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Original poster

I love black woodwork but been told white walls are too cold? Beige?

30 replies

TheWy · 03/02/2023 12:58

This is the look I wanted throughout my new house but I keep being told it will look too cold.

It's mid terrace period with high ceilings, big bedrooms but 2 small reception rooms (may open them up together eventully)

Would beige work? Or nay other suggestions.

I am 100% on the black woodwork, I have it in one room in my house now and I love it.

I love black woodwork but been told white walls are too cold? Beige?
OP posts:
meetmeatmidnights · 03/02/2023 13:03

I love it with the white - would a warmer off white work? I think it looks fab, love black woodwork! Beige might look too yellow toned next to black? I really like Wevet by F&B - it has a slight hint of grey so it's white without being too cold.

007DoubleOSeven · 03/02/2023 13:05

I agree with pp. The decor in the picture is very cold but if you chose the black and the white very carefully, slightly softer versions of both, it would look both beautiful and inviting.

Tangerinie · 03/02/2023 13:05

Warm off-white sounds nice or you could go with a very light, warm toned grey? Or a different neutral. We have a pinky taupey neutral colour in our hall which would go with black I think

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Original poster
TheWy · 03/02/2023 13:06

meetmeatmidnights · 03/02/2023 13:03

I love it with the white - would a warmer off white work? I think it looks fab, love black woodwork! Beige might look too yellow toned next to black? I really like Wevet by F&B - it has a slight hint of grey so it's white without being too cold.

I love it too but am wary of it coming across clinical. Iwas reading about tones of white but in all honesty I thought it was BS, I thought white was just white 😳

I'll check that paint out. Thanks.

OP posts:
ApolloandDaphne · 03/02/2023 13:06

Go for a warmer white. I've just done my whole house Wimborne white and it is a lovely soft colour.

Original poster
TheWy · 03/02/2023 13:07

Budget is also a slight issue. Its a 3 storey house so I can't really go for a £50 a litre type of paint as I am going to need ALOT!

OP posts:
troppibambini6 · 03/02/2023 13:11

I've got some black wood work but not all. I used railings by farrow and ball which is a soft black l, the white is just pure brilliant white and the beige is pebble shore by dulux.

Don't know if this is the look you're going for though....

I love black woodwork but been told white walls are too cold? Beige?
Original poster
TheWy · 03/02/2023 13:22

troppibambini6 · 03/02/2023 13:11

I've got some black wood work but not all. I used railings by farrow and ball which is a soft black l, the white is just pure brilliant white and the beige is pebble shore by dulux.

Don't know if this is the look you're going for though....

Oh that is gorgeous!

I'll make a note of all of those thankyou

OP posts:
Bluevelvetsofa · 03/02/2023 13:26

Dulux Rock Salt is a less harsh white too.

WhoInvitedHer · 03/02/2023 13:27

I have Pitch Black Farrow & Ball on all my hall, stairs and landing woodwork and Pavillion Grey on the walls. Dark room as no window on the landing but love it. About to use Vulcan, Little Greene, on my kitchen diner woodwork and Slaked Lime, very similar to Wevet, on the walls.

WhoInvitedHer · 03/02/2023 13:29

I went for Pitch Black as I have some original black encaustic tiles on the floor and wanted the darkest pure black to match but so smart, I love it.

Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 03/02/2023 13:31

Do what you want/love. You have to see it everyday. (Personally I think it looks fabulous.)

meetmeatmidnights · 03/02/2023 13:35

TheWy · 03/02/2023 13:07

Budget is also a slight issue. Its a 3 storey house so I can't really go for a £50 a litre type of paint as I am going to need ALOT!

Definitely get a colour match if you are painting that much, although I find some of the actual f&b colours have better tones when painted you can probably get a very good colour match too 😊

HardStareBear · 03/02/2023 13:46

I've just sent for the Farrow & Ball paint chart so that I can colour-match (using Johnstone's trade paint). F&B have about 20 different whites so I'm sure that you could find something! You can order their (very fancy) paint chart, for free, on their website.

Motelschmotel · 03/02/2023 13:53

What flooring do you have?

Black and white tiles could look gorgeous. Lighter wood could look lovely. Even a yellower wood. If you have white floors, grey floors, dark brown floors, personally I’d rethink white totally. I’d want a colour (and I hate colour, but it’s cheaper than relaying a floor!).

Original poster
TheWy · 03/02/2023 14:50

Motelschmotel · 03/02/2023 13:53

What flooring do you have?

Black and white tiles could look gorgeous. Lighter wood could look lovely. Even a yellower wood. If you have white floors, grey floors, dark brown floors, personally I’d rethink white totally. I’d want a colour (and I hate colour, but it’s cheaper than relaying a floor!).

Not decided on flooring yet but think B&W tile in hall and darker wood in rooms.

OP posts:
Twawmyarse2 · 03/02/2023 14:53

Have a look at Hollydinteriors on Instagram - her house is gorgeous and she has black woodwork everywhere - I think her wall colour is Strong White F&B.

Reindear · 03/02/2023 15:02

It looks amazing. I have white walls and black wooden stair rail in my hall and love it. I don’t remember the exact shades but it’s a slight off white and a slight slatey black and it looks fab. Id love black skirting and doors too one day!

BIWI · 03/02/2023 15:04

There's white and then there's white!

minipie · 03/02/2023 15:11

Both the pictures on this thread have warm toned wood flooring. First pic also has a plant and second pic has some beige plus brown doormat, basket etc.

This is important to stop the black and white looking cold and clinical. If you want a black and white floor find a way to bring in warm tones eg a jute runner rug or warm picture on the wall or a piece of warm wooden (vintage?) furniture.

Also agree with using an off black rather than pure black and an off white like Pointing or Shirting not brilliant white.

Choose lighting carefully, you need very warm white bulbs (2700 kelvin) IMO to warm it up.

mathanxiety · 03/02/2023 15:22

I love the look. Try a slightly warmer white.

Beige would not be nice.

mathanxiety · 03/02/2023 15:24

There are hundreds of whites.

You need to paint swatches in all the rooms you intend to paint and see how they look in different lights.

Original poster
TheWy · 03/02/2023 15:35

mathanxiety · 03/02/2023 15:24

There are hundreds of whites.

You need to paint swatches in all the rooms you intend to paint and see how they look in different lights.

I just want one uniform colour head to toe

OP posts:
TheFairyCaravan · 03/02/2023 15:41

Have a look at Soft Wool by Valspar. It’s not a really stark bright white. We’ve got it in the spare room

Thistooshallpsss · 03/02/2023 15:44

Try Duluth heritage we used a warm white and I understand it’s cheaper than f and b but goes on nicely. We have an open plan house and the colour looks slightly different in different parts of the room but it all coordinates well