How is it so hard to pick a colour ?!

[pookamoo]

We just want cream, FFS!

We've chosen this runner for the stairs, and now need to pick two shades for the wall and hallway panelling. The woodwork (aside from the panelling) will be white.

I must have tested 10 different colours, and totally failed to settle on anything...

How do you do it, wise decorater MNs?

What has been wrong with the 10 different colours you have tested? Too yellow, too close in colour to white, too pink toned, too brown toned??? You need to eliminate the elements that mean these colours don't work and go from there. Take a sample of the runner to wherever you are buying paint and compare, in daylight, with paint charts. Choose a couple of things that look as though they work, buy testers and try out at home.

I had a nightmare finding a light brown colour a few weeks ago, so I sympathise.

One thing that would probably help would be to paint over the tester squares with a single colour, to give us a fresh start!

Farrow and Ball String? I've just used this in a new bathroom in a Victorian property and it is lovely, a warm cream without being too pink or yellow

Little Greene whitening is the perfect cream IMHO.

I've tested F&B "Slipper Satin" and found it a bit too green... although I thought it was perfect to start with!

Little Greene are brilliant. I used one of their shades on a dresser, and DH had suggested we do the panelling the same colour, but it definitely doesn't go with the runner (he put a first coat on as we had the tin).

Will have a look at Whitening. I think I need to go to the paint shop (without DC in tow) for a proper concentrated effort. I'd really like to get the walls done over half term!

I used to laugh at threads like these.......... Until I had to pick paint!

Goodness it's so difficult! I tested about 10 samples too and just wanted a cream sort of colour. In the end I got a F&B colour chart, googled the reviews on the ones I liked to see the reviews, people saying some had green tones etc.

I ended up with a valspar copy of F&B Clunch, it's lovely.

I tried to do that, Greencheese and was all set to just walk in to B&Q and buy the big tin of Valspar (copy of F&B) but instead I got a tester and I was so glad I did... it's a totally different colour. I mean completely!

(and yes I used to laugh at these threads, too! )

I feel your pain have just decorated a loft conversion and had a grand total of 12 tester pots. Ended up with f&B pointing, did the skirting boards in Dulux timelss and it was really cold and flat so re painted then in pointing eggshell, much better. The problem is you have to incorporate the new colour with the existing colour scheme in other rooms and ensure it does not clash or look wrong next to other surfaces such as floorboards, curtains etc.

yes, exactly! bob
My parents have used Trade White throughout their house forever... I can see why, now!

Nice runner, by the way. I have nothing to suggest on the paint front as I find it a nightmare too. Lots of my house is painted in Laura Ashley Twine for this very reason