Help with colours for north facing living room

7 years ago

Please help me work out what colours might work well in our north facing living room. There's too many choices!

The front door is next to the biggest window and the fireplace is opposite the wall with the smaller window. The tiles on the fireplace are really pretty, so might be my inspiration. Our furniture is midcentury, oak...

I've stripped the bright white anaglypta (looked cold and dismal) and now trying to choose paint colours and carpet colour. My husband likes Little Greene Orange Aurora, but I've no idea how to make that work! Or maybe a red, to go with the tiles? For the floor, a neutral carpet, maybe wool-rich, biscuity colour? We were going to sand the floorboard but it's directly above the cellar and too cold.

Thanks in advance!

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PRO

The Open Plan - Interior Design

7 years ago

Don't go for red I had it in my N facing kitchen and it was a little too dark. Orange would be fun and shouldn't absorb the light. I wouldn't limit your colour choice to the tiles. Alternatively, copy the colours in this photo.
Good luck

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Comments (14)

Midcenturylass
Original Author
7 years ago
We're now thinking of Little Greene Drummond or Baked Cherry on some of the walls, with a neutral?
PRO
Kerry Bryan Interiors
7 years ago
Hi Midcenturylass,

I thought i'd give you my thoughts on the above and kind of a brief consultation.

If you are looking for a Warm yet bright living space I would look to cover the following..

Paint all walls in Little Greene Loft White (this is a creamy white), which should prevent the cold feeling. Yet, will still provide a bright and airy space. Then to paint your chimney breast in the Little Greene Baked Cherry, this is a really warm colour that also looks the part, as you can see on the Little Greene website from their sample images.

Swiftly moving onto the rest of your living space, firstly to revive your Fireplace with a new lick of paint (in Black of course), this will provided a nice contrast against the Baked Cherry colour. Also installing Dark Oak shelving to the right of the chimney and Dark Oak storage to the right. (This will provide a warm and classic traditional style). So that the Loft White doesn't make you space look too bland, I would add a mirror opposite to the fireplace and artwork to the wall facing the window. To then bring a little more of the pattern from your tiles out I would accessorize with a leafy green colour as shown in your tiles, scatter cushions, vase and table accessories.

I hope this helps! :)

Kerry
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Midcenturylass
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks Kerry. I'll get a tester pot of Baked Cherry and see how it looks. I'm thinking that the wall opposite the fireplace could be red too?

I'd not thought of dark oak shelving, but I did want to get rid of the orange pine. I'll definitely look into that!
PRO
Kerry Bryan Interiors
7 years ago
I'd definately get a tester pot and try this out, with regards to the opposite wall also being Baker Cherry. I'm a little hesitant as from the photos I can't see how large this room is. If the room is of a smaller size I wouldn't recommend, as this may create an almost closed feeling in the space, making the room feel smaller. However, if you do have an ample amount of space then this most definately could be a great feature. :)

If you're looking for a feature and the room is smaller, then I would consider wallpapering this wall. With bright wallpaper, maybe a patterned paper could add to the desired effect.

I hope this helps!

Kerry
Midcenturylass
Original Author
7 years ago
Hi, thanks! It's approx 4 metres by 4 metres, so it's not a bad size.
PRO
Kerry Bryan Interiors
7 years ago
Midcenturylass 4mx4m would be ample. should this be the route you're wanting to take! :)
Midcenturylass
Original Author
7 years ago
Open Plan, thank you, I live that photo. Unfortunately my husband is set on red for the living room - I'm having trouble getting him to agree to paint a neutral wall or two, as he wants all over red!
Midcenturylass
Original Author
7 years ago
Kerry. thanks! I think I might lean to a warmer neutral than Loft White, so I'll see what the next ones are. Maybe Linen Wash? Can't wait to get tester pots.
PRO
Kerry Bryan Interiors
7 years ago
Midcenturylass, I would definitely go for a warmer white if you are open to this! I would personally look for something between the two whites, as the Linen Wash is almost bordering a Beige. Post some photos up once you've painted, i'd love to see the outcome! :)

As for your husband show him these two images that i've found online (attached). I'm sure he can understand that a Full red room, will make the room look small and with the lack of light coming into the room from being North facing this will create a very dark space.

I hope this help you to suade him against full red!
Midcenturylass
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank you!
PRO
Kerry Bryan Interiors
7 years ago
No problem! Glad I could be of assistance. :)
Midcenturylass
Original Author
7 years ago
I've tried some testers and I think Little Greene Stock Deep or Stock Mid look good alongside Baked Cherry. Stock feels warm and soft, with pinky undertones. I think it should go well with our furniture too.
PRO
Kerry Bryan Interiors
7 years ago
The Stock Mid colour will look great against the Baked Cherry, as it's not too dark either which will still let in plenty of light. I completely agree with your reasoning, I can't wait to see your finished product! It's going to look great! :)

Help with colours for north facing living room

The Open Plan - Interior Design

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Help with colours for north facing living room

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