If you’re getting ready to roll up your sleeves and do some painting to get your home on the market in the coming months, here’s something that might surprise you: According to some of the major paint companies (as collected in a Color of the Year post on Houzz), serious subtlety is what’s going to be big on the color front in 2016. More expressly: Shades of off-white are about to have a moment again.
Above, the companies’ neutral and gentle color picks for 2016: Benjamin Moore’s Simply White, Behr’s Ivory Keys, Sherwin-Williams’ Alabaster and Glidden’s Cappuccino White.
Any strong feelings about this prediction? Feel inspired by the clean subtlety, or bored by the lack of boldness?
From our point of view, one thing we can definitely say: Buyers are largely liking the fact that a lot of builders are buying into this logic and sticking with a subtle palette in the new homes hitting the market around Nashville.
Feel like you need to see the sensibility in practice to decide whether you’re feeling it or not? Here are a few properties on the market in Nashville now that we think put forward the vibe Benjamin Moore, Behr, Sherwin-Williams and Glidden are seeing at the fore next year.
807 S 18Th St
Nashville, TN 37206
PRICE: $355,000
This 3-bed, 2 1/2-bath home in the new Sevier Park development in East Nashville has fantastic subtle style. While these aren’t the exact colors, the living room matches the companies’ paint picks pretty well, no? The shiplap accent wall, in particular, comes through bright and warm like Behr’s Ivory Keys.
1913 Truett Ave
Nashville, TN 37206
PRICE: $519,000
A contemporary new East Nashville build with 3 beds, 2 full and 2 half baths, this home buffers its sharp angles with a classic exterior color — not far from Benjamin Moore’s Simply White.
3308 A Trevor Street
Nashville, TN 37209
PRICE: $489,900
In Sylvan Summit, this home plays with contrast — the cool white of the subway tile backsplash and still-bright off-white of the walls with the warm and cocoa-cozy wood tones in the cabinets and wood floors. It lets the bright whites and off-whites really pop.
2935 Primrose Cir
Nashville, TN 37212
PRICE: $674,900
Here’s a case where white and off-white is used to take a background role. With that gorgeous exposed brick and heavy, textured beams in the entryway to this Belmont/Hillsboro kitchen, dark cabinetry and walls would’ve taken the focus away, and made the room feel closed in. Here, those of-the-moment off-white walls and bright white cabinets let the warm wood floors and rustic design touches take the foreground, while keeping the room airy and clean, and beautiful.
1801 B Woodland St
Nashville, TN 37206
PRICE: $409,900
A spot-on example of the power of an almost monochromatic palette with shades that are still distinct enough to give a feeling of boldness and movement. There are little jumps between the bright white of the shiplap wall, the light grey in the fireplace surround, the warmer grey in the mantel, warmer still in the ceiling beams, then some cuddlier and cozier brown tones come in the walls and flooring. Welcoming and comfortable and style-forward, all at once.
So what’s your verdict? Are you feeling the subtlety the paint pros are predicting, or are you more drawn to big bold colors?
Whichever your preference — whether you’re looking for a home that’s clean and subtle or bright and showy — we’re always here to help you find what you’re looking for. If you’re starting a house hunt and need some help, let us know!