skip to main content

Home Decorating

Need help with color

14 years ago

I was planning on painting my living room/dining room a soft yellow or warm gold. Well, now I'm thinking I want something "cozier" or even warmer. Maybe a brownish. My bedroom and hallway are already shades of yellow so I'm thinking it's too much if I add another gold/yellow to the living room/dining room. My problem: I live in a condo. The living/dining room space is one big space with vaulted ceiling. The dining room has one window (60" wide by about 50" long") and the living room has a sliding patio door (standard size). So I don't get a ton of light in these rooms. Do any of you have rooms that are similar (light-wise I mean) where you used brown or deep beige/brownish paint? If so, can you post a pic? Right now my walls are white (standard when I moved in but I can't take it anymore!) Also, would you paint both rooms the same color or maybe a lighter shade of the other? Help!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

charlieinnj
14 years ago
I've been using a LOT of brownish paints and I get horribly low lighting in my house. They have really warmed up the rooms and they actually seem brighter with the darker colors. Below is a link with my progression recently.

Here is a link that might be useful: Link
Laurie3333
Original Author
14 years ago
Charlieinnj, thanks so much! I'm so overwhelmed with color. I finally found my furniture and it's COMPLETELY different than the set I thought I wanted. So now I'm trying to match my walls to the new furniture (light chocolate brown sofa and l.s. and the chair is a matching print with brown, ivory and green & mauve paisley. So now I need tan/brown walls and new curtains. I have 7 paint samples on my white walls right now! I can't make up my mind! I know it's only paint, but I Have to hire someone to do it because it's a 25' ceiling and I can't do it myself. I have ot make sure it's a color I love as I can't afford to have it redone. I enjoyed seeing your colors and home! Thanks again.
Related Discussions
Need help with color match! what color does this look like
Q
Comments (4)
Looks similar to BM Trout Grey 2142-20. Not a glamourous name but a lovely colour. In general I find the staff at BM stores to be extremely helpful. I hope you will find someone who can help you find just the right shade for you. BM Rocky Coast 1595
...See More
Need help picking color of kitchen cabinets
Q
Comments (8)
Mossy greens are good with copper--try the leaf color over the water cooler (or at least how it appears on my screen! 😁). It's nice to see rich colors like you have instead of WHITE and gray.
...See More
Need Help Coordinating Colors
Q
Comments (17)
@Randee Bleiberg I just meant if you plan to paint all white... SW Shoji White now... Will you use the same white? I was saying I like that look. But I also could see something like SW Pure White for ceiling and trim with the SW Shoji White cabinets and walls. I like cabinets and walls painted the same white to make the cabinets disappear, especially in an open kitchen. You might like to read up in the HOUZZ discussions on whatever white you choose. Also Google the white you choose. There's a lot of discussion in both about undertones. I remember one post that said SW Shoji White had peach undertones, and another that it had green undertones in a room that had a lot of green outside. A couple discussions indicated SW Pure White would work well with Shoji White walls, because it also has warm undertones but is lighter than Shoji White. SW Moderate White also has orange undertones, which would compliment your blue backsplash. I can say from experience that a white with orange undertones looks dirty in a north room, but that clears up in bright winter light or warm incandescent evening light. Glad you got samples to view in YOUR kitchen in YOUR light. Are you going to do the work yourself? Or will you have someone paint these cabinets for you?
...See More
need help with color of my wall and how to layout my furniture
Q
Comments (7)
To follow up on what jck910 said, I used BM Camouflage in my previous home. While I liked the color, is it more green than you might think. I agree with Susan, you should be thinking about paint color last. I think the most important thing is to get a rug with some color to break up the off white box feeling. I don't think any of the colors you're considering will be the best choice because of the floor. Once you find a rug you like, look at colors from the rug for the paint color. Greens are warmer than blues, but a blue would look good with your kitchen. You're not too far off with what you're considering, look for something not too dark that has some blue or green in it (based on the rug).
...See More
colorblind1961
14 years ago
laurie - I too LOVE cozy, warm, browns and russets. I struggled with putting a really warm brown in my FR (which is vaulted), but ended up choosing a warm caramel color instead. Here is a pic. of one of my Guest Bedrooms though painted a very warm brown color (it's showing up much lighter on screen than it is in person). I call it my "Chocolate" Bedroom.

....and here is a pic. of my FR with the caramel color (again, it is showing yellow, when actually it is a very warm, creamy caramel color - I need a new camera).

Related Stories

MOST POPULAR 9 Real Ways You Can Help After a House Fire

By Alison Hodgson

Suggestions from someone who lost her home to fire — and experienced the staggering generosity of community

DISASTER PREP & RECOVERY Hurricane Harvey: How You Can Help

Want to donate or volunteer to aid victims of the storm? Here are groups assisting with disaster relief and recovery

DECLUTTERING Downsizing Help: How to Edit Your Belongings

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

Learn what to take and what to toss if you're moving to a smaller home

COLOR Pick-a-Paint Help: How to Quit Procrastinating on Color Choice

By Laura Gaskill

If you're up to your ears in paint chips but no further to pinning down a hue, our new 3-part series is for you

LIFE Decluttering — How to Get the Help You Need

By Alison Hodgson

Don't worry if you can't shed stuff and organize alone; help is at your disposal

ORGANIZING Get the Organizing Help You Need (Finally!)

By Laura Gaskill

Imagine having your closet whipped into shape by someone else. That’s the power of working with a pro

PETS How to Help Your Dog Be a Good Neighbor

By Alison Hodgson

Good fences certainly help, but be sure to introduce your pup to the neighbors and check in from time to time

SELLING YOUR HOUSE Help for Selling Your Home Faster — and Maybe for More

By Laura Gaskill

Prep your home properly before you put it on the market. Learn what tasks are worth the money and the best pros for the jobs

MOST POPULAR 7 Ways to Design Your Kitchen to Help You Lose Weight

By Mitchell Parker

In his new book, Slim by Design, eating-behavior expert Brian Wansink shows us how to get our kitchens working better

EXTERIORS Help! What Color Should I Paint My House Exterior?

By Jennifer Ott Design

Real homeowners get real help in choosing paint palettes. Bonus: 3 tips for everyone on picking exterior colors

Sponsored

Shylee Grossman Interiors

Industry Leading Interior Designers & Decorators in Franklin County

More Discussions

Which headboard matches this room?

11

I need help with rug for living room!

5

Anyone have any ideas on how to decorate the Shane plan from dr Horton

7

rug choice question

1

Seating - face the fireplace, mountain view or both?

1