Painting done - don't think I like the colour :(

[Strawberryshortcake40]

Just finished having bookcases built and painted to match the newly painted walls in the lounge.

I don't think I like the colour :(

I wasn't sure when it was just the walls and really not sure now.

I struggled a lot to find a nice neutral that wasn't too yellowy cream and I've gone too far the other way. It's more a pale mushroom and looks so dark.

It will cost me a fortune to get the bookcases repainted and then I will need to do the walls too. Is it likely to grow on me? Or shall I drive to b and q now and make a start on changing it??

What shade is it?

Craig and Rose Iona white.

It looks just off white in the tin or when I painted a patch. Looked perfect.

It's against a lot of beams and it seems to clash somehow? It sucks the colour from them.

This makes it look lighter than it is

Apparently if you used Crown paint you can send them the photos, telling them you don't like it and they will give you vouchers for new paint. I had paint made up in Homebase and the guy there told us this. I hadn't heard of it before, maybe other companies do it too. Worth a try I would think.

Have you filled up your bookcases yet, or are they still sitting there, all freshly painted?

They are empty.

It's not the cost of the paint so much. It's the amount I will have to pay the painter! I did the walls, he's done the cases.

It’s probably not likely to grow on you. What direction does your room face? We tried Almond white by Dulux after a terrible fail with a pale green. Very pleased with it! I know how hard it can be to find a nice neutral and light play is very important.

Ah, just seen the picture. They might appeal to you more when you've put back all the books..

I think you need to put your books on the shelves, turn on some lights and then decide.

Can't put books on yet as it needs another coat. That's as light as it gets! Only wall lights and a tiny window.

It's supposed to be a "chalky and atmospheric lime white".

Your accessories & furniture will make a big difference to the look - don't despair!

I have Natural Hessian. It changes colour in the light.it was lighter than I wanted, my friend liked it,bought it, painted hers and it is darker than mine. I wanted what she has and she wanted what I have. Now I buy match pots and try it out. Sometimes you get match pot price back. If he still has a coat to paint why not get another colour for top coat. It is a bit stark. You might have to give the walls another coat. Easier while everything out. Love, love your beams.

Think it looks amazing.
Once the books are back, maybe paint the walls a lighter white, leaving the book cases alone. That could end up making it perfect?

It looks nice to me. I am currently painting my house in dulux timeless which is a soft white. My dining room is dark but painted in timeless it looks nice and light now.

I had timeless in my last house in the hall and landing. I loved it!

why on earth did I not use that!!

I think it looks brilliant

Have got more sample pots and found two definite contenders. Very hard to decide at the moment as the room gets very little bright daylight and it only has wall lights with the worlds dimmest light bulbs at the moment.

Cream looking like the way to go. Going to cost a fair bit to sort but hopefully will be worth it.

If cost is the biggest hurdle, have you thought about repainting it yourself? I did not know how to do that sort of thing originally, but it’s not too difficult. If this is a fairly straightforward job, I’d give it a try!

I did the walls myself and happily do ceilings, skirting etc. But those bookcases? No, they aren't particularly easy which is why I hired someone to build and paint them. It will be a shame after spending so much already for me to cover them with drip marks.

Just going to have to wait a few weeks now for it to be sorted which is frustrating.

strawberry, don’t forget that once all your books are in you won’t actually see much of the bookcase itself. As Oblomov says, you could then paint the walls a lighter, toning colour. Would save a lot of money!