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Home Decorating

Living Room Paint Color - should I change it?

12 years ago

I wasn't planning on changing my living room for awhile (still kind of exhausted from the kitchen renovation!), but we have the slightest bit of water damage on one wall from a winter storm.

I got a call the other day that our condo association wants to repaint the whole room for us because of this. After assurances that they would do all the moving of our crap, I think we're going to have them do it.

Right now our living room is in satin SW Basket Beige. I like the color, but we've had it for 6 years, and I feel funny repainting a room in the same exact shade when there are so many different awesome paint colors out there!

I like the idea of a light gray, but I think it might clash with my sofa and curtains. I'd love to replace them (and especially the carpet) eventually, but they aren't going any time super soon. I've been meaning to learn to slipcover my free orange cl chair for months, and there it still is, in it's 70's glory!

Any suggestions? They are coming next week, so I don't have a ton of time to contemplate too many samples. They actually wanted to come the very next day after they told me about it!

Thanks for your help!

a little older pic, but shows our drapes, as well as the paint the most accurately

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Comments (8)

nhb22
12 years ago
If you are using the room for homeschooling, I'd go a tad bit lighter, but stay away from gray. That would not be a good teaching environment for children. ;) You may have to get new curtains, though.
noellabelle
Original Author
12 years ago
No, I'm definitely not cut out for homeschooling! LOL It's just that with 3 kids in a smallish house and the fact that this is our only living space, we have quite a bit of kid stuff on display. I'll have to go look through my paint chip deck and see if anything moves me. Thanks
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Getting lots of comments on the built-in....think 1970s built-in...it needed to go. The bottom cabinets were about 2 feet deep, and took up too much of that wall, plus didn't allow for a nice accent chair. Of course we would've assumed that they had built the fireplace properly instead of not finishing the stone around. I would much prefer wood floors, but DH doesn't want hard surfaces everywhere...I know the wood would hold up better long term and be better for resale.. I think I am going to have him put up a wood piece on the bad side. Eventually we might do some nice smaller scale built ins...but the other built in needed to go before flooring. I will make a mantle box probably with a nice corbel on the bottom on each side. The fireplace cover definitely needs to go. I do like the idea of painting the inside of the fireplace a matte black...and I can look for a different "fire" for inside the fireplace. I will find a nice picture or mirror for above the fireplace, and decorate the mantle ledge. Hopefully with a nice paint color and the rest of the room decorated, the fireplace will be nice. Thank you everyone for your replies. Beverly-is your first photo and the one next to it a before and after? I would love a link to that if you have it...I do like the grayish green color they painted the mantle and the corbels under the mantle. Thanks!
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Nice room. That hearth looks like a stumble hazard. Do forewarn your guests, especially any elderly guests. Consider painting the metal staircase black and it will go well with any color you choose and the hearth as well. A neutral wall color that would go with the brick that is not gray could be Sahara Desert Sand or something similar -- a tan without a pink or yellow hue. You might consider a full window length swag valance for your window -- choose "natural" for your color. https://windowtoppers.com/collections/kitchen-curtains-and-valances/products/roslyn-3-piece-tailored-country-swags-filler-valance-window-curtains-set-with-banded-edge?variant=46144210566 Edit to add: while I was looking for a link for the swag for the window, two people beat me to it. Yes to black stairs.
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I don't believe that's enough light. You need ambient, task and accent lighting, and you only have two of the three, and they sound/look to be inadequate. Paint is the last item chosen in a decor scheme. It must work with the fabrics and textiles which are set in stone. Paint color can be custom blended to work with those. Since your sofas are neutral, what other colors will you use in your space? Once you narrow down your choices, order big peel and stick samples from samplize.com so you can move them around to all walls, in all light/weather conditions to be sure of what you'll see once you've painted.
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nhb22
12 years ago
LOL Sorry, I understand. I took one look at that dining wall and thought school. I was mixing you up with a lady that used to post on here. She home-schooled her 3 or 4 children. Room looked a lot like yours.
jessicaml
12 years ago
IMO adding a little color could be nice since you have so many neutrals already. Maybe a greenish greige, like RH Silver Sage, BM Camouflage, BM Baby Turtle or Ace Hazy Day for just a hint of color. Or find either an area rug or fabric to slip cover the orange chair and pull a color from one of those.
User
12 years ago
I agree with Jessicaml a nice green would be pretty. I too would stay away from the grays.
alicate
12 years ago
Try Bennington Gray. It's really a greenish beige that changes color from day to night.
noellabelle
Original Author
12 years ago
ooh, I like bennington gray and camoflage! I will have to get samples of those 2 (along with sw ramie). I like that they're both still fairly neutral. With my sea of blue carpet, I feel I can't get too bold on the walls.

Love RH Silver sage; that looks really close to my kitchen color (sw sea salt).
nhb22
12 years ago
Love your kitchen and the color!

I was thinking about your carpet when others suggested color. Be careful!

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