help needed with colours, please!

6 years ago

I would like some help with a colour palette for my living room. It's quite a dark room (although perhaps not as dark as the photos!), north facing, approx 2.60 (to chimney breast) by 4.50 (into square bay window). At the moment it's painted a rather cold "white with a hint of blue" (yes, probably from the days when paints were called that!), but I'm happy to make it cosy rather than attempt to lighten it up.

I've just had the fireplace removed and a woodburner installed, and will be having cupboards/shelving fitted in the alcoves. Wall lights will be removed. I will also reinstate a picture rail, to try and bring the ceiling (2.70) down a bit. The door on the radiator wall will be removed and closed up.

The curtains are more of a deep terracotta than comes over in the photo. Sofas will be dark grey. The floor is beige carpet (over horrible tiles - would like to do something about this, but at the moment it's a job too far), covered almost entirely with a dark brown/cream Moroccan rug.

My thoughts are to paint the alcoves a dark colour, with a lighter shade for the chimney breast and other walls, and lighter still for ceiling and above picture rail. I've been looking at shades of grey or (as, with the furniture, that might be just too much grey) brown.

Any advice from you colour boffins very welcome!

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Create Perfect

6 years ago

Hi. Great news on the plants. Yes, it sounds like that could be a great colour pallet for you then. I did notice a few pieces in the photos :)

This is only quick - but yes, an olive would work really well I think. Pair it with a warm neutral to keep it light.

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Comments (11)

PRO
Create Perfect
6 years ago
Hi Fenella,

You really need to stay away from blue's or blue undertones in a north facing room. They will exaggerate the blue and make it appear even colder and dull.

Instead go for things with warmer undertones. Warm greens maybe nice in that space (in the alcoves as the accent), mixed with a warm neutral and the warmth of the wood.

You can then pick the greens up in cushions on the grey sofa and and in a few plants which will help brighten the space and give it a healthy and fresh vibe.

I hope it helps - keep us posted! Gina
fenella79
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks for that advice - yes, the blue/white is very cold (it's all over the house, so that's an ongoing project!).I have already started with the plants, in the bay window, to replace the "privacy" film that was stuck there before. I should have added to my original post that I have a number of Moroccan cushions, in red/orange tones, that rather dictate the general feel of the room. Perhaps a dark green in the alcoves would work? I'll have a think!
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Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Another idea is to make FP wall as accent wall and paint it in different colour.

Here is inspiration with teal accent wall and gray colour
and with red (ruby fountain) and beige
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Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
6 years ago
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Anna Auzins Interiors Ltd.
6 years ago
Hi, Fenella,

you've had some great suggestions -- I wanted to add something else.

Along with re-instating the picture rail, do think as well about adding some simple cornicing. It really does finish a room and give it depth, and is surprisingly good value. It would be painted the same light white that you use on the ceiling and above the picture rail.
fenella79
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks Anna, there's already cornicing in place!
fenella79
Original Author
6 years ago
celerygirl, I love your colour ideas, but I think I'm going to stick with the darker colour (whichever one I plump for!) in the alcoves - the room is so narrow that I think a feature colour in the chimney breast would be a bit too intrusive.
Y Me
6 years ago
hello fenella, you should pick the colour that makes you feel warm and happy , since it's a dark room consider the lighting options, some down lights in the alcoves or warm lamps can make it just as bright and cosy as a brightly coloured wall, you also have fabrics and textures to use for colour blasts in the room and these are easier to switch up if you change your mind, wallpaper prints is another option. aaaah have fun :)
Juliet Docherty
6 years ago
Farrow and Ball light grey is a beautiful colour with a warm grey/greenish tinge. It would work well in the alcoves. For the rest of the room you could try Clunch which is neutral with a bit of warmth. Both of these should work with your terracotta curtains and cushions.
PRO
Create Perfect
6 years ago
They are some great options from colourhappy - would work well. The French Gret is also not *too* dark! :)