1920s cape, Brook Street ·
A living room painted dark, ceiling and all
A north-facing room that felt grey whatever colour it was. We went the other way: one deep ink colour on walls, panelling, cornice and ceiling, so the corners disappear in the evening.
- What we painted
- Walls, ceiling, panelling and the cornice
- Days on site
- 3 days
- Coats
- Plaster repairs, primer + two coats
- Cost
- $2,450
Colour schedule
- Everything: Midnight ink
- Floor stays: Oak
Pale colours never worked in this room: with only north light, every white turned grey. Tess suggested the opposite, a single deep ink colour on everything, ceiling included, so there are no edges for the eye to catch.
Old plaster cracks were taped and skimmed first, because dark paint shows every flaw. Two coats of a dead-flat finish on the walls and ceiling, and an eggshell on the panelling so it can be wiped.