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I am in the process of painting my foyer/hallway. Currently it's a light yellow and I'm not a fan. I want to paint is a lighter beige (I know, boring right?)

Currently my living room to the left is Pony Tail and the family room to the right is Shaker Beige. They look the same because of the lighting but they're definitely not. They are both darker beiges.

I want to paint the hallway in a lighter beige. I tried both of the above colors and they were too dark. I've tried a light green, I've tried Lenox Tan (way too dark).

Do you know, off hand, any good light beige colors that may have the same, what do they say? Hue? as Shaker Beige? Some beiges look pink and some just look like mud

I've got splotches all over the hallway and it's got to get done!

IF you really like the colors you have on either side of the hall, then pick one, and then have it mixed at 1/2 or 3/4 the formula, get a quart and see how it goes... or the lighter shade off the card that those colors were on. That is a good place to start if you want beige.

My take on this is to go with a taupe, meaning, cool up the color a bit to have a refreshing difference. You have a warm color in there now, and if you want to stay warm... then go with a diluted similar color. But to change it up a bit, try a cooler color. What color is your featured color accessory? Or your favorite wall color in a public room in your house, all beiges?

What about a dusty blue?, what is your favorite color in your landscaping? What color is your front door on the exterior? All suggestions for a color direction. It can be an off white with a color undertone of that color if you are weary of adding too much color.

Thanks Mary Ruth. Diluting, that's what I was thinking also. The kitchen directly opposite the front door is currently Hot Chocolate (soon to Lenox Tan) and the dining room is brick red.

Unfortunately, there is not one single shred of blue anywhere on the first floor. I was thinking maybe a light green too?

Darn it. Why can't I just empty the house and start over

The problem with going 1/2 or 1/4 or another percentage is the number of pigment drops. I used BM's Richmond Bisque in other rooms, but in the kitchen it just seemed too dark--so I did the percentage.

It messed up the color as it was also just a quart sample. It went "yellow". I don't recommend going a quart because of this. In beiges it can really mess it up big time.

Other colors don't seem to be that way. I used percentages in nearly all rooms. But, the beige... yikes.

HOWEVER, if you like your other two colors, you can try this trick--take it and mix it with a shade of a white, in a bucket.

Paint is funny--they don't add white to make it lighter. They remove pigment, and that's where the problems start.

But, you can make your own recipe, using a bucket, and carefully measuring the amount of color and the amount (and recipe) of white.

I know one women who did her whole house that way, because it was an unusual, custom shade and it went "off" when she did the percentages.

Just one more idea.

Wanda,

Well I love the yellow and your front entryway! But I understand the need for change too.

Are the current colors SW or BM paint colors?

Have you checked the paint sites to see the coordinating colors they use?

Here is a link for some the neutral paint colors for SW.

http://www.sherwin-williams.co...ttes/neutral-nuance/

Many of these different palettes have neutrals in them also. Easy to coordinate colors.

PS: The floors look golden/warm. Just wondering if a cooler tone will fight with them or work?
What about the color of the border on the rug you have down?

Good point Indexlady, I hadn't thought of that.

BR, I guess I'm really trying to find a color that will coordinate with the rest of my first floor. Unfortunately I have a lot of brown and beige with red accents.

That's why I may take a look at light greens. I'd love to do a blue/gray, but again, there's no blue anywhere. Maybe I could redecorate another whole room to match the hallway hehehe

Of the 2 colors that you already have and like, are there lighter shades on the same color strip that you could up to?

Always, the lightest on the Pony Tail strip is called Brandied Pears and it looks pinkish. Shaker Beige is the lightest on its strip. I can always find a lighter beige, I'm just worried about the undertones.

Manchester tan would work as a nice neutral with Shaker Beige which has a pink undertone.

I see your dilemma, Wanda. Personally, every time I try to use too many beiges, it doesn't go well. As you know, there are just too many undertones to contend with. For that reason, I would try something else. Greens are difficult, too. If you do a green, keep it light but not pastel. Maybe something in the yellow-green family. Otherwise...I'm kind of at a loss as well!

How did you end up with a yellow hallway if all is beige and red... hummm
And does the yellow need to be redone?

And if you do your own custom color in a bucket? Pick a 5 gallon bucket (called boxing) and then mix so you have enough for the whole job in the same color. IF you do add white, you need it to be thoroughly mixed before starting.

Beige can also be made (mixed at the store) in each gallon needed, by adding burnt umber only (will brown it a bit warm it up) burnt sienna (makes it beige with a brick color type shade) or black (will tone down the white, and knock it off being bright white) I use that for my trim (mixing with a few drops of black).

If you go with a green look at the colonial greens and the grayed greens, on the lightest part of the sample, that way it will be toned down.

Good luck!

Mary Ruth, the yellow was already there when we moved in. The rest of the house was white. We've been procrastinating because of the height of the ceiling. DH doesn't like to paint, I'm afraid of heights and he won't pay anyone to do it. He finally caved in and said he'd do it.

Sonny, I'll check that one out. Thanks.

Nitalynn, I'll have to do some more research. It makes it even more difficult because of even if I used the same color in every room, it would looks different because of the light/side of house/where the sun is, etc.


Thanks for all your replies.

Fossil which is part of the Affinity Collection would also go nicely with Shaker Beige. Fossil has a slight violet undertone, but compliments Shaker Beige nicely with its pinky undertone.

I am not sure if these would work or not, but try Linen and Latte from Restoration Hardware.

Also you might try Riviera Dune which is a Valspar color from Lowes. This color has a slightly pink undertone.

Good luck.