 01:18 PM    #

  111. kristin:

    Devine Pecan would be a perfect finish, Macadamia very complimentary, Hazelnut smokey and Cocoa, Ginger or Spice dramatic. Possibilities are all great but the perfect one depends on the rest of the colors that live in the home woven in fabrics, art, and natural surfaces such as wood color. Let me know what you decide!


    — Gretchen Schauffler    08/03/2009 10:10 PM    #

  112. Colleen:
    Since you don’t have a lot of wall space, it sounds to me that the ceiling is the largest “paint surface”
    in this big room…so I would do Cafe ceilings and Ginger walls. Adding Devine Haze may chop up rooms that want to be open yet connected. Think of the small wall space you have like matting around a picture…can you visualize your room picture in Ginger? BTW welcome to our colors and paint products! You are going to love every drop. Make sure that the paint sheen your finish your walls with reflect the surfaces in the room…See How to Choose Paint Finishes


    — Gretchen Schauffler    08/03/2009 10:21 PM    #

  113. i have black lacquer painted bedroom set with alot of gold, the bedroom have about 50% lite I am thinking of using divine ale or divine gold for the walls I wonder if this is a good choice I also dont know what color to use for the ceiling


    — Violeta G Mcphee    08/10/2009 02:08 AM    #

  114. Violeta:

    Beautiful Choices! You can carry the same color up on to the ceiling to enhance the mood in the room and keep a canopy feel. Also colors like Devine Custard or Whip. If you dare, what about Devine Teak or Cafe to shadow the ceiling out…


    — Gretchen Schauffler    08/12/2009 08:31 AM    #

  115. hi. i painted my guest bath a dark blue. & all the trim is a clean, crisp white. i don’t want to leave the ceiling white, but feel the color on the walls is too dark for the ceiling as well. what color would you suggest?


    — mrs. smith    08/29/2009 08:22 PM    #

  116. Mrs. Smith:
    That’s very common: wierd-white-blanket-above your-head kind of feeling when the ceiling "lid" color is not part of the “box” color. Try Devine Shell, Macadamia, Latte, or Mocha to make it richer and keep it cool. Wait till you see how amazing the Devine ceiling color will make the blue walls deep, the white trim crisp, and the space feel perfect .


    — Gretchen Schauffler    09/04/2009 12:24 AM    #

  117. My husband and I recently bought a new home. I’m afraid to start painting because #1 the house was just built this year and every room ‘matches’ (same color through out) and #2 if you start painting, where do you stop. Also, how do you feel about painting only accent walls.


    — Debbie Staggs    09/15/2009 12:00 AM    #

  118. Debbie:
    Here is a great blog about where to START and STOP colors. This one also deals on how to DEAL with ANGLES. Now as far as the colors go, I tell people all the time we have a philosophy that arms you with the information you need to take amazing fantastic risks with color.
    Our color palettes make it so you can put together color combinations that make your new home personal…just the way you would want it to be! The question is which direction to go. Get our Trend-Proof Palette, follow our PROCESS, and then narrow down choices. The context of this color collection is that all the colors coordinate the past, present, and future of color trends. If you have a sofa from the 90’s with 200 year-old rug and a 2 week old kitchen remodel, you will find not just one color but all the colors that can coordinate everything and make it look “meant to be”.

    The average Devine Color home has anywhere from 7-12 colors. All our color collections are finger-painted you so you can see the real color and how that color looks next to each other. It makes you smarter! If you don’t have our Trend-Proof Paint Palette, get one right away and start working. You have a blank canvas! I can suggest tons of great color combinations but its a little like taking a stab in the dark. I rather you try our approach and see what combinations appear before your eyes and then I can make suggestions based on your narrowed selections. Take a risk on us!!! :)

    Last but not least: Accent Walls lol. I just happen to be writing a blog about accent walls that I will post at the end of the week…so can you wait that long? :)


    — Gretchen Schauffler    09/15/2009 07:15 PM    #

  119. I love the Devine Paint.The walls in family rm, kitchen are Devine Maple. Ceilings are white. Want to paint the ceilings Maple so it flows together. Would that be too much or should I choose a lighter shade for the ceiling? Foyer and halls are butter with white ceiling. Would also like to continue the same color as walls to ceiling.


    — Susan Simpson    10/01/2009 03:57 PM    #

  120. Susan you are right! Devine Maple and Devine Butter wrapping over those ceilings would finish the space and soften the lines between walls and ceiling. You see, our colors do allow you to make it look exactly like you want it confidently. If you want it lighter, I recommend Devine Orchid as well, but the fact is that your senses tell you no need…I would agree!


    — Gretchen Schauffler    10/06/2009 09:50 AM    #

  121. I have a bedroom that my husband want to paint TRUE WALNUT (dark brown) on the walls & BAVARIAN OAK (lighther shade of brown) on the ceiling. I want to do it paint the ceiling with the TRUE WALNUT and the walls BAVARIAN OAK. He says that you cannot paint a ceiling a dark color because it will make the room look to much like a prison. Would you please help me with some advise on this issue. Thank You.
    Shelly


    — Shelly O'Rorke    10/25/2009 02:06 PM    #

  122. Shelly I have the answer…really, send us your picture of the room. We will colorize it in ways that you both will see the magic right before your eyes. Seeing is Believing. Here is more about our Room Makeovers: for $29.95. You know what I’m going to say: yes, dark ceilings can be beautiful, no, there are no rules about it, and the most important thing about painting ceilings and walls is the right color combination.


    — Gretchen Schauffler    10/27/2009 11:29 AM    #

  123. I have a plaster coved ceiling in my living room. There is a 3” molding running just at the bottom of the cove. I want to paint the walls a Toast color, but not sure what to paint the ceiling. I’d like to pull the molding, but then what do I do? Paint the whole space Toast?


    — Jeannie Mitchell    12/18/2009 11:54 AM    #

  124. Jeannie:
    The cove begs to be featured and molding around it will only make it better. You can even drop the molding a couple of inches below the ceiling line to give the room a cool proportion! By “toast” color, you are thinking of a neutral, correct? Try the following combos and see how you like them:

    Devine Filbert walls with a Devine Mocha ceiling
    Devine Cafe walls with a Devine Custard ceiling
    Devine Siamese walls with a Devine Impala ceiling
    Devine Macadamia walls with a Devine Filbert ceiling

    If you need further assistance, (SO WORTH IT!) we have Virtual Colorization’s. We take over and give you visual color advice (See examples). Either way, we are here to HELP!


    — Gretchen Schauffler    12/28/2009 10:14 AM    #

  125. We are repainting our living room, I am putting behr harvest brown as the main color of the wall and a darker brown for my accent wall, we are putting dark walnut wood floors down and I would like to put a nice thick white baseboard trim, and then crown molding with rope lighting for indirect lighting…My husband absolutley does not want the baseboards white, he thinks is a very drastic contrast, I have seen so many updates with this same design and it looks so nice, clean and crisp…can anyone help change my husbands mind?


    — Kristen F    02/11/2010 03:02 PM    #

  126. Kristen,
    we have a perfect way of changing your husbands mind, Virtual Colorization’s. We can show him how white or other colors like Devine Komodo would look with your walls. Sometime seeing is believing, and a Virtual Colorization may also help in suggesting colors you would both love!


    — Gretchen Schauffler    02/15/2010 12:28 PM    #

  127. We painted our family room oat. It seems more gold than when I painted the sample on the wall. Our ceilings right now are a yellow cream color. We are painting steamer in the kitchen as it is gorgeous next to the brazilian cherry. The family room wall rounds down into the kitchen ceiling. Should we extend the oat color into the kitchen ceiling with the steamer walls since it is not a sharp corner?


    — Lavelle Huhn    02/16/2010 03:56 PM    #

  128. Lavelle:
    Yess, yessss, yesssss! If the Oat is too yellow, it must be reacting to the other colors int eh room. Go Macadamia, or Siamese! Send pictures to contact@devinecolor.com. Happy painting and dont forget to pick a sheen to go with your fabrics and surfaces!


    — Gretchen Schauffler    02/17/2010 10:09 AM    #

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