Colour Choice Dilemma - Odd Shaped (Top Floor Flat Living Room)
Hi All,
I am struggling for ideas painting a top floor flat living room. It has an unusual wall to ceiling transition with curves (on two walls), rather than a distinct line you would usually find (pictures attached). Then the two other walls are vertical with coving at the top.
The current colour is an ivory shade, and they have painted the walls and the ceiling in this colour. With one wall being a red shade.
I could either do the same or create a line myself and use different colours for the ceiling and walls.
Now onto the actual colours. I'm a big fan of grey shades, not keen on any with a slight brown or green tint. Though do I go for a lighter or darker shade? Do I paint ceiling white and walls grey, paint one set of walls a darker grey and the rest lighter? Really struggling for a solid idea here. I have also attached a photo of some tester pots I used, but not a big fan of either (or just find it hard to visualise).
Here are some considerations so far:
Farrow and Ball Cornforth White
F&B Lamp Room Gray (Could be too dark)
F&B Pavillion Gray
Dulux Tranquil Retreat
Dulux Timeless Classic Engraved Locket
The room gets in a decent amount of light, but the windows are as you see below. The ceiling height is also greater than normal. Unfortunately I don't have a good picture to show the ceiling transition, though you can sort of see this in the second picture where it meets the coving. That curve just runs along. Then you have those struts that run up near the end of the room.
I really appreciate any help and suggestions :)
P.S. Ignore the furniture, I'm not trying to match the decor with these, I will probably adapt or replace the furniture to fit the new grey theme.
The lighting in the paint sample isn't too good either.
Comments (12)
Tom Howlett
7 years ago
PROUser
7 years agoNot easy............but everything is do'able. I'd go with white / soft white on all the surfaces down to the curve. Then i'd have the strong colour on the other walls, It's nice and light and airy, so if you don't go for anything too dark it will work well and look sophisticated.
The only problem is that the furniture is all browns and they just don't work well with greys. One is a cool colour and the other warm. You can get away with accents of warm with grey, such as orange etc, but the furniture would look better ultimately replaced with something of a more modern, sleek and neutral design.
I've done you some colour snaps below to show you what i mean.
Using a dark grey really makes the brown stand out.
Using a dark Mocha works with the furniture, unlike the grey tones.
Toning the furniture down to a lighter grey to work with the dark grey walls.
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Design Dilemma - Living room, caught in two minds.
Comments (15)I think you're not far off the look you want but, you're right, there are a few tweaks to tie it together. Mainly paint, so only a weekend, maybe two, depending on how handy you are with a brush! I would paint the black blue, and lose the gold frame moulding in the centre of the ceiling (it brings the ceiling down, visually). Love the blue chandelier, keep it! Is that a radiator to the right of the door? If yes, I'd paint it gold to match the skirting (it would also look more Victorian). If you have the budget, you could get it replaced with a vintage style cast iron radiator? They are quite expensive though, so maybe something to save up for down the line? I'd also paint the entry door blue, with a gold frame, to tie everything in together - I think the stark white block in the wall jars with the rest of the room. As per other contributors to this thread, I agree that you need a rug, ideally a dark coloured Kilim or Turkish style rug, going by your inspiration photos. IKEA do some that are very affordable, but you could splash out on a handmade one. If you can find a battered and worn secondhand one, I think would look awesome, it would give you that lived in Victorian look? Finally, the chairs and table are cool, and the colours work for me, but the table is way to small for the space. Perversely, I think it actually makes the room look smaller? I would switch to a six seater, and turn it 90 degrees to how you have it at the moment (pointing toward the fireplace). It does look awesome, and do please keep us posted!...See MoreDesign dilemma #living room
Comments (36)Hello. I've been reading about rugs and allergies and decided to have a go with either jute or polypropylene rug, which should be fine in my circumstances. I wander if this designs are a bit too crowded for my space: http://m.laredoute.co.uk/ppdp/prod-350020090?docid=221816 http://m.laredoute.co.uk/ppdp/prod-350039225?docid=221816# This is my favourite so far but they don't have the larger sizes available: http://m.laredoute.co.uk/ppdp/prod-324515229?docid=221816# Or this?: http://m.laredoute.co.uk/ppdp/prod-324152642?docid=221816#searchkeyword=jute rug Tomorrow I will post some pics of the room at present. It's been used as a playground so it's not great but.. Hopefully you will help me find a nice rug to add :)...See MoreLiving room floor dilemma
Comments (14)I wouldnt recommend putting a rug on to a wooden floor as if you change your mind in years to come you will create a 'framed floor' using clear oiled / lacquered oak / ash for example as it deepens in colour with exposure to sunlight / daylight. A clear Oiled Oak floor will gradually darken / become more golden with UV exposure. There is a way around this though if you choose a wooden floor that has been stained... stained dark, white , light or grey. The stain acts as a sunblock and stops the patina / colouration occurring. The floor below is the same as the floor above but it has been 'antiqued' with a rich brown stain and will remain the same colour if you cover it with a rug. Im biased but engineered wood is warm underfoot , hardwearing and versatile ...if you change your decor in years to come you can sand your floor and stain to complement a new scheme. If you use the same floor material throughout it creates flow and especially using lighter timbers /lightly stained if you are trying to ..maximise space as darker colours minimise spaces visually. The floor below is oour most popular floor - white stained ash . Very durable and gives a scandinavian style feel...this floor too you can place a rug over and it will not change colour . American White Ash engineered flooring creates an airily open feel. Anyway good luck and hope I havent confused you...floors and floor transitions are notoriously difficult to plan . Best Wishes, Charlotte...See MoreSmall and odd shaped Living Room
Comments (4)Nice room. As the seating area isn't wide I would choose a chair that doesn't visually fill the space like this rattan one which will also add texture. I'd move the white cube to where the bags are. I can't work out what's next to the black vase on the floor but I'd put it on the cube. Add some tall faux stems in the black vase. I don't think you need anything else on that wall, I'd just pull the floor lamp into the room more. I would however change your cushions to add both pattern and texture. Is there any colour in the room?...See MoreTom Howlett
7 years ago- PRO
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7 years ago Tom Howlett
7 years ago
Marisol Garces
7 years agoTom Howlett
7 years ago- PRO
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7 years ago 
PROAmber Jeavons Ltd
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoHello Tom,
Most Welcome! Have a look at eBay or a vintage shop but I thought something quite expansive! Ideally you want your lighting to make the most of your expanse of ceiling space. Either by having 1 large light or perhaps consider a clustered arrangement of many smaller lights that are of the same style to create a bespoke arrangement.
I presume that if you're looking to decorate you own and so you have choice in what you do. Have a think about what sofa style etc and then work in the lighting to follow suit. Other things of course are fabulous table lights and wall lighting but something characterful. Think about how you want your place to look and carry the theme throughout to create a cohesive home.
Oh and I have another useful idea when you have one outlet but might want more than one cable and light... Urban cottage industries have a rose with several cables up to 5.... So you could have an instillation light fitting with lengths of chosen coloured cable hung from little hooks and a length of drop.. Then add the shade of your choice..its another way if you found you wanted to make something. This could be something for living, dining or another location such as halls and or stairs. Bulbs are also beautiful things and come in some large sizes and so you could easily show off the bulb on its own too! :))
Some visuals for inspiration.. These can be mixed with other things to create an interesting scheme rather than just a look from any one single period.. So use key pieces and then work in other things you like..
Tom Howlett thanked Amber Jeavons LtdTom Howlett
7 years ago
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