Decorating with bold colours. Advice needed.

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

Hi. We have a small cloakroom and have gone with a bold blue on the walls but I think we need to find a way to lift the colour as the room feels oppressive, maybe art work or accessories. Or maybe wallpaper on one wall? I do like the blue. Failing that I might have to repaint it in a lighter shade. Any ideas welcome. Many thanks

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Misha M

9 years ago

Would you consider replacing your mirror? To a gold one?

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Comments (26)

Misha M
9 years ago
Hello girlinshape,

Love the blue and I think bold in a small cloakroom is a great idea! Do you have a pic of rest of room/size?

I think you need gold perhaps to lift it - accessories - or a mix of gold and chrome since your fittings are chrome. Some ideas below. Any of interest?

Clayton · More Info

London · More Info
Misha M
9 years ago
Some more:

Featured Roslyn Estates Bathroom by NY Woodstock Inc · More Info

Parkside Colour Design Project · More Info
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Misha M
9 years ago
You look to have a decent height ceiling. I think you need a few well chosen accessories around that make use of that height (some bowls or nice hand wash dispenser of different heights) and I think art work in metallics would work well against your lovely blue.
girlinshape
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you. Gold is a great idea. Just painted the mirror white from dark wood but will think about repainting it gold. That will work. Then some gold accessories .
PRO
Maryna Drobot at Cinnamon Space
9 years ago
Bold wallpaper like Osborn&little Derwent http://www.osborneandlittle.com/products-and-collections/wallcoverings/spring-2008/folia-wallpapers/derwent

Cole&son wisteria https://www.cole-and-son.com/en/collection-frontier/wallpaper-89/10040/

Hygge&west Daydream https://www.hyggeandwest.com/products/daydream-blue-tiles

Farrow&Ball http://www.farrow-ball.com/ranelagh-bp-1815/ranelagh/farrow-ball/fcp-product/201815

Metallic Gold paint Crown Millionaire http://www.homebase.co.uk/en/static/yellow-and-orange-colour-inspiration

Mexican talavera hand painted tiles http://tumitiles.co.uk/105-cm-handmade-tiles-11-c.asp

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/36-AUTHENTIC-MEXICAN-TILES-10-5X10-5CMS-MARINDA/272799873840?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D45564%26meid%3D474c1e6e928445e3b52679390f702ed4%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D6%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D272518236119&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

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Jonathan
9 years ago
Personally I love it.
Perhaps when more of the walls is covered with art and mirrors it will feel right.
You could also have the door panels mirrored
girlinshape
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you everyone. I think I will experiment with the gold. Jonathan, I think you right, more on the walls may well be the answer.
carolinejackson2a
9 years ago
Do away with the small mirror and get a mirror cut to size to cover the whole wall, it's not expensive, you will still get the colour as it will be reflected back off the opposite wall, if you are able to mirror the wall opposite the door too, this way the two mirrors will touch and the room looks 8 times the size. I love the colour and used to have it, eventually I tiled my floor in blue granite and behind the toilet and went white on the walls
girlinshape
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you, that's a fabulous suggestion. Love the photo.
fifi589
9 years ago
I agree with the other comments but would you consider painting the sink unit dark blue? I have just finished my bathroom in black and I think the only way to make dark or bold colours work is to go for it. When I had half the room black it looked ok but now it's all black it looks amazing.
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ALexandra
9 years ago
Hi and easy solution is a rustic painting such as
Decorating your home with collectable art and or your office · More Info

it is 40cm wide and 30 cm high, you could frame it in a gold frame and make it more dramatic.

Best regards,

Alexandra
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ALexandra
9 years ago
I would keep the white frame to keep it contemporary
Joanna Biddolph
9 years ago
I would pile on the pictures - lots of them, different sizes - or to create interest. Not to obliterate the blue, which I love, but to lift it. If not pictures, perhaps driftwood boats or other shapes though that might be a bit casual for what is otherwise quite a formal space. I assume there is no window and that you can't have a plant; you could perhaps have a small vase of flowers/leaves cut from the garden (if you have a garden) or something fun like a fake cactus or other fake (faux seems to be the term these days) plant. Also, some hand towels, or even a pile of flannels to use as towels, with the blue in them or another colour that goes with it, to soften the space. As others have said, I'd paint the mirror gold and introduce a few other gold bits and bobs. You just need to have a bit of fun in there!
PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I would go with white. hang some pics in white frame on the wall right from mirror.
louis_odonoghue
9 years ago
Some great ideas there to try with mirrors & pictures. I love the blue, classy colour, very rich for a cloakroom!!! I'd pick either cream or white, don't have both. ....did I say I'm loving the blue!!
kevnick80
9 years ago
I agree with the gold too! Can I also ask what colour you used? I've been searching for a intense blue like this and can't find it anywhere? Thanks.
Joanna Biddolph
9 years ago
kevnick80 I am trying to find the right intense blue. I've currently used Sanderson's Sea Blue but the one I wish I had used, and which I found after I'd painted the room, is Abigail Aherne's Bowery Blue. I've put a spread of it on a wall, next to a spread of the one I've used to compare them, and it's richer but brighter and very intense. I will paint over the Sanderson one as soon as I've got the energy. Here's the Bowery Blue - if you put your cursor on the paint colour you see it with good lighting which is, of course, important with dark colours; mirrors make a difference, too: https://abigailahern.com/search?q=bowery+blue
girlinshape
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks everyone. The colour is Admiral Blue by Benjamin Moore. I had some let over from using it on one wall in lounge. Very happy with it in lounge. Cloakroom just need some work still but I will post back when done. Thank you to everyone that responded. Very helpful
m40mm
9 years ago
I think more white frames either with mirror and/or pictures/artwork would look better. The gold looks good in those big bathrooms with a period feel but I don't think it would work as well in a smaller cloakroom.
Love the dark blue!
weaselellenbadger
9 years ago
I think it looks fabulous. How about trying a mirrored ceiling (or lots of different mirrors on the ceiling with white frames) - it would really zing. Or, could the sink unit be painted white? I have just painted my lounge wall Basalt (an even darker blue) and I love it. I'm pairing it with a chalky pink sofa. BOLD IS GOOD. I'm so fed up with greys and beiges.
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Shower Source
9 years ago
Hi there,

Loving the blue!

This three-hole basin mixer might fit in well with your scheme.

Rossi Murano Blu · More Info

We also have lots of basin tap sets and shower heads/accessories in chrome, white, brushed nickel etc that can help to reflect light and lift colour.

Bristan Cardinal · More Info

OMBG One Bar Mixer · More Info

http://showersource.co.uk/Shop/Product-Detail/catid/3672/eid/4225/foglio-by-visentin
Simon James
9 years ago
Paint the door the same colour
bombel1972
9 years ago
the blue is fun! blue and white do look great together, but maybe it's me or my screen, but your sinks worktop looks cream'ish? it's throwing it off a bit. i think if THAT were bright white, as well.... hmm??? and lighting plays a huge roll in a room. the light creates a feel, right? not sure if you're able to put up some great wall sconces? well, it does look fun, regardless.
Lalitte Stolper
8 years ago
How about 'marbled' blue and gold paper on one wall? (Use inks and gold paint dragged and swirled on a water surface and 'print' paper by laying sheets directly onto the fluid surface. Might even work on perspex panels that you could them frame in gold and arrange on the walls.
kharmeleon
8 years ago
Stunning colour blue! Go for touches of its opposite and complementary colour yellow or GOLD! If you paint the white mirror frame with a gold paint, you'll see what a difference this makes. And then choose some interesting gold-framed pics and modern artwork to add interest and glamour.