CONFUSED About Best Neutral Paint Color for Small Low Light or Dark Room

This week I'm giving you a peek into the first week of my beach cottage makeover. The little cottage was taken down to the studs in some rooms, but it's a great opportunity to make this space a beautifully appointed, furnished short-term rental.
My San Diego based contractor, Ken Galves and his team have been so efficient and collaborative. Except he told me last minute that I needed to choose paint colors asap. This caused a mini-panic since time is money, and I don't want his team delayed because of me.
This may be a controversial yet brave decision not to use white paint on the walls in this small, low-lit space. I took the advice from the ultra-talented designer, Emily Henderson who preaches that unless your small space is filled with natural light throughout the day, white paint will end up looking flat, dull and without depth. And who wants that?
I am putting all of my paint color research into developing a beautiful palette of neutral paint colors for this small, light-starved cottage. Come join my neutral paint color journey.

[@lindawynell]

White heron. It looks cleaner, brighter. 😊 All of the colors are pretty when well lit. It was an eye opener to see them change in the space. I like that you did larger color swatches. The size really helped to see the paint in the space better. 😊 I know which ever one you select, the end result will be gorgeous! 😊💕

[@NutshellLiving]

Thanks, Linda! Wish you could be here to help me out. I revisited the space today at noon, and white heron looks too green. I think I have to find a few more options. The bedroom is really dark, and overhead light changes the paint color into an unflattering shade.
What do you think about the color Soft Chamois from Benjamin Moore? I read that it appears soft even in low lit rooms. I’ll get a sample tomorrow. I agree that the room needs something bright and airy in there.
Thank you for watching this week. I always smile when you check in.

[@lindawynell]

I would love a paint shopping trip. 😊 Next best thing, google searches. 😆 I like the Soft Chamois but it looks like it has a green undertone. At least in the Google search. I remember you writing in one of your books about a darker color in a small space. While still staying in the beige family, perhaps a darker undertone without being brown? Like Dimity by Farrow & Ball. Dimity is a budget breaker but the color is nice & I’m sure there is something more reasonably priced. It has a red base that could counter the green cast as the afternoon light hits the room. Hopefully it wouldn’t be the same as Sand Dollar. Plus, I just love the historic inspiration for the name of the Farrow & Ball paint. Maybe if there’s more of a red base than pink, it will look more mature (aka adult) & warm??? Good luck this week with all the work going on at the cottage.

[@NutshellLiving]

@@lindawynell thanks so much, Linda. You really understand color theory. If this were my own personal cottage, I would love to use a more saturated color on the bedroom walls. F&B is out of the budget for this rental cottage, but Dimity looks like the perfect shade. I painted a large watch of the soft chamois in the space, and I really like it. It has a little black and red in it like you described. It doesn’t appear green like the white heron did. I’ll try and post a short reel revealing my final color picks. Your feedback is so spot on!
Have a great week.

[@ProducerJoe]

Interesting tidbit on white and light with colors. You really do go the extra mile with your design - getting it just right. I'm so excited to see this transformation and following each week. It makes me not think you are across the country.

[@NutshellLiving]

Hi Joe. That article made me shift my whole approach to small space design. Using white on walls was always my fallback option. I’ll make my final paint selects over the weekend. Of course, I will share. ❤

[@sylviashanabrough6515]

I like the moonshine and I agree the sand dollar is even pinker in the bedroom. The problem for me with northern exposure rooms is that the undertones in colors have a tendency to intensify. My living room has a northwest exposure and colors have a tendency to look one way in the morning and another in the afternoon. I try to find colors that have as little undertone as possible. Good luck.

[@NutshellLiving]

So nice to hear from you, Sylvia. I now know why paint color consultants get the big bucks. You are so right about that tricky northwest exposure. That is where the bedroom gets its light. I’m going to try and post a quick update with my final selection. The crew is painting now!