I was taught to START with the drapery fabric when working out a room's palette, but have done the opposite, too. I think it's harder, BTW, but our living room is proof that it can be successfully done!

Paint up a piece of cardboard in your wall color (give it couple of coats), do the same thing for your trim color, see if you can score a sample of the couch leather (arm protectors?!). Your accent color is sage green... what does that mean, exactly? your trim is that color, your toss pillows, it's a color you really like... 'splain it to me. If you have a sample of it, add it to the wall color and leather samples.

Go to the fabric store and walk around. Give yourself plenty of time (1/2 hr. won't be enough), and leave the kids with a sitter! Look for patterns that "grab" you and that work with your samples. DON'T rule out fabrics with dark backgrounds; a common mistake is thinking the background of the fabric must match the walls. UNHUH! all that is required for a good selection is that the wall color and upholstery be represented in the palette of the fabric you select.

Hope this helps.

House Beautiful has a section every month in which a decorator picks various fabrics that coordinate together. Pick up a copy or leaf through some back issues at a library. Matching solids isn't very exciting. You can look for florals, stripes, tweedy weaves, geometric patterns, plaids--a zillion choices that will work with your sofa.

A fabric with a texture, even in a cream/beige, will seem more interesting than just a flat wool or cotton/linen one. Your small space will look more spacious if your furniture doesn't all match-up.

If your space is small, have you considered going armless on the chairs? To me, armless is more contemporary.

As far as curtains, I like when the curtains are a close match to the wall color. Really depends on what look you are going for. Do you want the curtains to be more of a statement or do you have enough going on in the room that the curtains should not be noticed as much?

HTH.

Hello,

Thanks for the comments so far. The sage green will be used in pillows, possibly placemats, throw blanket.

In terms of the curtains, I want them to look elegant but understated, so I think I will go with curtains in a similar colour as the walls.

Thanks!