A few times a month I get e-mails from readers wanting to know which paint colors I’ve used in my home. I can’t help but cringe when I get those e-mails because I have the worst, least helpful answer EVER…. that I mixed them myself. The green in my living room, bathroom, and laundry room was the result of too many green paint samples getting mixed together in a bucket, and the blue in my hallway was an actual color that I altered with craft paint. As is the green on my bathroom vanity. Pretty much as soon as I get my hands on a new can of paint, this happens…
This time though, I have learned my lesson…no more mixing my own paint colors. From here on out I’m using real colors so that I can give y’all a name and I can actually buy more paint to do touch-ups when needed. At least on walls…I make no such promises for future furniture makeovers. Baby steps.
So for the guest room I decided I wanted the walls to be a neutral color. This is new territory for me, I don’t think I’ve ever painted something neutral in my life. My kitchen is white, but beyond that it’s all about color. I wanted to steer clear of anything that might look like builders grade beige, and gray – even though it’s super popular these days – just isn’t my thing. So, I brought home a few paint chips…
and ended up picking a color called “sculptor clay” by Behr.
And y’all…it’s perfect.
For pretty much the first time ever, I decided I loved this paint on the first swipe. It’s a great neutral…not quite beige, not quite gray, just neutral.
I never thought I could like a neutral color so much.
Along the way I also found something else I love. I pretty much only use Behr Paint from Home Depot, but I always get the regular stuff, not the paint and primer in one. I sprung for it this time though (since I was painting over stripes) and I have to say, it’s awesome. It has amazing coverage and is completely worth the extra $5 or so over the regular paint. I may never go back. Most of the time I’m tell y’all to save your pennies, but in this instance you should spend your pennies and save your time.
With all this neutral talk I feel like I need to spice it up around here. Really take a stand on something and show my true colors, no matter how how many people it may anger. So here it is, something I feel strongly about that some of you may not like…..
.
.
.
GO SPURS GO!
Jessica says
June 10, 2014 at 8:04 pmHey, I can’t wait to see what colors you use in the bedroom with it. I actually painted my own bedroom with sculptor clay last year and still I think the color is great! Good choice. Hope you enjoy!
Anonymous says
December 10, 2017 at 1:21 pmWhat did you use for trim color?
Carl D'Agostino says
June 10, 2014 at 8:46 pmYes for walls flat light silver gray, doors and trim white enamel and maroon rug.
Shannon @ Fox Hollow Cottage says
June 10, 2014 at 8:58 pmLooks like a perfect color to me!!
Jayna @ Yankee Drawl says
June 10, 2014 at 8:59 pmYes! The paint and primer in one stuff is so worth the extra little bit. I remember using it for the first time and being amazed, and will never go back now.
The color looks great with the floors. Can’t wait to see how the room turns out.
Cindy from GlassSlipperRestorations says
June 11, 2014 at 7:29 amI really like the way it looks with that rug Ashley! I’m all about color too and that rug is awesome! Good choice but I’ll warn ya, I went with a neutral wall color in my bedroom and months later I knew I would have to change it, it is too boring for me. Sounds like you do very well at mixing your own colors must be why everyone ask about them! Maybe you could write down your formulas as you mix them. I would like you to share about the paint can lids, do they work well?
thanks,
Cindy
Kari says
June 11, 2014 at 10:05 amTruth or Dare? … Do you have any of those… you know… 10 yr old projects that you never quite fully finished? They sit on the back burner percolating a hole in your head? Mine has been a feature wall in my hallway that I textured with tinted plasters to simulate limestone. Instead of being stuffed in a corner in the bsmt out of sight, out of mind, I get to walk by it daily and as a bonus enjoy the chalk texturing I get on my clothing when I accidentally brush it once in a while.
I have never finished it off needing to find a sealer, then paint, then dry brush a few dif colors back to get the limestone look. Yeah lots of work and for some reason I put the blame on having to prime it first as the reason I could never get round-tuit. Priming is just too much extra work ya know? A surf over to Behr and yup I am pretty sure that with 10 yrs this summer, I have allowed enough time for curing as they say ““Allow new stucco, plaster and masonry to cure for 30 days before painting”
I love how your blog often points me to solutions and inspiration alike. Your $5 tip has solved (truth – one of) my oldest project/problems – thanks so much!
Jenny says
June 11, 2014 at 12:49 pmA couple of years ago when I {finally} painted my master bedroom and bath I used Sculptor’s Clay with Behr’s Paint and Primer. Paint and color still looks great years later! Another great neutral is from Porter Paint Group (PPG) called Sharkskin. It’s a shade darker than the Sculptor’s Clay and has that same not brown, not gray tone. Used it recently in my open living/dining room and kitchen. Looking forward to seeing the completed room!
[email protected] Designs says
June 13, 2014 at 7:48 amI really like the rug, floor and wall color combo and can’t wait to see more :) I’ve tried the Behr Ultra too, and it is pretty great. Unfortunately we have tons of wallpaper to pull down first, leaving our walls in bad shape which requires I use a true stainblocking primer separate coat. But — I use the combo whenever it is possible because it goes on so well!
Yvonne @ Sunnyside Up-stairs says
June 14, 2014 at 2:32 amI have a habit of… “customizing” paint as well, haha. Lots of colors look great on walls, adding white or gray to a weird shade (for the space it is in) has worked almost every time for me. Being able to put up one coat of paint and like it – that’s a dream! So glad it happened for you with a new paint formula you like. :) Looking forward to seeing your guest room come together.
Lizz says
June 15, 2014 at 11:27 amI just decided I absolutley love you! GO SPURS GO BABY!!!!
Kismet says
June 16, 2014 at 2:53 pmI see your rug came :)
Ashley says
June 16, 2014 at 10:50 pmYes, it did :) It’s awesome…even Adam said he liked it without and prompting or digging on my end. Success.
Debbie refresh restyle says
June 19, 2014 at 6:08 pmLove the color!
Jan Elizabeth says
June 20, 2014 at 9:55 pmSomehow this post went by me! That is a nice neutral. I hear you about mixing your own paint colours. My favorite turquoise ever was a mixture of a bunch of leftover colours. I’m going to be sad when it’s gone, I’ve used it on a bunch of stuff. It looks great with a dirty cowboy on top, lol. ;)
Claire says
July 20, 2014 at 2:48 pmHi Ashley, I found you through Rhoda’s website …. thanks for the post about paint. Our masterbedroom is painted a deep red/burgundy color. It was done very well by the previous owners, but it finally dawned on me why I don’t feel rested in the bedroom and don’t want to spend much time there ….. it’s the paint color! In our previous home we had a lovely serene green-ish color and I was always wanting to be in there. So, your comments about the paint with primer and the tests you have done to select the best color are very timely for me, thanks! I have a suspicion that the red is going to take quite a bit of work to cover over …. but it will be worth it!
Cassie Clancy says
February 23, 2016 at 9:24 pmThank you for this post! You have helped me find the perfect paint color for our home. I’m embarrassed to even admit how much time I have spent trying to find the right greige, but there was something wrong with every one of them. I was going GRAY-Z!!! Everyone swore by BM Revere Pewter, but it looked funky in my home. SW Accessible Beige was the closest to what I was looking for, but I needed it to be just a splash more gray. Sculptor Clay is absolutely gorgeous, and exactly what I was looking for– enough gray to be on trendy, but also fresh and airy, and goes with everything! Thank you so much!
Linda says
October 22, 2017 at 1:04 pmOmg! Another [email protected] Texan, Spurs loving, DIY lady like myself! I’ve gotta say, your guests bedroom is the most beautiful transformation I’ve ever seen of any room transformation on the Internet! I love it so much! Kudos to you for doing it by yourself while pregnant! I’d be friends with you in a heartbeat if we lived in the same city lol! Much love!
Andrea says
January 5, 2018 at 1:07 pmHello Ashley,
I enjoyed reading your post about neutral paint colors and am jealous of anyone who can pick one out correctly on their own. I have a question about the color you selected, sculptor clay. It is one color that I am considering in my very bright family room/kitchen. I have heard that these types of greige or neutrals look more gray with more light. Do you find that on your wall?
The adjoining foyer is a true taupe so I was also concerned that the sculptor clay color would look even more gray if I look from one room to another. What are your thoughts?
Finally, I see a green understone to this color. Am I imagining that? I don’t want green on my bright walls.
Thanks.
Freddiegob says
January 30, 2019 at 1:04 pmhttps://cdn.slidesharecdn.com/ss_thumbnails/14316190165554c5c8dbd85-150514155659-lva1-app6892-thumbnail-3.jpg This is one in all the principle considerations that needs to be looked at when it comes to getting a backpack that may carry your laptop and even the naked necessities for a camping journey with just a few of your folks. 60 Euros however good luck getting your palms on a pair! Currently, the books are open and a 91mm mod begins at 50 Euros plus the cost of the wood and the SAK instrument itself. One may create a fireplace, scale a fish, open canned items (if available) and mainly carry out any obligatory task to remain alive for a brief time frame. Robert’s books are currently open and the easiest way to succeed in him is by way of a direct message on Instagram. This is the very best Swiss Army Climber Pocket Knife now we have come throughout. Victorinox Original Swiss Army Climber Pocket Knife (Red)Another great journey knife from Victorinox. The Green Technology in Victorinox started within the 21st century.
He is a modder out of Germany and you’d be best served to really navigate his site in ascending chronological order as a result of I actually imagine some of his most wonderful pieces have been made previous to the legal complications with Victorinox. The knife itself will in all probability be useful day by day, however outfitting your knife with a superb set of weekly helpful equipment is the most effective solution to go. The sky’s the limit, so it’s greatest to contact him directly to get a quote on your dream SAK. Just use the contact kind on his web site and be certain to check out Facebook for extra information. An increasing number of persons are heading out and in search of the solitude and sweetness of nature. This might be a cause why I carry a key-chain software, so individuals won’t decide on my precious blade to pry stuffs. Okay listen up as a result of issues might get complicated. A couple of issues to note about Daily Customs.
I can’t name one other modder that retains issues as related. He has quite a bit in store for the longer term as well, including Damascus work, making use of his Spydernox Midas touch to the 74mm Executive, and a few others he still has underneath wraps. Most of the aforementioned objects could be engraved for that special contact. Briefly, if you are looking for a watch that you would be able to look great in and that may final you a very long time, your search is over. We are mostly looking at titanium and brass right here, brass liners, and a signature Swiss cross reduce-out. Sean works out of his garage and largely uses his Mini-Mill which allows him to shape his scales and liners, engrave the cross, and drill holes for the screws. He also makes use of a simple bench grinder and a Ken Onion Workshop to get a pleasant bevel and edge on his knives. Like different modders, Christoph is a one-man present, with a small workshop in his German residence.
I a lot choose a deep carry clip, like what SAKModder has on his customs. Daily Customs does not trouble with this. Daily Customs allows for an optional clip and their implementation is tremendous clear and clever. This additionally include orange peeler with scraper which is useful for all of their every day task. As what you see above, the Nite Ize DoohicKey is a part of my on a regular basis carry. An ideal technique to see the town is on a riverboat which capabilities similar to a metropolis bus. Every producer of steel scales all the time instructs you to press match them however this is never attainable, the way it is with plastic scales. The strap may be of leather or steel – once more of many colours and designs. If you are eager on grabbing one of those gems, you possibly can take a look at his Facebook web page. I listed him last because his customized scale work is out of this world. I used to be surprised to be taught that Kamil, a very talented engineer, designs and builds custom the CNC machines which do the work for cutting out blanks and engraving duties. It does not make kitchen work quicker and easier, it additionally makes it safer with sharp-edged knives.
He not too long ago picked up a Mini-Lathe which will finally allow him to make threaded standoffs, setting him apart from other makers. Basic instruments that you will want no matter if you are at dwelling or on the go is a survival knife, flashlights with further batteries, or even a flashlight that has a hand crank. Most corporations have salesmen or different workers on the road so handing one of these kits to your travelling buyer will all the time go down effectively. Stormtroopers additionally make an look, in addition to varied textures and patterns. In the meantime, be sure that to check out his Instagram and webpage the place he occasionally posts new initiatives. Since then, he has teamed up together with his brother, Kamil, and they have been understanding of the basement of an old industrial constructing within the previous part of Gdansk, the town where Andrzej resides. As a toddler, Andrzej was fascinated with Ray Mears’ e-book The Survival Handbook and was obsessive about making his personal survival knife.
Wendy LeVangie says
January 31, 2019 at 12:04 amI just really love your sense of style and humor. I will definitely follow your practical and fun decorating tips. I have been searching for a paint color for my kitchen…love the clay color. I think it will work perfectly. I’m also thinking that your butcher block counters will work. I’m excited to show you.
Cheers,
Wendy