Accent wall in 2 story great room

8 years ago

We recently had a painter repaint a couple of our bedrooms and touch up the paint in the main areas of our house. While he was going through our main living areas, he commented on how everything was taupe, taupe, taupe....which I have always liked just fine, but it got me to thinking that perhaps there's something different I could do with our great room, not to change the whole thing, but to maybe give it a different look. The wall that our fireplace is on first goes up one story, then there's a big wide shelf where that wall attaches to the wall behind it. I thought that perhaps it would look cool to paint the one story wall in an accent color to feature it. First, I tried out two different darker shades of taupe, but I didn't end up liking either of them at all. Then I thought that perhaps the answer would be to add another neutral color, in a deeper shade. Now I'm on my 2nd shade of gray, my 4th color total, and I still think it looks wrong....but I don't know what would look right! If possible, I would like to keep my tapestry that is hanging on the top wall though. Please help! Need advice!

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Comments (3)

User
8 years ago
You might get more advice in the home decorating forum.

You have the right idea. I would say the issue is there's not enough contrast. I would do the second deepest shade on the color strip. The deepest if you are adventuresome.

Good luck!
Lisa Mullins thanked User
Pyewacket
8 years ago
Sounds to me like he was just trying to drum up business!

If you've been happy with what you have, don't let him get to you. Who cares what some painter thinks about your decorating choices anyway? LOL!
Lisa Mullins thanked Pyewacket
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Pyewacket
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
You know if you really want to paint that wall one more time, try this - don't be afraid of a strong color. Not a dark color, but something that ISN'T muted, like the taupes and greys you've been trying.

A contrast wall won't look "right" unless it actually contrasts a fair amount.

Whatever you like is perfectly ok - all taupe or muted shades of grey, if that's what you like then there's no harm, no foul. But if you REALLY want an accent wall, my guess is that its not looking "right" to you because there still isn't enough contrast.

Personally I'd go with something in the orange range. Not orange per se, but something in that spectrum. Think Glidden Orange Blossom, Behr Vitamin C, or Benjamin Moore Cantaloupe. I suggest this (something in the orange spectrum) because you've got lots of heavy dark furniture in the room and its heavy on the brown side - so something that will accentuate that, and draw it out and lighten it, without getting dark and heavy.

I think something similar to one of the colors listed will satisfy your apparent preference for more muted colors while also providing actual contrast that will be attractive with the rest of the room. I like seafoams and blue/green colors also, but I don't think either of those would work as well in that room with that furniture as something in the orange range, and anything dark will just be TOO dark.

I think something like the Cantaloupe etc would help that wall to sort of "glow" and give a warm feeling to the entire space. Maybe that is what you are looking for?

You might even consider something even stronger, like Behr Mango Tango (towards the yellow end) or Citrus Punch (towards the red side). Similar colors include Benjamin Moore Tangerine Mist or Peach Jam, Orange Sherbet, or if you're really brave - Butterfly Wings is a good strong color that might look good. Tangerine Zing is a good bright color more towards the yellow end. Tangerine Fusion. Sooo many choices!

Can you tell I have a ton of paint chips hanging about just now? LOL!

Both Behr and Benjamin Moore have virtual rooms online to try your colors out. Benjamin Moore's is a lot easier to use, IMO.

http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/for-your-home/personal-color-viewer?action=category&page=/en-us/photos/living-room

Pick the one labeled "Crisp Contemporary Living Room" - it's got an accent wall built in so you can try various color combinations before you take up your paint brush again.
Lisa Mullins thanked Pyewacket

Accent wall in 2 story great room

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