Striking the Right Balance: Home Office Paint Colors

ORC Spring 2024 Week Five

For the fifth week of the Spring 2024 One Room Challenge, we’ll explore the balance between light, personality, and historical charm achieved in this home office makeover using a combination of colors from Farrow & Ball and Sherwin Williams.

From Dark Academia to Light and Airy

The initial plan was a dramatic navy blue, embracing the dark academia aesthetic. (Elder Millennial here, what can I say?) Once my partner expressed his hesitations about working in such a dark space, and I had to agree. So, prioritizing productivity and considering the room’s limited natural light, particularly from its north-facing orientation, we pivoted towards a brighter palette.

Farrow & Ball: Perfect for Historical Homes

Considering the home’s 1800s origin, we turned to Farrow & Ball for their timeless color palettes that seamlessly blend with historical architectural styles. Ultimately, we selected “Hardwick White,” a nuanced greenish-gray with a touch of sophistication. (This color might just make Zoom background blurring a thing of the past!) 

Sherwin-Williams Alabaster: A Favorite Go-To

To maintain a sense of brightness, we opted to cover the ceiling and most walls in Sherwin Williams’ “Alabaster.” This has long been my favorite white for its warm sandy undertones that beautifully compliments muted colors.

Creating Visual Harmony with Paint

Striking a balance between continuity and visual interest, we painted the built-ins and trim in Hardwick White, while opting for Alabaster on the ceilings and majority of the walls. The wall behind the desk, however, called for a unique treatment:

Recognizing the need for cohesion, it was obvious that covering the back wall entirely in Alabaster would have disrupted the flow between the built-ins on the opposing walls, while a full Hardwick White treatment would have created visual imbalance.

To solve this, we delineated this space with Hardwick White up to the top of the stained glass, then transitioned to Alabaster. This allowed the Alabaster from the ceiling to seamlessly connect with the wall, and created a nice moment of contrast against the Hardwick White on the window trim where it met the wall above the stained glass. 

Letting Go of the Dark Side

While bidding farewell to the allure of navy was initially bittersweet, I’m confident that the lighter, brighter approach will offer plenty of opportunity to introduce color and personality through accessories and textiles

Pro Painting Tips

As a seasoned DIYer, I’ve learned a lot of painting tips over the years. Here are a few of my favorites:

• Upcycle Cabinet Packaging: Use leftover wedges and foam from packaging for elevating wood surfaces during painting.
• Floetrol For Flawless Trim: I always mix this additive with latex paint for smoother application and minimal brush marks.
• Caulk For a Professional Finish: Don’t skip caulking! Taking the time to caulk imperfect joints and seams makes a tremendous difference in the quality of your paint job.
• Invest in Quality Tools: A good roller and paint bucket are essential for built-ins and trim. I love these Wooster Micro Plush mini rollers and the Pelican paint bucket.
• Save Your Back: For ceilings, an extension pole for your paint roller is a lifesaver.
• Sharp Angled Brushes: Especially for cutting in, good quality angled brushes are worth the investment. Wooster offers a great selection, but the ideal type may vary depending on your paint finish.

Join me next week as we further refine this home office with ambient lighting and a well-organized desk! 

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