1. Hi Alli,
Your room is coming together beautifully .I love your colors, textures and patterns. Urban Chic! Yes… I would paint the wall behind the sofa a blue color. Maybe not a dark navy but a shade lighter, so the wall is deep blue, not black blue. Find a paint color that leans more toward the purple blues than green blues. A cobalt color, like your vases. You might want to paint your dining room ( is it off to the side by your fireplace?) the same blue to pull the color to the other side of the room. You have a lot of light coming in and big windows and french door, so it would look very dramatic, not dark and closed in.
Sorry for my “2 cents worth”. Just a few ideas to take or leave. Your doing just fine without me.
Can’t wait to see what you do. Looking forward to the next “chapter”.
Keep us posted.
Cathy

by Cathy — 8/14/07 at 12:29 pm #

3. I have Sherwin Williams Sleepy Blue #6225 in a room it is tranquil and beautiful

by julie [...] — 8/15/07 at 1:42 pm #

5. My husband and I just purchased our first home. After living in “neutral” apartments for years, I couldn’t wait to add color to EVERY room. I was nervous but determined to do a blue wall in my family room. It turned out great. We have a wall that has a huge picture window and we painted it a deep blue….maybe close to your blue pillows. We did the other walls in almond.
So don’t be scared and good luck! I thought it would really stand out but it accented the window perfectly and really made the whole room “pop”.
I wonder if you thought about making your wall with the windows blue instead?

by kj — 8/15/07 at 2:42 pm #

7. I am not sure I’d paint this all blue or even any blue. But since you’re sold on blue - I’d paint 3 of the walls in a light taupe - and then paint an accent wall in one of those cool blues that have a bit of grey in them. The wall with the sofa would look nice in the blue. I’d thow in some more greenery, and consider accenting with a bit more color - perhaps bring out the reddish color I think I see in the mats of the map prints. Then I’d top off the windows with a beautiful bronzey rod and add a valance that brings in all the colors of the room.

by Lisa D — 8/16/07 at 8:28 am #

9. Stop before you paint!
1. Take yourself to your nearest Benjamin Moore paint dealer.
2. Buy up to five sample paint jars in colors that are ‘calling you.’ Also, pick up some small foam brushes that will fit into the sample jars.
3. Run to an art supplies store and buy approx (5) 20 x 30 inch boards of foam core (thicker than illustration board) in white.
4. Paint each board in the sample paint chosen. Two coats if you can.
I do this for my interior design clients. You can get a very good idea of how a color can look in a room. without ruining your existing walls. Move the boards around to each wall as the light shifts during the day.
and into the evening.
Remember - plan on at least 2 coats of paint and prep your walls first!
Good Luck!

by M. A. Smith, Ltd. — 8/16/07 at 12:35 pm #

11. Thanks for the words of encouragement Lynn.
It is exciting, and I haven’t gotten to window treatments yet. I am hoping to do a “plantation shutter” with panels on the sides….I would love to use a large decorative rod and just straight panals with some really “cool” fabric.
I do love “houndstooth” let me know if you remember where you saw that fabric….
thanks again,
alli

by Alli — 8/16/07 at 5:31 pm #

13. Welcome Sherry and come back to visit again soon!
Happy decorating,
alli

by Alli — 8/16/07 at 5:33 pm #

15. thanks Lisa,
I will keep that in mind!!!
keep checking on the progress!
alli

by Alli — 8/16/07 at 5:38 pm #

17. Mike,
Thanks for the encouragement….my philosphy is the same, I can always repaint!!!!
Thanks for the advice.
alli

by Alli — 8/16/07 at 5:42 pm #

19. Hi,my first time here. I was wondering if you are still set on the color blue for your room? I see that it’s mostly blk/wht, correct? Perhaps moving the rug to anchor all of the furniture, might be a good idea. Also, perhaps using a neutral wall color, that way you can change your accessories from let’s say, from blue to perhaps lime green. I hope I haven’t moved into a sensitive area when suggesting about the rug, I meant it in the nicest of ways.
Warm Regards
Charlie Girl

by Charlie Girl — 8/16/07 at 6:03 pm #

21. Hi Alli,
Just me again. Wow, do you have alot of suggestions for this space. I shop alot at housefabric.com and they have a black and white houndstooth fabric called Hunt Club Jet Black. I have always had great luck shopping on line with them. So much easier than constantly running to the store. Not always as fun, but they will send you samples, and I have quite a few to show clients. Good luck!

by lynn — 8/17/07 at 8:41 am #

23. Lynn,
Thanks so much for this website!!! I can’t wait to visit it….I do get overwhelmed in fabric stores. i really appreciate all the advice. I am leaning toward a Glidden color called Mediterrian Blue…..I have painted my large boards and this color seems to be my favorite!
Wish me luck! and thanks again for all you kind words!
your friend,
alli

by Alli — 8/17/07 at 10:12 am #

25. blue wall….perfect…………………….Zebra rug…no

by debi — 8/17/07 at 10:50 am #

27. I did a dark green accent wall in my living room, and just love it. Can’t wait to see the pix of your blue wall.

by Barb — 8/18/07 at 12:07 pm #

29. thanks Barb.
Send in a photo of your green wall. i would love to see it….
alli

by Alli — 8/18/07 at 5:31 pm #

31. Alli,
I just can’t believe how many different responses you have gotten over the blue wall you intend to paint. It really has been quite interesting…I think we must remember that as individuals we may all have likes and dislikes..I say go for it!! As you have said it is only paint and if you really dislike it yu can change it for a minimal cost…as for the zebra rug I LOVE IT…different strokes for different folks!!! If you like it I say keep it…I think you have great taste and I can’t wait to see the finished project..can I send you and Cathy on a field trip to Florida I like both of your decorating tastes….good luck Margie enjoy the project and your beautiful new townhouse…Margie

by margie [...] — 8/18/07 at 5:43 pm #

33. Try Hardware Restoration. They have a nice selection of paint that are so pretty and you will never tire of.

by angeline — 8/20/07 at 2:33 pm #

35. Thanks Angeline,
great idea! I love Restoration Hardware!!!!
alli

by Alli — 8/21/07 at 4:28 pm #

37. Hi Alli, I really like the zebra print rug on the floor of your great room. Can you tell me where I might find a rug just like this one? Many thanks,
Shelly

by Shelly [...] — 8/21/07 at 7:11 pm #

39. I’d go just a slight shade lighter than your blue sofa throw pillows.

by Dina — 8/22/07 at 6:08 pm #

41. Thanks Dina…
I will keep that in mind.
alli

by Alli — 8/23/07 at 11:57 am #

43. Hi…hope you went for the blue. I did blue on two walls in my master bedroom, and one a very icy yellow….all Behr from Home Depot…French Provencial Blue, in a med-light shade with the icy yellow on one wall, you see in the French colors. I have a dark oak county French bedroom set and boy, what a difference…with white plantation shutter, some brown accents as well.
Robin’s egg blue and brown have been in for the last year as well.
Annie

by Annie — 8/23/07 at 12:27 pm #

45. Alli,
Your selections are very tasteful and have just enough differences in this room to give it real character. Love the idea of the blue wall. Definitely prime, then paint the wall. You may consider painting a blue shade just a bit lighter in an oblong shape to “frame” and pull together your art over the couch. If it were me, I would try also painting just the inside of the window frames and it’s not a lot to paint over if it did not work. The blue inside the window frames brings just a touch more of the blue to bring the eye around and that would then be softened with simple sheers over the windows for a light airy feel. Someone suggested more greenery and that would be good to add some more life. Arrange that lovely rug so only the front feet of the couch and chairs are touching. A solid throw in the same blue as the accent wall would be great over the houndstooth chair. For the accent pillows I would use only the blue, houndstooth, and zebra. You could even find separate scarves with the two patterns and tie and pin one or two onto the solid blue pillows in a neat arrangement. I wouldn’t go too wild with too many “wild” pillows, just a couple to tie those patterns in a little more. My last suggestion would be to put the “good luck” (trunk is up) elephant on the floor next to the palm tree by the chair. I would then clear everything off the coffee table except the large blue globe, letting it once again draw the eye back directly to the blue. Do keep in mind these are only suggestions, and I am never offended if they are not used. After all, we are all different and those differences make life so much more interesting! Whatever you decide to do, it will be beautiful. Frances

by Frances — 8/24/07 at 2:04 am #

47. Thanks Nancy,
I have not seen that color, but I love Pottery Barn. I will definitely check it out……The shell prints will look lovely.
Thanks for visiting the site and come again soon.
alli

by Alli — 8/28/07 at 11:06 am #

49. I can hardly waid to see the finished room. I have such a hard
time with figuring out what colors to paint walls: especially
when you have a great room. I have the same thing and the
walls are all appleblossom white (the color we moved in
with after building it) I am still pondering what colors to use or
to just leave it and put my photos,etc up. How did you decide
what color to go with?

Jan

by Jan [...] — 9/4/07 at 4:53 pm #

51. Hi Alli,

I think painting your wall (s) blue would be stunning! I took the ‘color plunge’ a few years ago and haven’t looked backed since! We painted our master bedroom a beautiful periwinkle/hydrangea color and recently just finished redoing our kitchen where we painted the cabinets a deep green with accents of black and bronze. Next, is the living room and that will be, you guessed it, BLUE! We are going to use Benjamin Moore, ‘Hale Navy’. It’s a dramatic deep navy — one of the Pottery Barn colors.

So, I’d say ‘go for it’! The blue will be beautiful with your flooring. We have cherry wood flooring and the blue is really going to compliment that.

Have fun!

Judith

by Judith — 9/4/07 at 6:00 pm #

53. Go for it!!!! We are getting ready to move and I have decided to use blue.
I never have used blues, I`ve always played it safe. Have fun!

by shelly — 9/5/07 at 6:36 am #

55. Hi, If you want a dramatic blue with a slate undertone, try “Englewood Cliffs” by Ben Moore. Iused it in my dining room and I love it!

by Pat — 9/5/07 at 10:39 am #

57. Hi Jan,
I guess I just picked blue because of it’s soothing tones, or maybe I was trying to re-create the ocean I had to leave behind on the coast….I have used red as accents before and I was just alittle tired of red…..New house, new color…..Go for it, it is just paint!
thanks for visiting the site and come back soon,
alli

by Alli — 9/5/07 at 3:00 pm #

59. Hi Alli,

I am decorating a new place myself in blue and have found an interesting way to find the right blue. LED Blue It is the most consistant blue you will find and will match what you have started. Unfortunitly I had already painted alot of blue before I started with the lights. Try one even adding a blue LED light to you room for night would be great.

Linda

by Linda — 9/5/07 at 10:27 pm #

61. Linda,
thanks for the tip, i’ll give it a try!
alli

by Alli — 9/7/07 at 1:56 pm #

63. hi i think your room would look gorgeous with some navy blue or dark rich blue painted till right above those pictures and then put that chair rail all the way across and leave the top of the wall white along with the chair rail separating the two colors!!!!!

by tina [...] — 9/8/07 at 9:59 pm #

65. I just painted my living roon/great room Russian Blue from Behr. It is absolutely beautiful I went from cream walls to this dramatic look. My furniture is much like yours. The furniture and acessories just POP now. I think you will love the peace tha a blue room brings

by /dh — 9/9/07 at 11:23 am #

67. Alli, I know I’m going totally against the grain here, but honestly, I would not do a blue wall. I actually think a blue wall would take away from your lovely blue accents. I might suggest doing a warm neutral like a slightly warm sand color (darker than your couch) to cozy up the room yet creat a neutral background for your accents and furniture to “pop”.

Just my opinion….. I’m sure it will look lovely no matter what!

by kelli — 9/10/07 at 9:53 am #

69. the rug should go acroos the room not on an angel if across either horizontal or vertical it will pull the seating area closer and be more intimate. currently it is distracting to the eye…go with a bright blue wall dramma and adda couple of zebra pillows too!!

by nyc design manager — 9/13/07 at 10:29 am #

71. get a ‘better’ ceiling fan… this one looks cheap and distorts the whole ‘qualilty level’ of what you are doing..otherwise you are on the track to a ralph lauren styled room!

by nyc design manager — 9/13/07 at 10:33 am #

73. I like the walls as they are i would change the furniture, i do like the lamps but a great room is for relaxing and let the sun shine. If you make the walls a blue color which you do have dark blue vases it would dim the room unless you went with a light blue and dark blue print boarder. I think I would replace the furniture to match the blue.

by Kim — 9/13/07 at 11:43 pm #

75. Hello Second Mother!

I think your blue wall is a great idea. Your darling daughter has very good taste and you made our appartment look so cute! I need you to come back and pick out some stuff for my beautiful orchid room!

Elizabeth

by Elizabeth — 9/28/07 at 4:04 pm #

77. Hi,

I think you need something very large and unique over your sofa that really makes a statement and brings your room together. I would consider some beautiful wood shutters on your windows so you can let the light in when you need to. You also need a large beautiful plant on the right side of the sofa. Home Goods has some very beautiful large trees that would be gorgeous in that corner. You could also add a more decorative ceiling fan to your room that adds light to your ceiling instead of shining down light. Home Depot has a gorgeous dark fan with decorative metal and marble globe that shines up instead of down. I think your blue wall is beautiful the way it is, you just need some large focal points to really stand out. You could tie in brown or black pillows on the sofa to tie in with your rug. Take out navy altogether, go with black/ brown shutters, fan and black/brown framed art and accessories. There are oversized accessories at Home Goods also for your tables that would really make a statement. There is so much you could do with this. I could go on and on with ideas. Good Luck, this is fun to help redo and give ideas. Rhonda

by rhonda [...] — 10/13/07 at 4:27 pm #

79. wow
its very interesting point of view.
Nice post.
realy gj

thx

by loans82 — 9/2/08 at 8:30 pm #