Sarah's big-box store Challenge!

Watch as Sarah renovates a rundown house into a stunning design statement… all with items available at Lowe's stores!

Episode 1:

How to make a multi-hued paint palette work
in an open concept home

There's no better to way to add character and personality to your home than by painting your walls in a rich mix of colours. But how do you know where to stop and start, and what works best if your home has an open concept layout? Have no fear - it's easy to treat your walls to a layered mix of hues with winning results.

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Door

Paint - Convertible / SR55
Handle - Weiser Black Monaco x Wickham Handset

Wall Paint

Upper wall - Retreat / SR2
Trim - Snowfall / SR29
Lower wall - Oyster / SR3

Get the Look

Here are a few key elements we used to make this open concept home better than new… and yes, it's all from Lowe's!

Fabric & Paint:

Make your fabric story the star of your décor scheme by pulling out your favourite accent colour and applying it your walls to tie it all together. If you’re working with a bold palette and don’t want to overpower the room, you can install a chair rail and paint the lower section in an intense hue, while keeping the upper portion light. Here’s a hint… make sure you pick the fabrics first, as it’s always easier to match your paint to your fabric than vice versa!

Want the look?

Sarah Richardson Designer Palette for Para Paints:

Upper walls - Convertible / SR55
Trim - Snowfall / SR29
Lower walls - Cotton / SR15

DUO-TONE:

As a general rule, the darker paint shade is usually applied to the lower portion of the wall to keep the weight at the bottom of the room and not make the ceilings feel lower. If you are using lighter tones, you can easily play around and see what effect you like best!

Hallway & Landing:

Have fun with subtle shade variations and change up your colours to help define distinct areas in your home. Even in an open hallway, you can transition from one colour to another wherever you have a corner. Make sure you use an angled sash brush to get the sharpest cut line possible!

Want the look?

Sarah Richardson Designer Palette for Para Paints:

Upper walls in hallway - Cotton / SR15
Lower walls in hallway - Escarpment / SR12
Upper walls in landing - Surf / SR31
Upper walls rail in entrance- Retreat / SR2
Lower walls in entrance - Oyster / SR3
Trim - Snowfall / SR29

THE PALETTE:

For best results mixing and matching colours, try to select shades that all have a similar tonal intensity so the end result creates a natural flow from one area to the next and the colours work together in perfectly balanced harmony.

Want the look?

From bottom left to top right:

Fog / SR27, Oxford / SR61, Surf / SR31,
Mist / SR19, Frayed / SR47, Cashmere / SR13, Shoreline / SR43, Retreat / SR2

White Details:

If you want your multi-hued paint palette to have maximum impact and be easily noticed, make sure you paint your baseboards, trim, chair rail and any crown molding white. The brightness of the whiter trim will highlight even the most subtle colour variations in your paint scheme and make it feel crisp and fresh!

Want the look?

Sarah Richardson Designer Palette for Para Paints:

Upper walls - Sunbeam / SR45
Trim - Snowfall / SR29
Lower walls - Mist / SR19

Contrast:

Paint your paneling in your chosen trim white for a classic bright coastal look, or draw attention to it by selecting a sophisticated neutral shade, and then highlight the chair rail and baseboard with glossy trim paint for a study in contrast.

Want the look?

Sarah Richardson Designer Palette for Para Paints:

Upper walls - Surf / SR31
Trim - Snowfall / SR29
Lower walls - Shoreline / SR43

TIP: Don't shy away from matte finish paints in traffic zones. Thanks to modern technology, even completely flat sheen paint can be scrubbed clean, so you can have a soft velvety finish that is family friendly (a sponge and a mild cleaner can keep your new paint job looking perfect)!