decorating on a non existant budget, is it ok to mix paint like this?

[flanjabelle]

Moved in last year and my bedroom is in the same awful state as when I arrived. the paint is all coming off, delightful floral wallpaper underneath. It looks shocking.

I want light and fresh, I have a ton of white paint, but I think plain white will look clinical. I have a brown paint, can I mix a tiny bit of it into a large amount of white and use that? I'm hoping it would just take the edge off of the white and make it look warmer. Will it come out ok? Or would it not work?

Thanks very much in advance for any advice!

[BestIsWest]

Yes, if you mix enough all at once otherwise you'll never match it. It might take a while to get it all mixed. DH used to be a professional decorator and always adds quite a bit of water to paint as he says it's much too thick.

[OTheHugeManatee]

You can, assuming they are both water-based emulsion paints. But be sure to make enough of the mixed paint in a single batch to do two coats in the whole room, or you may get uneven colour. For an average 3m x 4m room you will need about 6 litres to do the whole surface twice.

I would also strip the wallpaper first if you have time.

[addictedtosugar]

Should be OK if similar types of paint - dont try to add gloss to emulsion.
If your worried, try a spoonfull of each first, and yes to mixing far too much, because you'll never make the same colour again.

[flanjabelle]

They are both Matt emulsion so that's not a problem.

The wallpaper is coming down, don't worry, I have managed to borrow a wallpaper stripper steamy thingy .

Now the hard bit is trying to get it done while toddler naps!

Thank you very much, I will give it a go.

[flanjabelle]

Is there any trick to getting the paint evenly mixed? Do I just stir it for ages?

[addictedtosugar]

Stir for ages, and when toddler wakes up, MAKING SURE THE LID IS TIGHTLY ON turn it over every now and again - so upside down for a while, then right way up. Or shake it. Or roll it around on its side.

Have something long enough to get right to the bottom, and if you can possibly find a suitable container, tip it into a new container, and stir again before you start painting.

[flanjabelle]

Ah I'm waivering. I have some greyish blue paint which doesn't require mixing. It's not as light and fresh as I was hoping for, but I can still do white bedding etc. I'm not sure whether i should just stick with that? It is a lovely colour and I have plenty of it.. what do you think?

[flanjabelle]

It's this sort of blue:

[addictedtosugar]

Pre mixed would be easier.
It is hard to get paint to mix - have you ever see them mix the pots in B&Q when they do the special colours? They really shake it.

Could you do some walls white, and some blue, to make it a bit lighter?

[flanjabelle]

its a possibility. im just not sure which walls would look best blue, and which ones white. is there a general rule?

Its an odd looking room, strange shape with a window right in one of the corners.

[DorisLessingsCat]

The problem is you will have to mix enough paint to cover the whole room, if you need two tins you're not going to be able to match the first one and the second one.

I'm a fan of an "accent" wall which would usually go behind the headboard of the bed.

[BestIsWest]

The blue is lovely and would look great with plain white bedding.

[flanjabelle]

I opened up the blue paint and tested a bit on the wall. It's lighter than I remembered. I think it's going to be perfect on all the walls! Managed to get the paint off of one wall (it's on top of the wallpaper) and removed the million crappy wall stickers from the rest of the room.

I have changed my mind about stripping the wallpaper. I don't want to be here long term, hoping to move within two years so I just can't be bothered!

I will post a pic of the finished room when it's done. Tonight I'll be sanding down the woodwork to be painted tomorrow.

Any recommendations for cheap accessories to go in would be great. I need to find curtains, lamp, things for the walls that kind of thing if anyone is bored enough to help!

[flanjabelle]

This is one coat of the blue. Sorry the light is fading around that side.

[answersonapostcardplease]

I'd go with the blue

[OTheHugeManatee]

Pretty! I love that sort of blue. I'd go with that, rather than risking the home-made magnolia

[flanjabelle]

Blue it is! will report back when it's done :)