To paint the mantle/shelves same colour (BM Mascarpone) or white?

Bananas!
by Bananas!
We're just completing this project and can't decide whether to paint the whole new addition a shade of white (which one if you think white's a good idea) or paint it the same colour as the rest of the room which is Benjamin Moore's mascarpone...... we're stumped!
  10 answers
  • Debbie D. Debbie D. on Apr 25, 2014
    @bananas! I would paint with the BM Mascarpone because to highlight the design, I would paint the trim in a dove gray to add visual interest and contrast to your design focal point. Accent pieces in colors like sunny yellow, blue, white or coral (which was my choice for an additional spice of interest) will provide interest and depth to your finished project .
  • Jennifer G Jennifer G on Apr 25, 2014
    Do you want it to blend in or stand out? Is the rest of the 'trim' in the room/house white? What style is your decor? If BLENDING IN is your goal, paint it the same color as the room. If you want it to STAND OUT more, paint all the trim accents white (or the same color as the rest of the trim in the room/house). If you want it to POP - paint it a contrasting color. A grey or taupe to stay neutral or a more vibrant color picked up from the accessories in the room (i.e.. light teal, butter yellow, sage, coral or blue). How will it be dressed? Are your accessories all brightly colored? If yes, then keep this neutral - If your accessories are more neutral (clear, whites, creams, etc.) then this can be a color with more punch. It looks like it gets ample natural light, so that will help keep the space from looking too dark if you choose to paint it a color. Grab some swatches from your paint store and tape them up (or paint swatches with the sample paint pots) to see how they look during different times of the day and with your decor. It's a nice space with lovely details. Good Job! When you find the right color, you'll know :)
  • Cheryl Clark Cheryl Clark on Apr 25, 2014
    White
  • Bananas! Bananas! on Apr 25, 2014
    @Debbie D. do you mean paint that fireplace wall mascarpone or the rest of the room (which already is actually) then paint which trim? ie: do you mean the baseboards etc..? The rest of the trim is presently simply white (BM) the entire room is mascarpone....I do want it to stand out, I think.... The windows (it's a sunroom) are all white and they're vinyl and new, so cannot paint them :( floor is dark grey tile, the entire theme in the room is 'sun' and blue and white.....anything blue or white lives in here. Mascarpone is a verrry light/pale yellow. Sorry about that photo as it's taken with my computer camera.
  • Bananas! Bananas! on Apr 26, 2014
    Thanks for the answers, but I'm still hoping for more ideas.
  • Bananas! Bananas! on Apr 26, 2014
    Here's the rest of the room to give a visual
  • Debbie D. Debbie D. on Apr 26, 2014
    I see you already have grey, blue and white in the room and I am loving the room and the grey floor! If you paint the fireplace wall mascarpone it will pull the room together as one. Considering the grey, wide stripes on the chair, the grey floor, white rug and drapery, if you paint the fireplace wall mascarpone and accent the framing around and above the speakers and below the mantel around the fireplace in the same grey as the chair/floor giving the room cohesive color theme but adds a twist of contrast and interest .Adding the three colors of your room palate on the fireplace (mantel could be white) provides visual fluidity as if you decorated the room off the fireplace color palate rather than vice verse. I would also consider subtle grey/blue drapes to add height and contrast to your room and will compliment your stellar choice of blue accent pieces and natural elements outside.
  • Bananas! Bananas! on Apr 26, 2014
    Thanks Debbie D....we like the grey blue idea, it's only paint after all, if we don't like it, we'll paint it out with something else! that couch/loveseat you see in the photo is actually a blue stripe, although in the photo it does appear more grey. The floor is dark grey. The drapes are an issue, the ceiling in the room is vaulted so about 18 or so feet high. The white curtains are from Ikea and their longest which as you can see still aren't long enough! my gf suggested sewing black panels onto the bottom of these (I have the panels but have procrastinated) what do you think? I like the white as in summer, we open all the windows (we're overlooking a lake) and the breeze blows through the room and the curtains billow......it's been a verrry long winter here and I cannot wait for those breezy summer days!
  • MikkiGirl MikkiGirl on Apr 27, 2014
    Use color on the walls and paint the trim, plus mantle, white. Or, if the wood under the paint on the trim is in good shape, use color on the walls and stain the trim/mantle.
  • Bananas! Bananas! on Apr 27, 2014
    Thanx MikkiGirl....great ideas!