So then I did the next simplest thing…paint. Although I must admit, the carpal tunnel I had in my painting wrist the day after didn’t make it seem too simple, but theoretically, painting should be simple. My apartment is in the back of the building, north facing with a view of an internal courtyard and the building next door, so I thought I should keep the living/dining room bright. My idea for color was not white, but a warm beige—or café au lait with extra lait, and maybe a hint of pink. Farrow & Ball’s “Strong White” seemed like a good choice, so I ordered a paint pot and painted three sample squares on different walls to see how varying lights would affect the color. After about 9 months of staring at these swatches, comparing them with a few others thrown up for contrast, I was pretty well sold on the color and so my mother and I dedicated a Saturday to transforming the room.
I must say, however, that I like it, but I don’t love it. It’s certainly a warm pale color, light years away from the “before” version in cold white, but it’s kind of blah. In a recent issue of Elle Décor, the designer Steven Gambrel described his rationale for a gorgeous dark bedroom, choosing not to fight the lack of light in the room--hence the sexy racing-green walls. And it kind of made me think that I had wimped out on color.
Tonight on our walk, Boo and I passed a near-by brownstone with lights on inside. I could see a parlour room painted a rich, deep red. Next door to the brownstone, a ground floor apartment had a Prussian blue room. Now I’m back to looking for color inspiration—maybe I should embrace the dark. Brown, anyone?
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