What is this…
- An estate sale?
- A more-is-more decorating attempt?
- Clutter gone wild?
- An out of control HomeGoods fanatic?
- My house before a decorating job?
Yes, it’s my house. I’ve been collecting items to accessorize a friends home. Her daughters getting married in a few weeks, so we are under-the-gun. We need to dress-up 4 rooms quickly and inexpensively in her home…living room, dining room, big entry hall, and kitchen. There is a lot of apple green here, but this will accent all the rooms and visually unify the spaces which are now furnished with browns and beiges. She didn’t want to make any major changes with her furnishings but we needed to warm it up, add some color, and add interest. (click on photos to enlarge)
We started with paint, and picked 4 color shades on the same paint chip to paint the 4 areas. We used 3 different shades in the 4 open rooms and the lightest shade on the chip for the ceiling color (see “Wall Color Idea” for how-tos). This application blends all spaces and sight lines together but each area will have its own distinct personality.
In the living room, in the before picture, the room was nicely furnished, but a little stark. In the after picture, the walls are painted a warm khaki/taupe color (the darkest of the 4 shades). Other colors used as accents are an apple green color and a russet rose. Drapery will be added to soften and 
enhance the windows. A green banding will accent them. I hope to hang her mirror vertically to reflect and showcase the height of the wall. Then add 4 botanical prints for more interest and color in her traditional room. More color is added in the pillows and some floral. There are also built-in cherry bookcases flanking the fireplace on the right wall. These are not huge changes, but enough to warm and welcome a room. We will go from room to room and tweak and transition. I hope to post a few pictures when complete.
Simple changes do make a big difference. They don’t have to be expensive. Do the painting yourself. Sew pillows and throws, even drapery. Reuse things you already have in a new way. Or accent the room with a few new accessories in stores that sell great stuff for low prices (HomeGoods came through for me here).
Happy decorating and embellish tastefully all those great furnishings you already own! Any ideas or thoughts?
1. I didn’t recognise your house with all the green details in there…IT”S TRUE! Color can really change a room!!!!!!
You are so smart to just turn the mirror and add prints on each side and “wha-la” a finished look to the walls….
Love that apple green color…
Her room will be fabulous!
Post finished photos later OK
by Julie — 7/12/09 at 7:00 pm #
2. Hey Julie,
Yes, just warming up the wall color can make big impact for little $. It’s probably the biggest mood-maker in the room. But, it’s the accents and accessories that reflect style and make a room interesting. Thanks for noticing the details…they’re small but mighty.
Check back later for more.
We’ll talk soon,
LYC
by Cathy — 7/13/09 at 1:11 pm #
3. very good improvement…adorable colors, but I still liked the horizontal mirror.
by Lorna — 7/15/09 at 10:29 pm #
4. Hello Lorna,
Thank you so much. Yes, the colors are fresh and fun. They will help bring in some needed color and interest. I may have to work with the mirror horzontally. The homeowner says it’s very heavy and is hung well that way. It will work either way. So we’ll see what happens when I get out there.
Thanks for taking a minute to drop by and comment. Write back soon.
by Cathy — 7/16/09 at 11:12 am #
5. Thanks for the inspiration, Cathy. I think apple green is my new favorite color! Speaking of color, I’ve been reading a book on outdoor decor and how one can transform outdoor spaces inexpensively and easily with paint. I have a metal patio set that I’d like to spray paint, and replace the umbrella. The exterior of my home is tan with brown shutters so I’m pretty much open to any color scheme on the deck. My friend Dee, who decorates in bright, fun colors, suggested that I paint the table and chairs in lime green and use a marine blue umbrella. Do you think this is a good color combination –or what color combination would you suggest? I’d love to hear your ideas. Thanks a bunch.
by Janice — 7/18/09 at 11:35 pm #
6. Hey Janice,
Great to hear from you! It sounds like the decorating bug has bitten again. Yes, paint is decorating nirvana in a can. LOL. I don’t see why you can’t paint your metal outdoor furniture a fun bright color. It would be a nice accent to your brown/tan house color. The blues and green go well together, wonderful with brown. They are harmonious and an “analogous’ color combination. Maybe paint the furniture frames the lime green, use your marine blue umbrella and add seat cushions in a wide stripe of the green and blue to unify the two. You may have to sew the two color stripes together to get the colors you like, but that’s easy. Could look great! Make sure you use a paint for metal for best results. What else were you thinking of?
by Cathy — 7/21/09 at 1:07 pm #
7. I’m glad you think the blue/green combination would look good. Since the exterior color of my home is dull — tan and brown — it just seemed that I should use cool colors to brighten it up. The other combination I had in mind was to use terra-cotta for the metal furniture and have the umbrella in turquoise, navy or cobalt blue. You know how much I love black and red, but I thought those colors would look hot outside–or would they? Anyway, which combination would you choose if you were me? As always, I appreciate your help.
by Janice — 7/21/09 at 11:47 pm #
8. Oh, yes, I forgot something (imagine that!). Can my existing umbrella be painted? Of course, I know it would need to be a fabric paint, which is waterproof. Can this be done? There is nothing wrong with my umbrella as is. It’s in a marine blue and white stripe (horizontal stripe) and the border on the edge is hot pink. Hey, could I just paint the furniture pink and keep my existing umbrella? Would that look totally stupid? I’m just tired of dull and ordinary, and want something different.
by Janice — 7/21/09 at 11:53 pm #
9. Hi Janice,
You know, you have lots of options to go with this project, as you wrote about. It’s nice to change things up a bit. I’ll just run down your ideas and see what interests you.
The terra-cotta would look good for the furniture and a cobalt blue umbrella. Orange and blue are great complementary colors. Add a stripe or floral in those colors for cushions.
Black and red is your fav. and would also look good. Black furniture, red umbrella and black and white stripe stripe cushions…sharp! No, not hot looking.
On your existing umbrella, I wouldn’t try to paint or dye it. It has too many colors in it and won’t accept the dye/paint evenly. If it was a faded solid color, then maybe it would work. If you wanted to work with it as is, why not?
You could paint the furniture, the marine blue and add pink and white stripe cushions. Or paint the furniture white, and add pink white and blue cushions. Floral or stripe. Add some great looking pink flowers near bye in white pots, and a set all on a sisal rug with a pink border. Just use the pink as the accent color.
I like any combination. You have to choose what best suits you and your budget. I’ve seen lots of umbrellas on sale right now. So keep your eyes open if you want a change.
I can’t pick for you, I like them all. What are you leaning toward?
by Cathy — 7/22/09 at 6:00 pm #
10. Oh, wow, Cathy! I want them all! The pink and white cushios and marine blue furniture sounds heavenly — and I would have never thought of that. And, I’m delighted that you think red and black would look sharp, and not hot. I’ll have to consider all the possibilities and make up my mind. I found an internet site which has umbrellas on sale and within my budget. The colors offered are tomato red, cobalt blue, daffodil yellow, green, tan, and even black — all in solid colors. Now that I think about it, daffodil yellow would look nice with blue metal furniture. I wish I could make decisions easily. It’s like being in a candy store! LOL Can you suggest a source for the pillows you mentioned?
by Janice — 7/22/09 at 9:29 pm #
11. Cathy, are you familiar with an old decorating book about two sisters who return from Jamaica, inspired to add color to their boring home? I’d like to find the name so I could order it. It may be by Dorothy Draper, I don’t remember. There is a part in the book about a patio with a red and white awning, black patio furniture, and big pots of red geraniums. Do you happen to know the book I’m talking about?
by Janice — 7/23/09 at 10:31 pm #
12. Hi Janice,
Yes, many of those combinations would look great. For the pillow fabrics, you might look online, Google “outdoor stripe fabrics” and see what pops up. Or you can sew two colors together in a wide 3-4″ stripe. I’ve done that before when I couldn’t find the right fabric.
You asked about a Dorothy Draper book (love her great vibrant style). That book doesn’t ring a bell for me, but it sounds like your style and mine. The only D.D. books that come to mind are “Decorating is Fun” “In the Pink” or a Varney book entitled “Kiss the Hibiscus Goodnight”. Could it be one of those? If I run across anything about it, I’ll let you know.
Keep thinking your ideas through until the “light bulb” goes on. You’ll know it when it comes together.
I kinda like the red umbrella, black furniture, and bold black and white stripe cushions. Add big pots of your red geraniums. Set it all on a patio painted in a super large black and white checkerboard or diamond pattern…very Draperesque!!!
Do you like??
by Cathy — 7/24/09 at 7:23 pm #
13. You are just too talented girl!! I LOVE the patio you described in your last paragraph. I’m leaning toward the red umbrella and black furniture myself. My deck has wooden planks now — in a brown stain but it can always be changed or repainted. I wish I could think of the name of the decorating book. It’s very old — over 20 years, I would think. I remember a part in which one sister painted her old bedroom suite in apple green and used pink in the room. It does sound very much like a Dorothy Draper book, but I don’t think it is one that you mentioned. Again, I’m really digging that red and black combination. Do you think the checkerboard pattern would look o.k. with the tan and brown e xterior?
by Janice — 7/25/09 at 10:48 pm #
14. HI HI Janice,
You mentioned you had wood plank decking, If you really wanted to go high contrast or dramatic, paint two or three of the long planks alternating in the black and white for a wide black and white stripe effect (use a deck paint for durability) Add the smaller scale B/W stripe to the chair cushions and black furniture, red umbrella, red potted geraniums. VERY SHARP and not hard with the planking dictating the stripe and straight lines. Just a thought that might be easy and cool looking. I think it would look good with your brown and tan exterior. That is your neutral background to the accents on the deck.
Sorry, can’t think of that book. Maybe someone will write in if it rings-a bell for them.
Keep me posted on the… deck design dilemma. It could look great!
by Cathy — 7/27/09 at 1:31 pm #
15. I like the idea of stripes for the deck — and it would be so easy to do. Don’t know why the exterior colors are causing me concern. As you say, they are the neutrals. I keep thinking that I should paint the brown shutters to coordinate with what will be on the deck. But, I sure couldn’t see having red shutters, or even black ones. I did see a beach house recently that had a blue tin roof and it coordinated with the patio furniture. Guess this is why I’m concerned about the exterior matching the deck furniture. I’m being “too precise,” aren’t I?
by Janice — 7/27/09 at 8:17 pm #
16. Another thought — what IF I had chosen to have marine blue metal furniture (or terra-cotta) and opted for an umbrella in a contrasting color? Would that mean that I could paint the deck in a blue and white checkerboard pattern (or terra-cotta). In other words, would the same principle apply for these colors as for the black and red combination? That is, the same look, but just using different colors.
by Janice — 7/27/09 at 8:21 pm #
17. Janice,
YOU have to feel comfortable with the look and feel of the colors you use. Also the feel and ambiance of your surroundings . Since you live on a river, maybe you want to feel a little more “earthy” natural, instead of a high contrast chic look. Yes, you could apply the same red/black application in more earthy colors of blue and terra cotta. Maybe paint the wide decking stripes in the blue and terra cotta (the “wow” factor). Paint the furniture in terra cotta, use a blue umbrella, and striped blue and terra cotta cushions. Add some terra cotta pots with blue delphiniums, hydrangeas, or white daisys, or white geraniums. A little more casual but still makes an inviting statement.
Find your comfort level, but don’t forget to add the “wow” factor, to set it apart from the norm. Does that sound more comfortable to you?
by Cathy — 7/28/09 at 12:07 pm #
18. You KNOW how I love red and black, but I believe I like the casual “wow factor” of the blue and terra-cotta combination a tad better. I believe that’s why I kept having doubts — the red and black was going create a chic look, and I wanted “earthy natural,” as you described it. The blue and terra-cotta reminds me of Provence, for some reason. Could you share a decorator’s secret? How do you know how to create the “wow” factor? Are you just born with this knowledge? For instance, it would never occurred to me to paint the planks in a striped pattern, and you thought of it right away. And, I THOUGHT I was creative! LOL
by Janice — 7/28/09 at 9:53 pm #
19. Could the shutters of my home be painted the same blue as the blue umbrella to make everything look more cohesive — or would that be too much of a good thing?
by Janice — 7/29/09 at 9:13 pm #
20. What nice comments, Thank you Janice. Yes, YOU are creative, we just think in different ways I guess. No secrets here. Sometimes it’s easier to analyze a problem when you’re not right on top of it, or see it too clearly…as strange as that may sound. Sometimes you can be too close or too connected to see the big picture. Also another point of view is always helpful.
I think the blue and terra cotta will look great. More of what you had in mind I think. Let me know what you do, you’ve peeked my interest.
Take care my friend.
by Cathy — 7/29/09 at 9:31 pm #
21. I appreciate your kind words, Cathy. I know you are sick of the umbrella and patio subject, but I wanted to tell you something funny that happened today. I asked my sweet husband, who knows nothing about decorating, what color umbrella he would get, if he were purchasing one. He said, “RED” — the first color you suggested to me, if I opted for black furniture. I have no vision at all when it comes to picturing a finished project in my mind. I tend to analyze things way TOO much. You said the red and black combination would look chic and sharp, and I kept thinking the exterior of my home was too casual for chic and sharp. But, it doesn’t matter, does it? That is, one can have chic and sharp despite the surroundings. It has to do with the feel one wants to create, right? That being said, little old wishy-washy me is going back to red. Couldn’t you just strangle me!!! LOL I’ve been on a site, which has super prices on tomato red (a true, bright red, the description said) patio umbrellas. Also noticed one in lime green. Just for the heck of it, what color would you paint the metal furniture, IF you chose a lime green umbrella. I’m not getting the lime –just curious as to what colors would go with it. Anyway, seemhs that you and my DH think alike! LOL
by Janice — 7/31/09 at 9:11 pm #
22. Janice, Sure, your shutters could be painted if you wanted. Here’s what I do when I want to visulize how colors will go. Take a long shot picture of the whole elevation you are working with. Print the picture out just on white paper in a full page format. Then draw in and color in the elements you want to use, to see the “big picture”. You can print more pictures to try different colors or arrangements. This helps you see how all elements work together before you committ. Let me know if that works for you. Here’s the idea…
http://openhouse.homegoods.com/index.php/2009/05/17/10-cheap-chic-ways-to-repurpose-a-patio/
by Cathy — 8/1/09 at 12:41 pm #
23. Thanks so much for the great tip. That’s a great idea. Well, you’ll be happy to know, that in addition to deciding on the fabric for the screened-in porch, I’ve also had a revelation about the umbrella and furniture on the back deck. It finally occurred to me that since the deck is just outside my kitchen/dining area, and accessible by sliding glass doors, the furniture outside should coordinate with what I have in the kitchen/dining room — which, as you know, is red, white and black. I’m sorry that I pestered you so much about this, when the answer was so obvious. So, I have ordered a tomato red umbrella and plan to paint the metal furniture black. Also saw some red and white awning stripe fabric online, but haven’t gotten it yet. I’m always so unsure about my decisions, but I think I got this one right (finally!), thanks to you. I really appreciate your pointing me in the right direction.
by Janice — 8/3/09 at 12:52 am #
24. Janice, I’m glad things are falling into place. Somehow I knew you wouldn’t stray too far from your red, black and white. It will look great viewed from the interior that has the same color scheme. Sometimes it just takes a little thought and weighing different options to help you come to that “AHH HA” moment. Love the red umbrella and black furniture. Red and white or black and white for cushions will look great. Let me know how it all comes together…we have a lot of thought invested in this. LOL.
by Cathy — 8/3/09 at 11:47 am #