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Paint Design Dilemma living room

Living Room Update

5 years ago

Hi there! We are in the process of updating our living room. The walls were originally covered in paneling, which we have since covered with joint compound to create smooth walls. Prior to the paneling cover up, the paneling and beams were all a dark cream color--leaving the room very drab. We updated the brick fireplace about a year ago, and now we need the rest of the room to be updated, too! I'm not sure what color scheme to go with for the living room. Since the fireplace and built in are white, should we go with white beams and trim, and also light paint colors? I love the idea of contrast that darker beams might bring, but I'm not sure how easy that would be to accomplish since the beams are already painted. Also, with a vaulted ceiling, do you paint the ceiling a different color than the walls? I'm at a loss here, and as you can see the room needs a lot of help! Any and all suggestions you can offer would be so greatly appreciated! (Please excuse the mess of the current living room, I should have taken pictures before we created the giant mess!) Thank you in advance!

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Comments (2)

sloyder
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
You could paint the beams a dark color (BM Wenge), and paint the walls a cream color (BM Ylang Ylang). Another option is to paint the walls a neutral color, and paint in between the beams with a complimentary color, or leave the ceiling alone, and maybe paint the walls a light blue color.
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Beth H. :
5 years ago
are you keeping the same furniture? If so, I'd say add a bit of color to the room. Maybe a rug or a soft, warmer wall color.

I don't like the cream option w/the white. the cream looks dingy.

the wood door and mantel look nice w/the white, so you could wrap the beams with a faux wood,

(or use real) or just paint them all a bright white to match the brick on the FP.

on this one they did the ceiling in a darker tone than the walls, and bright white on all the trim work and beams. notice the patterned rug and natural wood elements.

bright white ceiling and trim with darker gray walls.

I actually like this look for your room w/that sofa. bring in a similar rug, some woven wood blinds, and paint the ceiling the same white as the FP. you could choose to do white walls or something neutral like Pale Oak.
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Maybe you can add a bit of color with the accent chair, as you have plants adding a dark green or blue would help to animate the room and create a focal point. Also, are you thinking of adding a coffee table? It is the remaining element that is missed in your current design. I would suggest adding something neutral like a Barcelona table. I'll attach some ideas :)
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I really like the cabinet hardware you proposed. The table is lovely, but are you sure you want more wood in the space? You well may (I would already be at my threshold with what you have already), but it can get tricky balancing multiple stains and colors of wood in the same space. I would want something to provide some counterpoint to the wood, but that's me. The ceiling fan is fine. For the light fixture, I don't care for clear shades in general (though I know they are very popular), and the shape seems more industrial than country/rustic. The rug is about as far from country/rustic as I think you can get. Other than color, I don't see anything about it that suits the space, Braided rugs always seem to me to be the most "country" choice. A natural fiber (jute or sisal, though not if this is for the dining area) would suit the space. And I don't think you could go wrong with a traditional style.
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First of all can you post more pics of the rest of the space? How much work can and are you willing to do? What’s your style? What are your needs?
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Congratulations on your new home. Since the pathway through the space to the patio is on the right, I’d stack the living/dining area on the left…with the tv on the wall opposite the windows, with seating facing the tv wall and the dining table near the window. What styles, finishes, textures, colors do you like? Lighter color furnishings with texture, softness, and interest would complement the blank canvas of the room.
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