Old Silver Shed: Paint Color Style-Guide

(photo courtesy of Matthew Mead)

So many of you ask about our paint colors! Here is a detailed, room-by-room guide (with photos of all the nooks and crannies!) for a better understanding of our Old Silver Shed color palette, and a clearer view of how our entire house flows! (Another question I get a lot.)

Here, you can take a walk through our home.

We designed the house with an open floor plan so there wouldn’t be walls in the way of enjoying the views from each room. The great thing about an open floor plan is good flow, and light flows freely through your space from all sides. Downside of an open floorpan, it’s hard to change paint color from room to room so you really need to commit to that “one” color! (Color does take on it’s own personality as the light changes throughout the rooms/house.) Because you see everything at the same time, being mindful of the amount of furniture and it’s placement is paramount. Furniture needs to be placed in groupings to visually divide and define spaces. We chose low back sofas and chairs so none of it “breaks” your view as you look outside while inside you can clearly understand the individual spaces. The open living area combined is large and expansive, so strategically creating small gathering areas with furniture lends a more intimate atmosphere to the space.

We wanted lots of windows. There are over 100 windows in our house, which means lots of light and a lot of view! Upside of lots of windows: Beautiful, bright light in the rooms. You always feel like you are outside. Even in winter we feel like we are experiencing weather first-hand, which we really like.

The downside of lots of windows. High maintenance! Can you imagine washing them all? And can you imagine what they look like with the wind and salt constantly blowing directly at them? Having tons of light streaming in to the house really emphasizes the colors you decorate with. When your view makes a strong statement then your decor choices need to be quieter. The furniture and colors should enhance your view, not interrupt it.

I learned this through experience- I have tried for years to add color, I can get away with a pop here or there but that’s it.

Pure white did not work, it did not feel cozy enough for me-it felt like we primed but forgot to actually paint!

The key to making a neutral, soft white palette interesting is to add texture and subtle layers and tones of the same colors.

THESE ARE MY GO-TO COLORS TO CREATE A VISUALLY SOFT, LIGHT and AIRY HOME:

(Most of our colors are from the Farrow and Ball paint color collection. You can order a free color card here: https://www.farrow-ball.com/en-us/colour-cards/free-colour-card-north-america)

In areas of the house where it was important, we used the actual Farrow and Ball paint, for example our front door. Since we don’t actually have a lot of wall space because there are so many windows, we used Benjamin Moore paint and color matched to Farrow and Ball.)

EXTERIOR:

OUR SHINGLES ARE NATURAL WHITE CEDAR, they are unfinished and have weathered to the gray color naturally.

ALL EXTERIOR DOORS:

Exterior Doors: Farrow and Ball, Black Blue #95, Semi Gloss finish.

Exterior Door Trim: Sherwin Williams, Ivory Lace SW 7013, Semi Gloss finish.

Front Entry:

Exterior Door: Farrow and Ball, Black Blue #95, Semi Gloss finish.

Exterior Door Trim: Sherwin Williams, Ivory Lace SW 7013, Semi Gloss finish.

Side Entry:

Exterior Doors: Farrow and Ball, Black Blue #95, Semi Gloss finish.

Exterior Door Trim: Sherwin Williams, Ivory Lace SW 7013, Semi Gloss finish.

Garage Doors:

Exterior Doors: Farrow and Ball, Black Blue #95, Semi Gloss finish.

Exterior Door Trim: Sherwin Williams, Ivory Lace SW 7013, Semi Gloss finish.

Covered Farmer’s Porch, Doors to Guest Room:

Exterior Doors: Farrow and Ball, Black Blue #95, Semi Gloss finish.

Exterior Door Trim: Sherwin Williams, Ivory Lace SW 7013, Semi Gloss finish.

Beach Side Entry:

Exterior Doors: Farrow and Ball, Black Blue #95, Semi Gloss finish.

Exterior Door Trim: Sherwin Williams, Ivory Lace SW 7013, Semi Gloss finish.

INTERIOR:

ENTRY HALL

Front Entry Hall (Looking Forward):

Transom Woodwork and All trim: Sherwin Williams, Westhighland White SW 7566, Semi Gloss finish.

Walls: Farrow and Ball, Shadow White #282, Flat finish.

Front Entry Hall (Looking Left):

Board and Batten, Transom Woodwork and All trim: Sherwin Williams, Westhighland White SW 7566, Semi Gloss finish.

Walls: Farrow and Ball, Shadow White #282, Flat finish.

Front Entry (Left):

Board and Batten, Transom Woodwork and All trim: Sherwin Williams, Westhighland White SW 7566, Semi Gloss finish.

Walls: Farrow and Ball, Shadow White #282, Flat finish.

Entry Hall and Staircase (Forward):

Transom Woodwork and All trim: Sherwin Williams, Westhighland White SW 7566, Semi Gloss finish.

Walls: Farrow and Ball, Shadow White #282, Flat finish.

Entry Hall (Right):

Transom Woodwork, Board and Batten, and All trim: Sherwin Williams, Westhighland White SW 7566, Semi Gloss finish.

Walls: Farrow and Ball, Shadow White #282, Flat finish.

KITCHEN

Shiplap Ceiling: Farrow and Ball, All White #2005, Flat finish

(we didn’t like semi gloss on the ceiling, it was too reflective for us).

Wall Color: Farrow and Ball, Shadow White #282

Cabinetry: Benjamin Moore, Tapestry Beige #975, Lacquered cabinet spray finish.

All Trim and Barn Doors: Sherwin Williams, Westhighland White SW 7566, Semi Gloss finish.

Shiplap Ceiling: Farrow and Ball, All White #2005, Flat finish

(we didn’t like semi gloss on the ceiling, it was too reflective for us).

Wall Color: Farrow and Ball, Shadow White #282 Flat finish.

Cabinetry: Benjamin Moore, Tapestry Beige #975, Lacquered cabinet spray finish.

Trim: Sherwin Williams, Westhighland White SW 7566, Semi Gloss finish.

Shiplap Ceiling: Farrow and Ball, White All White #2005, Flat finish

(we didn’t like semi gloss on the ceiling, it was too reflective for us).

Wall Color: Farrow and Ball, Shadow White #282 Flat finish.

Cabinetry: Benjamin Moore, Tapestry Beige #975, Lacquered cabinet spray finish.

Trim: Sherwin Williams, Westhighland White SW 7566, Semi Gloss finish.

PASS THRU TO FAMILY ROOM

Pantry Cabinets: Farrow and Ball, String #8, Lacquered cabinet spray finish.

Pantry Cabinets: Farrow and Ball, String #8, Lacquered cabinet spray finish.

FAMILY ROOM AND BACK ENTRY HALL

Walls: Farrow and Ball, Shaded White #201, Flat finish.

Trim: Farrow and Ball, Slipper Satin #2004. Semi-Gloss finish.

Back Hall (Side Entry):

Walls: Farrow and Ball, Shaded White #201, Flat finish.

Trim: Farrow and Ball, Slipper Satin #2004, Semi-Gloss finish.

Back Hall and Powder Room:

Walls: Farrow and Ball, Shaded White #201, Flat finish.

Trim: Farrow and Ball, Slipper Satin #2004, Semi-Gloss finish.

POWDER ROOM

Walls: Farrow and Ball, Off White #3, Flat finish.

Trim: Farrow and Ball, Slipper Satin #2004, Semi Gloss finish.

LIVING ROOM, DINING ROOM, LIBRARY

Walls: Farrow and Ball, Shadow White #282, Flat finish.

Trim, Woodwork, French Doors and Library Built-ins: Sherwin Williams,

Westhighland White SW 7566, Semi Gloss finish.

Library:

Walls: Farrow and Ball, Shadow White #282, Flat finish.

Trim, Woodwork, French Doors and Library Built-ins: Sherwin Williams,

Westhighland White SW 7566, Semi Gloss finish.

Living Room:

Walls: Farrow and Ball, Shadow White #282, Flat finish.

Trim, Woodwork, French Doors: Sherwin Williams,

Westhighland White SW 7566, Semi Gloss finish.

Living/Dining:

Walls: Farrow and Ball, Shadow White #282, Flat finish.

Trim, Woodwork: Sherwin Williams,

Westhighland White SW 7566, Semi Gloss finish.

Dining:

Walls: Farrow and Ball, Shadow White #282, Flat finish.

Trim, Woodwork: Sherwin Williams, Westhighland White SW 7566, Semi Gloss finish.

Dining/Living:

Walls: Farrow and Ball, Shadow White #282, Flat finish.

Trim, Woodwork, French Doors: Sherwin Williams, Westhighland White

SW 7566, Semi Gloss finish.

Library:

Walls: Farrow and Ball, Shadow White #282, Flat finish.

Trim, Woodwork, French Doors and Library Built-ins: Sherwin Williams,

Westhighland White SW 7566, Semi Gloss finish.

ENTRY HALL, (looking left to Guest Wing)

Board and Batten, Transom Woodwork and All trim: Sherwin Williams, Westhighland White SW 7566, Semi Gloss finish.

Walls: Farrow and Ball, Shadow White #282, Flat finish.

GUEST ROOM / SLEEPING PORCH

Walls: Farrow and Ball, Shadow White #282, Flat finish.

Trim: Sherwin Williams, Westhighland White SW 7566, Semi Gloss finish.

Walls: Farrow and Ball, Shadow White #282, Flat finish.

Trim and French Doors: Sherwin Williams, Westhighland White SW 7566, Semi Gloss finish.

Guest Room, doors open to Farmer’s Porch

(prior to changing beds to a queen swing)

Walls: Farrow and Ball, Shadow White #282, Flat finish.

Trim and French Doors: Sherwin Williams, Westhighland White SW 7566, Semi Gloss finish.

BACK HALL MUDROOM

Trim, Board and Batten: Farrow and Ball, All White #2005, Semi Gloss finish.

Walls: Farrow and Ball, All White #2005, Flat finish.

LAUNDRY ROOM

Trim: Farrow and Ball, All White #2005, Semi Gloss finish.

Walls: Farrow and Ball, All White #2005, Flat finish.

Trim: Farrow and Ball, All White #2005, Semi Gloss finish.

Walls: Farrow and Ball, All White #2005, Flat finish.

Door: Farrow and Ball, All White #2005, Semi Gloss finish.

Trim: Farrow and Ball, All White #2005, Semi Gloss finish.

Walls: Farrow and Ball, All White #2005, Flat finish.

Built-In Linen Cabinet: Farrow and Ball, All White #2005, Semi Gloss finish.

GUEST BATHROOM

Walls: Farrow and Ball, Off White #3, Flat finish.

Trim: Farrow and Ball, White #2005, Semi Gloss finish.

STAIRWAY TO BUNKROOM

Stairs: Farrow and Ball, Hardwick White #5, Floor Paint.

Walls: Farrow and Ball, Wimborne White #239, Flat finish.

Trim: Farrow and Ball, All White #2005, Semi Gloss finish.

Accent Wall: Sherwin Williams, Chalkboard paint.

BUNK ROOM OVER GARAGE

Stairs: Farrow and Ball, Hardwick White #5, Floor Paint.

Walls: Farrow and Ball, Wimborne White #239, Flat finish.

Trim: Farrow and Ball, All White #2005, Semi Gloss finish.

Accent Wall: Sherwin Williams, Chalkboard paint.

STAIRWAY HEADING DOWN FROM BUNKROOM

Walls: Farrow and Ball, Wimborne White #239, Flat finish.

Trim: Farrow and Ball, Wimborne White #239, Semi Gloss finish.

Stairs: Farrow and Ball, Hardwick White #5, Floor Paint.

HALLWAY MUDROOM HEADING BACK TO FRONT ENTRY

Trim, Board and Batten: Farrow and Ball, All White #2005, Semi Gloss finish.

Walls: Farrow and Ball, All White #2005, Flat finish.

BACK TO MAIN HALLWAY (to go upstairs)

Board and Batten, Transom Woodwork and All trim: Sherwin Williams, Westhighland White SW 7566, Semi Gloss finish.

Walls: Farrow and Ball, Shadow White #282, Flat finish.

MAIN STAIRWAY TO 2nd FLOOR

Walls: Farrow and Ball, Shaded White #201 Flat finish.

Trim: Farrow and Ball, Slipper Satin #2004 Semi-Gloss finish.

2nd FLOOR LANDING

Walls: Farrow and Ball, Shaded White #201 Flat finish.

Trim: Farrow and Ball, Slipper Satin #2004 Semi-Gloss finish.

KIDS WING AND HALLWAY (2ND FLOOR LAUNDRY)

Walls: Farrow and Ball, String #8, Flat finish.

TRIM: Farrow and Ball, Pointing #2003, Semi Gloss finish.

2ND FLOOR LAUNDRY/ KIDS’ HALL

Walls: Farrow and Ball, String #8, Flat finish.

TRIM: Farrow and Ball, Pointing #2003, Semi Gloss finish.

CABINETS: Farrow and Ball, Pointing #2003, Semi Gloss finish.

GIANNI’S ROOM

Wainscoting Trim: Farrow and Ball, Pointing #2003, Semi Gloss finish.

Walls: Farrow and Ball, Railings #31 Flat finish.

NATHALIE’S ROOM

Walls: Farrow and Ball, Shadow White #282, Flat finish.

Trim and Wainscoting: Farrow and Ball, Pointing #2003, Semi Gloss finish.

Walls: Farrow and Ball, Shadow White #282, Flat finish.

Trim and Wainscoting: Farrow and Ball, Pointing #2003, Semi Gloss finish.

KIDS BATHROOM

Walls: Farrow and Ball, Skimming Stone #241, Flat finish.

Trim: Farrow and Ball, Skimming Ston #241, Semi Gloss finish

MASTER BEDROOM

DRESSING ROOM / ENTRY

Walls: Farrow and Ball, Shaded White #201, Flat finish.

Trim: Farrow and Ball, Slipper Satin, #2004, Semi Gloss finish.

Walls: Farrow and Ball, Shaded White #201, Flat finish.

Trim: Farrow and Ball, Slipper Satin, #2004, Semi Gloss finish.

Doors: Farrow and Ball, Slipper Satin, #2004, Semi Gloss finish.

Walls: Farrow and Ball, Shaded White #201, Flat finish.

Trim: Farrow and Ball, Slipper Satin, #2004, Semi Gloss finish.

Doors: Farrow and Ball, Slipper Satin, #2004, Semi Gloss finish.

Walls: Farrow and Ball, Shaded White #201, Flat finish.

Trim: Farrow and Ball, Slipper Satin, #2004, Semi Gloss finish.

MASTER BATHROOM

Walls: Farrow and Ball, Shaded White #201, Flat finish.

Trim: Farrow and Ball, Slipper Satin, #2004, Semi Gloss finish.

Walls: Farrow and Ball, Shaded White #201, Flat finish.

Trim: Farrow and Ball, Slipper Satin, #2004, Semi Gloss finish.

STAIRWAY TO THIRD FLOOR

Stairs: Farrow and Ball, Downpipe #26 (Floor Paint)

Walls: Benjamin Moore, Revere Pewter #HC 172, Flat Finish.

Trim: Benjamin Moore, White Dove #OC 17, Semi-Gloss Finish.

THIRD FLOOR:

TV Lounge:

Walls: Benjamin Moore, Revere Pewter #HC 172, Flat Finish.

Trim: Benjamin Moore, White Dove #OC 17, Semi-Gloss Finish.

Walls: Benjamin Moore, Revere Pewter #HC 172, Flat Finish.

Trim: Benjamin Moore, White Dove #OC 17, Semi-Gloss Finish.

Office Area:

Walls: Benjamin Moore, Revere Pewter #HC 172, Flat Finish.

Trim: Benjamin Moore, White Dove #OC 17, Semi-Gloss Finish.

Walls: Benjamin Moore, Revere Pewter #HC 172, Flat Finish.

Trim: Benjamin Moore, White Dove #OC 17, Semi-Gloss Finish.

(IMPORTANT NOTE – My photos are not EXACT ACCURATE examples of the colors: light/time of day/photo tweaking can change how the colors appear. Where I can I have added multiple photos for better accuracy!)

I hope this is a comprehensive tool you can use (and refer back to!) to understand the flow of our home as well as the way the paint colors work individually and together!