Classic Americana paint shades include dark red, off-white and dove gray.
The Americana decor concept covers a wide range of styles, from turn-of-the-century farmhouse chic to bright, casual cottage designs. Whether you're going for an elegant colonial look or a relaxed, modern feel, the key to achieving an Americana look in your living room lies in choosing soft paint shades that take a back seat to your furniture and decor. Smart Americana decorating is all about accent pieces--antique silver candlesticks, oversize furniture, beautifully battered cabinets, hand-hooked rugs, warped glassware, old "Life" magazines and the like. Quiet, faded paint shades will help these pieces shine.
Neutral Shades
Exposed wood beams and bare wood floors are recurring elements in Americana decor. Other common textures include carved wood moldings, handles and trim. Brass, iron or copper fixtures are often utilized, as well as exposed stone and brick. In order to set off these beautiful natural textures, paint walls in shades of white or gray. Clean, smooth white walls will highlight these richly colored and grained surfaces without distracting from them. Whites and grays play off the classic dark-red accents of Americana decorating particularly well, making them glow. They also reflect natural light well, contributing to a serene, timeless atmosphere. Try using such shades as off-white, old cream, ecru, pale tan and faded khaki.
Classic Shades
Darker shades can complement Americana decor schemes, but these should be carefully chosen. Aggressive, saturated paint shades will distract from your Americana decor. Instead, choose muted colors with a hint of pastel to them, or warm, somewhat muddied hues. Colors should generally be low-intensity. Faded primary colors are a classic choice--dark reds, grayish blues or pale yellows. Rich browns, pale golds and sage-brushed khakis will also work well.
Modern Shades
Modern Americana paint colors stem from the faded palette of classic Americana shades, but there's more room for variation. Muted turquoise, soft pinks and dull greens may be embraced, as well as somewhat brighter tones, such as sun yellow and ice blue. Ice blues will especially complement burnished wood accents, picking up on any orange or red tones present and helping them glow. Glossy beiges are favored for adding coziness to smaller areas, such as hallways.
Textured Paint
Americana decor styles often incorporate subtle textures. To add interest to your living room walls, consider using linen textured paint to embellish certain areas, such as baseboards or doors; your local paint store should be able to provide you with the tools and instructions you need to apply this technique.
Stenciling
To add an heirloom touch to your living room, consider stenciling furniture, windows, shutters, cornices and other wall areas. Classic Americana stencils include nautical motifs, fruits, lace patterns and even wide stripes. Stencil surfaces with paint shades that are only slightly darker than the wall colors, as this will prevent them from looking too stark or harsh. You can even use embroidered tablecloths and handkerchiefs to add subtle stenciling to surfaces that you wish to highlight.
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