Looking at the picture I'd say: grey(like the desk legs) or brown like the items on the credenza. The tan of the chair works, somewhat. That's a difficult color to work against. And even looking at a standard, complementary color wheel won't help a lot as 50's color schemes usually left out red. * A triadic color wheel suggests a slate blue would work against it.Black of course goes with everything but isn;t very 50s.So, ya'll know what that sad pale industrial green color is? The one every desk and chair from the 50s was painted?
I want that for the metal parts, but a "happy" version of it. I think I have the color I want.
My concern is finding a complementary color for the knobs. I'd go with a cream color, but they are going to get dirty with my hands, so I'm not in love with a pale color. Anyone have any ideas?
The green I'm talking about
Not black but the light black/dark grey of old bakelite.
Wesley Treat makes some retro looking stuff. He has a YouTube channel.
edit:
Here's a video of him reproducing some vintage knobs. It would easily work for 3D printed parts to make that bakelite feel.
I kind of like the tan of the chairs as a knob color choice, but dirt.
Make it a habit of occasionally polishing knobs and you’ll be fine.
Pretty sure that means it's reflecting more light rather than absorbing it.Major kudos to Dad, he recommended chrome/silver paint for the inside of the shade to reflect more light. Not sure if it is going to reflect more light, but I can see my ugly mug in it