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Property/DIY

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Original poster

Magnolia Paint - Bland but ok??

40 replies

doglover · 04/08/2013 20:08

I've posted a few things recently about decorating and would appreciate some honest opinions .............. I know I'll get them from you lot!!

We're undertaking a MASSIVE renovation project and are on a very tight budget. I will be doing the decorating to help keep costs down but have been totally shocked at the cost of paint . Having spent some time looking at websites etc, I really feel that it would be most cost-effective if the majority of the house was painted in magnolia silk emulsion and then enlivened with accent colours, soft furnishings and artwork.

What do you think?

OP posts:

Itscoldouthere · 04/08/2013 20:23

Sorry don't mean to be rude but why would you go to all the trouble of doing a massive renovation and then paint everywhere magnolia

Painting is the finishing layer and can do so much to add to the feel and look of a home, painting everything magnolia is a developer/rental market solution.

I can understand that if you have been doing a long renovation on a tight budget that you probably just want to getting finished, but once it's done you will then live with it for ages before you paint again and it will involve disruption to go back and paint again.

I have a friend who did a whole house, she didn't have to live in it whilst it was being renovated and had builders who did everything, after making so many decisions she couldn't face making paint choices so got them to paint everything white, one year on she's so wishing she had paintied different colours as she's so bored with white and now can't face the upheaval.

Personally if I did decide to go for one colour everywhere there is no way it would be magnolia.

Probably not what you want to hear!

Twooter · 04/08/2013 20:25

I would go for white before magnolia, every time.

Original poster

doglover · 04/08/2013 20:26

No, I really do want honest opinions! I'll add it all to the mix of ideas

OP posts:

Original poster

doglover · 04/08/2013 20:26

White? Ok, more thoughts

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member · 04/08/2013 20:35

Presumably you're plumping for magnolia as you perceive it as jhaving more warmth than pure brilliant white?

OrangeOpalFruit · 04/08/2013 20:35

Agree. Don't go for Magnolia. Try white or a just off white type colour if that's a bit stark. Magnolia looks dated. I pretty sure they don't even use it in new builds anymore.

I would also recommend using trade quality paint. It works out at a similar price in the end because one tin will cover more wall, and it's a lot less work because you'll need to do fewer coats.

Original poster

doglover · 04/08/2013 20:38

Yes, that was my thinking, Member. I was definitely going to use Trade quality paint because have heard from others that it's better quality for the price.

OP posts:

Alwayscheerful · 04/08/2013 20:42

Trade paint.

Always matt not silk, silk shows up every imperfection.

White not magnolia, slightly different shade of white for woodwork as ordinary white will yellow, I would choose a white with a grey tinge.

I never use gloss for woodwork I always use trade eggshell/ satinwood.

Magnolia can look very bland and it is often used in rental properties, it will make the property look dated, white will give a fresh contempory look and is is easy to freshen up. I keep a brush and a jam jar under the sink.

Alwayscheerful · 04/08/2013 20:43

Oh, and it's much quicker to use white because there is not cutting in at the ceiling.

Original poster

doglover · 04/08/2013 20:45

Ok. I'm persuaded about white. I thought that matt was tricky to clean though? With 2 teenagers, we do get quite a few finger marks and smudged areas.

Do they do a 'wipeable' trade paint?

I was going to use satinwood for wood.

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Fraxinus · 04/08/2013 20:48

My flat (rented) is mostly magnolia. I like it. It works in the hallway and stairs, but then there are some different colours in 2 rooms. I have coloured borders and things, and am happy with it. I don't think it is a bad idea to start off with some neutral colours to finish your renovation. Then you can decide if a particular room needs a different colour over time. Then when you redecorate, you are spending the money on a paint colour you definately want.

member · 04/08/2013 20:53

Dulux deffo do a diamond matt trade which is wipeable

Original poster

doglover · 04/08/2013 20:54

Many thanks

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onlysettleforbutterflies · 04/08/2013 20:55

I painted my hall in matt and one of the bedrooms in matt and really regret it, shows up every mark and can't wipe them off. They look a lot more tired than the rooms done in silk at the same time.

thetigerwhocametoteax · 04/08/2013 20:56

maybe i am not a style guru but honestly - whats wrong with magnolia? its just cream basically and as you say you can inject some colour with accessories, curtains etc. i find white a bit cold and also unforgiving with the marks. i know exactly what you mean about the cost of paint - we are half way through a big renovation project and so far have got through 4 of those huge tubs of dulux supermatt trade paint - its still relatively expensive at about £40 a tub but its very thick and covers really well and can be used on new plaster. i dread to think how much it would have cost for more fancy paint and its hard to keep track of which paintto use if you do need to touch up when all rooms are different colours. the only room we've been unhappy painting so far was our very large lounge all magnolia and so i've painted the chimney breast a lovely deep yellow and it looks fab.

Original poster

doglover · 04/08/2013 21:01

That was my thinking, TTWCTT. I'll definitely go for something more 'style conscious' in the living room but, in our bedrooms and study, I'd be quite happy to use good ol' magnolia. My dds bedrooms tend to be covered in posters and photos so not much wall will be overly visible, to be honest!

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culturemulcher · 04/08/2013 21:04

Sorry to buck the trend, but I'd go for magnolia. I've lived in houses painted all white and a house painted the (French equivalent) of magnolia. White's lovely and bright and fresh at first, but looks filthy in just 6 months and ends up looking as grubby as a student flat after a year. Plus it can feel very cold and grey in winter.

Magnolia, on the other hand though it's not fresh, crisp and clean is warm, and very forgiving.

It wouldn't be my first choice - but over all white, I'd say yes.

Original poster

doglover · 04/08/2013 21:09

Well, I asked for honesty and you've all obliged! I'll have a good think and get back to you on our decision ..................

Many thanks

OP posts:

mirry2 · 04/08/2013 21:12

I like magnolia as well.

TallulahBetty · 04/08/2013 21:15

Our whole house is Mongolia, with a feature wall in each room. I love Mongolia!

TallulahBetty · 04/08/2013 21:16

Magnolia* obviously not Mongolia!

specialsubject · 04/08/2013 21:20

I've also lived in an all-white house. Looks like it isn't finished!

White is for ceilings and skirtings. Find something like magnolia but not quite it, if you see what I mean.

Original poster

doglover · 04/08/2013 21:41

Great spelling error, TB!!

OP posts:

cavell · 04/08/2013 21:46

I quite like all white. Or, if you want something like magnolia but a bit nicer, how about Dulux Timeless? (Someone will no doubt say that is too "cream", but I can't abide the current fashion for greys.)

ILikeBirds · 04/08/2013 21:53

Our whole house is painted ivory. Off white without looking grubby and without the yellow of magnolia.

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