jess2132000- Here are a few pics of our "tween" DD's room, all BM colors. Walls are Fairy Tale Blue, window trim is Pink Popsicle and the baseboard and doors are Pear Green. (We're currently building the house, so that's why the cupboard and door still need to be scraped.) BM has some really nice bright greens, and the Pear Green is even available in their small sample pots, which is a cheap way to test loud colors. sandyponder

You are likely to get more responses if you post your questions on the Home Decorating forum along with some photos of your rooms.

That was something I wanted to mention -- love the big spoons and you similarly need other larger scale items as well. That's why I put the big bowl and plant on the baker's rack -- trying to eliminate some of the small stuff. A mirror might not be a good choice, though, as it will just reflect more stuff! :) I think a large painting adding some great color looks nice there. Especially at the table. It seems you need more color around in some accessories. It would seem you could probably do two side panels, although w/o the middle one it didn't look as good (and maybe a bit funny). The middle section could perhaps be trimmed out or painted the wood color to carry the eye across smoothly. That's what's nice about it -- gives you something broad and large in scale in there. The two doors, again, are like mid-sized items and contributes to a choppy, busy feeling. Making it a big expanse, with some color, looks very nice. With regards to the darker colors, how is the natural light in there? People around here love Laura Ashley's olives. They're named with numbers, like Olive #3 or #4. So not too hard to navigate :)

Cindyloo, don't despair. Part of your dilemma springs from being used to patterns on the walls with the plaid paper and checked curtains. Going to plain paint does not necessarily require that you put pattern on the furniture if you haven't found the right one. Neutral fabrics will allow you to change the other layers (paint, drapes, pillows and possibly rug) at whim. My guess is that you seeking a cheerful but somewhat traditional feel by the selection of your paisley and haven't found that in another print yet. You love that fabric! I still think it would be nice as full length drapes on wood rings or as tied romans in your living room. I think you're bringing into focus what you want: light green walls (I find greens tricky and the wrong tone depressing, so much will depend on your natural light. If you decide on green paint, to keep your room airy feeling consider a light sage, not mint or blue green with your sofa fabric. Circuspeanuts' Urban Nature has a yellow undertone and is lovely with your fabric, but I'm unsure it will work as well with your sofa if you don't use the fabric. Auntjen's Soft Fern might be better if you forego the paisley fabric, but if either is too dark, invest in a quart and have it mixed at 50%. If that's too light go to 75%. Or find a swatch of fabric in the tone you envision for the paint and have it color-matched. If you go with solid panel curtains, it may be better to choose that after the paint and rug as you may prefer ivory or a deeper green or another color from the new rug, chair, etc. to white which might read good and crisp or harsh and off-putting. You want dog-friendly choices for chair, table and rug (that's why I suggested a textured fabric, although I have and prefer leather as it's durable and I find easier to maintain with pets). If the paisley is definitely out as your living room curtain, let's use it in another room. Will it work as a duvet in your bedroom? I could also see it as curtains there and used as trim, accent or pillows on a solid duvet. It would also look great on a channel backed wing chair, if the fabric weight is right. Lots of possibilities, but you've got to use it in a room where you can enjoy it daily. I have dogs and good rugs. As long as puppies are restricted until trained and your dogs are in good health, you can invest in a non-disposable rug. If your dogs use the rug as their tablecloth, maybe you'd like an indoor-outdoor rug that can be easily hosed off for cleaning. They too now come in a variety of colors and patterns so can easily become the anchor. Or Overstock has good prices on patterned wool rugs that hide the evidence as Loribee linked. You just have to really read the reviews as some vary in color or pattern scale a bit from the pictures. It may help to get you started on your new project if you just let if flow without a 100% set in concrete vision. Select the paint, install the floor, then pick the rug. Decide about the paisley or plain drapes after the paint and rug are in place. The club chair fabric can follow. Pillows last. Good luck!