Why is decorating so sodding difficult???

[BigSkies22]

Just a bit of a rant really. I have spent two weeks prepping a room for redecoration - sanding, filling, caulking, sanding again, cleaning surfaces. Used sample pots (Little Greene) in the way directed, took advice on room light and orientation, consulted. Actually, that was probably where I went wrong - went with DH and DS preference against my own.

The results are shit. A pastel abomination when what I wanted was rich, warm and sophisticated. It's quite funny really, but I'm going to have to start again. What is wrong with me??? why is the soft, rich, warm blue I see everywhere on the internet so hard to repeat in my own house.

Anyone else experienced similar gaps between fantasy and execution?

I use little greene too - stick with them, it’s the best !
I looked at Brighton and do like it. Didn’t work for our house though. I would say it’s still cool (being blue/green toned - almost turquoise). A ‘warm’ blue would be something like pale lupin that is lilac in its undertones.
If you want a good warm neutral I really like slaked lime / slaked lime mid / slaked lime deep. If you want a foolproof palette you can stick one of those on the walls, and another on the skirting/ceiling/coving/doorframes etc. I like the slaked lime deep on bedroom walls, it’s very restful.
About to use it in a hallway and if you like green we are going with ‘green verditer’ which is quite punchy.

THanks for your replies, people, very reassuring that I am not uniquely poor at this. I am very taken by the hypothesis of male-pattern colour-blindness and will be guided by this in future!

I'm going to go with Brighton on the walls, radiator, and some of the woodwork (skirting boards, door and frame, wardrobe, possibly window seat and frames). I"m going to paint the ceiling over with what we have in the way of soft whites (lots lying around) and I'm going to default to oyster on the picture rail and fire surround, which is what we've done with most of the wood trim in the house. I think I've spent too much time on interiors blogs and have indulged in a bit of decorating over-reach. Time to rein in a little and simplify! I can use up some of our existing supplies as well - oh, does anyone want a near--full 2.5 litre can of Little Greene Delicate Blue, eggshell? I bought it to do the woodwork and radiator, and it's not going to get used now except perhaps inside a cupboard.

Thanks for restoring my good humour about it all as well.

You could always pass it on to communityrepaint.org.uk/

I looked at the Community Repaint scheme before - you have to be resident in a participating local authority. And I'm not, unfortunately. I'll work something out.

Yes - Light Blue is my favourite FB. I’ve used it in both the Victorian terraces I’ve owned in the living/dining room. I

I don't think Light Blue would be right. Borrowed Light is nice but may be too light? What about the Dulux Heritage colours. I want to paint my kitchen (from Light Blue) to an actual light blue and have tested quite a few and think I'm settled on this one - Copenhagen Blue.

www.homebase.co.uk/dulux-heritage-matt-emulsion-paint-copenhagen-blue-2.5l/12899086.html

Never listen to male opinions on home decor unless you're living with a professional home interiors person. Only half-joking: I think too many men really can't discern subtle differences in shades and tones.

Or Sky Blue?

www.homebase.co.uk/dulux-heritage-matt-emulsion-paint-sky-blue-2.5l/12899104.html

The Sky Blue actually looks quite close to Brighton (and I notice they have taken the paint from the wall up over the picture rail...jus' sayin', like). I'm going to stick to Brighton for now, as I can't face tester pots again (not to mention the guilt about the waste of resources).

Got the first coat of creamy white (Dulux mixed with various Wimborne White, Bone White, Sail White leftovers - using up paint and taking the edge off the bright white) up yesterday on the ceiling. Quite sore today, but am already feeling better about the whole enterprise. I'll get the second coat up tomorrow.

Are you Swedish, Edith? One of the bogs I follow, The Nordroom, is always featuring beautiful Swedish interiors. And is anyone watching Cheaters on BBC? Oh my, the decor of the house belonging to the travel writer and her husband!

Are you Swedish, Edith? Sadly, no. And, ha, I also noticed they'd extended to over the picture rail.

Did you test a big section on the wall first? That's the only way I can chose colours

Picture rail should be same colour as above it. I think that is making it look a little amateur.

I disagree I think it's more modern to match skirting & picture to walls