Before and After: Kendra Painted Her Condo a Bold New Color — and You Picked It
Paint choices are personal, but because they’re something we live with every day, getting a friend’s opinion may help you make the right decision. And asking over 3 million people for their input is even better, right? Well, we asked Kendra, one of our readers, if she would let the AT community choose a new color to spruce up her Brooklyn condo, and luckily she said yes!
Kendra wanted to liven up her all-white, two-bedroom condo in Williamsburg, which has a prominent spiral staircase in the middle leading up to a loft. Since the staircase is in a transitional area that Kendra and her partner pass through often, it seemed like the right spot to brighten with a mood-lifting new hue. To achieve maximum effect in minimal wall space, we knew Benjamin Moore’s paints would do nicely. So after designer and visual artist Sara Weissler narrowed down the options (Benjamin Moore has over 3,500 to choose from), we asked our 3 million Instagram followers to pick between a subtler pastel variation and a bold saturated tone.
Today we’re ready to reveal both the results and Kendra’s beautiful new paint job. Let’s see how everything turned out!
Readers ultimately thought Benjamin Moore Daylily 080 would be the right choice for Kendra’s space, and we couldn’t agree more. It’s an uplifting hue that makes a statement without overwhelming Kendra’s narrow stairwell or clashing with the rest of her open layout. (Think it may work in your space, too? You can buy a sample of this—or any color—online at Benjamin Moore to see for yourself.)
After only a brief painting session, her entire condo was transformed. “The color is so energizing and bright,” Kendra said, “I can’t wait to see how it reflects light over the course of the day and through the seasons. And it has me thinking about introducing new, warmer tones into the space, like maybe finding something thrifted in pink and velvet.”
Sara, our designer, is also pleased with how the project turned out. “Kendra already had some intense yellow and green hues in her space, so choosing a warm, complementary color was a nice surprise,” she said. Sara loves the way the new color softens the industrial, distressed metal of the staircase to create a sense of warmth.
Maybe best of all, the painting itself was a cinch. Benjamin Moore’s paints are easy to apply and a great value. High-quality paint like Benjamin Moore has much better coverage so you end up using less paint than you might with other brands. Definitely a great reminder of how far a little paint can really go. Now, Kendra’s Daylily stairwell is an energized focal point that brings good vibes to her entire condo.
Get started on your own DIY paint project by exploring color options and ordering samples or swatches online. You can also visit your local Benjamin Moore retailer to grab everything you need — paint, brushes, rolling trays, and more! — to add more color to your home.
Painting by Katie Whitaker of Handyma’am