Good Questions: How Do I Match The Catalog Colors?

Hello AT,

I have spent the last two weeks picking out paint colors for my condo. I have choosen paint for my whole place except for the bedroom. I am completely color blind at this point. So, here are my questions:

1) When looking through a catalog like Pottery Barn, Room & Board or Crate & Barrel, and I see a paint color I like is there a way to find out the paint color and manufacturer? I have tried emailing Pottery Barn in the past and no answer.

2) If I uploaded some pictures of my bedroom could you post them to your readers for some suggestions?

Thanks a lot, Color-Blind in Brooklyn

(Note: Include a pic of your problem and your question gets posted first.)
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Dear CB,

In answer to your second question first, YES. Send in pics. As for the first part, we have never heard of the catalogs having the ability to respond to questions like that, but you can certainly figure out the colors through trial and error. We have done it here.... The trick is working back and forth with color chips, paint on your walls and your picture. This can be a really fun process, but it does take patience. Short of that, send in the pics.

Anyone else??

(note: pic is not CB's, it's from PB)

Comments (1)

I can certainly relate to everyone here is trying to match catalogue paints or color chips to real living spaces at home. None of these methods works. I have found a way that is cost effective and will give you an excellent idea of how that color will look in your space. I did this is the Washington DC area on a house I renovated.

I do this by painting large poster sheets (as many as you like) and stringing them across the room. That way, u see the color at different times of the day, can easily put it in other walls or rooms. Then after living with it for a week you can make a decision. It certainly beats painting the entire room.

See my article at Millennial Living in http://www.millennialliving.com/Activities/Renovation/Paint/choosingpaintcolor.htm