How to Tone Down Bright Red Walls

This is a great newsletter subscriper question about how to tone done bright colored walls.

Love the site and your advice on red walls. I have a different question for you though…

My husband and I have bought a house we’re totally in love with. Every room has hardwood floors and white trim. Upstairs, all the rooms are painted somewhat bold colors.

We’ve painted the nursery grass green, the bathroom cobalt blue, our daughter’s room a rich purple, and decided on a vibrant red from Glidden called Flaming Sword for our bedroom.

Problem is, my husband is 90% through with painting the bedroom, and he’s hated every second of working with the red because it’s been difficult to work with.

I think the finished parts look great, but he says it’s too bright and wants it toned down. Any suggestions that would still look good with the bright white trim and hallway? (He would like to see some metallic gold but I’m not convinced.)
Thanks so much, Sarah

photo credit: ckaroli

Hi Sarah. Wow, finally someone that isn’t afraid of color! I have spent so much time with clients trying to convince them to be bold and daring – get away from those neutrals. So, you are one step ahead. Great job!

As far as the red. There are soooo many ways to tone it down. You can definitely go with a metallic gold, but I would add some brown or bronze to it – that will be what will tone down the red. You can apply the glaze in a few different ways, this is where sample boards come in.

Samples – Grab a few sheets of foam board (poster board with foam in the center). Base coat the boards first with the primer that you used under the red and then paint the boards using the red that you used to paint your walls.

Mixing Glaze – Mix your glaze & paint (1 part paint – 3 parts glaze). The glaze makes the paint translucent and movable. Make sure you get a good quality glaze.

Application – There are several options in applying the glaze to the red base. You can use: a sea sponge, a rag, Woolie Faux Applicatin Tool or even a brush. I would try a few of these on your sample boards and see which you like the best.

Use a chip brush and apply the glaze randomly to the surface in 2-3 ft sections. Then take your faux finish tool of choice and manipulate the glaze, with a twisting patting motion, moving your wrist.