Advice on colour-scheme, please.?

Question

Our living room is about 16 square metres, faces South West (Inverness-shire). Presently papered in pink-sponged-effect vinyl. We need a change! Floor is dark wood, furniture is mahogany as is Mantle-piece with green marble. Large 6/7 seater corner unit plus two-seater modern leather settee. Presently have large Chinese rug in pale green floral.

Settees are green leather (Husbands choice! I wanted cream or white!)

Answer 1

I've spent most of my married life messing around with matchpots, colour schemes, paint brochures etc and I've now concluded that I will stick with silk Magnolia and White ceilings and woodwork. It simplfifies your life and leaves you with more time to do important things.

Contract magnolia is fine.

Answer 2

As you have green and mahogany I think you really need to go all cream otherwise you will have too much going on. Think less is more and declutter if you need to. Laura Ashley do Country White Emulsion which I think would be perfect as it is more cream than white, your mahogany furniture would look great against it. You can always add cream cushions to your sofas and maybe a throw over the arm or back of the sofa to add warmth to the leather.

Answer 3

People love my coral room, and so do I. It is cheerful and warm. As the light changes throughout the day, so does the color of the room. I had the color mixed at Home Depot with three employees kibitzing. We all four finally agreed when it was right. I'm glad I did it that way because they know what the paint's going to look like on the wall AFTER it dries which I probably wouldn't have known. Also, coral would probably do well over the pink you already have. (beige-schmeige!! go for the color!)

Answer 4

I think the rug and lovley mantle should be enough to keep your eyes entertained. Id suggest somthing pale but warm. Maybe a light green or yellow. if you are going for yellow though I'd suggest a daffodill white because yellows have a tendency to look much brighter on the wall than they do in the can.

Go for matt emulsion not silk.

Answer 5

I dont believe anyone could answer this question to your satisfaction without seeing your room. I think you should look to your rug for the color choices. I think nuetral colors are boring also, color is exciting! Only you can say if it is too much or not. Remember when picking out some beautiful colors from your rug to use colors from opposite ends of the color spectrum. For instance I used Mustard walls with cranberry and deep rich blue for the rest....red, yellow, and blue opposite ends. That doesnt mean you should use purple and orange with your green, however salmon and soft heathered eggplant or plum may be beautiful with your greens. HAVE FUN!

Answer 6

How brave are you>?

OK, I love the look of very deep red with green, i has a kind of opulence. No hint of orange it needs to be a deep scarlet blue -red if you know what I mean. Accessorise with lots of plants, especially ferns and palm varieties. Spider plants also work well. the red will do wonders for your floor and make the green seem inviting and cosy.

Sorry if this is not what you want, I love colour and hate the insipid beige's that are so popular now.

Answer 7

Keep to natural (from magnolia to mushroom type colours) on the walls (maybe slight patern or texture but nothing heavy)and add your colour by using cushions, fabrics pictures etc.
soft lighting can warm the room too...like a eligant touch lamp or candles.
OR use a colour wall paper or paint and use plain furnishings. I peronally think plains-ish walls are better then when you fancy a change its easy. . just throw in some new cushion covers etc
if you go with dark-ish walls it will make the room feel smaller but warmer. Lighter colours will give it a biggerfeel but if not careful can make a room feel cold. You need to balance it.
Dont mix too many paterns!

Answer 8

Keep your wall neutral and simple...............if there is a lot going on in the room with the rug and furnishing them i would go a nice neutral colour.............there are so many different shades available now that you could find a nice light beige or antique cream for your walls.........you could put an nice wallpaper on your main wall where the fireplace is and just paint the other walls the one neutral colour......you wallpaper could have hints of green through it to complement the rest of the room.

Answer 9

Try not to use more than one or two principal colors in a room, as well as a contrasting or balancing tone. The best way to choose a background color for the room is to trial with a palette of different shades and tones, in combination with the color and textures of the furniture and materials.

Answer 10

I think a pale, creamy, yellow on the walls would look great. Then I would add punches of color with burgandy. Don't forget to add some black accessories (frames, baskets, candle holders, clock, lamps, etc.) which always dress up a room.