Buider Breaking My Heart

cynthiann

A builder I work for is currently building some beautiful houses in a great location. He's got the best drywaller I've painted after, etc... My problem is the colors he wants me to paint with are dark. I dread painting his beautiful high vaulted walls with such dark colors. I insist (and we have a good working relationship so I can) that light colors make big rooms look spacious and vice versa, but he's been told by his real estate agent that dark colors are more attractive next to his white trim.

My question is ... am I wrong? I know that he's my boss so to speak, but that's not really an issue considering he has an open mind and really cool about listening to suggestions. But painting such a great room such a dark color is breaking my heart.

What colors does your builders usually use?

ProWallGuy

I don't try to play decorator. You pick it, we stick it.
I would definitely charge more for darker tones, as it requires more coats.
If you push for anything, push for using flat paint, instead of eggshell or satin, or anything with a sheen. The sheens tend to flash on long or tall walls. Plus flat will make touch up much easier.

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Tscarborough

Do you get paid less for dark colors? Do you have to live there? Do you get a fee for design assistance? In short, why would you care.

cynthiann

I was curious as to what colors builders tend to use (light or dark)...that was my overall question.

As far as why I care, my fiancee, who does the trim, and I have developed a very good relationdhip with our builder and his wife. He, the builder, has poor choices in darker colors and I care about what his homes look like and, of course, whether they sell.

johnjamesalaska

Dark colors are pretty popular. Darker than off white. Just on the walls of course. Its harder to pull off. Your cut line to the ceiling is tricky to if you dont know what your doing. Some painters dont like doing it because it takes more time. Not everyone of course likes darker colors. But it has a certain custom look when done right. But your right it does make it appear smaller to some ppl.
This one of the jobs we're in the middle of. Kinda dark but its a certain look. Looks are subjective though. To each thier own.

slickshift

You're kinda wrong
Not that I don't blame you, it always breaks my heart when someone chooses a color I feel is "bad" or "wrong" for the room
But you just suck it up and do it, it's your job

Decorating fads come and go, and there's no way you personally are going to like them all

Pumpkin and Mustard...ew...I'm glad that ones over...around here anyway
lol

Personally I love a deep Admiral Blue (with a 3 coat minimum on that one and call me Mr. Waiver)
Or... well...here's my new office....

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cynthiann

Well, thanks John and Slick. I'm actually feeling better now and maybe even looking forward to seeing how this turns out. The first two houses I did for him, I was following another painter and drywaller that had left a lot, lot, lot, to "touch up". It ended up being frustrating and thus, leaving me with a poor feeling about dark colors.

We comprimised on a color yesterday...still too dark for my taste, but at least now I'm looking forward to how it turns out. Thanks.

cutting in with this color will be a challenge on the vaulted ceilings. I tried today with an extension ladder, but I think we'll have to score some scaffold before I can make it look like it should. lol. (I'm a little shaky so high on a ladder).

thanks again guys,
cindy

Tscarborough

I didn't mean it in a rude way, but a common mistake in all business is to project your tastes and concerns onto a customer. If they they want pink walls and lime green trim, your concern should only be with the mechanics of the situation, unless they are paying you to give them design advice.

Do not sell what YOU want, sell what THEY want.

ProWallGuy

POST OF THE DAY!!!

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Harry

Personally, I think the original poster is a prop

Thanks,
Harry