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From dated “Peanut Butter” to Beachy Blue, a Master Bedroom gets a needed paint makeover
One of my most favorite and easiest ways to add coastal style to a home is PAINT!
My mother used to say: “A coat of paint is a wonderful thing.” It’s true.
Without spending a ton of cash you can transform a space without being fully committed.
Hate it later? Paint over it.
This goes for walls, floors, and furniture too.
You can’t say the same for an expensive piece of custom upholstered furniture. Note to self: Make a slipcover for that ugly, what were you thinking, Colonial floral Wing Chair. (It was the 80s. Need I say more?)
Paint your WALLS
Let’s start with the largest room surface — walls — because it will make the biggest impact for cheap money.
A well chosen paint color on your walls sets the tone for the entire room.
Which is why, after much deliberation, I chose Sherwin-Williams Tradewind for my bedroom.
Wanting a calm and serene feeling of a coastal blue-gray-green color (focus on blue) I went back and forth between Sherwin-Williams Tradewind (SW 6218) and Sea Salt (SW 6204), my first choice.
Although my eye went to Sea Salt, it had been noted by several bloggers, and on the Sherwin-Williams website, that green is the dominant color.
I’m leaning more towards blue for the bedroom…but Sea Salt keeps whispering “pick me!” For crying out loud, it’s just a can of paint, right?
This image of my actual paint can is representative of the final color on the wall. I found it to be predominately blue with gray undertones and a touch of green. Depending on the time of day the color changes slightly. I’m warming up to it!
But, I’ve never met a blue I liked.
If I sound a bit hesitant still, it’s because my EVERY attempt at painting walls “blue” has resulted in one disaster after another.
Then I read “The Best Paint Colors for Beach House Bedrooms” in Coastal Living Magazine and saw that Tradewind was a top pick among interior designers. I started to get hopeful with this blue color paint.
Lastly, I watched the instructional video from KylieMInteriors comparing my two paint color choices. Since all the house trim color is already Benjamin Moore Simply White (OC 117) she said it’s the better choice for Tradewind.
Work with what you have
The master bedroom faces both north and west,
has vaulted ceilings and gets lots of natural light (thanks to two skylights) plus four windows.
Its current wall color is a very dated Peanut Butter from Behr Paints (270F-4). It’s been fourteen years (yikes) since the room has been painted. Back then I was newly experimenting with a “beachy” decor. Maybe thinking it resembled dune grass….now all I see is dead dune grass!
I rocked the whole monochromatic theme…walls, carpet, bedding, curtains…all shades of peanut butter. Was that ever “a thing”?
Right now I’m saving up for hardwood to replace the worn Berber carpet (it’s peanut buttery too) so I needed a paint color to complement the beach house vision in my head.
The furniture is dark. A pine armoire hides the TV. Two identical side tables flank a metal framed headboard. My current bed cover is a white cotton coverlet, because it’s dog friendly and washable.
Pick a color already!
Time for a change. Time to make a decision. Something lighter and brighter. Something blue-ish and beachy! It’s only a can of paint, right?
My heart is still with Sea Salt, but based on all the information and my lean towards more blue than green, I purchased 4 gallons of Tradewind.
Fingers crossed…
Sherwin Williams Tradewind Color Chart (NOTE: This may look different on your screen than the actual color)But finding the “right” color is more than a matter of taste. You need to take into account a few things like:
- Sun exposure
- Flooring
- Ceiling
- Furniture
Any of these may turn some paint colors into a shade you don’t like.
Case in point: We have red oak hardwood floors in the living room. I desired a pale yellow wall color, something subtle that would go with anything in the room.
Once up on the wall, the red in the wood messed with the yellow in the paint. Uh-oh.
Remember color combinations from first grade? Red and yellow make orange! Not the look I was going for.
After a few more “yellow” attempts I settled on Barely Beige CC-140 from Benjamin Moore and have repainted the same color twice in 14 years. It picks up just enough of a warm beige yellow without any brown you’d associate with “beige”. It’s an easy to live with neutral that (still) fits in nicely with the coastal makeover look I’m after for the entire house.
So sometimes choosing the right color is a bit of trial and error.
Tradewind complements the expansive sky of the shoreline and encapsulates the ocean’s breeze. The way light dances off this color creates an aqueous environment and a serene space for rest.Lathem Gordon and Cate Dunning of GordonDunning Interior Design in Atlanta, Georgia; gordondunning.com
Sherwin-Williams Tradewind Details
Here are a few things to keep in mind about this color:
- It has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 63 which means it will reflect a lot of light and brighten your room.
- There are lots of gray and green undertones to Tradewind. It’s on the cool side rather than warm. Sherwin Williams classifies the color under BLUE.
- It will change color depending on other elements in your room.
Are you color phobic? No worries. Download our free DIY Guide: How to Pick Coastal Colors…in 5 easy steps.
Bedrooms painted in Tradewind
Cottage Bedroom via houzzShop the Look:
The bed in above photo (shown in queen) is from Legacy Classic Furniture – Summer Breeze collection. It’s also available in Twin and Full size.
Cottage Bedroom Set ideas from WAYFAIR
Shop the Look:
Blue Slipper Chair similar to this one from World Market.
See more Coastal Blue Accent Chairs under $200.
I love the “Follow Your Heart” wall art sign. See how I make lettering without any fancy equipment in this blog post. Pick your favorite quote and have fun. Use a reclaimed wood piece or buy a ready made stretch canvas at a craft’s supply store like Michael’s.
There are so many ways to turn a favorite quote into a unique and memorable piece of wall or table art. Be creative! Have fun.
To replicate the artwork in the photo first download the
“Follow Your Heart” FREE PRINTABLE.
Here’s an Idea!
Print the image on 8 1/2″ x 11″ heavy paper or card stock, frame it and place on a bedside table as a sweet dreams reminder.
Here’s an Idea!
Upload the image to Shutterfly. They offer a 5″ x 7.5″ wrapped canvas print with an easel back. What a cute and inspirational gift idea for children, college bound students, people starting a new life chapter.
Here’s an Idea!
Print the image on large paper stock at a copy shop, like Staples. Frame it as you would any poster.
Here’s an Idea!
For a more substantial art piece consider a print on canvas place like easycanvasprints.com and then frame it, or not.
Here’s a great DIY Idea!
Alternately, use a different lettering font. Print out the quote and use a projector to transfer the image directly on to a wall, your own canvas or piece of wood. Trace the image freehand.
THE ULTIMATE DIYer TOOLKIT Check List
Be sure your toolbox always has exactly what you need for any project! These checklists are perfect for Home Decor Crafters & Makers.
Shop the Look:
Wall Sconces ideas from Birch Lane
Oval Ottoman ideas from Overstock
To prime the walls or not?
Depending on the color of your walls you may need to prime them before painting.
After testing Tradewind on “peanut butter” I decided the walls needed to be primed. I used BEHR primer for its low VOC. It gave off barely any odor, but please open the windows.
What a shock to wake up to blinding b-r-i-g-h-t white walls!
I forged ahead and painted one coat of Tradewind on one wall and then went over it again before it dried.
This wet on wet painting technique is used by fine art painters. I learned it from the professional who originally painted the walls before we moved in. Give it a try sometime rather than waiting a day to see if the walls need a second coat.
With all that, in the morning I didn’t love it. Frankly, it was a bit too blue for me. Then as the day went on and the sun moved around, the green undertones came out. Hmmm, I thought. This blue has promise.
I’m still dreaming of Sea Salt but charged forward with three more walls.
And here’s the result…
My bedroom freshly painted with Sherwin-Williams TradewindWhat do you think of the color? I’m kind of loving it! Time to move on to the next room.
Shop the Look of my Bedroom:
Brisa Slat Headboard purchased at local furniture store. I found the exact bed (for $100 less) at August Grove.
Soft Cotton Woven Throw was a steal at $20 from Home Goods.
White Coverlet similar to Abigail Quilt from Taylor Linens
Blue & Green Coral Pillows at Kohl’s
Nautical Net Table Lamp is from Beachcrest Home. (Forgot to remove the plastic wrapping from the shade…oops).
Wall Paint Color is, of course, SHERWIN-WILLIAMS Tradewind. Find the paint at a Sherwin-Williams store or at HGTV Home(TM) by Sherwin-Williams at Lowe’s.
Conch Shell is from a beachcombing day on Sanibel Island in Florida. If you enjoy shelling, check out these 15 best shelling and beachcombing beaches in Florida.
It’s fun and quick. Get an instant answer. Will you be surprised? CLICK HERE Other Posts you will like:
HOW TO PICK COASTAL PAINT COLORS – be color phobic no more! 5 easy steps to choosing colors like a pro. This step by step method will up your decorating game plan.
DIY BEACH COTTAGE COFFEE TABLE FROM WOOD PALLET – I created this coffee table from a rescued from the dumpster wood pallet. A bit of leftover TRADEWIND paint helped create the striped FINISH of the table top. Super easy. Sturdy. Appropriate for any beach house decor style, especially COTTAGE or COASTAL FARMHOUSE.
10 Popular Coastal Design Styles: How to Get the Look You Love (wherever you live)
Coastal Blue Accent Chairs Under $200
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Thank you for sharing the coastal love:
