HG Openhouse Blog

3. Alli, A tray ceiling is the perfect place to add some color. Its recessed and a great focal point for the room. The blue colors are always a good choice,( not too dark). it lifts the room and reminds us of the sky. If your bathroom is off the bedroom, paint one or all of the walls, or the ceiling, the same blue. The other white colors are nice and have a real coastal feel. Behr paint has some nice blues.” Aqua Breeze, Rain Washed.”, something with a little gray in the blue so it doesn’t look like a kids room color. Let me know what you find.

by Cathy — 4/16/07 at 9:38 am #

5. Hi Jola,
Since I don’t have a lot of info or can see the space, I ‘ll give you a general opinion. The Black and Red modern furniture are in strong colors and shapes.
My first inclination would be to set those pieces off against a neutral but rich wall color. Something like, Behr Paint color, Classic Taupe. You could bring the red and black in by framing artwork in black frames and thick large red mats. Just some ideas. Good luck!

by Cathy — 5/10/07 at 11:40 am #

13. Hi Lori,
I think your burnt orange would look fine in your breakfast room with your lt. yellow walls elsewhere. Yellows and oranges are closely related on the color wheel. Pull the colors together with fabrics, accessories and artwork. Maybe throw in a little green as an accent color. Good luck.

You’ve got the idea Cindy!!

Julia,
Maybe a muted coral or light terra cotta color would warm up the cool greys. Something a little different than beigh. Bring that color in with pillows ,art, area rug. Maybe a little agua for an accent color.

Lynn, Your daughters room sounds great. Love to see a photo. Glad you wern’t afraid to go for it. Its only paint.

Jan, Since I can’t see what furnishings and other colors you have in your rooms its hard to pick a color. Use the idea I wrote about maybe in the warm beigh family, 3 colors on the same chip. Paint maybe 2 or 3 walls in the dining room the dark color all the way to a corner, even if it goes into the living room. Then paint the rest of the living room walls the lightest color all the way to a corner. Kitchen the medium color. Your sunroom you could do all 3 colors in wide verical or horizontal stripes to
add some interest but incorporate all the colors. Good luck.

by Cathy — 5/23/07 at 3:27 pm #

16. Orla, To really lighten up a dark area, Yellow, more than white will do the job. Use a light golden yellow on walls. (a gold yellow, not a green yellow). Try samples on a wall before you do everything. Yellows can dry brighter and darker than you think.

Lynn,
Your media/family room sounds nice. Turqoise is a nice accent to the browns. Pick a “Greyed” turqoise so its not too bright. Look at the 500 series of paint from Behr Paint. ( I mention Behr Paint a lot because most people have Home Depot near them and its priced well.) Aqua Breeze, Rain Washed, Swan sea a few to look at. You could paint all the walls.
Good lighting will help, recessed, wall and table lamps will brighten it up

by Cathy — 5/23/07 at 7:34 pm #

19. Amro N,
Since the purple and the grey colors are on the cool side of the color wheel. A warmer color for your walls might work well. A complimentary color like a light golden tan or wheat color. Some yellow undertones will warm it up. Add the same color in pillows on your purple sofa and in art and area rugs.

by Cathy — 5/29/07 at 7:18 pm #

21. Hi Brenna,
Black and white checkerboard floors are a classic. They can go contemporary or traditional. You could paint the walls and ceiling in the small bath, the same olive green as the kitchen or a deep tan color. Accessorize in the Black and white to repeat the floor. Frame B/W prints with black frames and large white mats. Add white towels with black trimmed washcloths, maybe an ornate silver leafed large mirror over the sink and sconces. Just some ideas for you.

Hi Tina,
Your house sounds nice. Lots of med. oak and light maple woods. Greens and blues look great with these warm wood colors. So maybe combine the colors and go in the grayed,blue/green aqua family for walls. Use the” 3 colors on a chip “idea for different rooms, (this really works). Add dark stained furniture pieces. Always paint samples first.
Good luck.

by Cathy — 6/1/07 at 1:24 pm #

23. Hello Lauren,
Thanks for writing in and letting us know of your painting results using the technique I wrote about. It really does give a beautiful transition from one area to another and adds much more interest than all one color. Your home sounds lovely and I’m glad you’re happy with the results.

by Cathy — 6/6/07 at 12:19 pm #

27. Hi Cindy,
Its hard to give you an answer. I would like to know what other colors you have in the room…area rug, art work, fabrics, colors in surrounding rooms etc. Maybe pull the lightest color from one of the items mentioned to keep your room brighter. Good lighting will transform a dull, dark room.

Hello Kevin,
No rule of thumb to my knowledge. A few ideas… paint the shortest “wall” of the tray the green color and the large overhead area of the tray the beigh color .Then you will tie the two wall colors to the ceiling. Or, you could lighten up the green wall color 25-50% and paint it in the tray,short walls as well. If you’re adventurous, and your chandelier is in the center of your ceiling, tape off straight lines that radiate from all the corners of the tray to the center chandelier, (Pie shaped) and paint every other one green and beigh alternating. (Could look great). One more… Paint the whole tray an accent color, a raspberry or coral or rose. pull that color into the chair upholstery. Hope that helped or mixed you up completely.lol…. Go for it.

Hi Andriel,
Sounds great. Usually the accent wall is the wall the bed is on. The focal point in the room. Maybe paint a wall or your whole attached bathroom in the merlot color as well to repeat the strong color. Also use it in pillows and accents. The butter pecan color will “tame” and neutralize the merlot. Maybe edge or band the drapery in the merlot. Maybe bring in a little pear green for a 10% accent color. The room sounds great. Send pictures….

by Cathy — 6/7/07 at 11:22 pm #

30. Hi Lauren,
The 2 accent walls in red add a little drama to an area that might be a little dull without them. A good contrast to the green walls in other areas of the house. Bring some of that red into the “green” rooms as well. I’m glad you enjoy this site. Write back soon.

by Cathy — 6/10/07 at 1:44 am #

31. Hello Melissa,
I like to mix lots of different woods, painted pieces, and metals in an area. Everything doesn’t have to match. In fact a mix looks better. Look through decorating magizines and see how different furnishings are mixed and how that makes the room more interesting. Your Sage color sounds nice. It would make a nice contrasting wall color to the light table . Think in terms of “contrast”. Light against dark. Add in a few darker pieces. The mix should work. Thanks for writing.

by Cathy — 6/11/07 at 2:59 pm #

34. Hello Claudia,
Your poolhouse sounds like it will be fresh and exciting. Its hard for me to pick out an exact color for you. Look in the Ben. Moore paint color series 2050-2060. In the 50 or 60 value range. You’ll find the aquas and blues. But when I read your color choices and heard its a poolhouse, an artist came to mind that uses lots of these same colors and might give you some inspiration for your room. Look for Thomas McKnight art on the internet and see how he uses the aquas and other colors in his interior rooms. You might even want to use some prints in your space as well. Good Luck!!

by Cathy — 6/15/07 at 2:57 pm #

35. To # 33, Hi Deb,
Your kitchen sounds like it could use a little ” punch”. It’s a sea of browns…oak,wood floor, brown counters etc… Instead of going with a “browned” out green such as sage. Go for a lively. fresh and crisp green…an apple green, celery green, mint julep, ripe pear, kiwi, colors that will bring some life to the room. Repeat the color in the space, canisters, towels, art, knobs, curtains, etc. That should FRESHEN it up.
Thanks for writing. Let me know how it turns out.

by Cathy — 6/15/07 at 4:23 pm #

37. To #36 Hi Michelle,
I don’t have a lot of information to work with, but some good wall colors with blue sofas are… dark beighs and browns if the sofa color is not too dark. Maybe a lighter blue color than the sofa (monochromatic color scheme). Or golds or terra cotta colors ( complimentary color scheme).
Many ways you can go. Do you have any other furnishings in the room that you could pull other colors from…art, rugs etc. Look through decorating magizines and see what colors designers use with blue furniture. A few ideas for you…

by Cathy — 6/18/07 at 1:26 pm #

42. Hello Deb,

I’m glad the apple green wall color came out well. Very fresh and crisp.
I knew it would look great. Enjoy! write back soon.

Hello Andriel,
I’m excited you’re using the 3 colors on the chip. It will look fabulous. Everything else sounds like it will coordinate well. Yes , send pictures!

Hello Shannon,
I would love to have you use the 3 color idea in different areas of your house. It sounds like “Coastal Dunes” color is a beigh. It sould work great. As for which rooms… think in terms of contrast. If you have lighter colored furnishings, paint the walls the darker beigh. Darker furnishings, paint the lighter beigh. You’ll love the results! Let me know how it turns out.

Hi Rhonda,
I’m under the impression that your “orange furniture” means the upholstery. Orange tones are very warm in feel. You might go to the cool side and paint a light gray- blue for walls. Accent with a big bowl of oranges, pull the blue color onto your upholstered pieces with pillows or throws. Use oversized picture mats in the orange against the blue walls. Repeat the colors around the room. Look through magizines etc. to see how color combinations work. Good luck and write back with the results.

by Cathy — 7/6/07 at 4:39 pm #

44. Hello Bob,

My first impression of your bathroom was maybe a little too much matching cherry wood. If you can change the mirror to a metal framed decorative mirror… nickel, or bronze would look nice. (No, it does not have to match the fixtures). It would add another “Flavor” to the bath. As for wall color, What other colors are in your home or near the bathroom? Pick the “accent color” in your home and go with that. Cherry wood is pretty neutral and comes in many shades, usually has warm red or gold undertones. I’m thinking yours is a dark cherry?? Try fresh and fun colors like…cantalope, ripe pear, bleached coral, spa blue. Just some ideas for you. Always try samples before you commit. Good luck.

by Cathy — 7/9/07 at 3:14 pm #

46. Hello Monica,
Sometimes there are just dark areas in a house that a paint color won;t fix. The only remedy is good lighting. Recessed ceiling and undercabinet lighting would help in your kitchen. If you have a one story house, sky lights or solar tubes will help. If it comes down to paint, a LIGHT golden yellow will brighten up a space more than white. Your yellow color may be too dark or have green undertones in it. Check your paint color or add more lighting. Thanks for your Question.

by Cathy — 7/10/07 at 1:56 pm #

49. Hi Kim,

The first thing that jumped out at me after reading about your carmel furniture and brown window covering was a color like” spa blue.” Its a light blue/ green color and looks fantastic with the browns and tans. Add the same color in sofa pillows and accents. I’ll give you a range to look at in the Ben. Moore paint palette. I think you might like the combination. Stay tuned….

by Cathy — 7/12/07 at 12:48 am #

50. Continued from #48
Kim, Go to …www.materials-world.com…. and go to Ben. Moore paint colors. Look in the 2050-2054 colors. 50-70 value range. There’s some nice colors to consider. Good luck.

by Cathy — 7/12/07 at 1:03 am #

51. Hello Adrienne,
The “yellows” are one of the hardest colors to get right. They usually dry brighter and darker than you think from the paint chip. That sounds like what happened with your yellow. If you want just a nice warm light golden color, look for colors like wheat, flaxen, buttermilk, antique linen, biscuit etc. I’ll give you a section in the Ben. Moore paint colors for you to look at…..

by Cathy — 7/12/07 at 12:59 pm #

52. Continued from #51
Adrienne, go to…www.materials-world.com. Go to Ben. Moore paint colors and go to the 2020-2024 colors. Look in the 50-70 value range.
The colors do not show exactly right on the site so go to a paint store and pick a few. Hope that helps. Take care.

by Cathy — 7/12/07 at 1:19 pm #

54. Welcome Krista,
Thanks for posting your question. You’re looking for a color to paint your L.R., D.R. and kitchen. In your L.R. you have a brick wall and red sofa and red chair. I know you like color, so heres my suggestion… Paint most of the walls a light tan color. You have lots of color going on in the furnishings. If you want more color, paint 1 accent wall in your L.R. the red color (not the wall the sofas on or next to the brick wall). Run the tan color into your dining room. Bring in the red on chair upholstery, flowers, art work etc. If you want more color, paint that big wall that leads to your basement, red. Tan on the other walls. Kitchen area, stay with the tan, but bring in lots of red accents, window treatments, canisters, towels, bowl of apples etc. You can also bring in some of the other colors you mentioned in smaller quanities, blue,yellow etc. Think of it this way…60 % is the neutral tan color, 30% is secondary red color, 10% is additional or accent color, blue . I also like to think that if your furnishings have lots of color, go with a more neutral background. If you have a colorful background, go with more neutral furnishings. They balance out each other. One more thing… I don’t know if you’d consider painting your brick wall, (some people have a phobia painting over wood or brick). But you could paint it the same tan color and it would blend into the walls but give a beautiful texture to the room. Just a thought.
Hope that was helpful to you.
Let me know how things turn out.

by Cathy — 7/14/07 at 1:15 pm #

56. Hello Cathy, ( lots of Cathy’s around here)

Your room sounds very nice. Your water view sounds wonderful. I’m getting a real coastal or lakeside cottage feel. Since you have navy, tan and white upholstery, how about going with your Mont. white walls in that room and have an accent wall in the navy color. Maybe the wall opposite the view. And/or paint the area above the fireplace the navy as well or the backs of bookcases . This is to repeat the strong dark color of navy around the room without making the room too dark. Keep the rest of the walls the nice crisp white and let the view be the inspiration.
Use the white on all trim.
If you don’t like that idea then the tan color on the walls would be my second choice.
Your wallpapers in the rest of your house sound adorable! Use some of the wallpaper colors and patterns for accents in the rest of the house. The yellow grasshopper paper…blow up the grasshopper design and transfer it to a pillow to needlepoint for the living room. A bit of whimsy.
But, its all in the details. Have fun with your decorating and let me know how things go.

by Cathy — 7/17/07 at 12:53 pm #

58. Hi Cathy,
Thanks for more details on the living room. Yes the fireplace wall and bookshelf backs would look great with the navy wall color.(the rest of the walls white, and trim). You could then accent in the old brick color…pillows ( welt in the navy) drapery ( run a navy blue banding down the edge of the brick drapes), floral etc. Or you could just do the reverse… Brick color wall with the navy accents. ( brick pillows,navy welt, etc.) The Montgomery white I suggested because you used it in other parts of the house. If its too yellow go to a more clear,clean warm white. Same with the trim. Something like Swiss Coffee. The oil paintings sound nice. Can you accent light them from above? Let me know what you decide to do. Either way would look good. Keep us posted.
Thanks for your interest.

by Cathy — 7/17/07 at 9:36 pm #

60. Hello Debbie,
Thanks for your question. It sounds like you have quite a bit of color in your furniture. Yellow, brown, red, orange. North facing room (low light). I would stay with a warm neutral. A wheat or straw color. Maybe a lighter color of your golden yellow sofa. Those colors will bring more light into the room and would blend well with the furnishings. Since your kitchen, dining and living room run together stay with the same color or paint a shade lighter or darker in each area. They will blend nicely. Hope that gives you a direction for your paint color. Do you think that might work for you?

by Cathy — 7/19/07 at 3:59 pm #

61. Dear Bloggers,
Thanks for all your questions about paint color. I’m more than happy to try to answer them from the information you give me. The more specific information I have about the room(s), the better the “feel” I have for the space and can lead you in a general paint direction. Since I can’t see the room(s) in person you have to “paint the picture” for me. Some information that is helpful would be….

What style are you… traditional, contemporary, country etc.?
What area of the country do you live in?
What colors in existing furnishings in the room?
What direction does your room face…North, South etc.?
What colors are the wood trim …white, oak,etc.?
What colors you have in mind for the room?
What colors in rooms in the rest of the house?
Do you have colors in art or area rug or? that a wall color can be pulled from?
What kind of lighting?

Any info will help me give you a range of color in which to consider. I cannot give you exact colors because different lighting changes paint color from one home to others across the country. Thanks again for your interest in this site and I’ll look forward to your questions and comments.

by Cathy — 7/19/07 at 4:56 pm #

65. Hello Shawn,
I bet you’re excited to get into your new home. You said, the living area of your home is dark and you have a red brick wall in there as well. A couple of ideas…. Paint a light warm neutral (yellow undertones) or get better lighting. Recessed lighting will help with general lighting. You might consider painting the brick wall the same color as the walls to lighten it more. Paint your wood trim and fireplace a white color. Add more color into your furnishings so your background can stay lighter. Or maybe paint the wall the fireplace is on, an accent color, (Maybe the burgundy you have) and the rest of the walls a neutral to keep it lighter. Just a few ideas for you. Good luck.

by Cathy — 7/21/07 at 2:10 pm #

66. Hi Tracy,
There are lots of colors to go with your terra cotta floors. I’m assuming they are the clay colored rusty red tiles. You could go with the complimentary colors which would be blues/greens. More muted shades , sage, olive, blue gray etc. Or you can go with monochromatic colors… lighter shades of the floor… peach, light coral, apricot etc. then add in the complimentary colors, blues/greens in furnishings. Or you could go bright… Think of a Mexican fiesta…yellows, reds, greens.
You have many options. What “feel” do you want to create in the rooms?
Have fun decorating. Write again

by Cathy — 7/21/07 at 2:39 pm #

68. Hello Bonnie,
Your Florida home sounds beautiful. You may not like what I have to say but I’m liking your tan walls with all of your other colors. What you might want to do is the 3 colors on the paint chip idea that I wrote about at the top of the page. This will vary the tan colors from room to room but tie everything together since its an open floor plan. Your Dining room sounds like its darker since it faces north. Keep that the LIGHT tan color. Add more color into your draperies and seat upholstery picking up on the colors in your area rug. You could have an artist paint a large medallion on your ceiling around your chandelier with the same colors. This would give interest to the room without having to paint the walls a different color. Your tall entry way could be painted the MEDIUM
tan color because it is large and gets plenty of light. Maybe even paint the ceiling in the entry a wine color. Your living room could be painted the DARK tan color because its large and gets plenty of light. I would love to see those niches painted the same wine color thats used in the living room. If you light them well, the vases will stand out on their own. That would give you the punch you wanted. The family room, add a little of the wine color to tie the other rooms to it and add a little sage to the living room to tie it to the family room. This is a lot to envision but I think if you paint the 3 tan colors it might give you the warm and inviting background to showcase your furnishings and fabrics against.
Hope I gave you a few ideas to consider. Let me know what you think.

by Cathy — 7/24/07 at 12:03 am #

69. Hi Estrella,
Thanks for your question. Sage and brick are nice complementary colors. You have traditional style and lots of light in your room. You could do a chair rail around 2 or 3 of your walls and paint below the rail the brick color (not too dark) and above the sage color. Or do a stripe pattern with the sage and brick below the chair rail and one of the colors above. Or just an accent wall in the brick so the sage sofa stands out against it. Or do it all in warm camel color and add the brick color in drapery and art also the sage. Good luck with your decorating.

by Cathy — 7/24/07 at 12:21 am #

71. Hello Paula,
Your new country home sounds wonderful. Sometimes when you’re not sure what paint colors to use, and you have a clean slate to work with, you can look to nature. You stated you want your home to fit the setting. Yours is a wooded rustic country setting. What colors and textures do you see around you? A blue sky, green trees, wildflowers etc. Theres your color scheme.! Your natural wood floors and trim reinforce the feel. The lighter, fresher, pure greens could be a beautiful backdrop in your home. Use 2 or 3 different shades of the color. (go back to the top of the page and reread the wall color post I wrote. Look at the green paint chip and pick 3 colors on it. Can you see how this could work for you.) Paint your darker rooms with the lighter shades and you lightest rooms the darker shades. When you look at nature, theres many shades of green and they all work together. You may even want to paint the ceiling(s) a soft sky blue color.This could look wonderful! Repeat the greens, blues and brown in your furnishings. Use accents in the golds, reds,whites. (pillows art work, floral, lamps etc.) They are the “wildflowers” in your room.
I hope I gave you a few ideas and inspiration. Please write back and let us know your results.

by Cathy — 7/28/07 at 12:12 pm #

73. Hello Chris,

Accent walls are great. They do just that…they accent areas of a space that need color, pattern, texture, interest or focal point. The fireplace wall is a natural focal point of a room. Play up that feature even more with an accent color. Repeat that color elsewhere in the room or other rooms. Could you do that same accent color in both areas… on the 2 story wall as well or are they too close together? Maybe introduce the color into the entry and then again into the Living room. (You could also paint a powder room on the same floor the accent color to repeat the color as well.) Another idea to help you visualize the space…take a series of pictures of your spaces with your digital camera and print them on regular paper. Color, with colored pencils, the walls your considering accent color on. This will help you see what it will look like before you paint. Hope that helps a little.

by Cathy — 7/30/07 at 2:40 pm #

77. Hello Julie,

What fun to have a new house to decorate. I’m trying to get a fix on your wall color… a dark yellow beigh color. I’m thinking in the range of dark wheat, tan, peanut butter. Am I close? I really like that range of color. Its a warm tan. Here again, complementary colors always work. With a little twist toward muted violet/orchid and a spring green. Both of those would be beautiful with the tan color. Maybe a spring green colored sofa with striped drapery in green, orchid, tan, cream etc. Orchid and tan colored pillows on the sofa. Cream colored chairs with a spring green welt. Area rug, artwork, flowers, pick up the colors. In other words… 60% is the tan color, 30% is the spring green color, !0% is the orchid/violet accent color. Something to think about. The colors work well together and are a little unique. Let me know what you think.

by Cathy — 7/31/07 at 10:44 pm #

78. Hi Shanel,

Are you able to paint walls in your apt? Maybe you could paint just an accent wall and paint it back when you move. Your sofa sounds like its a taupe color (gray beigh). Can you paint a wall a chocolate color? Then go neutral and natural with the furnishings. All browns, beighs and cream. (warm and cozy yet modern). Add some wicker or rattan chairs, sisal or leather shag area rug, dark wood tables, bamboo tree, carved wood vases, candles, twigs, shells, polished stones, textured pillows and fabrics, clear glass lamps, abstract art. Are you feeling it yet? Are we on the right track? Some ideas for you. Good luck.

by Cathy — 7/31/07 at 11:37 pm #

79. Dear Wendy,
Thanks for your question about trim and wall color. Normally, wood trim (baseboards, crown, interior doors, trim around windows/ doors etc.) should be all in one finish…all wood stain, or all painted white/cream etc. This is a UNIFYING element in a house, (even though wall colors are different). You have nice fresh colors on your walls. The trim, FRAMES and SEPARATES color from one area to another, but it ties the whole house together. I would suggest to paint ALL your trim in a nice warm white color (like swiss coffee). Paint all interior doors, front and back, the white as well. Bring in color on your walls and furnishings. Everything will then look crisp and clean and unified.
Hope that works for you.

by Cathy — 8/1/07 at 12:59 pm #

81. Hello Paula from Michigan,

I pulled up your Corian-Aruba color on my computer. Very nice! It has gray, black, white and blue specs in it. It would go well with your oak cabinets. Your room faces South, so you get good warm light, also a red brick fireplace… You might want to play up that little bit of blue in the counter and paint walls a light blue/gray color. Pick 2 colors on the paint chip and paint the lighter one in the kitchen, even if the wall from the kitchen runs into the family room. Then pick the color just below it for the family room.
Add some pillows in the 2 blue /gray colors and brick color to your beigh sofa. Then add a few other brick red accents (fireplace color) to tie it all together. It should work for you if you like the colors and if they work with the rest of the house.
Thanks for writing and good luck with the project.

by Cathy — 8/4/07 at 12:28 am #

85. Hello Fatima,

You have a very neutral bedroom right now. What colors do you like?
What colors are in the rest of your house? Do you want restful colors…blues, greens, violets? Or, energetic colors… reds, yellows, oranges? What direction does light come in from… North rooms are darker and cooler feeling, paint a warm color, yellows, golds, etc. South and West rooms have more light and warmer feeling, paint cooler colors, blues, greens etc. If you can address these questions, you will come up with a color for your room. Thanks for your question.

by Cathy — 8/6/07 at 3:07 pm #

86. Thank you Shana,

I’m glad you’re considering using the 3 color from a chip idea. I think you’ll be happy with the results. Your wall color ideas sound great with the 3 beigh colors in the seperate rooms. I love the red wall idea in your kitchen/ breakfast room. I also like that you can see some of that room from your entry. Which would be wonderful to pick up that red color again in the entry, somewhere as an accent wall. Repeat that color throughtout the rooms, even in small amounts. The eye likes to pick up the same color from one area to the next, strong color especially. (Repitition, of color, etc. is an important principle of design). It sounds like you have a good feel for design and color applications. Go with your instincts. Let me know how it turns out.
Have fun decorating!

by Cathy — 8/6/07 at 4:11 pm #

87. Dear Anne,

Your 1914 Craftsman style bungalow in Montana sounds wonderful! Sometimes older homes can feel a little dark in some rooms, lower ceilings, eaves over windows, faces North, dark wood trim etc. If you can’t install recessed lighting, (older homes may not have the clearance in the ceiling to do this), then a lighter, warmer color will help. How about this… Paint the dining room a light golden wheat color, or “manilla folder” color. Find that color on a paint chip and step up one shade lighter for your Living room, (in keeping with the creamy color you wanted). This ties the two rooms together beautifully, but adds a little more color to your dining room and less to the living room. It will brighten the space alot and would go lovely with the blue and white china on the wall. Also the contrast of your dark furniture and trim will stand out and be seen. Do you think that might work for you?
Thanks for writing in.

by Cathy — 8/6/07 at 4:53 pm #

90. Hello Carissa,
I’m glad you’re enjoying the site. I drew a quick sketch of how I think your rooms are layed out from the good description you provided. The colors you’re using are a khaki and a Tuscan gold. The colors do compliment each other ( one warm, one cool). You could repeat these colors in the two areas, living and dining. On the walls in the dining area and the long wall in the dining area that runs into your living area, paint a light khaki color. Paint the rest of the walls in the living area the light golden color. Tie these two rooms together by covering seats of the dining room chairs in a gold color, or stripes with gold, khaki,cream etc. Drapery for both areas could be done in these stripes( or pattern) as well. Also add artwork and floral in the gold tones. In the living area, pull in some Khaki color. A sofa, pillows, area rug, art, etc. This ties the two spaces together but the paint, sets off the dining area from the living area with the color change. Add in a few accent colors in a” spicy tomato” color, (red orange ,Tuscan color). These colors should be neutral but warm enough to blend with the rooms you’ve already decorated. I hope you’ll give this a try and let me know what you think. I bet you’ll like it.

by Cathy — 8/8/07 at 5:03 pm #

92. Carissa,
I would first try to paint over the textured wallpaper if its adhered to the wall well. You’ll need to prime the paper before you paint. Go to a paint store and ask a knowledegable person how to do this. That would be the easiest to do. Worst comes to worst…. you may have to take the paneling down and drywall or you might just be able to drywall over everything and start fresh. Good luck, hope the easiest way works for you.

by Cathy — 8/9/07 at 2:24 pm #

95. Hi Dana,

Yes, you’re on the right track! I’m proud of you! It sounds like you’ve thought through everything well. I think the beigh colors will work well with the other stronger colors you have incorporated. A nice balance. Not knowing how dark you wanted to go with the beigh…my only concern was in your kitchen. You have dark cabinets and black counters. Be careful not to get too dark with all the surfaces. Contrast light against dark unless you have lots of natural light coming in. Other than that, I think you’ll be real pleased with the 3 color idea in the different rooms.
Your new home sounds lovely. I would love to see pictures of your rooms any time. Let me know how the painting comes out.

by Cathy — 8/16/07 at 6:32 pm #

98. Hello Sylvia in Canada,

You did a great job in expaining your decorating situation! I’ll try to address your questions as best I can. Your bungalow sounds nice and homey. Your main question was painting your foyer, (vestibule) (love that word) and your kitchen that are connected to each other through a doorway. Your beigh color sounds like it will work well with your other wall colors. You like B.M. paint colors, Kansas Grain and Oklahoma Wheat, next to each other on the paint chip. You could use both of those colors…

idea 1. Paint the darker color (wheat) in the foyer and lighter one (grain) in the kitchen or vice versa. Paint some poster board samples and try them in each area.
idea 2. Paint 8 or 9 inch vertical strips with the two beigh colors in the entry and/or a larger wall in the kitchen. The rest of the walls paint in one of the beigh colors. (the stripes are a “tone on tone” feel, muted and calm, but will give height and interest to the spaces.)
idea 3. Bring a little of the green of the living room into the spaces. Paint an accent wall the green and the rest of the walls one of the beigh colors.
A couple of ideas for you that might work well.

Your wood floors… You have a lighter laminate floor in your foyer and kitchen. You want to add darker wood floors to the rest of the living area. Ideally, I like all the flooring to be consistant, all the same wood or same carpet etc. ( its one of those “unifying” elements of design, especially in a smaller space.) If you do add the wood floors, go darker, as you said, so it looks like you wern’t trying to match the other floor. It should work, just check the grade difference between the two floors.

Kitchen appliances…. I like the stainless steel appliances. they will update the space and reflect light in smaller darker areas making that space appear larger and brighter. Can you add some recessed lighting in the kitchen for better light?

I like all your white trim which would be a better contrast to the darker beigh if it came down to which beigh color.
It sounds like you’re thinking through the decorating process and seeing the Big Picture. I hope I’ve given you a few ideas to help the process along.
Thanks for taking the time to write in and I hope all goes well.

by Cathy — 8/23/07 at 5:10 pm #

100. Hello Sarah,

Your attic -like craft room sounds like a great place to escape and work on crafts. Heres what I think, (take it or leave it)…. Since theres so many angles, sloping ceiling, knee walls, low light etc. I would paint all the walls and ceiling the white/cream color you had in mind. This would help all of the different angles and shapes “disappear” and would feel like a more cohesive space. Open, airy and bright. The wall the window is on, I would paint a soft relaxing light aqua color, (like Ben. Moores, Icy Moon Drops). Then build your open back shelving over that color. Add in accents around the room in that color….picture mats/frames, chair cushion, vases, small rug etc. If you can paint out the ceiling fan in the room the white color as well, it won’t be so obtrusive. This will look so fresh, clean and relaxing. There’s a designer on the Fine Living channel on TV that decorates with these wonderful soft colors. Sarah Richardson is her name.( I’ll find the name of her show unless someone
writes in with it.) That MOOD came to mind as I was reading your question.
Hope I gave you a few ideas to think about. Let me know how it turns out. Enjoy your room.

by Cathy — 8/27/07 at 2:07 pm #

102. Hello Stephanie,

Thanks for your question. I’m trying something a little different. I’ve uploaded 2 pictures under “Customer Finds” at the top of this page in the right side bar. Click on the pictures to see a good color combination you requested in your comment. If for some reason it doesn’t go through, I’ll give you this idea. A wonderful compliment to the sage green sofa and yellow walls would be in the rusty red, (muted) family. Think of Fall colors and leaves…Reds, yellows, greens. A great combination. Use the red color in drapes, pillows, floral, area rugs, art. I think you’ll like the mix.
Let me know what you think.

by Cathy — 8/27/07 at 6:36 pm #

103. To Stephanie above,
The uploaded pictures did go through under Customer Finds. Take a look at the color combination and see what you think. The addition of the rusty red color would be beautiful. Hope that helped you visualize the colors together.
Cathy

by Cathy — 8/28/07 at 1:18 pm #

105. Welcome Betty,

So glad you found us. Your river view home in Michigan sounds wonderful. I love your contemporary design direction as well. Thank you for all the great info on your spaces. It helps me get a grasp on your challenge.
As I see it, the challenge is… transitioning 2 living spaces (living room and sitting room) open and next to each other with paint color etc.
First of all, your contemporary furnishings (furniture, art, area rug) make a strong statement on there own, via shapes, colors, textures. These are the pieces that you want the attention drawn to. The background needs to be mostly calm and not compete with the standouts in the room. (Think of a contemporary art gallery. The art stands out on a neutral background). Contrary to popular belief, neutral is not boring.
Its only boring when nothing interesting is put with it. Add color, texture, pattern etc. and it becomes a nice balance point in the room.
With that said… my opinion would be… pick 2 colors, next to each other in the taupe (gray beigh) family, in mid range on the color chip. Paint the darker area( the Living room), the lightest color of taupe. Paint the Sitting room the darker color of taupe (brighter light in there). I know you were thinking about a blue-gray color for the walls (a color in the art work). You could add that blue gray color as an accent wall in your living room. Maybe the wall the art is on… Then use that same blue-gray color for simple floor length draperies in your sitting room to repeat and tie the two rooms together but add a little color.
Do a few pillows in that same color for both spaces. Also keep that accent color of Red in both spaces. Pillows, vases, art, etc. I think it could look great.
I hope that was a little help to you. Let me know what you think.
Good luck!

by Cathy — 8/30/07 at 1:49 pm #

107. I think I get it now Betty!

I guess I was thinking something like the frame on the sofa/loveseat was an orangy-brown……duh… not the wall color. OK, Thanks for clearing that up. So I’m thinking the paint color is like a lighter terra cotta, tan color?
Some other ideas for your sitting room color…
1. If you go a step up lighter in that color it might turn a little peachy-pink. Not what you want. You said it would be too dark going a step darker also…so these may not work.( although I like the darker idea if it works for you)
2.You could stay with the same color as the living room, but with the lighting differences in both rooms they would “read” differently in the seperate rooms but still be the same color. This might be the best way to go. Simplify the background so both rooms flow together.
3. I’m deleting the bue/gray color in there because I don’t know where you’re getting that color from. (Sorry, feeling like too many colors going on).
4.You said you want to bring some red into that room. Would red drapery or cream drapery with red side banding work for you? Maybe a red chair or ottoman… pillows, throw, or area rug etc.
5. You might even paint an accent wall red in there.
6. Go heavier on the red in there to puncuate the red from the L.R. and make it feel a little different but still blends.

If you want a color percent breakdown, it would be about 50% Ashton Orange, 30% browns/blacks, 20% red, silver.
I would bring some green plants into the space as well to add a cooler color to the warmer colors.
Hope I helped a little. Sometimes its hard to give exact advise when you can’t see the rooms and colors. Remember, simplicity and understatement are better then overdoing color, pattern etc,. especially in contemporary design.
Let me know what you think.

by Cathy — 8/30/07 at 8:00 pm #

109. Good morning Betty,

Good to hear from you again. We’ve got to get this fiqured out for you!
So, lets go in a different direction. I’m hearing you want a real separation from the LR and SR. But we need to tie them together because they are close and seen from one area to the other. I’m hearing you like that gray-blue color for the SR.,(but you don’t want the patriotic color feel) .Would a lighter shade of the green sage color you’ve used in the kitchen work in the SR? If you can see one of those two shades working, Paint the SR walls the green or the blue. Add your drapery side panels in the same color as your terra cotta walls in your LR. This ties the two spaces together. Add pillows and accessories in the wall colors as well.
Bring a little of that green or blue into the LR as well to tie it to the SR.
Its a “cross pollenation” of color from one area to another that unifies the color scheme (more in one area less in another). Yes you can bring a little of the red in as well.
You can upload pictures on this page. Go to the top in the right side bar. Look for “Customer Finds” click on “submit yours” and upload pictures there. I’d love to see what were working with here.
Write back if you think one of those color ideas will work for you.
Cathy

by Cathy — 8/31/07 at 1:54 pm #

115. Hello Tricia,

In your dining room, below chair rail, I would stay in the same color range as your walls. Your walls are key lime beigh. Look at the color chip, the color just below your color. It will be a darker shade. Use that color under the chair rail. If thats not dark enough, go to the shade just below that one. The two tone walls will blend nicely and will be interesting to look at. Use a wood trim to define the chair rail, not a wallpaper border, they are very dated.
Good Luck, Thanks for your ?.

by Cathy — 9/5/07 at 2:17 pm #

116. Hello Sandy,

The tans and light brown colors look great with light blue (carpet). Also would be fine with the fireplace colors. Look in the mid range of the tan colors, not too light or too dark. So it has a color presence. Repeat these colors in your furnishings as well. I will try to link you to a post I just wrote …Need Art?…Paint Something. Look at the color combination used there. The blues and brown. They work together beautifully.
Hope that helps.

by Cathy — 9/5/07 at 2:43 pm #

117. Hello Brian,

Thanks for your question on paint color for your media room. You wanted something different in your 12X20 room with vaulted ceiling.
A media room needs a little drama. You can pick any color but I’m thinking in the blue/grey family (for the color and coziness). Heres an idea….
Get a long paint chip in the grey/blue color family (or any family, brown, grey, or greens are good) , usually 7 colors will be on the chip. Numbering them from 1 being the lightest , to 7 being the darkest.(see picture at top of page) .
You will pick #2, #4, #6.
#2 color will be the 2, 20 ft. wall color. Lightest
#4 color will be the ceiling color. Medium
#6 color will be the 2, 12 ft.wall color. Darkest

Heres my thinking. All of these color will blend nicely and give lots of drama to the room. They will surround you wth that same feel as a theater might. (Kind of like “surround sound” only in color). The medium color will lower the vaulted ceiling. The dark end walls will add the drama and background. the light long side walls will keep it lighter and
open. Trust me, this will look great.
Just make sure you pick a shaded color, (color with some grey in it) so its not a bright “kids” color. You want warm and sophisticated.
I hope you’ll consider this. I think you’ll really like the results.
Let me know.
.

by Cathy — 9/5/07 at 8:25 pm #

119. Hello again Betty,

Thanks for sending the pictures. They really help. Heres another suggestion. This will help transition all rooms well, but make each space its own. The wall color, Ashton Orange is not as dark as I thought. Go one step darker on the paint chip to paint the SR. There’s so many windows in there, the room will not feel dark. It will feel rich and warm , a rust color.
The entry… you could step up one color, lighten, the LR color one step to paint in the entry. You will be using the 3 colors on the paint chip next to each other idea. It will look wonderful. Paint all of the trim in entry and SR a white color like your LR. Add some white drapery to the big windows with banding in the rust color. See the photo I posted under customer finds.
You then could add a cooler color, green or blue for accents. Now, this should work great Betty. Give it some thought. It will have a nice flow through that area of the house instead of being chopped up by lots of other colors. Let me know what you think.

by Cathy — 9/6/07 at 12:03 am #

120. Betty, Sorry the picture isn’t uploading for some reason. I’ll try again later.

by Cathy — 9/6/07 at 12:19 am #

121. Betty, The photo uploaded. Take a look at the deeper color and the light colored drapery and white trim for your SR.

by Cathy — 9/6/07 at 10:46 am #

123. Hi Betty,

I hope i’ve given you a few ideas to work with and not confused you too much. My ideas are from my perspective and design background. You certainly don’t have to use any of them. I’m just giving you my opinion on what might work best from my experience..
Yes, I would lighten the LR color 25-33% for the entry. (Your paint store can do this for you), and then darker your LR color 25-33% for you SR walls. You’ll have to see what looks best with samples of the altered color. White trim. How about a STRIPE drapery with the blue/gray color (you wanted ) rust, brown and cream as well? To pull all the colors together.
(The blue/ grey color is a cool color. The FEEL of a room can be warm and cozy and still have a cool color on the walls.)
All I can say is Good Luck, Try some of the paint colors and see what you like the best. Let me know how it turns out.

by Cathy — 9/7/07 at 2:39 pm #

125. Your more than welcome Betty,
I just I hope I helped a little, if nothing more than getting you thinking in a new direction maybe. Let me know what you end up doing, it has to feel right to you.
Take Care,
Cathy

by Cathy — 9/9/07 at 8:24 pm #

129. Helllllo Pam,
Whew, you’re making me work too hard…
What a question!! I hope I can follow what you wrote and give you my opinion on what I’ve gathered. I’ll give it a shot. To recap… you have celery green walls, darker green trim, red terra cotta fireplace, brown furniture, red accents…antiques etc.
First of all, I like all the trim in the house to be the same color or stain. (baseboards, crown, doors/wimdow trim). Its a unifying element of design. Wall colors can change, trim should be the same. So, the darker green trim isn’t sitting right with me. (just my opinion).
You like your celery green walls. A nice compliment to the red terra cotta fireplace and the red accents in the room. Add a little of the red and the celery green in some pillows on your brown sofa to pull and repeat those colors in the room. Also some art, area rug etc,
I would keep your beamed ceiling the white color. I’m not seeing the yellow on it.
Another way to look at it… If you have a lot going on in the furnishings and accessories in the room, keep the background simple to showcase your antiques and furnishings. Simple, means color is fine, but maybe not 3 or 4 different wall, ceiling and trim colors in different color families.
It sounds like what you’ve done so far is nice. I would rather error on the side of “less” than too much.
Your home sounds nice and you have some great ideas… the red scooter mounted on the wall used as a picture ledge. Very cute, you could set it on the fireplace mantle and set a picture on it as well.
Thanks so much for taking the time to write and explain things so well. I hope I gave you another way to look at the room.
Take Care,

by Cathy — 9/12/07 at 11:50 pm #

130. Hello Michelle,
Thanks for your question. You’re right I don’t think tans and yellows on walls together look the best, ( not enough contrast and different undertones) . You have a red chair and dark blue rug and you face North, (low Light). You want an accent wall in the living room and bedroom. Could you paint the wall opposite the light source (window) the red color in both rooms. This should reflect the “true” red color back into the room for a punch of color and drama, but it won’t make the rooms too dark. Add some large abstract art on the walls to “absorb “some of the red wall. The red wall will act as a large “mat” or “frame” around the art so its not so strong. A deep blue wall might make the room feel too dark.
That might work for you and your color scheme.

by Cathy — 9/13/07 at 12:20 am #

131. Hi Doreen,

Basement rooms can be dark.You mentioned a yellow color. A light golden color of yellow is probably the best color to paint a dark space.
It reflects the best, of the light that enters. Even more than white.
Keep it light, kind of a” manila folder” color. Add lots of lighting as well. Thats about all you can do to lighten up the space. It should go well with your brown carpet also.
Your craft room sounds like fun. What a great space to have.
Thanks for writing.

by Cathy — 9/13/07 at 12:32 am #

133. Hello again Pam,

Yes, decorating can be a little overwhelming at times. Just take it slow and think through each change or addition. I think the honey almond painted walls would look fine with the floors and cabinets. The background would be monochromatic, a great backdrop for the reds and greens and browns you want to use in furnishings and accessories. Also keeps the space brighter and showcases your antiques. Your brown sofa is fine, just add some of the red and green color in pillows, and a throw. It sounds like your doing just fine. You like red. Maybe you could even paint an accent wall in the room red, keep the rest the honey almond color.
Let me know what you think.
Thanks for your questions.

by Cathy — 9/19/07 at 7:31 pm #

135. Your Welcome Sandy,
Glad I could help a little. Let me know how it comes out!
C.

by Cathy — 9/22/07 at 3:40 pm #

138. Hello Liz,

Thanks for joining us on this site. I think you’ll find it interesting.
You’re on the right track. The compliment to the sage green in the FR would be in the red family… rust, burnt orange, cinnabar, clay, terra cotta, etc. Your kitchen would look great in those colors. Bring that same kitchen color back into the FR to reinforce that color scheme. Add that red color to pillows, drapery, art, area rug etc. You could even paint the tray ceiling in the kitchen the sage green color to “cross pollinate” the color from the FR.
Thanks for your great question.

by Cathy — 9/28/07 at 4:57 pm #

139. Hi Rozena,

How are you? Instead of fighting the 50s aqua backsplash, embrace it.
That can be your accent color of the room. Find a nice medium tan color for most of your walls in the Kitchen, FR and Dining room. Paint an accent wall in your family room the aqua color, (tone it down a little if its too bright), and maybe a wall in the dining area the aqua as well. Use the aqua accents in pillows, drapery, art and kitchen ware. It will look as if you planned the colors that way. Also the aquas, browns, beighs are very trendy. Theres lots of accessories in the aqua color right now.
Hope I was able to help.

by Cathy — 9/28/07 at 5:19 pm #

141. Welcome Jon,

It sounds like you have a contemporary space to work with. Open and airy, wall of windows, natural wood tones. You like Asian style and red.
I think the 3 colors next to each other on a paint chip would work for you.
I’m thinking in the beigh or taupe family. Find 3 colors in the center of the chip. (not too light or too dark). Paint the kitchen and dining rooms walls the darkest color. Paint all the way to a corner, even if it runs into the living room. Paint the rest of the living room the middle color. The lightest color can go on the ceilings and/or entry. You can then accent the rooms in the Asian Red color you like… pillows, drapery, floral, tableware, kitchen accessories etc. Your natural woods should work well with this palette. You could even mix in some dark woods or a little black for more variety and depth.
Hope this works for you, its a great way to blend large areas together and have some visual interest as well.
Good Luck,

by Cathy — 10/1/07 at 11:31 pm #

143. Hi Kenya,
I’m glad your’re enjoying the site.
You are looking for a color(s) to paint your modern bedroom. The rest of your home is painted in neutrals. Hubby says no browns or greens….
How about a blue/grey? Very restful color for a bedroom. Find a paint chip with the 7 blue/grey colors on it. Look in the middle and pick 2 colors next to each other or skip one if theres not enough contrast. Paint the wall behind your bed the darkest of the 2 colors and the rest of the walls the lighter one. This will create a focal wall where the bed is on. Use lighter solid color bedding to create contrast with the darker wall. Add an accent color, maybe in a rusty red or coral color, in pillows, art, floral etc
You can do this idea with any 2 colors, (or 3, paint the ceiling one of the lighest colors on the chip). This should look fine with your black trimmed natural furniture. You could add a little more black in, with black iron drapery rods, or black frames on pictures, or black iron lamp bases.( reinforces the black on the furniture).
I hope this gave you a few ideas to kick around.
Let me know what you think.

by Cathy — 10/2/07 at 10:33 pm #

146. Hello llma,
Thank you. You have a question about your 3 rooms that open to each other and moss green furniture in the Family room. Right now you have pretty neutral colors. What FEELING do you want to create in the rooms? Warm and relaxing. lively and fun, open and airy etc. If you can first decide on how you want the room to FEEL, then picking colors is easier to do. If you want warm and relaxing. You could pick two or three colors in the light to medium moss green range to paint your walls. This is a momochromatic color scheme. Many different shades of ONE color. Pick 3 colors next to each other. You might paint your family room the lightest color green (because you have dark moss furniture…this is contrast), your morning room the darkest, kitchen the medium color. You could add some accents (pillows,art, floral etc) in a complimentary color to green which is in the red family (rust, burgundy, coral etc.)
Another idea… paint 3 shades of a tan color in the 3 areas…Med. tan in family room, light tan kitchen, dark tan morning room. Add accents as well.
I do think the “3 color” idea will work well for you, whether its the greens or tans or golds would work well too . Because its a big open space the slight change of color in the different areas will add lots of interest but will blend nicely as a whole.
Hope this gave you a few ideas.
Good Luck

by Cathy — 10/9/07 at 12:47 pm #

149. Hello Darlene,

You say, you have white walls in your bedroom and a raspberry colored rug and need wall color.
Here again I turn to my trusty color wheel. Your rug is a strong and large color statement in the room. To calm and neutralize that color. Look to the complementary color… green. Not a stong bright green but a shaded, toned down green. A light moss or light olive green would look beautiful on the walls. You could paint the wall behind your bed a darker shade of the wall color, (not a contrasting color). Pull the two colors together in the bedding, art, draperies etc. Add an accent color, a gold perhaps. Keep the trim color consistant throughout your house, usually a white color or wood stained.
I’m not a fan of wallpaper borders. Very dated. Bring that interest to your walls with the color.
Good Luck with your painting.

by Cathy — 10/15/07 at 1:41 pm #

150. Hello Tina,

Thanks for your question. As in the answer to Darlenes question above, strong colors need a little neutralizing. You have a red sofa and love seat…
You could paint the living room walls a medium taupe (grey/beigh) color. The dining room walls go a shade darker on the same chip .Bring a little of that red from your Living room into the dining room, chair upholstery, area rug, art etc. I would stay in the medium beigh family. Not too light or too dark, a color presence is needed to cut the contrast of the red against the white wallls.. Add an accent wall in the red if you want more color. You also have lots of oak trim and furniture. Maybe mix in some furnishings with some iron or glass or darker woods. A mix of finishes is more interesting.
Another direction…golds/wheat color would work well also. Same application as above.
Hope this helped a little.

by Cathy — 10/15/07 at 2:25 pm #

152. Hello Shirley Jones,

Hows the Partridge family? (sorry, couldn’t resist)…(I bet you get that stuff all the time)…

Your question about your dark green paint and red sofa. I think the green may be too strong and dark a color for all the walls. You could have one dark green accent wall and the rest a much lighter green. Use the same paint chip color and go up 2 or 3 shades to lighten the color. Or, Paint the walls the tan color in your pillows, all tan, or add the dark green or a red accent wall.
A few ideas for you…
Thanks for your question.

by Cathy — 10/19/07 at 1:23 pm #

154. Thanks Liz,

I love to hear back from people after they have tried a paint idea or technique. I’m looking forward to hear about your results.
Good luck.

by Cathy — 10/22/07 at 11:54 am #

156. Hello Lori from Phoenix,

Sounds like you’re enjoying your new house except for a color dilemma.
You’ve diagnosed your own problem. The grey taupe color is to “cool” for the warm tones of your sofa. Cool meaning grey undertones. You might try a tan color, which has yellow/orange undertones. Your sofa has a rusty brown color which is on the warm side of the color wheel as well. These should look better together. You say, all your rooms run together. As long as you have corners in a room you can paint with 2 or 3 shades of a color. Paint your entry to a corner a med. tan, then a wall or two in your living room a darker tan to a corner, then your kitchen a light tan to a corner, even if it runs into the different areas.The subtle color changes will help delineate the seperate areas so it doesn’t look like one big room but will totally blend as a whole.
Hope that helped a little. Let me know what you think.

by Cathy — 10/25/07 at 1:03 am #

158. Hi Jason,

Your situation is similar to Lori above you. Your paint color sounds like a dark TAUPE color. (grey/beigh). A gorgeous color. When you buy your sofa, lean toward a true brown or grey brown, rather than a red or yellow brown leather. It will work better with your paint color. Now for tile…
Many colors of tile have a variety of grey, beigh, taupe and tan veins or colors running through them. If you can find a tile with this variety it would go with your wall color and furnishings. Bring samples home to look at them at all times of the day to see how the color works together.
Be careful, some tile background can look very pink. Get one with more a taupe background.
Good luck, Thanks for writing.

by Cathy — 10/25/07 at 4:50 pm #

161. Hello Diane,

Basement rooms can feel dark and cold if you don’t have really good lighting. If you have good lighting, ( natural, recessed, task, ambiant) you could paint it a darker color. If you want it to feel lighter and brighter, paint it the sand color you had in mind. You could pick 3 colors on the same chip and do the bedroom and bath in one or two of the colors, and the big room, in one of the others. Keep the ceiling the lighest color because its lower at 8 ft. Add an accent wall in one of the darker sand colors on the chip or add a red wall to repeat the sofa color. Add some grey and sand color pillows on the red sofas to repeat the carpet and wall color. This should work well if you like the concept.
Let me know what you think.

by Cathy — 10/27/07 at 12:27 pm #

166. Hello Angie,

The gold wall you started painting in your kitchen sounds nice with the dark cherry cabinets. Instead of the orange wall idea in the family room. Stay with the same gold color from your kitchen but go a shade or 2 darker on the paint chip, for that wall or room. That will bring more interest to the area but the open spaces will blend much better together. Add a little gold color in pillows or a throw to your black sofa. I don’t see why you couldn’t accent the family room arch with the chocolate color as well. If it doesn’t look right, just paint it back.
Thanks for your question.

by Cathy — 10/31/07 at 4:20 pm #

167. Your welcome Diane,

Great to hear back about your plans . I like the darker wood tables or a mix of accents is good…iron, glass, wood, etc. If you want to use an accent color of green or blue in some accessories, in the room, I think that would work fine. Look in some decorating magizines or online and see how decorators use color, and in what proportion. Pick apart the room color by color and assign them a percentage. This might help you see how colors work together in balance and harmony.
Let us know how things turn out.

by Cathy — 10/31/07 at 4:52 pm #

168. Hello Jen,

You’re looking for wall color in a bright, south facing living room. You have a dark plum/burgundy colored sofa. .. A wall color that might look good, is in the light green family. A complimentary color to the red/violet color. Stay in the lighter range, down 2 or 3 shades on the chip. A light olive or sage color would work well. You could even paint the kitchen a shade darker on the same chip. Add the light sage color in pillows on the sofa. You could do your drapery in the plum/burgundy color and add a border or banding in the sage color. For a little extra punch, add a few accents in an apricot or a muted tangerine color. This is a Triadic color scheme…3 colors equal distance apart on the color wheel. They will work well together… a few ideas for you.
Good Luck.

by Cathy — 11/1/07 at 9:42 pm #

169. Hello Keri,

I was trying to look up your Tea Green on my Behr paint fan deck…not there… If the color is 4,5, or 6 down on the paint chip, then you could go a shade or two lighter to paint the rest of the room and let that darker color, tea Green, be the accent wall. Maybe paint a wall in the entry the tea green as well and a kitchen/dining wall one of the other colors on the same chip. This will help seperate the living/dining spaces within the big room but will blend beautifully together.
Hope this works for you.

by Cathy — 11/1/07 at 10:23 pm #

170. Hello Safrana (back to #160),

Sorry I missed you!
You need a tile color. Olive walls, brown speckled counters….
Since the walls are medium to dark color and counters the same. Maybe go to a lighter color tile. Contrast is always good. Stay in a light tan or beigh color. Use a larger size, 18″ ( yes, even in a small bathroom), and install the tile on a diagonal. Much more interesting. Be careful the tile doesn’t have a pink cast to it. Take some home and look at it in your light, day and night.
Thanks for writing in.

by Cathy — 11/1/07 at 10:47 pm #

175. Hello Lora,

A couple of ideas for you…
Since you like that yellow/gold color in your entry and stairway and hall.
Try 2 more shades of that same color for the rest of the downstairs. Go one shade darker for your living room and one shade lighter for your family room, or vice versa. Add in some accent colors in the terra cotta and the green…a great combination…( say, a green sofa, gold walls, terra cotta pillows etc) Maybe paint your dining room in the terra cotta color that accents the other roooms. This will “cross pollinate” colors from one area to the other, but all will blend visually.
Go up to “Customer Finds” in the right side bar at the top of the page and scroll back a bit to find some photos of a room and fabrics in this color combination I sent to another lady. See if that helps a little.
Let me know what you think.

by Cathy — 11/6/07 at 2:52 pm #

177. Hi again Lora,

Sounds like you have enough yellow with the upstairs as well. How about a pretty light leaf green, not a brown green like sage or olive, something with a little yellow in it. You could use 2 shades of the color, one for your living room , one for the family room and do the dining room in the terracotta. The trick is to pull some of the terracotta color into the living and family rooms as well as some gold, and then add some green and yellow into the terracotta dining room., so all of the colors are repeated in different amounts throughout the rooms. Your brown leather sofas should be fine with the light leaf green walls…add green, gold and terracotta colored pillows to the sofa and in other accessories…art, area rug, floral, etc.
Do you think that might work for you?

by Cathy — 11/6/07 at 10:22 pm #

178. Hi Kari,

Since you say the green you painted the accent wall won’t go with the kitchen, then paint those other walls a neutral , as you said, and keep your green accent wall and repeat that green color on all the walls in your entry, . Maybe pull that same green in with drapery on windows if they’re not on the green wall. Add an accent color to add a little more interest. Keep your neutral color in the warm undertones, because of your gold/beigh sofa. A light tan color, not taupe or grey.
Hope that gives you some more to work with.

by Cathy — 11/6/07 at 10:44 pm #

179. Hi Crystal,

You say you have orangy/brown furniture and need a paint color for your bedroom…
I think the blue you had in mind would work well. The orangy color is the compliment to the blue on the color wheel. A nice combination. Lean toward a warm blue, (yellow undertones), not a grey blue. to blend with the warm wood tones of the furniture. Add some cream color, bedding, and maybe accent in golds or rusts.
It should work for you, let me know.

by Cathy — 11/6/07 at 10:58 pm #

180. Hi Gail,

Any of those colors would work well with your black office furniture. Black is a neutral, a strong saturated neutral. If you want a more relaxing feel, paint in the muted greens and blues. I love the Restoration Hardware’s Silver Sage color. It has a little grey in it and would work nicely with the black. Paint your trim a crisp white, repeat some of that black in frames, iron lamp bases, curtain rods etc. Your maple floor adds the warm wood color to contrast the cooler colors.
Good Luck and keep me posted.

by Cathy — 11/6/07 at 11:21 pm #

182. Hello again Lora,
I’m glad you like the green color idea. Sure, you could add some of the L.R. green to the Family room. Accent the fireplace wall with the darker color. Heres what you can do with the tray ceiling in your terra cotta dining room…paint it one of the green colors of your L.R. or F.R. On the dining room walls…paint the darker terracotta below the chair rail and a lighter shade above, then green, in the Tray, ceiling. Maybe find a green and terracotta stripe fabric for the chair seats and draperies. LOVELY!!
What do you think?

by Cathy — 11/7/07 at 2:37 pm #

184. Hi Lora,
I don’t have the Devoe paint deck so you’ll have to look at the colors in your own light to see what works best for you. Paint a few sample boards and look at them with the yellow color day and night. Adjust as needed.
A few colors to look at…
Behr Premium Plus Paint, Home Depot
400C-3 Dried Palm
400D-4 Corn Husk Green
400D-5 Grass Cloth
Look in that color range or one similiar to that.

Benjamin Moore
078 Pear Green
079 Potpourri Green
080 Pale Vista

Terra cotta color
Behr Paint
210D-4 Medium Terracotta
210 D-5 Copperleaf
220D-4 Southwest Stone
220D- 5 Necterina
Something in that range should work for you.
Write back and tell me how things turn out.

by Cathy — 11/7/07 at 8:38 pm #

188. Your welcome Lora.

Hi Kelly,
It sounds like you have a blank canvas to work with. Believe it or not, sometimes thats harder to work with than having certain set elements to work from. Heres a few questions that might help you choose a color…

1. What colors do you like, or don’t like?
2. What colors are in the rest of the house?
3. What FEELdo you want the room to have?
4. How much light does the room get?
5. Are you willing to go out of your comfort zone and try new colors?

A little color direction… If you don’t want to paint the fireplace, i’m assuming its a red brick, paint the complementry color of the brick. In the blue or green family. Maybe a shaded aqua blue and add colors in accessories in the ANALAGOUS color scheme. They are colors that fall within 90 degrees on the color wheel. In other words, colors that are next to each other on the color wheel. So if you paint an aqua blue,
bring in accessories, rugs, pillows, art, floral, draperies etc, in the greens and truer blue palette. This would go nicely with your light sofas and dark furniture.
Google “Color Wheel”, find the color you like and look at colors next to that color to understand this concept.
Its just one way to help you look at color.
Let me know what you think?

by Cathy — 11/9/07 at 7:36 pm #

190. Hello Sara,

Its a good idea to go a little more neutral in paint color when trying to sell a home. You could still keep a red accent wall. I would go with a warm neutral… in the tan famliy. Benjamin Moore has a nice tan, Lenox Tan. Don’t go too light, you need a “color” presence with the darker colors you have in the house, but keep it neutral as well. You might want to look at Behr Paint, Classic Taupe for another option. If you don’t like those, look for one you like in that family.
Thanks for your question. Good Luck with the sale.

by Cathy — 11/10/07 at 1:48 pm #

192. Hello Marty,

Your Victorian apartment sounds unique and colorful. It sounds like your style has a retro contemporery feel. I’m trying to get a fix on your living room layout and color, and incorporate the colors from your hall, sofa and art work. I like your idea of painting the opposite wall from your red sofa, the red color. I would like to see some of the pink of your hall come in the Living room as well. (Yes, red and pink go well as long as you choose them off the same paint chip page.) Could you paint that lower part of your ceiling and down the wall (alcove?) the pink color, or the red color?
Paint the rest of the walls a neutral tan, beigh color. Find or paint some other art work that has the pink, red and orange and black in it to hang over your sofa. Keep your other artwork as well . Add pink, orange, black, red, pillows on your sofas. Maybe add drapery in a wide horizontal stripe in the red, pink, orange colors. In other words… pull in the colors of the apt. into the living room, set against a neutral background. A pecentage might be…60% beigh, 25% reds and black, 15% pink, orange.
Does this make sense to you? Good Luck.

by Cathy — 11/12/07 at 1:58 pm #

194. Hello Cindy,

Thanks for the link, but the site was not being displayed. Do you have the name of the sofa? I’ll get on another way.
There are a couple ways to go …
You could play up the rust undertones of the sofa by adding brighter rust color pillows and adding that color in the room in a few other places. (art, rug, floral) This would look like it was ment to be that color. Add in another brighter color, gold or green to break up some of the browns as well.
You could instead, try a blue color for accents, pillows,art, rug, etc. Since this is opposite the rusty color on the color wheel it may tone down the rust undertones in the sofa and distract the eye to the blue color instead of the rust.
One more, Try changing the light bulbs in your lamps to a bluer light and see if that deadens the rust a little…won’t help during the daytime though.
Hope one of these helps.
Let me know.

by Cathy — 11/16/07 at 4:31 pm #

198. Hello Tongdu,
I went to the website you provided to see the house. There were many homes listed. I didn’t know which one it was. Since addresses are listed on this site, you may not want that published. I can contact you by e-mail and you can specify which house it is so I can view it.
Does your E-mail begin with…bind…? If so, let me know if you want me to contact you.
Cathy

by Cathy — 11/20/07 at 5:30 pm #

200. Hello Margaret,

I could really see a beautiful spa blue on the walls with the chocolate and white bedding . Behr paint has a color called Spa, 500c series. Or something close to that color. Very serene and restful for a bedroom but adds the color you need. Add some Spa color to the bed with pillows also some solid browns. Add dark stained furnitue. If you want a little accent, fresh flowers in a coral color would be wonderful. Maybe white draperies with a chocolate banding down the edge. I can see it all now…hope you can.
Thanks for writing.

by Cathy — 11/21/07 at 6:59 pm #

204. Hi Kathy with a K,

You have tan walls with a yellow accent wall and need a color for draperies…
What other colors are in your room? Do you have any reds, blues , greens in furnishings, rugs, art, etc. If you don’t have any other color direction, then many colors would go well. Go bold…red draperies would look wonderful with those colors, add more red and yellow around the room in sofa pillows, art, floral, to tie it all together. I also could see a blue/grey or green drapery with the same accents around the room. Add banding or borders to a solid color …red draperies,yellow banding or border. If you don’t want the draperies to stand out, buy or make them out of the same color as your wall. Add the color and interest in your furnishings and keep the backgound neutral. Many ways you can go. Look through magazines or visit model homes for more ideas.
Always buy or make draperies with a white lining. They hang better, look richer, color stays truer on the inside, last longer, and insulate better.
Good Luck, thanks for writing.

by Cathy — 11/27/07 at 3:48 pm #

205. Hello Lynne,

Yes, white trim really sets off color, especially clear, crisp, clean color.
Wood trim might be better suited to more shaded colors, olive/sage greens, grey/blues, shaded reds, terracotta, plum, warm beigh, etc.
I just went to a trade seminer for Benjamin Moore paints, and the new line of Aura paint called Affinity colors were all shaded colors that would look stunning with white or wood trim. You might check those out. Paint some sample boards with colors you like and tape them on the wall right next to your trim. Look at them in the different light of the day and night.
This should help you decide.

by Cathy — 11/27/07 at 4:07 pm #

206. Hello Teresa,

I’m not able to find where you posted pictures. I looked in Customer Finds but not there. If you want to try to post them there I will continue to check. In the meantime, a few comments…
Its great you’ve painted your wood trim and fireplace a white color. Most colors look good with a white trim. But to make the trim POP, a little contrast of color is needed. Since your Husband is Color Shy, try colors that are neutral but are darker than what you have already. Look at the green arrow colors I wrote about. Use 2 or 3 of those colors to paint your rooms. Since you get alot of light, paint that room the darker beigh color, other rooms a shade or 2 lighter.
As for drapery, I’ll wait to comment until I see or read about your other colors in your room.
Remind me again when you post pictures.
Talk to you soon.

by Cathy — 11/28/07 at 6:57 pm #

210. Hello Loraine,

You’re bight orange living room sounds lively and fun. You are looking for a drapery color?
Many ways you can go. Stay with a white color, like your trim. This will frame the bold color. Try a compliment to the orange, which would be in the blue, green, or violet range. Look for a shaded color, meaning a little grey or black added to the color to soften or tone down the color. Or go with the Analagous color scheme…colors next to the orange color…red orange, yellow, yellow orange. For a real fun color combination, try a Lime Green. What is the “feel” you want the room to convey? Decide that and choosing will be easier.

by Cathy — 12/2/07 at 11:05 pm #

211. Hello again Teresa,

I recieved your photos and I designed a few ideas for you to look at. I e-mailed them back to you.
Let me know what you think.

by Cathy — 12/2/07 at 11:08 pm #

212. Hi Gilda,

I’m not sure which paint company’s paint chips were used in the ad. If HomeGoods Customer Service reads this and can find out, they will write back with the company’s name.
Thanks for asking.

by Cathy — 12/2/07 at 11:14 pm #

213. Hello Debbie,

I like your idea of adding a cranberry color to your fireplace wall. You could buy a leather sectional in a TAUPE color, grey beigh, it would work well with the fireplace color. Also paint the rest of your walls the Taupe color, its a little warmer than a cold grey and would go well with the cranberry color. Add some cranberry color to pillows on the taupe sofa, drapery, art, area rug etc. Maybe a little accent color of Apple Green, (not a dark green, dated).
Good luck with your project. I sounds like you were going in the right direction.

by Cathy — 12/2/07 at 11:32 pm #

216. Hello Yin,

The yellows, as I’ve said before, are one of the hardest colors to get right. They seem so light and calm on the chip, but on the wall they become bright and strong. I think you’re on the right track. Try a creamy gold beigh. Kind of like a “Manilla Folder” color. Use that in your breakfast area, go a shade darker on the chip for your family room and a shade lighter for you back stairway. Or any combination that works the best. Also, do not use a semi gloss on the walls. Use a flat, satin or eggshell. The semi gloss use on your trim color. This color should work well with your sage green and other furnishings you’ve mentioned.
I hope this works for you. Let me know what you think.

by Cathy — 12/5/07 at 1:24 am #

219. Hello Melanie,

Your new home sounds very nice. You want a wall color to go with your brown trim and green sofa and blend with connecting rooms…

I’m assuming your dark brown trim is stained. The first thing that came to mind was a lighter version of your moss green sofa. Leaning toward the shaded yellow/green side. This color looks wonderful with a dark brown color (trim). A few names of colors…anjou pear, agave, Ben. Moore colors. Olive oil, light pesto, Dunn Edwards Paint. Look in that range and try samples on boards in your home. Pick 3 colors next to each other on the chip you like and paint your living room a lighter shade of the green sofa. The dining room the darker shade and another shade for the kitchen and entry. As I said, they will all blend nicely but will seperate each area with the slight color change, and have lots of impact.
Add some of the dark brown and lighter green onto the moss sofa in pillows. For a little punch of color, add a little lavender color…flowers, pillows, art. Could look lovely.
Let me know what you think.

by Cathy — 12/9/07 at 12:43 am #

220. Hello again Yin,

Yes, it sounds like that first yellow was a bit intense. I’m glad the lighter creamy yellow worked well for you. I’m also glad you’ll try the two other colors in the other rooms. It will look fabulous! Let me know how it turns out.
Thank you for your words of appreciation… Its nice to hear.

by Cathy — 12/9/07 at 12:56 am #

222. Your Welcome Melanie,

The white trim will look wonderful with the green colors. Can you prime and paint over the existing brown trim? Give that a try before you start to replace everything. A good primer will cover that dark color and then paint a semi-gloss in a warm white color. A shaded lavender will look lovely with the pear greens, fresh and crisp.
Let me know how it turns out.

by Cathy — 12/10/07 at 12:47 pm #

224. Hello Linda,

Your home and the setting sounds absolutely bucolic. Why would you want to move from such a beautiful place like that? ( I’m sure you have your reasons). Anyway, you are needing advice on wall color that will appeal to many people because you’re selling your home.
You have all white walls right now. I think you need a little more color but stay in the neutral family. What about a light Khaki color? ( a light beigh/green) It would blend well with the warm oak woodwork but give some interest to the walls. You could even use 2 or 3 colors on that same chip to paint different rooms. I’m looking in the 750-770 range in the Behr Paint fan deck, Home Depot, Look at colors named, Sand Fossil, Sandstone Cliff, Oat straw. Maybe add in 1 or 2 of the colors above or below those mentioned to different rooms in the house. I would also paint the kids rooms one of the neutrals as well. I think that should work for you. Try samples first on boards in your light and rooms.
Good luck with the sale. Let me know what you think.

by Cathy — 12/15/07 at 12:58 am #

227. Hello Amy,

Your new home sounds beautiful. Light, bright and airy. You wanted to paint the great room, with lots of windows, red. Why not! With all the windows and the big stone fireplace, the red will seem more like borders, and accent walls rather than a huge room all in red. Since the home has an open floor plan, you might want to keep the other rooms walls in a warm neutral color, (wheat, straw, color comes to mind). Then bring in the red colors in accessories, drapery, upholstery etc. in the dining room and kitchen. Maybe add a wheat color sofa in the red great room. I talk about “cross pollinating” color from one room to another.
This will help tie the open floor plan together.
The “3 color” idea would work as well. Instead of red walls, go with a warm neutral in 3 shades on the chip. Paint the different areas in one of the colors and add the red in, in furniture, draperies, accessories etc.
I hope that helped you out a little.
Thanks for writing in.

by Cathy — 12/17/07 at 12:29 pm #

228. Hi there Cheryl,

Thanks for your question about finding wall color with natural wood trim.
Most colors will work fine with your trim color. I do like a more “shaded” color, (color that has a little grey or black added to it), rather than a pure color or tinted (color that has white added to it) color. It just seems to blend well with the wood. You also have a dark brown carpet and brick fireplace. You want to “warm” it up a little. Which leads me to the warmer side of the color wheel. I’m thinking of a gold/green color. Like pear, or light moss, golden apple, something in that range would work well with the coloring you have.
Good luck and I hope this works for you.

by Cathy — 12/17/07 at 1:00 pm #

230. Hello Wynn,

The first impression that came to mind for your dining room is a light golden buttery yellow. Gorgeous with your red rug and mahogany woods. If its wall area beneith the wainscoting, step down darker one or two shades below the chair rail with the gold color. Behr Paint has a few colors you might want to consider… Oklahoma wheat, Quiet Veranda, Bavarian Cream, Look in that range.
Let me know what you think.
Cathy

by Cathy — 12/18/07 at 7:34 pm #

235. Hello again Wynn,

Thanks for more information. How about bringing some of the hall color into the dining room. The sage green and ochre. Could you do a wide 9″ stripe of a lighter green and soft ochre around the room above the wainscoting? Keep it on the lighter side. A lighter version of your hall colors. The red rug will be an accent color. You could upholster the chairs in an ochre or green textured fabric and welt them in the red. Pull some red into some art work and flowers for the table. Maybe add an accent wall of red, ochre,or green to the rooms that are Navajo White. Add in the same colors for accents as well.
Another idea for you…what do you think?

by Cathy — 12/27/07 at 8:51 pm #

236. Hello Shelley from Oklahoma,

You are interested in a color for your dining room. You like a cranberry color but you think it might make the room too dark.
A couple of ideas for you…
You certainly can have the red in your DR even with low natural light.
Pick a red thats not too dark and shaded. More of a Raspberry, cherry, Scarlet color. These redder, clearer colors will have more of a contrast with the dark wood furnishings in the room and look good with the wood trim. Also, you could install some small diameter recessed lighting in the ceiling, add some hardwired sconces on a wall and beef-up the watts in the chandelier. Maybe add some “uplights” on the floor behind plants in the corners of the room. You mentioned you would be getting a dark stained china cabinet. Instead of the tall cabinet, get a dark buffet or sideboard and add a BIG nicely framed mirror over it and install 2 light sconces on either side of the mirror. This will bounce a lot of light around the room as well and not seem as dark and closed in as a tall china cabinet.
Good Luck, let me know what you think.

by Cathy — 12/28/07 at 1:42 pm #

237. Hello Jennifer,

I’m glad you found this site as well. Lots of great ideas and information here.
Sounds like you have many shades of browns going on in your living room and dining room. You would like an idea for wall color in the two areas that are open to each other.
The first thing that came to mind was a color in the blue family. Blues and browns look wonderful together and are a trendy as well as a classic combination.
The blue I’m thinking of leans toward a shaded turquoise color (a good color with your nutmeg colored sofas) . Not too dark…#2,3, and 4 from the top of the paint chip. I’m looking at Behr Paint colors… #2 Rhythmic Blue, #3 Ocean Kiss, or #4 Bon Voyage, something in that range of color. You can use 2 or 3 of these colors for your rooms. Paint #3 on your living room walls, all the way to a corner. paint #4 in your dining area ,to a corner, even if the wall runs into the living room. Paint #2 in your kitchen and entry. Add some of this color onto pillows on the sofas, area rugs, art. You could add a few accents in a coral or tangerine color…flowers, vase, pillow etc. The wall colors will totally blend together all in the same visual area but will give an excitment and interest that you can’t get with all one color. They have to be all on the same paint chip to be successful though.
Write back and tell me what you think.
Hope this helped to give you another perspective on wall color.

by Cathy — 12/28/07 at 2:35 pm #

238. Welcome Roberta,

Glad you found us and love HomeGoods as much as we all do. Your new, turn-of-the-century colonial home sounds beautiful with all the great details and craftmanship these older homes exhibit. Your Dining room sounds lovely. The ceiling you describe sounds like a “coffered” ceiling. A beautiful and elegant presence to a room. You mentioned a red color for your dining room would be a preference. Also you have lots of light entering the home. Since you have a Blank Slate to work with and not sure where to go with color, try this…
Its the 60/30/10 percent idea for room color (wall and furnishings)

60% – a neutral color, (walls, floor, ceiling)
30%- secondary color(s), ( accent walls, draperies, upholstery, area rugs)
10%- accent colors ( pillows, flowers, art, accessories,)

This is just a guideline but a little direction. Use the red dining room as your starting point, with your secondary color of red. Use 2 or 3 shades of a warm neutral color for walls in the other rooms. ( look at shades lighter and darker of Benjamin Moores, Lenox Tan or something near that color). Use the 3 color idea I wrote about with the neutral colors in the other rooms and add more of the red in smaller doses to the the other rooms, draperies, sofa, rugs, art etc. Then add an accent color to the mix. Maybe a gold. Chair upholstery in the Dining room, gold leaf in the coffers of the DR ceiling. Gold pillows on a red sofa, gold banding on red draperies, etc. The reds, golds and beighs would make a beautiful combination in your stately traditional home.
A few ideas for you to consider.
Thanks for writing with your question.

by Cathy — 12/28/07 at 3:56 pm #

240. Hello again Roberta,

It’s nice to hear back that some of these ideas might work for you. I’m also glad your found some great accents from HomeGoods to add to your home. I always find something!
The gold leafing I was telling you about for your coffered ceiling may have to be done by a professional unless you can find someone to show you how to do it. Its not a paint, its small squares of gold leaf applied to a dried adhesive, gently brushed on and sealed. If thats too involved for you, you might be able to find a gold-leaf paint that would give you the same feel. Go to a high end paint store and talk to a professional. It really makes an elegant ceiling detail.
Some other neutral colors to look at in the Behr Paint line would be…
on one chip, Raffia Cream, Gobi Desert, Harvest Brown, or
on one chip, Belvedere Cream, Sand Fossil, Clay Pebble. Look in that range of color. Test samples on your walls before commiting.
As for a table, You may have to have one made if you want a granite or quartz top. I’ll let you know if I run across a table that might work for you. Or if anyone blogging here might know, please write in.
Your area of Mass. sounds beautiful. No I’ve never been in your area. I’d love to travel the country someday and see all I’ve missed.
Enjoy your home and decorating. Its a rewarding experience. Let me know how things turn out.

by Cathy — 12/30/07 at 6:24 pm #

242. Hi there again Linda,

By all means find a paint color that you like and works the best in your light and wood tones. I can’t see the colors in your home, all I can do is point you in a direction that might work with what you tell me. Maybe use the color you like but use 2 or 3 shades of that color ( next to each other on the chip) in different areas. It would give a little more interest to the areas instead of one color running throughout.
Good luck, let me know how things turn out.

by Cathy — 1/2/08 at 5:12 pm #

244. Hello Carolyn,

What a treasure to have a 100 year old Victorian. You are looking for a paint color for the living room with lots of dark woodwork and trim…
I’m sensing you really want the red color in the room. It should work fine. Red, of course, is a classic Victorian color. Yes, it can get too dark and heavy with the dark trim. To combat this feel. Keep the furniture upholstery, rugs, and window treatments, in lighter colors. Use a cream color, beighs, light gold, to keep the room from becoming too heavy. Also, light the room very well. For the other rooms, use the lighter colors from the living room as wall color and add the red in in upholstery, accents etc. It will be lovely.
FYI…Benjamin Moore Paint has a nice red in their Affinity collection called, Caliente or one named Raspberry Truffle. A little direction for you.

Good luck and thanks for writing.

by Cathy — 1/7/08 at 3:25 pm #

247. Hello Anna,

So, you are new to wall color. Don’t be afraid of it. Its the biggest way to make the strongest decorating impact in a room for the least amount of money. I know you’ll love living with a color.
If you don’t want to try 2 or 3 colors on the same chip, start with one.
Your living room and dining room are together. Your dining room set is a green stain and charcoal sofa. I think a light terra cotta color would look good. Think of colors like Apricot, Autumn, Caramel, Yams. Go down 3 or 4 on the chip so it doesn’t look too pink. It would be a nice complimentary color to the green dining set. Add some green and Apricot pillows to the grey sofa. Use those same colors in art, floral, rug, draperies etc. Paint a few sample boards first of a few colors and see how they look in your lighting.
Look at Behr Paint colors…Pecos Spice, Ceramic Glaze, Caramel Sundae
Let me know what you think.

by Cathy — 1/10/08 at 11:54 pm #

248. Hi Teresa,

You’re new to wall color as well. You need a color for your office area and your cherry wood desk. I think office wall color should stimulate you not stress you. A shaded color in the blue/grey or moss green would look nice with the wood tones. These colors are cool and calmimg. Easy to work in. They also will absorb some of the flourescent office lighting instead of reflecting light as a warmer color would.
Look at Behr Paint color (flat or low sheen)…greens..Spring Hill, Rejuvenate, Southern Breeze. Blue…Blue Fox, Silver Strand, Liberty Gray.
Try samples first.
Good Luck and enjoy your office.

by Cathy — 1/11/08 at 12:16 am #

250. Hello Anna,

The grey would be fine. Don’t go too light, you’ll need a little contrast with the white trim. Go down to at least #2 or #3 on the paint chip. Maybe add in a little accent color…pillows, art, floral…in the red/rust family. Oh, I just read the part about the chair rail. I would say, keep it and paint one shade of gray darker below the rail than your wall color.
That will bring some interest to the walls. Also, the ” greys” are making a big comeback in popularity in color forcasting for the next few years.
Its a great cooler neutral and works well with many colorsl. A good choice.
Good luck and happy painting!

by Cathy — 1/18/08 at 1:32 pm #

254. Hi Shante,

You would like a contemporary feel in your room with a sage sectional sofa.
You could try a monochromatic color scheme. (tints, tones and shades of one color). Paint your walls a shade or two lighter than your sofa. Add darker sage pillows and accents than your sofa color.
You could paint a neutral med. to lighter grey color. The sage color has a grey undertone to it. A restful cool feel would emerge.
Add in clean straight lined furnishings… glass, chrome, dark woods, solid and textured fabrics, plain uncluttered surfaces, abstract art.
Look in magazines like Metropolitan Home or Elle Decor for inspiration on contemporary style.
Good luck, thanks for your question.

by Cathy — 1/28/08 at 8:59 pm #

255. Hello Shavonna,

I use to live in Nebraska, Bellevue, just outside of Omaha. Air Force Brat. I remember cold in the winter and hot and humid in the summer. But I did enjoy it as a teen. I took my first Interior Design class at U.N.O.
and the professor there really inspired me to go into the field… A great place to live. Enough chit chat!
On to your question…
You have lots of oak trim and tan sofa and you need a little color to break up all the browns. You say you have accent colors in the red family. You could pull in one of the red colors you have and paint an accent wall. Maybe the fireplace wall. Thats usually the focal area of the room. To break up all of the oak. You could paint the fireplace mantle and bookcases a warm white color and leave the wall trim, oak. This would make the red wall color stand out around the fireplace and add a little more contrast and interest to the room. Your area rug would work well with the wall color. If you don’t want to paint the wall, install full length lined red drapery (sage banding or borders) to your windows. This will pull that red color around the room and energize all the browns. Add in your sage color for accents as well.
A few ideas for you to think about.
Go Cornhuskers!!

by Cathy — 1/29/08 at 1:28 pm #

256. Back to linda # 252,

Sorry, I skipped you…Welcome to the website and I’m glad you’re enjoying it.
You like the idea of your 2 shorter walls in a darker color on the chip and the longer walls a lighter color on the same chip. You are on the right track. The burnt orange would be a great warm color. Go with a #6 on the short walls, lean toward a rust with more brown in it. Then it won’t turn pink on you as you lighten the other walls. The longer walls stay in the #3 or #4 range so it doesn’t go too pink but more peach or tan. It should look great. I do like a white trim with the rust color better. It would contrast better than the wood stained trim.
I’m proud of you for not being afraid to try a new paint application. Its only paint, never a permanent change. So have fun with it and see how interesting your rooms can be.
Let me know how things turn out.

by Cathy — 1/29/08 at 1:59 pm #

259. Hello Rocky,

Thanks for your question. Everything sounds great, but you have a lot of dark surfaces and furnishings to work with. Maybe go with a warmer, brighter color on the walls. How about a golden beigh color, wheat, or tan color (something with yellow undertones to it). Pick 2 or 3 colors on the paint chip that are next to each other. Stay in the mid range of the chip. Paint your kitchen the lightest shade (maybe #3 down on the chip) because of the dark surfaces. Then paint your Family room #4 on the chip. A little deeper but blending color. Add in the color of the walls and valances into pillows for the sofa and art, rugs, drapery. This will contrast and warm up the cool dark surfaces you have.
Hope I’ve helped, let me know what you think.

by Cathy — 1/31/08 at 2:47 pm #

261. Hello Mine,

You have a question about wall color for your kitchen with honey oak cabinets, white trim…
There are many ways you could go. What colors are in the rest of your home, or in your kitchen? Do you get alot of natural light? What colors do you like? Your cabinets are pretty neutral, but some good choices, with that wood color, are in the shaded green and blue families. It compliments the warm honey color cabinets. Stay in a mid range on the paint chip. That range should work well. As for hardware, pick knobs and pulls in simple, straight clean lined styles in a nickle or chrome finish to update your cabinets.
Good luck with your project.

by Cathy — 2/1/08 at 7:59 pm #

262. Hi Carol,

UMM…Pink carpet…need wall color. I think a beautiful stem or leaf green (not too dark) would look good. Think of a flower. The pink is the flower the green are the leaves and stem. Make the carpet color work to your advantage. Play it up because you won’t be able to ignore it. Pull in a few accents in the pink around the room…lamp shade, picture mats on art, chair upholstery in a pink, white and green stripe. Make sure the green is a shaded green so it doesn’t look like a kids room color.
Have fun decorating, let me know what you think.

by Cathy — 2/1/08 at 8:18 pm #

264. Hello Kristy from Kansas,

Great questions! To recap…you’re looking for warm wall colors to accent your terra cotta tiled corner fireplace.
Since you want to stay on the warm side in color, I agree. Let s look at an “analagous” color scheme, (colors that fall within a 90 degree angle on the color wheel). The terra cotta tile color is a red/brown/orange, going left within 90 degrees is the color, yellow ochre. A yellow/brown/orange. Two perfectly compatable EARTH colors…terra cotta and yellow ochre. There’s your wall color! The yellow ochre would look wonderful as the wall color for your fireplace walls (same on both walls). The fireplace will contrast against the ochre wall color, but will blend beautifully together. It should look fine with your wet bar wall and your other beigh wall. Pull some terra cotta and ochre accents into the room…pillows, rug, art, etc.
A couple of yellow oche colors to look at in the Behr Paint line might be…
Arizona tan, Warm Muffin, Campground, Townhouse Tan. Something in that range might work for you. Try some sample first in your light.
Let me know if that works for you.

by Cathy — 2/3/08 at 6:17 pm #

266. Hello Susan,

Thank you for your nice comments and all your detailed home information.
I’m going to comment on your home as a whole and not in all the detail. Since you have such an open floor plan and want some separation of rooms but need a blending of the whole, my 3 colors on the same chip would be a great way to go. I would stay in a neutral wall palette and bring color in with your furnishings. You can go in the beigh, grey or khaki color families for wall color. I picked up on your “winter” feel you wanted. A warm grey would work. Ben. Moore has some great new colors in their Affinity line. A color called Thunder, might be a place to start. Go a shade lighter and a shade darker and that shade to paint your different areas. As for which areas… paint the darker rooms the lighter color and your lighter rooms the darker colors. Paint your big fireplace convex wall dark and the alcoves. You can even mix 2 of the shades in one room. (like, if a wall of the entry runs into the sitting room).
They will all blend. It will look as if one wall is more shaded than another.
I think you’ll like this paint application. It really gives interest to open walls without major and confusing color changes.
Let me know what you think. Thanks for taking the time to write.

by Cathy — 2/7/08 at 4:14 pm #

268. Hi Susan,

Your welcome. Look for the Thunder color thats similiar in the B.M. Regal colors , (I don’t have the Regal colors at the moment).. Then you will have a full 7 tints, tones and shades on the chip to choose from.
Yes, I think B.M. could lighten or darken any color. Usually 3X % lighter to color above and 33% darker to color below, but not always. You seem to know quite a bit about paint color, find one you like go for the 3 color on the chip….It’ll look wonderful!

by Cathy — 2/8/08 at 12:58 pm #

272. Hi again Susan,

I think your Creekside Green etc. will look great. Any of those soothing neutral colors would work. You just had to pick what felt right to you. Yes, all 3 colors will be a beautiful in the different areas and open floor plan. Good luck with the painting and please let me know how it turns out. I always like to hear feedback on this painting application.
So glad we could chat and talk design. Write again soon.

by Cathy — 2/11/08 at 1:58 pm #

273. Hello Patty,

You are looking for a wall color to compliment your burgundy/brown leather sofa.
Many colors will work well. Since I don’t have any more info, I’ll give you some general ideas. Your sofa is a warm brown because it has the red in it. The compliment to a warm color is a cool color. Blues and greens.
Find a shaded (has gray or black in it) color in the blue or green family. Maybe 3 down on the chip… a moss or sage in the greens, blue/grey in the blues. Try a few samples to see what you like. Add in more of the wall color you choose in accessories…pillows, art, rug, etc.
…a few ideas for you. Good luck.

by Cathy — 2/11/08 at 2:17 pm #

275. Hello Amy from Houston,

Your House sounds lovely. You’re looking for a paint color in a warm taupe. Behr paint has some beautiful shades… Look at Belvedere Cream, Sand Fossil, Clay Pebble all on the same chip. You can use one or all three to paint your home. If you don’t like those look at the colors next or near to them.
Thanks for your question.

by Cathy — 2/12/08 at 12:06 pm #

278. Hello Carla in Oregon,

I’m so sorry about the lose of your condo, but your replacement sounds nice. It sounds like you have a fairly neutral palette to work from. Some things to consider is your low light, smaller areas that run together, black sofa, grey slate floor. There are many colors that would work fine. You could stay in the grey family.Paint the wall 2 or 3 shades of a dove grey. Paint the ceiling the lightest on the chip. If you want a warmer color, try a med. tan color. Paint the ceiling the lightest on the chip. Also a med. grey/blue color would work. Get a SHADED color, not just a light pure color. It richer and does’nt look like it belongs in a childs room.
…a few ideas to consider. Enjoy your new condo.

by Cathy — 2/13/08 at 1:14 pm #

279. Hi Jamie from Rayne,

Your new home sounds wonderful. Since you love your molasses color in your living room, can you go a few shades lighter and paint that color in your kitchen area? You could use 2 lighter shades of that color to seperate the areas. A lighter tan or wheat color might work as well. It would work well with the brick and wood.
Do any of those sound like possibilities?
Thanks for writing.

by Cathy — 2/13/08 at 1:28 pm #

282. Thanks Rocky,
I’m glad I could help. Yes, I’d love to see the results.

by Cathy — 2/15/08 at 5:29 pm #

283. Hi Jenna,

HA HA….. I wouldn’t want you to lose your marriage over paint color. (stranger things have happened, I’m sure). So… in the name of wedded bliss we better find a color.
Your new house sounds great and I love your style. Lets stay with your first vision of the room. The olive/yellow green. Theres a great new color in the Benjamin Moore , Aura paint, Affinity colors. It called Wasabi, (even sounds Asian). This comes only in one color, not on a chip of 7 colors. But B.M. can lighten or darken any shade. This is a stronger color, so maybe put it on an accent wall and lighten the color a shade or two to use on the rest of the walls. Or use the 3 colors in that shade, like I wrote about. It could look fabulous!! Then you could use a shaded turquoise for your accents like you wanted. Look at B.M. color named Fiji in the same collection. Its a nice shaded turq. for accent color idea. Let me know what you think about those colors. Then, if that doesn’t work we’ll look further.
Kiss the Hubby and tell him…It will be alright!

by Cathy — 2/15/08 at 6:14 pm #

287. Hello Anthony,

Congratulations on your new home. I’m sure you’re excited to get in and settled. I like your color direction in the grey/olive family. It would blend well with your furnishings and floors. Look at Benjamin Moore #s 1493 -1496 , on the same chip. They are a toned grey/green and are just beautiful. You could use 2 or 3 of these colors in the different areas of your home. Don’t be afraid to go a little darker in some areas…adds interest and drama. If those don’t work for you look at colors in that range.
Enjoy your new home.

by Cathy — 2/17/08 at 12:23 pm #

288. Hello Aimee,

Opps, sorry I skipped you.
Your home and your furnishings sound delightful. Great colors and patterns, and furniture mixes. You are in need of a wall color to work with your red oak floors with an orange cast to them.
Maybe try a yellow/green. A yellow (gold) that leans toward the green undertones. That will delete the “peach” color you were finding in the other yellow/gold/beighs. Look at Behr Paint color 400C-3 Dried Palm, its a little greener, but nice, or Benjamin Moore #381, a gold/beigh/green. This looks nice. (sorry I don’t have the name right now but the # is in the toned yellow/greens). See if one of those will work or any that are near to them on the chip. Let me know if that works or not, and we’ll pursue it further.

by Cathy — 2/17/08 at 3:36 pm #

289. Aimee,

A couple more to look at…Ben. Moore. Hybiscus #2027, Lemon Freeze #2025 of colors near them. Good Luck.

by Cathy — 2/17/08 at 3:47 pm #

291. Hello W,

Since you have all of this paint, yes, try mixing some combinations in small amounts first, and paint the color on poster boards. See how it looks in the rooms in question. Keep track of the amounts (one part of this mixed with 2 parts of that etc) you use to achieve the color so when you mix the big batch you’ll get close to the sample you like. Its worth a try, you may come up with the perfect color. Worse comes to worse, you’ll have to repaint all. Find a color chip that will go with all the rooms, (thats why this 3 color on the same chip works so well). You get alot of color where you want it and not so much where you don’t want it. But all the rooms BLEND together so you don’t get color clashing.
Let me know how the mix works for you. Hopes its successful.

by Cathy — 2/20/08 at 1:01 pm #

294. Hello Lorraine,

Yes, I think this would work well. The red wall color will act like more of a “Mat” around all of the architectural openings. Like a piece of framed art. The mat acts to set off the art, but doesn’t overtake the piece. It will give you some great accent color as well as interest to the walls. Repeat the red color in the room …pillows, art, rug. I think it will look good. You have a good eye to see how that might compliment the room without painting the whole room the strong color. Let me know how it turns out. It should look great.

by Cathy — 2/21/08 at 2:39 pm #

296. Hello Toni, back up to 286,

Opps, sorry I missed you!!
Your daughter sounds very creative. What you might want her to do is have her “be the designer”… Tell her a designer starts out with lots of planning, a floor plan, wall elevation plans, color schemes, etc. Have her DRAW her ideas on paper first so she can see how it will look before she starts. Then if it looks too busy, you and she can scale back or modify the design. This way, she will feel in control of the room but you can have imput as well. You might want to show her how I design a room. Go to a recent blog I wrote, “New Room for a Young Lady”. Show her that a plan is necessary before you begin a room design. This may help her approach the project with a little more thought and planning.
If this doesn’t work, Let her have-at-it. Its only paint…(and she’ll be off to college in 3 yrs. LOL). I remember doing a lot of crazy decorating as a teen as well. My mother let it go and as a result, it peaked my interest in design and thats where my passion has been since.
Good luck…remember, rooms have doors on them for a purpose. I say let her have some fun….its only paint.

by Cathy — 2/22/08 at 2:45 pm #

297. Hello Linda,

You are looking for a paint color for your natural pine walls.
Since you have these beautiful natural wood walls and trim, think natural colors. Colors inspired by nature. The colors that come to my mind are in the green and blue families. The greens and blues of nature…earth and sky. Find a few colors in the mid range of the paint chip and try a few samples in your light and with your furnishings. Also those colors compliment the warm tones of your woodwork.
…hope that gave you a place to start.

by Cathy — 2/22/08 at 8:07 pm #

299. Hi Willa,

You have a question about paint for your small,windowless 1/2 bath off your kitchen…
This bathroom is probably the bath your guests, as well as family will use, so why not make it SHINE…literally. Since it has no windows and is small, a shiny, sleek paint application will reflect a lot of light around and make the room feel more spacious, not to mention exciting.
Benjamin Moore has some really beautiful Metalic or Pearlescent glazing finishes. They are called Studio Finishes. You can use the glazes alone for a subtle, translucent effect or with the recommended base coat for a lustrous opaque finish. I like the latter. The metalic glaze comes in gold,silver,copper and bronze. I was thinking the silver for your bath…walls and ceiling…like a little jewel box. Hang a great looking ornate silver framed mirror. White towels. The wood will warm up the sleek shine. Could look really good!
If you want some color and shine, that same line of paint has beautiful Pearlescent finishes in 31 colors…blues, greens, beighs that would also look great with your existing wood finishes. I’m feeling the SHINE in there, can you feel it too? Check those out and let me know what you think. It could really look sharp!

by Cathy — 2/24/08 at 6:32 pm #

301. Hello again Aimee,

Your welcome. I looked up Wheeling Neutral color. It looked good if you want to stay in a real beigh neutral color. You’ll have to try a few samples because I can’t see how the color relates to your furnishings. I’m basing most of my opinion on your floor color. I just feel a little green undertone in the paint color will help neutralize the red in the floor…Then you’ll have to adjust the color to work with the fabrics in your room. Thats the best I can do from this perspective. Let me know how it turns out. Hang in there, you’ll find the right color.

by Cathy — 2/25/08 at 1:56 pm #

303. Hi Shana,

It sounds like you’ve done a great job on your home. You need some wall color ideas to tie in your open floor plan…
I think the 3 colors on a paint chip would work well for you. All of your finishes and furnishings are neutral, so, many colors would work. What colors do you like? The shaded greens or blues would add a little cool color. The shaded yellows would add some warm color. Or you could stay in the beigh family and add color in with accessories…pillows,art, area rugs, drapery etc. Find a color you like about mid range on the 7 color chip. Look at the color above and below that color to use as your palette. Assign the different areas of the open floor plan a color. Maybe…The kitchen and dining area the darkest, living area the medium, entry the lightest. Also consider which color to use with the light in the room. (darker rooms paint a lighter color, lighter rooms paint a darker color). Paint one of the colors all the way to a corner even if it runs into another area. It’s pretty foolproof, just think it through a little. Tape up some color boards in the different areas so you can have something visual to look at. Move them around if it doesn’t feel right. The colors will all blend, so it’s hard to make a mistake.
I hope this gives you a place to start. Your rooms will have more depth and interest than a one color application.
Let me know how it works out.

by Cathy — 2/27/08 at 1:17 pm #

305. Hello Sonali,

It sounds like you have a contemporary room. You are looking for a color for an accent wall.
After reading about the colors in your room and sectional. There’s one color that really jumped out at me to paint your accent wall. GO FOR THE PURPLE! The purple in your sectional. If its too dark for the wall, lighten the color a shade or two. It will look great with your brown entertainment unit. Also it’s a great color with grey, white and black.
Add a touch more purple in around the room…flowers, pillows, drapery panels (if the windows are not on the same purple wall).
Go for it, you’ll love it!

by Cathy — 2/28/08 at 1:21 pm #

307. Hi Misal,

It sounds like you have a lot of warm colors and you would like a cooler wall color.That would work well. I picked up on the green sofa and pillows. Find a shaded green color that would blend with the sofa color. Mid range on the paint chip. Pick 2 greens next to each other. Paint the dining area the darker green, all the way to a corner. Then paint the Living area the shade lighter. It will delineate the 2 areas and add more interest to the space.
Do you like that idea?

by Cathy — 2/29/08 at 3:34 pm #

314. Hello Lee Ann,

Your Living/Dining area sounds nice…wood floors, white trim.
You’ve answered your wall color question in your post. You like browns, taupes and cream. There’s your 3 wall colors. Find a paint chip that has this combination together. Look at 3 colors midrange on the chip.
Paint your ceiling the lightest of the three, paint the dining area the darkest to a corner. Paint the living area the middle color to a corner.
Add in the accent colors you like, the pear and mango in both areas.
It should look wonderful with your furnishings and trim.
I hope that helps you a little.

by Cathy — 3/5/08 at 6:27 pm #

315. Hi Roberta,

It’s good to hear from you again. It sounds like your house is coming along. Yes, old homes can have many layers of paint and wallpaper to deal with. Take off as much as you can down to a smooth surface to repaint. I’m looking at your Olivine color you want to paint your living room, very nice and rich. Since the red you wanted for your dining room doesn’t work well with the trim, what about a lighter color of Olivine? Go up to Spring Hill or Sagey on the same chip, for the dining room color. Then bring in the red you like in accents…upholstery, draperies, floral, area rug. Stripes or patterns with red are nice too. That way the LR and DR that are seen together will blend. The wall color is a nice compliment to the woodwork, and you can still have the red you like. Repeat some of the red in the LR as well. Your family room goldenrod color will work nicely with the greens and red. Pull some of all those colors into each room. Sorry to burst your “red room” bubble, but sometimes colors just don’t work well together…don’t force them, find another solution.
Good Luck and let me know what you think.

by Cathy — 3/5/08 at 7:11 pm #

317. Hello Taisha,

You are looking for wall color, and you like the green/ brown combination. You want a “warm” feel. Which brings me to the “warm green” tones. A yellow green would look great with the browns in your room. Look at Behr Paint colors…Grass Cloth, Corn Husk Green, Dried palm…somwhere in that range of green and see if that or something near there will work. You could even use 2 or 3 of those shades to paint different areas. Pull some green into the room itself…pillows, art, rug, etc.
It’s a great combination , hope it works for you.

by Cathy — 3/5/08 at 8:25 pm #

318. Hello Alicia,

Your home sounds quite nice. You are looking for paint color to paint the downstairs of your home. You have maple floors and golden maple trim.
The first thing that came to mind and with your preference in the sage color, was a khaki color (green/grey/beigh). You could paint the 3 shades of the khaki color in the downstairs area. I was thinking of this color with a slight lean toward the green to compliment the woodwork with its golden undertones. If you like the 3 color on a chip idea. Look in the midrange of the 7 colors. Pick 3 colors next to each other, for each area of the house… maybe, dining room the darkest khaki, Family room the lightest, kitchen the medium color, play around with what looks best in your lighting. You could even paint the ceilings one of the colors as well. All of the areas will blend.
Yes, since the den is a separate room, you could paint it the grey/blue you wanted.
Your deep red accents would work well with the neutral khaki wall color. You can use a few accent colors, just don’t use them in the same quanities. Also I wouldn’t paint your stone fireplace. It’s neutral enough to blend with your colors.
Look at Behr paint colors…Twig Basket, Mochachino, Oat Straw or similar colors in the khaki palette in your choice of paint.
It should look great, try a few samples first to get the best combination.
Let me know what you think.

by Cathy — 3/6/08 at 12:05 am #

319. Hi there Laura,

Your new kitchen will be really great. The pecan finish cabinets sound nice. Lots of colors will work well. What colors do you like or are using in the rest of your house. What colors are in your dishes, artwork, or anything that can inspire a color to work from. Even a color in some fruits or vegetables can inspire you… cantaloupe, kiwi, mango, pear, blueberry, melon, tangerine. I can see anyone of those working for you.
Find some inspiration from something you are drawn to and go from there.
Good luck and trust your instincts.

by Cathy — 3/6/08 at 12:35 am #

320. Hello Lori,

Your ranch home with the stone wall sounds beautiful. Lovely colors as well.
You are looking for colors for your foyer… I always like to add a little excitement to the entry if possible. It’s the first impression people see as they enter your home. Your entry is small and windowless, but is a transition area to the living room and kitchen. Is there room to add a console table and mirror above it? This will add a little emphasis to the space and the mirror will bounce light around and expand the area. Some words you used were “simple, fresh, chic”. You have brass, gold and black accents. If your foyer is contained to a “room”. You could paint the ceiling in a gold metallic finish. Benjamin Moore paint has a great collection called Studio Finishes. Look at the Gold Metallic in that collection for your ceiling. This will also bounce more light around and will be very “simple, fresh and chic”. Keep the rest of the walls very simple in your white color. Find a mirror in a black and gold finish, maybe a black Chinese console table. Mix the styles and finishes.
If you don’t like that idea. Pull in your beighs and white. You could paint below the chair rail the Lenox Tan. Lighten the Lenox Tan 2 shades, to paint above the chair rail. White trim on everything…doors as well.
You could still use the same mirror and console table that I wrote about.
It sounds like your doing well. Go to the archives of this site and look up “Recipe for a Classic Entry”. It might give you a few more ideas.
Thanks so much for writing.

by Cathy — 3/7/08 at 11:53 pm #

322. Hi again Lori,

The ceiling texture should probably be fairly smooth for the metallic paint. Its the reflective and dramatic quality it lends to the room. You might want to ask the paint dealer what he recommends as well. Yes, the metallic paint looks great in small bathrooms for the same advantages.
So many of us forget the hugh impact the ceiling has in a space. Its the fifth wall and an uninterupted space to make a statement in the room.
I like your idea of the beadboard as well. Draw the interest upward.
Black accessories are fine in a small space, even some furnishings.
I hope, if nothing else, this got you thinking, even a small space can be exciting, especially the entry. The entry is like the title of a book. If the title looks interesting, you can’t wait to read the book. Same with the entry, it’s the TITLE to the rest of your home. Make people want to see more.
It’s been fun chatting…let me know how things turn out.

by Cathy — 3/8/08 at 1:14 pm #

324. Hello Jackie,

Thank you so much. It’s exciting to get into your first home.
I looked at the two colors you mentioned from B.M. paint. Both nice. The Carlisle Cream has a little pink undertone in my light. May show too pink on the wall. I like your friends idea of the sage green. A little more interest and color. You get plenty of light so you can go a deeper color. Also a nice contrast to the oak floors as well. You could paint the dining room the Saybrook Sage and have that color lightened a shade or two for the living room. Take yet another shade of it into the entry. Try some samples on poster boards in each room and see how you like it. Maybe your husband will change his mind if he sees how nice it is.
Let me know how it comes out.
Good Luck.

by Cathy — 3/19/08 at 4:28 pm #

326. Hello again Jackie,

I like your Saybrook Sage color. It’s a grey/green but leans more to the cool green side. Actually a nice neutral. Many things will go with this color. Yes, your B.M. paint dealer can lighten this a shade for your L.R.
The amount is usually about 1/3 lighter. The relation to the color above Saybrook Sage is 3.0x lighter. You’ll have to try samples to see if this will work for you though. Don’t go too light, you need a color presence there. Keep the dining room the darker shade, more dramatic and intimate. I would stay within the same color values for the rooms, especially if the rooms are open to each other.
I’m sure it will turn out great. Let me know.

by Cathy — 3/20/08 at 12:57 pm #

329. Hello Olga,

I’m so glad you joined us and posted a question.
You have a WHITE question. 3 whites in your closet. Since 2 of your whites cannot be changed, change the one that can.
Idea 1… Paint the wall color and ceiling the same swiss coffee as your trim, (only in a low sheen gloss level). It will look fine with the white cabinets.
Idea 2… Paint the wall color and ceiling a WARM beigh color (swiss coffee is a warm white color), so there’s more contrast with the whites. Not too dark but a shade or two darker than what you have. As long as you have good light in the closet it should be fine. Look at Dunn Edwards Paint… Winter lite, Sandcastle, Navajo white or one in that range of color.
I would stay away from “colorful” colors in a closet. Because, your clothing has many colors you’ll need to see in a truer light. You will be matching clothing and it might throw off or reflect “off” color on your clothing. Stay with a light neutral background.

Write again soon.

by Cathy — 3/24/08 at 12:40 pm #

331. Hello Jackie,

Thank you so much, and thanks for the update. It’s so good to hear back from people on their progress and results. It sounds like you found a nice sage green,( Soft Fern) that works well for you. I’m looking at it now. Very nice. The Saybrook Sage was nice but” I “can’t see it in your light or with your furnishings, YOU have to try it to know for sure, so I’m glad you found one that was right . TWDL- LOL.
The Carrington Beigh blends nicely with the Soft Fern. It sounds like it works well in the hallway. You want to tie the two areas together? Just “cross pollinate” the colors in both areas. Bring a little of the green into the hallway, like your art work, hallway rug, even paint the ceiling in the hall the light sage color. Then bring a little of the beigh into your L.R. and D.R. …Paint the ceiling in both rooms the Carrington Beigh, add pillows to sofa, beigh draperies with the sage banding or trim. They are both very neutral and will compliment each other well . The white trim will be the perfect ‘frame” for the colors.
I knew exactly what you ment about the BJ paint…short for Benjamin… ha. Thanks for clarifying (Benjamin Moore) for the other posters.
I’m so glad your colors are coming together . Your home will be lovely ,because you are taking the time necessary to get all of the BACKGROUND in place.
Good luck with everything and let me know how it comes out.

by Cathy — 3/27/08 at 3:52 pm #

334. Hello Sherry,
It sounds like you want a cheery country kitchen. Everything you wrote about sounds like it will be great. Red and white are great country colors.
You could paint some chairs red to go with a wood table in the space. Pull some of the red down on your counters…canisters, tea pot, bowl of red apples etc. Maybe put some red knobs and pulls on your cabinets. Install white subway tile on the backsplash. Add a big piece of art on the red wall with a thick white mat, black frame. Go with a CLEAN country look, not a CLUTTERED country look. Look in some country decorating magazines for updated country style. I’m sure it will look great.

by Cathy — 3/31/08 at 9:53 pm #

335. Hello Cheryl,

The color that popped in my head while reading your post was a dove grey. Gorgeous with pinks and white! Also should work fine with your beech furnishings and carpet. Very neutral but a great current chic color.
Look at Behr Paint colors…Manhatten Mist, Silver Screen, or Sterling. Is your trim a white color? That will look the best. You will love this…give it a try and let me know.

by Cathy — 3/31/08 at 10:07 pm #

338. Hello Sumaiya,

Your uncle’s living room sounds like it will be nice. Since he has 2 of the three colors in a Triadic color scheme…yellow/gold, blue. How about some flowers in the red family? This is a harmony of color equal distance on the color wheel. They can be in any range of the red family. Repeat the same color in some pillows on his sofa and some of the gold as well for pillows to pull in the wall color. You might find some art work that has all the colors…blue, gold,reds, black. Use the red sparingly, it’s just an accent.
I hope I gave you a few ideas to work from.
Thanks for writing in.

by Cathy — 4/27/08 at 10:29 pm #

339. Hello Mike,

You are looking for a color scheme for your internet cafe.
There are many ways you could go. If you want a “high tech” feel, paint the side walls a silver color with the far back wall a red or orange color. The focal wall, paint the name of your cafe in large stylized font and your logo on that wall. Repeat that bright color in the cafe…chairs, art, etc. Add some great lighting to wash down on that wall and light the art as well. If you want a more restful eco/zen feel. Try 3 shades of a calming green in 3 large horizontal stripes around the cafe. Divide the wall in thirds. Paint the bottom third the darkest (look at Behr paint, Sagey). The middle section the next up on the chip,(Behr paint, Spring Hill). The top third the lightest, (Behr paint, Palm Breeze). Set tall baskets of tall thick bamboo in corners of the cafe. Uplight them from the floor.
Go online to view other internet cafe designs. Or go look at others in your area to see how they approach the project. Hire a commercial designer for a 1 hour color consultation. It’s well worth the fee to find a color/design that will draw people in, feel inviting, and promote your business.
Good luck with your project and much success with you business.

by Cathy — 4/27/08 at 11:37 pm #

341. Hello Seena,

Thank you, I hope you got some ideas you might be able to use here.
Thanks for commenting.

by Cathy — 5/6/08 at 12:56 pm #

343. Hello Stephanie,

Thank you so much…I’m glad you are learning from the posts. I can see that you have. You’ve used 2 deep, cool colors on the same chip to paint your bedroom and bath…excellent. (very nice, I looked at them). You would like an accent color in the orange (warm) family. You’ve studied the color wheel and know, that’s the complementary color of your blue/grey walls…excellent again. You’re doing well!
Just a few ideas…I picked up on your Mediterranean feel. The beautiful terra cottas and golds (orange family) would be wonderful accents in your room and introduce those Mediterranean colors to the room. Also will warm up the cool walls. Your solid light colored duvet is a wonderful “canvas” for patterned, textured and/or printed pillows in those colors. Pull in a little blue of the walls onto the bed as well as the terra cotta, and gold. Cover a great chair in one of the great warm prints to contrast against the wall. Bring art in with the warm colors and draperies can be made out of one of the warm prints from the bed pillows or chair. Pull those colors into the bathroom, towels, art, plants etc. ( I love that you painted the ceiling the dark color!!!) The Mediterranean has a wonderful mix of colors, patterns and textures. Pull those together and you’ll have an interesting (not matchy) blend of elements for comfortable and relaxing bedroom.
Let me know what you think.

by Cathy — 5/9/08 at 1:54 pm #

345. Hello Candice,

Lots of browns I hear. You might want to look through some decorating magazines or home store catalogs and show your husband what a little bit of color can do . The colors that you and he might like might be in the blue and green family ( safe and restful), to add to the browns. Maybe a little at a time. Those colors are beautiful with the tans and browns and are very current right now. Decide on only one color to add for now. If it’s blue, add a few pillows on the brown sofa, add some long blue drapery panels against the brown walls. Eventually bring in an area rug with browns and blue, or paint an accent wall that same color, or add art with the colors in them. Maybe when he sees how good a little color looks he might be willing to try more.
Thanks for writing and good luck.

by Cathy — 5/19/08 at 5:37 pm #

347. Hello Julie,
I have a few ideas you might want to use for updating your kitchen with country blue counter tops.
Paint all of the cabinets and trim a crisp white.
Paint the walls a warm beigh, like Behr paint Belvedere Cream, Country beigh.
Add some simple roman shades made in the blue color.
add an antique/repro. pine table and contemporary brushed aluminum chairs (or something similar)
Add a large white drum shade pendant light over the table.
Add new contemporary brushed nickel hardware and pulls to all the cabinets and drawers.
Maybe a large piece of art.
Clear clutter and country crafts.

I hope some of these will work for you. The paint will make a big difference.
Let me know what you think.

by Cathy — 5/22/08 at 10:06 pm #

349. Hello Linda,

Your lake house sounds nice. I’m thinking, since it’s a berm house you do not get light in on one or more sides. I’m with you on keeping the backgrounds a little lighter. Yes, you could leave the brick white and paint the wall areas a taupe color similar to your sofa and also a light taupe carpet. Since you have some blue in the kitchen, repeat the blue colors (2 or 3 in that range). for accents around the living and dining room. Add some blue (solids and patterns) pillows on the sofa, maybe an area rug with the room colors, Draperies in the blue as well. Woven wood shades underneith. Some artwork with some blue, even a blue accent wall if it won’t darken the area too much. Add good lighting. Warm wood tones on furniture. Lots of textures for interest.
Cover your dining room chairs in one of the blue L.R. pillow fabrics. Same window treatments. Maybe add, in small amounts, a contrasting warm color (red, orange, yellow) for flowers, vases, etc.
This color scheme really says lakeside living and should keep your house bright and cheerful.
A few ideas for you to consider. Hope that helps.

by Cathy — 5/29/08 at 12:47 am #

352. Hello Lennart

Your dining room sounds nice. From what I can gather, your style sounds like you want “formal traditional”…you have big bay window, cream paneling below the chair rail, wanting cherry furniture. The merlot color is warm and regal. Yes you can buy a whole set of furniture, where everything matches. But sometimes it’s nice to mix the set up, even in a formal room. A little more interesting…not so stuffy. Maybe look in antique stores for a great table. Then look for chairs you really love. Maybe 6 side chairs that are wood framed and two end chairs that are upholstered in a different style, like a Parsons or modified wing. That would mix up the look and feel and be more interesting. Maybe find a side board or buffet that blends but doesn’t match. You might want to read a post I wrote in Mar. 2008, Mix and Match Dining Room for some more ideas. As for fabrics. Maybe a great stripe on the side chair seats and a coordinating floral on the end chairs. Pull those same fabrics into your bay window treatment. The merlot color works well with many colors. Complementary colors would be shaded blues, greens, or gold.
Find a stripe/floral fabric that has some or all of those colors and it should look great.

by Cathy — 6/10/08 at 3:00 pm #

353. Hi Diane,

So, you have a tray ceiling paint problem. I looked at your colors. I think why they don’t work together is the Lenox Tan has some yellow undertones and the New Chestnut has some red undertones. If you can stay within the same color range it might have worked better for you. You can stay with the Lenox tan as your main wall color. Have your paint store lighten the Lenox Tan by 1/3 to paint the “walls” of the tray the lighter color. Then darken the Lenox Tan by 1/3 to paint the ceiling of the tray. These will all blend perfectly but give you the definition and interest you want on your ceiling.
In your bathroom, continue one of the Lenox tan colors to tie the two rooms together. Your black and white floor will go well with the tan color. Add in a few accents of your brick red color in both areas…window treatments, art, rugs etc.
Hope that helps a little. What do you think?

by Cathy — 6/10/08 at 11:35 pm #

355. Hi Again Diane,

I think you’ll like the new Lenox Tan colors in your room.
As for whiter whites. I like BM…, Decorators White, White Dove. Off -white…Swiss coffee, Acadia White. Maybe a warm white for the Lenox Tan color in your bedroom…Acadia white or White Dove are good ones. Yes, whites are confusing. They have either warm or cool undertones to them. Look right on the BM paint chips and they will say “W” for warm or “C” for cool. Use the warm whites with warm wall colors (reds, yellows, oranges) and cool white with cooler colors (blues, greens, violet). The BM color White Heron is a cool white. And, Vanilla ice cream is in the yellow range…light yellow/gold. So maybe not those if you want a nice warm trim white . Check those out and see what you think. You can always ask for help in the store as well.
Good luck with your painting project. Let me know how it turns out.

by Cathy — 6/12/08 at 12:21 pm #

358. Hello Shellon,

Thank you for your nice comment.
Don’t be afraid of color…color is your friend, lol, ….especially paint color. Easily changed if it’s not quite right. Your new home sounds wonderful. A clean slate to work from. Since you have an open floor plan and want many rooms to blend, this 3 color paint idea I wrote about would work well for you. Since you need to ease into color a bit, some warm neutrals taken from your terracotta marble fireplace, might be the place to start. Look in colors in the tan/orange range. I’m looking at a Benjamin Moore 7 color paint chip, #s 2165, Durango Dust to Golden Retriever. A warm terra/beigh. A paint color similiar to this might work well with your fireplace. Take 3 of these colors, in the center of the chip, and paint the different areas of your open floor plan as I wrote about in the post. Everything will blend, but will be interesting and subtly seperated with the value change of the paint color.
Once the neutral backgrounds are painted, you can add in a little more color in the fabrics and furnishings as you get more comfortable with color.
Don’t be afraid, be adventurous! It’s only paint! You’ll love how a little color warms the home.

by Cathy — 6/20/08 at 2:19 pm #

360. Hello Lynette,
Thank you for your question.
Normally light colored paint will make a room seem larger. Why, because light colors seem to recede (move away), and dark colors seem to advance (move toward). So if you want your small rooms to feel more spacious paint a lighter color. You could go with 2 lghter colors on the same paint chip, to paint the bath one color and your bedroom lighter or darker than the bath. Or paint an accent wall a little darker than the rest of the walls for interest.
Many people like carpet in their bedrooms because it’s soft underfoot. But I like hardwood as well, just add an area rug. Be carefull of hardwood in a bathroom if it gets lots of moisture. If you do light colored wallls then a darker wood floor looks nice. Contrast.

Good luck with your project. Write back soon.

by Cathy — 7/3/08 at 12:21 pm #

362. Hi Eileen,

Sometimes you can’t change elements in a house, especially if you’re renting. So, you will have to work WITH the mint green walls, not against them. Make them look like they were ment to be. Your furniture is fairly neutral. You just need to tie them all together.

A couple of ideas for you…

* Find or make pillows for your sofa in the same green color as your walls, a solid or textured fabric. Make at least 2 large ones.
* Find an area rug with ALL the room colors in them…green, black, silver, gold.
* Find some drapery panels with more of the furnishing colors in them, less of the green, (because they will be hung on the green wall).
* Add some wonderful large art and accessories, so your eye goes to the INTEREST in the room, and the green wall is simply the background color.

Bottom line…turn your wall color into a PRO not and CON by adding more of it into the rooms.

Hope that helped a little.
Good question! Write back with your results.

by Cathy — 7/5/08 at 11:32 am #

365. Hello Jill,

Your farm house sounds wonderful. You want a new wall color with your white cabinets and woodwork.
Since you have a little gold/beigh in your counters, a color similiar to that might work well for the walls. Not too light, because you need some contrast with the white cabinets. I’m thinking of a gold/beigh like Behr Paint color, Okalahoma Wheat or the one below it, Quiet Veranda. Somewhere in that range. Then your red accent color will pop off the lighter colors. You might want to rethink the country wallpaper border and add the interest to the walls with some artwork or hang, or set, a collection of red/white plates on a high plate rail around the room. Maybe some red window treatment, and seat cushion fabric, with a cute check, print or farm scene that would pick up on the colors in the room. The ceiling color could be a shade ligter (or darker if you have a tall ceiling) than the wall color. Stay on the same paint chip.

You’ll have a sunny country farmhouse kitchen with some barn red accents! Keep the country clutter under control and it should look great!

Let me know how it turns out.
Enjoy your decorating!

by Cathy — 7/21/08 at 12:53 pm #

369. Hello Aparna,

So glad you ran across this site and are enjoying it.
It sounds like you have quite a bit of green and cream in your furnishings. You have a light brown carpet. You would like a warm neutral color for the walls. A warm neutral that might work for you is in the tan range. a dark wheat or camel color comes to mind. A gold/beigh blend. If you use that color. Pull a little more into the room…pillows, art, etc. Now, another neutral color that might work for you, is in the cool beigh family.
What about a Khaki color,(green/beigh). You mentioned you had a “military green” sofa color, which says to me a cool green color. So try a few samples of the two colors and see how they look with your furnishings. One will stand out as the right one. Look at colors in the mid range of the chip. So it’s not too light or too dark.
Hope that helped you out a little.

by Cathy — 7/22/08 at 11:39 pm #

370. Hi Rhonda,

I think your blue /grey colors will be nice. A monochromatic color scheme would work well. This is tints, tones and shades of your blue/grey. Find a paint chip that has the colors you like. I’m looking at Benjamin Moore, 1619-1622. Pick 3 of the colors on that chip to work with. Maybe a lighter one for the kitchen area. Paint to a corner. Then a darker color in the dining area, one or two walls. Maybe the darker blue/grey accent color on a wall in the living room. Then they will all blend but the rooms will have some definition and color.
I think the glass tile backsplash would look great. Updates the feel of the kitchen. Try to blend the blue of the backsplash to the blue of the wall color. Change out the hardware on your cabinets to a more modern nickel style. Update furnishings in the room and that will speak to the new backsplash.
Let me know what you think and how it works.

by Cathy — 7/24/08 at 2:48 pm #

371. Your welcome Jill,
Thanks for your thanks!

by Cathy — 7/24/08 at 2:49 pm #

373. Hello Sue,

It’s exciting to move into a new home…a clean slate to work with.
What you have to work with is very neutral and many colors would work. So, to narrow the search and to find out what YOU like, I’d like you to do a little “Homework”. I’d like you to find 5 things in your home or environment that you are drawn to. Look at color, style, and feel.

Color… look at natural colors, (baskets, leaves, sand, bark, wheat,
apples, sky, jewel colors, oranges etc.)
Style… do you like things with straight lines, curved line, old things,
new things, simple, complex etc?
Feel… Do you want a relaxing or energetic feel (cozy/romantic) ?

Find some things that inspire and delight you…a piece of art, some dishware , a piece of clothing, a place you’ve been, a feeling you’ve felt. Doing this exercise will help you and me find a direction to go with your room colors.
Write back with your “finds” and we will proceed.

by Cathy — 8/7/08 at 8:11 pm #

375. Hello Teri,

It sounds like you have a great start on your kitchen. In reading your post I was picking up on a few key things you said, to help me,help you with paint color.
You stated you might have gone with darker cabinets…you want color that “wows” you…you are not afraid of deep dramatic color (red L.R. walls). Also you like the “3 color” ideas I wrote about.
Here’s a few ideas for paint color … (Keep an open mind!)

Think, a “chocolate” color for your kitchen walls (YUM) . It will contrast nicely with the light cabinets and give you that darker “cabinet” feel you wanted. It would work well with the dark counters and appliances. For this to work the best, your kitchen should get plenty of natural and artificial light. Also the moulding and trim on the walls should be painted white. Add in some accent colors with accessories…aqua or spa blue, or apple or lime green, or your red/coral. You could still buy your dark table, maybe add some metal finish chairs (like those Emeco alumunum Navy chairs) to mix it up and break up the brown.
Use simple white drapery treatments. Art with large white mats. White ceiling color. Light colored tile floor. This could really look great and give you that “wow” factor. Very dramatic!
Since the kitchen runs into your living room, step up one or two shades lighter on the same paint chip to paint it and then pick one other shade on the same brown chip to paint the dining room or entry. There’s your 3 shades of the same color, blending all the rooms beautifully together. Pull in the accent colors from your kitchen in those rooms…if it’s red/coral, add that color to pillows on the sofa, draperies, in the area rug or art work. Even an accent wall in your accent color would work.

I know this is hard to envision. But paint some sample boards, or even paint on the wall to get a feel of how great this could look. If I’m way off track, let me know and we’ll go another direction but give this some thought and let me know what you think.

by Cathy — 8/26/08 at 1:09 pm #

377. Hello Roda,

How exciting to have a new house being built! You get to pick out everything you like!
You are looking for a “nice rich yellow” color for all the living areas in the house. By “yellow color” I hope you mean more of a warm golden beigh (otherwise you might need sunglasses to live there). Yellows can look very innocent on a paint chip, but once on the wall, you’ll wonder what happened ! You really have to shade them and beigh them a little to work well in a whole house.
I think your house would look wonderful if you used the, 3 colors on the same paint chip, I wrote about (reread the main post). This would give depth, dimension, and interest to the walls and they will all look great together.

Now, I cannot give you an “exact” color. Because your lighting (natural and artificial) at your house will be different than mine. So I’ll give you a few really good choices and you’ll have to try them in your light and see which one you like the best. Paint some samples on the walls and look at them at all times of the day and night. Yes, the shaded yellows are lovely with dark wood furniture.

Look at…
Behr Paint (Home Depot)
All on one paint chip… Camel, Quiet Veranda, Oklahoma Wheat, Honey Moth ( pick 3 to paint the different areas/rooms)

Benjamin Moore Paint…
All on the same chip…Mustard seed, Golden Garden, Yellow Bisque, Coronado Cream ,219-222 ( pick 3 to paint the different areas/rooms.)

Benjamin Moore Paint…
All on the same chip… Porter Ridge Tan, Sombrero, Mansfield Tan, Consentino Chardonnay, 247-250 (pick 3 to paint the different areas/rooms).

I think if you stay in this range you’ll have a successful outcome with the yellow. Let me know if any of these work out for you.

Good luck and happy painting!

by Cathy — 8/27/08 at 5:55 pm #

379. Hi Michelle,

Thanks for your question. It sounds like you have lots of warm brown tones in your rooms. I think a cooler color would work well. The gold color might be too close to the cabinet color and a cooler contrast would be nice. You could use the 2 or 3 colors on the same chip idea for the different areas of your house.
As for color, the greyed blues or cool greens came to mind first. Both color families work beautifully with the browns. Try a few samples on your walls to see what looks best in your light. Since the two rooms run together. Paint one shade of the same color in a room , all the way to a corner, even if it goes into another room. Then paint another shade of the same color in that room all the way to a corner…does that make sense? It all will blend and make a beautiful background for your brown.

Let me know what you think.

by Cathy — 9/5/08 at 8:53 pm #

381. Hello Sharmaine,

Thanks for your question.
To recap, your style is contemporary, red and black furnishings, open rooms, need paint color.
Your style sounds edgy and exciting. Always a great contemporary color combination. Since the red and black are such strong colors, I like to neutralize the background so those colors, shapes and forms are softened a bit, especially in residential living.
There’s a few ways you could go in paint color. You could use the “3 color” idea I wrote about to blend but separate living areas, if you like.

3 shades of a grey color would look wonderful with your colors. Something in the range of Behr paint color…Sterling, Sparrow, Anonymous.

OR… 3 shades of a beigh color (picks up on your counter color) like, Behr paint color…Oat straw, Mocachino, Twig basket.

OR… 3 shades of a taupe color, (combination grey/beigh) would look great as well. like Behr paint color… Sandstone Cove, Castle Path, Garden Wall.

Try some in your house and see what you feel most comfortable with.
Reread how to use the 3 colors I wrote about.

As for accents, Maybe paint an accent wall in the red, Black and grey,beigh or taupe pillows on your red sofa/chairs. Area rug in colors similar to the wall color, simple and clean, abstract art or black and white photography with white mats and black frames. Contemporary lighting,
Fresh flowers simply set in a clear vase. Simple white draperies.
Look in magazines like Elle Decor or Metropolitan Home for some more ideas on contemporary design.

I think the neutral wall color will make a big difference in the feel of the house. It will look so chic and pulled together.
Let me know what you do.
Write back soon.

by Cathy — 9/10/08 at 12:22 pm #

383. Hello Jack,

Your period home sounds beautiful with it’s old-world furnishings and traditional architecture. I love your wonderful description of your rooms and furnishings. You are in need of, below chair rail wall color. You want to keep the beigh upper wallpaper. Your ceiling was very intriguing and the colors gave me some cues to a wall color for you.
I love that there is some interest on the ceiling. Gold leaf and a turquoise center or medallion, how beautiful!
I would love to see a similiar turquoise (maybe lighten and shaded) painted below your chair rail. This would speak to the ceiling accent and repeat the color in the room. You may even want to have a paint technique, like Venetian plaster to add depth, age and a little sheen to bounce light around a little.
You said you were thinking maybe “powder blue”. You were headed in the right direction,but change that to more of a blue/green (turquoise color) and it might work better. Also, this color looks lovely with your bronze and wood tone furnishings. Repeat the color in the room a little as well…pillows, vase, throw etc.
Now, your red dining room would look wonderful with a few turquoise accents (yes, they work nicely together) in it to tie the two rooms together. Maybe chair covers in a red,cream, turq. stripe or floral. Dishes in a cabinet or on a wall with those colors, maybe even paint the ceiling the Venetian plaster turq. (how daring are you?) Also pull a little red of your D.R. into your L.R. so they both “cross-pollinate” each other and relate to each other.

I think this combination would look so exciting but retain the period feel you have in the home.

Let me know what you think. I’ll be anxious to hear what you do.

by Cathy — 9/16/08 at 2:12 pm #

385. Hi Jennifer,

I looked up up your S.W. Blonde color. It’s more of a tan color on my screen. I could not find the Ruby Clay color, but I have a feel for the color. Since the rooms are related, instead of intrducing a third different wall color, could you use the Blonde color, as well, in the living room with your clay accent wall. Or lighten the Blonde color slightly if you think it’s too dark. Be careful it doesn’t turn too pink on you. I think that would blend the two spaces together nicely and keep your neutral background. Add more accents of the clay color into the room and kitchen.

Do you think that might work for you?
Thanks for your question.

by Cathy — 9/19/08 at 2:48 pm #

387. Hi Jennifer,

Yes, if the Blonde is too gold then go to a warm beigh. It should work fine . It shouldn’t clash with anything because it’s a neutral.
Look at something like Benjamin Moore’s …Lenox Tan, Shaker Beigh, or Putnam Ivory. They are classic beighs that will give you some rich color but will blend with most anything.
Let me know if that will work better for you.
Good Luck!

by Cathy — 9/22/08 at 1:53 pm #

389. Hello Susan,

WOW! what a great description of your kitchen and ideas. I hope I can process it all and come up with some direction for you. I’ll give it a shot!

Here’s how I see it…

You want…
a warmer color and brighter feel to the kitchen and eat-in area.

You Have…
blue/green countertops that must stay.
a northern exposure, low light.
2 different floors in the same area, light wood,and terra cotta
dark wood cabinets, that can be painted.
a terra cotta permanent color on window tracks.
white trim will stay.

Since you have many elements that can’t be changed, we have to integrate them together to look coordinated and complementary. The first thing that came to mind was to simplify and unify.

Here are my thoughts…

Paint all kitchen cabinets white (White Dove or ?)
Keep all trim, doors etc. white,
Use the terra cotta floors and window trim as inspiration for your wall color.
Paint the walls a tan/terra cotta color. Pick a color thats mid way down the 7 color paint chip. Not too dark or too light. Look at, Ben Moore colors…San Carlos Tan, Bakers Dozen, Potters Clay. Or Behr Paint colors…Coronado Dunes, Suntan Glow, Sunset Beigh. Somewhere in that range.
With the white cabinets, the tan/terra color will contrast nicely as well as complement the blue/green countertops. Those two colors, orange and blue are a direct compliment on the color wheel and are a harmonious color scheme which works beautifully together.
I would also introduce the blue/green color as additional accents around the room…in window treatments, as a stripe or pattern with the other colors in the room, in art, dinnerware, counter accessories etc.

As for the adjoining rooms, dining room, hall etc. you could paint them one or more of the other colors on the same paint chip as the kitchen. A lighter shade for the hall, a darker shade for the dining room etc. This way, all of the wall colors in the area will blend nicely together but give a subtle change of mood.

Let me know if this helped you or if we can “tweek” it a bit to work better.
I think working in this color scheme will give you the look and feel you were hoping for.

by Cathy — 10/10/08 at 12:58 pm #

391. Hi there Summer,

I bet it’s nice to have a room all to yourself. How lucky for you.

As for color, only you can decide what color makes you feel good. The way to do that is to really start noticing what colors you are drawn to…what colors do you wear alot, or what colors have you seen in stores, at school or when you’re outdoors? What mood to you want to create? Blue, green and violets are calm and relaxing. Red, orange, and yellows are energizing and exciting. I’m going to give you a little homework (oh no)! Start really noticing colors around you and write down what you felt when you saw something you liked or disliked. Look online at teen rooms, Frankie.com or catalogs like Pottery Barn Teen or Ikea. Find some inspiration from pictures of rooms or go look in stores, and that will help you find your style and colors.

Write back when you have some ideas and we can talk more.
See ya soon,

by Cathy — 10/14/08 at 6:40 pm #

392. Summer,

The teen bedding website I was telling you about, to look at should be…wakeupfrankie.com. (not Frankie. com.). It might give you some more ideas.

by Cathy — 10/15/08 at 4:55 pm #

394. Hello Shirley,

It’s great having a finished basement. ( I would love a basement, but not many in So. Ca,…earthquakes, water table, expense etc.)

You want to blend the bedroom, bathroom (painted in a blue color) to the living area of your basement. You want it lively and not dark.

An idea that might work for you…
Bring in one of the blue colors of your other rooms, maybe darken it a shade, and paint this color on an accent wall in the living area. Then paint the remaining walls a warm (golden) beigh. Something like Benjamin Moore’s, Mansfield Tan, or Golden Hills. Add in lots of good lighting as well.
This will keep the basement light and bright but the blue accent wall will tie in the other rooms to the living area. Add a few blue pillows and accessories to repeat the color in the room.
Do you think this might work for you?

by Cathy — 11/1/08 at 5:41 pm #

396. Hi Again Shirley,

You can try anything. It’s just paint and can easily be changed. If you want the room to be more lively and brighter, the gold/beige might work better. But, try the green you like on a wall or two to see what you like better. It would darken the room a little more, but if you plenty of lighting it might be fine.
Give it a try and let me know what you decide.

by Cathy — 11/3/08 at 1:13 pm #

398. Hi Shirley,

Yea, mission accomplished! You’re welcome. I was hoping you would stick to the beige color. I’m sure you’ll enjoy the look and feel in the room.
I couldn’t find the Champagne Gold color in my Behr paint deck, to look at , but it sounds like a nice color that will work well with your blue.
Thank you so much for reporting back. I always like to hear of your successes.
Write back soon!

by Cathy — 11/5/08 at 12:02 pm #

401. Hello Nunu,

Welcome, so glad you found us…from Mongolia. This really is a world wide web. Amazing isn’t it!

Thank you for your question and picture. You gave me great information. You are looking for paint color for your Moms coffee shop in Mongolia. Since I don’t decorate too many coffee shops there, I thought I’d familiarize myself a little before I felt comfortable advising you on color. I took a quick cultural tour of Mongolia online. What a beautiful country and so full of color. I could see why you picked the colors you did.
The space for the shop is pretty generic. Looks like 3 walls and the 4th is windows and door. Have you had a space plan designed for you? Where is the counter and display area going to go, also seating and tables? I’m sure you’ve thought about the plan.

One of the most important elements in the food service business is lighting. This creates mood and ambiance. This will bring in repeat business because people FEEL GOOD in the space…comfortable and relaxing. That’s why you go to a coffee shop, (other than the coffee) to wind down and relax. So, make sure the lighting is addressed, then the paint color will look much better as well.

So back to the paint. Your choices for paint, ran a wide range of value. But they were all in the “warm and inviting” feel you requested, in the oranges and gold’s. Some were quite intense, Pumpkin Patch…do you want this high energy color? Some of your other color choices were less intense and might create a more relaxed mood. Since you like the gold/orange colors, I combined them and shaded them and found a paint chip range you might like. Look at Behr Paint colors…darkest to lightest…Sesame Crunch, Mulling Spice, Glazed Pecan, Caramel Sundae, Fresh Praline. Pick 2 or 3 or these colors for your walls. Maybe paint the big focal wall in the back the darkest for drama and punch. Then the other walls 2 or 3 shades lighter. The ceiling could go one of the lighted shades. Add in an accent color for logos,counter/table tops and art. That might be the cobalt blue. I noticed in many places on my “tour” of the country.

I hope this gave you, at least, a place to start and a little direction for your Mom. I wish you both much success. I would love to hear how this all turns out and maybe send in a picture of the results.

Good luck to you both.

by Cathy — 11/7/08 at 2:33 pm #

403. Hello Donna,

Thanks for your question.

I think what you have to do is try to bring the attention off the floors and counter and onto an inviting wall color. which means there needs to be a color presence on the wall. If the wallls are too light, then there’s more contrast between walls and floor, which will draw more attention to the floor. If you can soften the contrast, the attention will stay more at eye level.
So, since you like neutral colors, then a warm neutral beige might work well. More yellow undertones in a warm color. This will help neutralize the cool green of the floor.

Look at paint samples about 3 down from the top of the paint chip to get some color on the wall but not darken it too much.
You might look at…
Behr Paint colors, Oat Straw, Wild Honey, Sand fossil. Somewhere in that range of color might work. They should also look fine with your oak woodwork.

You might add some area rugs or runners in a neutral color to cover some of the floor. Maybe bring in some accents in the green to repeat the color more. This will tie in the two colors and look like it was planned, since you won’t be able to ignore the green, make it work in your favor.

I hope this gave you some ideas to work with.
Good Luck!

by Cathy — 11/13/08 at 4:06 pm #

405. Hello Sandra,

Thanks for your question on wall color for your living room.
To recap… you have green carpet, grey fireplace, brown furnishings.

The color that came to mind when trying to tie in all of your elements was a TAUPE color. Taupe is a mix of grey and beige. So it should work well with the fireplace and tie in the browns of your furnishings. The green carpet will blend nicely with it as well. It’s also a wonderful neutral color that will help in the sale of your house.

I would paint the mantle and chair rail a white color, also mouldings and doors to contrast and frame the wall color. You could use 2 paint colors next to each other to paint above and below the chair rail. Darker on the bottom, lighter on the top.

A few taupe paint colors to look at…

Behr Paint…Sandstone Cliff, Pebble Stone (on one chip) or Sand Fossil, Clay Pebble (on another chip)

BenJamin Moore…Grant Beige, Bennington Gray, or Moon Shadow, Mosaic tile.

Something in this range should work for you nicely.
What do you think?

by Cathy — 11/17/08 at 2:44 pm #

408. Hello Megan,

Your red accent wall sounds good. I like how you neutralized it with the beige on the other walls. After all, it is an accent. The wall will look good with the rest of your furnishings and give a little punch to the palette.

A few reds I like, that you might to are…

Behr Paint,… Awning Red, Antique Red, Red Red Wine.

Benjamin Moore, Affinity Colors…Pomegranate or Caliente

These are all a little shaded so they aren’t too intense and saturated.
You may have to try a few samples to see how they look in your light.

Let me know how it turns out. It should look sharp!

by Cathy — 11/25/08 at 12:19 am #

409. Hi Laurel,

Thanks for your question.
To recap… You are looking for a wall color to paint your semi-open floor plan. you have honey wood tones, sage furniture and like the yellow tones for wall color.

Yes, I would do the ” 3 color on the same paint chip” idea. It will tie every area together but give definition and emphasis to each space. I think your yellow tones for a wall color is on the right track, but I would beige/brown that yellow to produce a warm neutral color. In the camel or tan range.
Look at Behr Paint colors (all on the same chip)… Mesa, Desert Camel, Riveria Sand.
Or Benjamin Moore (all on the same chip)… Twilight Gold, Squire Hill Buff, Blond Wood.
Somewhere in that range.

I might paint the darkest color in your dining room and kitchen to create a little contrast with the lighter wood. Then medium color in the living area. lighter one in the entry. Or mix them in some way…they will all go together.

These colors will work well with your dark sage furnishings. Maybe accent the rooms in a rust, clay or burnt orange color.

Do you think this might work for you? You’ll love using the 3 color idea.

Happy painting and let us know how it comes out.

by Cathy — 11/25/08 at 2:42 pm #

411. Hello Sherry,

Thanks for your great question.
I looked up your Key West granite to get a feel for the color. Very nice. It will look nice with your dark cabinets. Now we have to tie the two together with the backsplash.

You have some good ideas, but I think the tin tiles will detract from the look of your granite and cabinets, too many surfaces vying for attention. You could tile over the brick, but that’s more expensive and may be uneven. So, my recommendation would be to paint the brick. It will add a nice rough texture (homey, rustic) to contrast with the smooth granite. But, it will be a neutral transitional space to tie the two “stars of the show” together.

To paint the brick, surface preparation is essential. You will need to clean, prime and paint the bricks properly. Google, one of the “how to paint brick” sites or ask a professional in the paint store how and what to use.

As for color, I would pick up one of the lighter tones in the granite, but not a pure white. More of a cream, off white, but a warm white. Look at something like Behr Paint, Natural Linen, or Antique White. Whatever one looks the best with the granite. The gloss level should be in the semi-gloss or higher range for cleanability.

I think this would look great and give you the feel you want in your kitchen.

What do you think?

by Cathy — 12/10/08 at 1:49 pm #

414. Hello Lan,

Thanks for your question and great pictures. You even coordinated your cute dog to match your black and white kitchen. LOL.

Your kitchen looks nice. High contrast with your white cabinets and Emeral Pearl granite countertops.You are looking for wall color?

Here are a couple of ways to go…

You could neutralize the high contrast a little and paint a beautiful warm neutral beige color. Something mid paint chip range, so it’s not too light or too dark. Pickup undertones of your beige brick fireplace because it’s a large presence in the room. Beige won’t be boring in your kitchen, because you have rich and interesting surfaces that will stand out and the wall color will be a beautiful background to the features in the room. The beige will work fine with your floor and backsplash.

Look at beiges somewhere in this value range…
Benjamin Moore paint… Lenox tan, Yosemite Sand, Springfield Tan, Shaker beige,

One more idea…
How about a shaded blue/green color? Your granite has flecks and crystals of blue/green. Very subtle, but you could pick up on those slight accents.
The color would go well with your fireplace, furnishings and floor. It would add a little more color if you wanted that look. Add some of that color in accents in the rooms…pillows, art, vases, kitchen accessories etc.

Look at Benjamin Moore Paint colors…
Stratton Blue, Wythe Blue, Gossamer Blue, Covington Blue, somewhere in that range might work nice as well.

Try a few samples on you walls in a few areas around the room and see which one is the look you want.

Either one would work well and tie things together nicely.

Good luck and let me know how things turn out.

by Cathy — 12/12/08 at 2:16 pm #

416. Hello Roni,

Your country home sounds beautiful. The first color that came to mind when reading your post was a shaded green color, like moss or olive.
That color range compliments your oak stained furnishings and trim. Also, it’s the color of nature, trees, woods, and meadow. A nice backdrop to your country living and a good contrast with the tile floors.
Try greens in the range of Behr Paint colors…Rejuvenate, Mother Nature and Celery Ice or Spring Hill, Sagey, Olivine. Try the 3 color-on-one-chip idea I worte about. Paint each areas of your open floor plan a different shade of green on the same paint chip. It will break up the areas a little but blend them all together. Paint lighter areas darker colors and darker areas lighter colors.
Let me know what you think. It should look great!

by Cathy — 12/29/08 at 4:30 pm #

418. You’re very welcome Casper.
So glad your kitchen came out well and you found a great color to tie all your elements together.
Good luck with your living room, now armed with color confidence, you can continue through your house.

by Cathy — 1/1/09 at 1:44 pm #

420. Hello Gary,

Your apt. in NYC sounds cozy but cool. A nice wall color will give it the “warm, elegant, and mature” touch you envision.
Your choc. brown leather furniture will go with just about anything.
A few ideas…

I’m thinking urban chic with this color…how about a warm gray, leaning toward taupe. You can use the 3 color idea I wrote about above, even in a small space.
Pick a color midrange on the 7 color paint chip. paint all of your walls this color. Go darker, down the chip at least 2 colors and paint the end wall or focal wall ( if it’s a long narrow apt.,the wall would be the shortest and may have your windows on it.) this darker color. This adds the drama and interest to the room without darkening it too much. Then you could paint the ceiling the lightest or 2nd color down on the same paint chip. Everything would blend beautifully and feel chic and sophisticated.
Add a warm accent color to the pallette with accessories. Maybe in the rusts, coral, or terra cotta range.

If you want a more “zen” feel. try a gray/green, or khaki color. Use the 3 color idea as I wrote about.
If you want a fresh cool feel, try a siler/blue color. Still chic and sophisticated.

A taupe clolor paint chip to look at would be…
Behr Paint…780C -1 Sea Salt to 780D-7 Wild Rice.

the gray/green…740-C-1 Seaside Sand to 740D-7 Frontier Shadow

the silver blue…760E-1 Igloo to 760F-7 Sorcerer

Good luck, hope this got you started. Let me know how it turns out.

by Cathy — 1/6/09 at 2:32 pm #

422. Hello Jacinta,

Your newly remodeled home sounds nice. The kitchen sounds beautiful.
As I see it. you are looking for paint color throughout the home and like neutrals, but a little color as well.

The Shaker Beige color you picked is a classic neutral and will work with just about anything. So you’re fine there. Now we have to punch-up the pallette. You say you like turquoise. Why don’t you paint an accent wall or two the turquoise color. Shade the color slightly so it’s not too intense. It’s beautiful with the beige and gorgeous with your deep red accents. Add a little turq. into the interior of the room…pillows, art, area rug to have it repeated and to make sense.

Maybe paint a focal wall the turq. How about the fireplace wall? You even could excite that entry with the color. Pull the color through into the kitchen as well with an accent wall or window treatments, or even a turq. glass tile backsplash (wow). Also infuse those deep red accents throughout as well.
All those colors work beautifully together. Add in a little of that turq. you like, and it will have great personality.

Let me know how things turn out.

by Cathy — 1/8/09 at 1:23 pm #

424. Hello again Jacinta,

You’re welcome. I think you should stay with that nice Shaker beige for most of your walls but I’d go with the turquoise for accent walls. More exciting and interesting than a sage color. Run with your first impressions or the results will not have the impact you envisioned.
As for a shaded turq. color…
Look at Behr paint colors Aspen Aura, Garland, Mermaid Net,
Somewhere in that range. I’d take a few samples home from the paint store to try on the accent wall and look at them during the day and evening before you buy a alot. This way you can be sure of the outcome.
Yes, definetely paint the downstairs trim, woodwork, and fireplace (until you can remodel it) a white shade. Colors really pop off of a white frame. It’s fine with your stained trim upstairs. Although I’d paint that white when you can, to unify the whole house.
Your black accents shoud be fine with your colors.

Good luck and let me know what you decide to do.

by Cathy — 1/8/09 at 11:05 pm #

426. Hi there Al,

Thanks for sending the great picture. You have a very nice furniture arrangement, rich wall color and interesting furniture. Now you need, as you said, some cohesive elements. It looks like your upholstery is a beige color?? I see a great looking lamp with a teal base. What a great complimentary color next to the rust wall. So, I think the teal should be your accent color. Yes, get those teal pillows for the sofa. Also instead of the sage green patterned rug, look for more of a patterned rug with teal, tan, rust, beige. Maybe in a stripe or geometric to contrast all the nice curves in your furniture.
You’ve got a great start, just add a little more teal and rust into the interior of the room and it should come together nicely.

Send a “after” picture when you get it all done…love to see!

by Cathy — 1/9/09 at 1:50 pm #

428. Hello Kim,

The beadboard on your stairs sounds great and adds a lot of interest to that well used area of the house. Since you want to paint both wall and beadboard a yellow/tan color, I would put the heavier or darker color on the bottom of the wall, or the beadboard. Pick your two colors from the same paint chip so they will blend beautifully. Go 1 or 2 shades darker on the chip, for the beadboard. It should look great give a tone-on-tone feel to the wall.
Good luck and happy painting.

by Cathy — 1/12/09 at 2:38 pm #

430. Hello Kristine,

You didn’t say wheather the baby was a boy or girl. So I’ll answer for both.
I wouldn’t worry too much about the honey colored furniture. It’s pretty much a neutral and many colors work well with it.
A really great look for a boys or a girls room is wide horizontal strips around the room. This gives alot of interest to the walls without alot of work or addition of lots of other wall decor. It makes a graphic statement and is fun and bold for both.

This paint technique is called a tone-on-tone-on-tone color.
Divide your 8′ walls in thirds. Should be about 32″. Use blue painters tape to tape off lines. Measure them level.

I’m thinking of 3 pretty green colors all on the same paint chip to paint the stripes. Pick 3 colors next to each other. Not too dark, it’s a babys room.
Maybe the second, third and forth down from the top of the chip.

Paint the bottom third of the room the darkest of the 3 colors. The middle third of the room the middle color. And the top third of the room the lightest color. You can take it further and paint the ceiling the lightest color on the chip. Everything will blend beautifully!

You will end up with all of these great subtle stripes and the room will look decorated. If it’s a girl add in lots of pink or lavender accents. beautiful against the light green walls. If it’s a boy add in lots of blue or brown (yes brown) accents, wonderful with the green.

Look at Behr Paint colors…Feldspar, Celery Sprig, Asparagus or
Dried Palm, Corn Hush Green, Grass Cloth

I hope you like green, it’s a great background color for kids rooms and it will look wonderful with your honey colored furniture.

Let me know what you think!

by Cathy — 1/15/09 at 11:58 pm #

433. Hello Brandi,

To recap, you have dark cherry wood paneling in your bedroom and want a lighter brighter feel.

Short of painting the paneled wood a lighter color, a few other things you might try…

Hang light colored (white, cream, beigh) long drapery, out on the wall area and up to the ceiling on the two windows. This will expose all of the window for maximun light but it will cover some of the wall area by the windows with the drapery panels. If you can, hang your rod 12-18″ out on either side of the windows and hang the light colored drapery panels on the wall area, up to cover just the edge of the windows. Use a white shade, or blinds for light control.

Add light colored (cream) bedding on you bed.
Add a light colored carpet or area rug.
Add lots of lighting, recessed, ambiant, uplights.
Add big art on the walls that is light in color, or use large oversized white mats on the art. Or, a large mirror to reflect and bounce light around the room.

To all these light colored (cream) fabrics and furnishings, Add an accent color or two, Maybe in the yellow or orange range, for pillows, banding on draperies, upholstery on a chair, in art, flowers, bed throw. These brighter colors will attract the eye to them and off the dark walls as well.

These ideas should help lighten and brighten up your room. Use the contrast to your advantage. Dark against light with accents of color. It should look sharp.

Thanks for your question. Hope I could help.

by Cathy — 1/20/09 at 11:51 pm #

434. Hello Tammy,

It sounds like you both took some time to think about your wall colors.
Thats good. From your description of everything, I have a few questions and ideas for you.

Do you get a lot of natural and artificial light in the rooms? You are talking, some strong dark colors and you may not want to oppress and darken all of the living space. Lets explore.

Since I can’t see all of your living space “in context”, I’ll give you a general idea and you can work with it or not.

You like the colors,” dark red” and “rusty mustard”. Is that rusty mustard a tan, peanut butter, or terra cotta color? Maybe somewhere in that range would work well.

First of all I would not use both colors in the same amount in all the rooms. Let one color dominate and the other be the accent. I would probably paint most of the wall area in a version of the rusty mustard, more of a tan or peanut butter color, not too dark, maybe second or third up from the bottom of the paint chip. Then, maybe paint your dining room in the deep red, or an accent wall in that color. Add that red color into the living room in smaller doses, in drapery (beautiful against a tan wall), and pillows, art, and floral. Add a little red into the taller entry. Maybe paint the high ceiling the red color, or in an entry rug or art.

In other words, let more of the neutral color define the perimeter of the rooms and the stronger color be the accents. I think you’ll find this more comfortable to live with, and you can still use the two colors you like.

Happy painting and let me know how it turns out.

by Cathy — 1/21/09 at 1:11 pm #

437. Hello Fifi,

It sounds like you’re not afraid of color. The draperies sound beautiful. What a lively exciting color. A great color with your brown sofa.
As for wall color, since the draperies are such a strong orange color, lets neutralize with a few lighter colors.
There are a few ways to go with the wall color…

1. Paint the walls a lighter shade of your orange drapery color. Lighten it up quite a bit so it has good contrast.
2. Paint your walls a lighter tan color. The undertones of the tan colors should be in the orange drapery color. Look for a warm medium tan color that compliments the drapery.
3. You could go with a lighter gray/blue color. This is more a compliment to the orange. Lighten, shade and gray the blue to neutralize the orange a bit.

So one of those might work better than another strong color for the walls. Let the drapery take center stage and the wall color the background.

I would add a bit of the blue (you use) as the comlpiment to the orange. Blue and orange as pillows on the brown sofa, pick art with some of those colors, maybe an area rug with those colors in it as well.
So, add in your accents, but don’t overdo. A little goes a long way.

It should come together nicely and have that great punch of color to excite the room.

by Cathy — 1/26/09 at 7:41 pm #

438. Hello Lori,

I say, let kids have some fun with paint on their walls. It may not be what we would like or could live with but, after all it’s only paint and, with lots of primer, it can be changed when thay tire of it. So let him have his way, he has to live with it not you (except when you bring in the clean laundry).

My suggestions would be…

1. Paint the two slanted walls either of the purple colors, they both work well with the red, they both have blue undertones so that helps blend them better. You pick. I would paint all of the wall area the same color, bottom and the slant. Then paint the other straight walls the red color.
2. another idea… Paint 3 walls the red color and then paint the focal or wall the bed is on the purple color. Add that color change to emphasize and accent the focal wall. Pull in more purple into the bedding and accents in the room to tie the two together.

I think one of those ideas would work for you…or your son. It will be a big change in the room, but kids like lots of color and the wilder the better. Have fun with it.

Happy Painting!

by Cathy — 1/26/09 at 8:14 pm #

440. Hello Yvonne,

Thanks so much for your great picture and the info on your paint.

What a beautiful home. I agree it could use a darker neutral on the walls.
I looked at your paint colors. They look good. I like the idea of painting your dining room the shaded aqua blue color. It picks up the aqua color from your nice art over you sofa. Love your lime accents. beautiful with the blue.
As for wall color in the rest of the area.
some ideas…

1. Since you get a lot of light in the family room and have white trim, bookshelf wall, fireplace. You could paint that area the darker Cairo color, then paint the entry the lighter Cattail color as well as the kitchen. You could run the Cattail color up the staircase wall as well. The bottom of the staircase paint Cairo.
2. Or, paint as above and paint your kitchen the lime color or just an accent wall the lime color. Pull in the aqua blue as accessory accents.
3.Or, if you have a full wall in the kitchen, paint 5 wide horizontal stripes in your aqua and lime. Goes with your contemporary style. Or just in a guest bathroom. Sharp!
4. If you paint the dark walls in the family room, add a lighter color sofa for some contrast. Great lime and aqua pillows!

I think you’re right on track with your ideas and colors. The paint will warm up and blend all areas together nicely. It will look wonderful!

Happy Painting! Let me know how it all turns out.

by Cathy — 2/2/09 at 1:17 pm #

442. Hello Diane,

You’re remodeling sounds like it’s going well. I looked up your Tyler Taupe in your LR and DR. Very nice and rich. Yes, I can see the green undertones in the Yorkshire Tan. The taupe is much warmer and works well with the colors in the rooms. Since you don’t want to make an abrupt color change in these rooms that open to each other or relate to each other, lets stay in the same value range of Tyler Taupe. Could you paint the FR and kitchen two other shades of Tyler Taupe as I wrote about in the blog? Then they would all blend but still have their own personality and mood. If so, have your B.M. paint dealer lighten TT a shade lighter for one room and 2 shades lighter for the other room. Since you want to faux finish the kitchen, paint that the lightest ,and the FR the middle color. Bring the color in with your furnishings and fabrics.

As for your white, If you’re going for a Tuscan or Old World style, you may want to go a little darker/warmer white so it’s not so stark. Tuscan or Old World style have an “aged” or “worn” feel to them. Look at BM China White, White Down, or Seashell. One of those might work well.

I hope that was helpful to you. Let me know how it turns out and enjoy your remodeled home.

by Cathy — 2/19/09 at 7:16 pm #

443. Hi again Diane,

I missed your foyer in the above answer. You could paint it the lighter kitchen color in the Tyler taupe range. Or stripe it in two of the colors for a tone on tone feel. Maybe a wide 9-12 in. stripe. Colors and stripes would be subtle but would add lots of interest. Could look great!

Take care.

by Cathy — 2/19/09 at 7:26 pm #

446. Hello Mona,

Thank you for the great pictures and your questions. What a darling apt. Lots of character. You are looking for paint to paint your walls. Some elements you have are camel dining chairs and red(ish) sofa.

Since the Apt. is small, stay with a more neutral color, but use 2 colors on the same paint chip next to each other for interest in all the angled areas. Let’s go with your camel color. Pick two colors on the chip next to each other, about midrange on the chip. Paint the darker color on all the window wall areas in the room. Paint the lighter color on all the rest of the angles and walls. (go a step further and paint the ceiling the lightest shade on the chip). Find long draperies in your red color for the windows ( to go with your red sofa). Hang them out on the wall area and up to the ceiling to expose windows and light. Take the red color of your draperies and paint the kitchen that red color. Maybe add in accessories in an apple green color…pillows, apples on the dining table, candles, etc. A little black would be nice too…frames, lampbases, drapery rods. If there’s room add two small cream colored armless slipper chairs. Could look darling!!

There’s few ideas for you. Let me know how it comes out and send some pictures. I’ll look for them.

Happy painting,

by Cathy — 2/20/09 at 6:34 pm #

448. Hi again Mona,

Wow, it’s funny how we have an idea in our head and something else catches our eye. I think the brown sofa would be great in the room as well as the cream one too ( I didn’t think you had enough room, but go for it). Yes, you can still use the redish color for your drapery, pillows and kitchen color. It looks great with the browns and beiges. I do like the camel color for your walls in the application I wrote about (yes, 2 colors from the same chip)..not sure about the yellow unless you went to a golden beige yellow. More like a darker wheat color. That would work, but my preference is the camel. Your choice. Paint some sample paint boards to see what you like the best before you commit.
It sounds like it’s coming along great!! Please do, send pictures of the results. I’ll be looking for them.

Glad I could help!

by Cathy — 2/23/09 at 3:00 pm #

451. Hello Therese,

Love the word “Tuscanize” ! Sounds like your having fun with your kitchen and want to add some great color. Why not? It’s only paint, don’t be afraid of a little paint. You can always change it if it’s not the feel you wanted. Lets try to get it right the first time though.
I agree, go with more a rusty red and golden yellow colors for a Tuscan feel. Use the rust/red on the bottom of the chair rail and the gold on top. If you want to make it look a little more aged, rag on a light umber glaze to give it some depth and age. Use a light hand and keep it subtle. Add a little of the reds and golds into the interior of the kitchen with some furnishings or accessories. It should look great!!

On to the living room… I do like accent walls. They lend some strong color to a room but you don’t have to immerse yourself in it to get the impact. I usually like to put accent color on the focal wall, maybe the wall the fireplace is located on or a large empty wall where the color acts like large art and provides a background to contrasting furnishings. I think your dark green would look fine in this application. Then paint the rest of the walls a neutral tan color. I would try to “cross pollinate” the colors in your kitchen/living areas. Add a little rust reds and gold to your living areas with accessories, and add some green and tan to the kitchen area the same way. This way the two relate to each other and your “Tropical Tuscan” style will blend nicely together.

Much success with your painting project, it should turn out well.

by Cathy — 2/26/09 at 1:51 pm #

453. Hello Carolyn,

Your family room sounds great. My only concern is that dark olive green wall with your black sofas. Not a lot of contrast there. Can you lighten your green a bit. Stay with your shaded color but go up a shade or two on the chip. Or use the dark green on an accent wall and paint the rest of the room a lighter green on the same chip. Arrange the sofas so they don’t sit infront of the dark wall. Pull in your light taupe from your stair wall and use it for a drapery color. You could band or border the drapery in the green. Add some taupe and green pillows to your black sofas. Do you think that might work for you?

Much success with your surgery and enjoy your room.

by Cathy — 3/12/09 at 5:30 pm #

455. Hello Deedee,

From my perspective from your description, I would say yes, paint them the same as the hallway. These are transition areas and to unify them, keep that element of color uniform.

Thanks for asking.

by Cathy — 3/16/09 at 3:29 pm #

458. Hello Gbmisola,

There are lots of great wall colors that go with a dark brown rug. The lighter shaded blues or greens are a good choice. Beautiful with brown and very trendy. Add brown drapery to your windows or a cream color with a brown banding or border might look nice.
Look at Behr Paint colors…Blue Fox, Cloudy Day (blues) or Rejuvenate, Dried Palm (greens). That color range would work well.

You could keep the color scheme monochromatic (shades of one color) and piant the walls a lighter beige, or use 2 or 3 beige colors on the paint chip, in different rooms, as I wrote about in this blog. Use an accent color in a pear or lime green. Add drapery and accessories in the pear. For one more layer, add a small little punch of a tangerine color…a pillow or bowl of oranges. Sharp!

Maybe one of those might work for you. Have fun decorating your home!

by Cathy — 3/21/09 at 6:20 pm #

459. Hi Ana,

Your colors sound bright and cheerful. As for color for your living room, to go with your bright yellow kitchen walls, you could go with a warm white color for the living room and add in your bright yellow and even the orange sofa you like. Let the pops of bright color be in the fabrics and furnishings and keep the background crisp, clean and white. Place bright yellow pillows on the orange sofa, Add a print or pattern with those colors for drapery. Pull in some matted artwork, maybe an area rug with the colors. The repeat of the yellow from your kitchen to the living room in small amounts will tie the two together.
I would stay in the white range for walls with all that great color. Stay with your analogous color scheme for a harmonious vibrant feel to the room.
Have fun decorating. It sounds exciting.

by Cathy — 3/21/09 at 7:05 pm #

461. Hi Maddeline,

Your dining room sounds warm and wonderful. I looked up your wall color. It’s much more of a rusty/ brown color. Very rich and lovely for a dining room. Since I don’t know what other colors you’re using in the room, the best way to approach the lower ceiling and walls of the tray, are to stay on the same paint chip ( B.M. HC colors are shown seperately and are not graduated by value). So, your paint dealer can mix a lighter shade or two from the Mayflower Red. If, your Mayflower Red was 5th or 6th on the paint chip, go up lighter,one shade (about 33%) and paint the walls of the tray that color. Then go up one more shade (33%) lighter and paint the lower ceiling that color. That will give you graduated color and interest on the ceiling that blends nicely together. Also adds a little contrast between walls and ceiling.
I think that should work for you nicely.
The room will look lovely!

by Cathy — 4/6/09 at 3:25 pm #

463. Hello April,

Your home sounds very nice. Yes, it is hard to pull colors together at times, even things you think might be easy, present doubts. Let’s see what we can come up for your walls.

Since you like earth tones and have some nice earthy colors already, lets look at the givens…green sofa and silver/gray carpet. The first thing that came to mind was a nice taupe color. Taupe is a mix of gray/beige and would work nice with the carpet color and your green sofa. Now let’s expand that color feel to the dining room and other areas in the house. You could easily go with the 3 color idea I wrote about. Pick 3 taupe colors on the same paint chip.

Since your living room is west facing and gets abundant light, paint this the darker of the 3 choices. Then your dining room on the east could go a shade lighter on the same chip. Go a step further and paint the entry a shade lighter than the dining room. You could also paint the ceiling the lighter shade as well. These will all look great together but delineate the rooms.

Look at Behr Paint colors…Spartan Stone, Koala Bear, Ocean Pearl. Those are 3 shades next to each other that might give you the feel.

You could add in a little accent color to your earthy pallette or leave it mellow and monochromatic.
I hope this helped a little. Try a few taupe colors and see what works best in your light.

Enjoy your home!

by Cathy — 4/10/09 at 12:20 pm #

466. Hello Teri,

Your’re welcome and thank you for letting me know of your “light-bulb” moment with the information here. Sometimes things just click and all of a sudden they make sense. With your artistic background I think you were able see how these colors can really relate to each other and really make sense. I appreciate you letting me know this was helpful to you. Enjoy all of your artistic pursuits and stop by again.

by Cathy — 4/17/09 at 4:08 pm #

467. Hello Hong,

Thank you for your nice comments. How nice to have a new home to make your own. It sounds like you have a fairly neutral canvas to work with. You first need to pick a color for your walls. The best way to do this is to be inspired by something. Do you have something you like with colors you’re drawn to? Maybe an area rug, piece of art, a patterned fabric, china plate, a piece of jewelry, anything that excites you and would be a comfortable color to live with for your
walls. Some good color choices would be in the blue, green or gold/tan family. Use the 3 color-on-a-chip post I wrote about above, it really works. Pick 3 colors on the same paint chip and paint your rooms or open spaces with these
shades of each other. They separate rooms and spaces but blend them at the same time. Bring in more color with the furnishings and fabrics in the room. Pick those colors out of your inspiration piece. Make sure your paint colors are shaded a bit (a touch of gray or black added) so the color isn’t too intense or saturated. Make it livable, not garish.
An example of a color scheme might be… paint the walls in the blue shades with your brown furniture. Add in some accent color of a tangerine print or pattern color for pillows, drapery, flowers, art. Even a tangerine color accent wall in a dining room could look great (blues and oranges are complimentary colors). This would give you the color you want but still keep the backgrounds uniform to flow from one area to the other.
Well, I hope that gave you a jumping-off point and some information to feel confident about picking color. Let me know if you have any questions. Your home will look lovely.

by Cathy — 4/17/09 at 4:57 pm #

469. Hello Hong,

Good to talk to you again. Thank you for your wonderful description of your home. It sounds very nice.
I think the shaded green would look great with all the elements you’ve described. I liked how you will utilize the 3 colors on the chip in the different areas of your home. You will love the look. Your burgundy sofa gives me another accent color to work with, instead of the tangerine color (that works better with the blue). The reds (burgundy) and greens are complementary colors and work well together.
An additional accent color that works well with reds and green is a gold color, if you want a third color in the mix. So, I would use the shades of green for the main wall colors. The burgundy for larger accents, sofa, area rug with all of these colors, draperies, and in art. Then bring in a little gold as smaller accents, pillows on sofa, flowers, in art and area rug etc. You could possibly paint the gold in your sun room to repeat it in a larger area. These will give you the colors you want and they are complementary to each other.

As for your bedroom, the blue tray ceiling you want will look nice. You could paint the walls a darker shade of the same blue. Keep the lighter shade on the ceiling if it’s a lower ceiling. Then paint the bathroom a third shade of the same blue. This is using the same application as I wrote about. Lean your blue to more of a gray blue so it doesn’t look like a kids room. You also could add in accents of the burgundy and gold in the blue bedroom. That would be more of a primary color scheme which is harmonious as well.
These are just a few ideas to use or not. It’s hard to give you exact colors. These are just some concepts that should work well with elements you already have.

Good luck with your project, it sounds exciting!
.

by Cathy — 4/21/09 at 1:35 am #

471. Hello Racheal,
Your home sounds lovely. To recap, you have brown furnishings, white tile floors and counters, navy and white drapery. You need wall color to blend through living room, kitchen area, computer room, and bathroom. You have some nice high contrast colors going on, navy and white, brown and white. Working with your colors and requests, I’d paint the LR walls a neutral, to bridge the high contrasts together and then use some accents in your darker colors. You could paint your living room walls a medium (not too light or too dark) beige/tan color (nice with the brown furniture and navy and white drapery). Add pillows in navy and white on sofa and chairs. Add an area rug with blue, white, beige, tan. Your coffee and end tables could be a dark wood finish or dark metal and glass. Or mix them, glass and metal coffee table and wood end tables look great together. Add a touch of orange…pillow, art, flowers etc.

Since the kitchen is open to the living room, bring in the navy blue of the LR, as the paint color for the kitchen walls (if you get good natural and artificial light). You can paint all the wall area or just add an accent wall in the blue. Maybe add a shot of orange color for accent…bowl of oranges, orange in artwork, orange vases. (orange is the complementary color to blue).
I would paint all the wood trim and doors a white color to frame the beiges and blues of the walls. Paint the bathroom the beige color and maybe add in one blue accent wall, or a wide 32″ blue horizontal stripe around the room. or paint the ceiling blue. Your computer room could be the beige with navy accents and punch of orange (desk chair).

In other words, you can have some drama in each area, but if they are open to each other, you should have some unifying elements that tie them together. Paint color does this well because it’s seen in a big way, and your eye likes to pick same colors in each area to relate the spaces together.
I hope that provided you with a little direction or just a way of looking at your spaces to see how they relate to each other.
Much success with your project.

by Cathy — 4/28/09 at 1:08 pm #

473. Hello Debi,

Thanks for your question I hope we get more ideas for you as well.
There are many good colors that go with red. Do you have any other inspiration pieces in the room with others colors you like? Like and area rug, piece of art or fabric. If you do, pull a color you like from those pieces for a wall color. If you don’t, what feel do you want in the room? Golds and tans are warm and exciting. A beautiful combination with red. Green is a compliment to red and cool in feel. Go with a shaded medium tone. A beige or a taupe could be a nice neutral and the red sofa will stand out. A gray/blue looks nice with red. Cool but sophisticated.
So, there many ways to go with your red. Just pick up the wall color a little in the room somewhere to unify the color scheme. Add it onto the sofa in pillows or in art or area rug.
If I was just to pick a color with the red sofa out-of-the-blue, I’d probably pick a med. tan color. It’s a warm neutral and looks great with red. One of my favorite tan colors is Mansfield Tan by Benjamin Moore. If you like that color or one similar, it would look great on your walls.
I hope that gave you a little direction.
Good Luck!

by Cathy — 5/12/09 at 5:19 pm #

475. Hello Isobel,

What a beautiful home you have. Your co