What is Color Drenching?

Farrow and Ball Setting Plaster No. 231 Dead Flat creates a serene mood for a child’s room.

Color trends come and go:  we see new “colors of the year” introduced each January. Black interiors and exteriors are having a moment.  So what exactly is this new term, “color drenching”?  Simply put, it is the use of the same color or levels of intensity of the same color on walls, ceilings, trim and even furnishings.  

We’ve always called it using a monochromatic palette, or colors that are extremely close in color. Its use can create a room that is light and airy, or one that has a cozy or moody feel. Tempted to give it a try?  We recommend trying this approach in a smaller space to see how you feel about it.  A powder room, hallway or entrance foyers, maybe even a guest room where you want to create a specific mood might be good spaces to experiment.

We often recommend (especially for open floor plans) to paint the ceiling, walls, trim and baseboard the same color, varying only the finish (the sheen of the paint). This will allow you in the future to paint individual walls however you fancy without having to repaint the ceiling, trim and baseboard, therefore maintaining some continuity in your space while at the same time saving you repainting dollars (ceilings, trim and baseboards are time/money consuming).

If you’re intrigued by the concept and want to see and learn more, click on the included links to Martha Stewart’s article, as well as one from Architectural Digest.  If you’re inspired by what you see, call your friendly neighborhood America’s Color Consultant for assistance!