Paint colours

Floor colour with grey walls

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Paint your walls a darker color. We know that light colors make a room look larger, but using the right dark color can make the walls disappear, creating the same effect. To counterbalance a dark wall color, use lighter pieces of furniture and introduce metal and reflective surfaces, like the coffee table and light fixture in this room. Tip: Getting just the right black can be tricky. Experiment with colors on one wall first. If you love one, paint the others in that color too. Keep in mind that cooler blacks tend to recede more than warmer blacks, and satin or low-sheen paints are more forgiving than semigloss paints. Your local paint shop is a terrific resource, so ask for help.

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Match the top of your tray ceiling with your walls, just as Lowery Design Group has done in this dining room with Benjamin Moore's La Paloma Gray 1551.

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AC-30 Winter Gates by Benjamin Moore is a midtone gray with a generous helping of brown. It's one of America's most popular colors.

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