Help with 80’s brown & beige
Please ignore furnishings for the time being, we just moved and are in the process of choosing new furniture.
We need a cost effective solution to update this room, and we can’t do any major layout changes at this time. New carpet and rug is in the works, but I’m at a loss on next steps to take. Especially need help with wall and trim colors. I honestly think once everything else is updated, I will love the stone fireplace, but right now it’s a beast. I’m thinking either paint the paint the walls white, paint the built-ins a dark charcoal, and keep the wood trim, OR paint all the wood white.
Also would love advice on what to do with the wood railing pass-through on the wall shared with the dine-in kitchen. Should we open that whole space? Then the dilemma is what to do with flooring — keep the separate flooring areas or join them with the same flooring?
Comments (10)
4 years agoHere is another photo that shows the paint color and trim more clearly. I can’t wait to attack this room with paint but can’t decide because of the sheer quantity of wood! (We are planning to get a taller credenza to center on that wall with the TV.)
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Comments (19)we just had another poster the other day w/similar issue. her house was painted a brighter green/blue. just doesn't work w/that warm stone. if you like color, there are plenty of warmer colors to choose from. Golds, reds, brick, oranges, etc. I don't like the teal shades w/that stone. If you like the darker tones, try Urbane bronze, (or one of those upper colors) with shoji white on the trim. only way for you to know is to get samples and try them out w/your lighting. few more door/accent colors. this yellow is too yellow, you need more of a golden yellow, but get some warmer elements around the porch w/terra cotta planters, warm tones foilage, a sisal welcom mat. This curry color would be gorgous w/the urbane bronze color and a buttercream trim. either of these would be nice on the doors and pots on the porch. peachy undertones on the white would also work. dark color like this would look great w/those tones mossy green works (as opposed to a blue green) because this leans toward the yellow spectrum. get yellow / gold hued shades....See MoreHelp! We need update our 80's common area entry into condo!!!!!!
Comments (4)For sound muffling and slip protection, I think you need carpet on the stairs. Stripes wear well. I'm showing you runners but I would do wall-to-wall on the stairs. I would go with gray/brown/blue or a clay/brown stripe, and I might look for a narrower stripe than these This below is called Cigar Box from the Andersen Carpet Marquet collection or you could go warm I think scuffs on the walls will show less with a textured look for the lower wall covering with a glossy paint above in a slightly lighter but matching shade. I think wall art will only clutter up the space. If residents would find it useful, a sturdy but small table near the door could be nice, like the one shown in the picture of the clay stripe stair runner. It's very tempting to put some kind of mirror on the face of the upper landing, but it would need to be just the right one. Maybe one like this (MaryEllen via Wayfair) If the condo owners at the top of the stairs can come to an agreement about what they might like on their shared wall, a pair of tall framed prints side by side might be nice. But it looks fine without art Again, if there is room and useful for the residents, a simple sturdy table for setting things down momentarily, could be a good choice. If the condo is where it rains a lot, som attractive shared umbrella storage might be really nice to have. From Apollo Box, and they also come in black and white (maybe gray). I like them because they take short umbrellas as well as long ones....See More- 4 years ago
- 4 years ago
4 years agoI would paint the walls a slightly warm white, and focus on lighting and decor. Would probably bring in a chandelier on a dimmer or more updated fan. I'd leave all the wood, as is, Maybe remove some doors from built ins, and display art glass, and/or pottery, etc.
(You can save doors, in case you want to put them back on. :))
If you are going to use a tv in the space, you could possibly do something like this with tv placement, as well - and put sofa facing fireplace, with sofa table behind it; or you could place furniture as they've done here - which is same as current furniture placement in your space, except I would switch places with sofa and chairs - have sofa facing windows, with sofa table to anchor it, since sofa is floating (Feng Shui thing). You could also use an angling extension arm on tv, if you need to adjust for viewing angles, etc.
I would also either remove mantle from stone completely - or do a much longer mantle, in black.
Hope some of this helps. Congratulations on your new home!- PRO4 years agolast modified: 4 years ago
What is in the doors to the right of the FP? You have a couple of nice chairs that is where I would start getting some nice MCM pieces , remove the mantel and I would also get rid of the shelves to the left of the FP and just keep the lower cabinet if you could do that on the right then that would be the perfect place for the TV. Either close that pass through or open it all up. Is that your only eating space ? I would wait to get wood flooring and then use area rugs have the wood floor everywhere. The kitchen is probably going to need work unless you are very lucky so I would wait for new flooring until you have been in for at least 3 months to see how the spaces function for you. BTW the TV is at the perfect viewing height do not place it higher, That room is huge so think maybe 2 seating areas . If you post a to scale drawing of the whole space with all measurements clearly marked and all doorways, windows and the FP we can offer more help.I love the FP so please keep it , it adds so much to the space.
- 4 years ago
4 years ago
4 years agolast modified: 4 years ago- 4 years ago
Here is a floor plan sketch.
Interesting, I hadn’t considered going without a mantel altogether, but I like that idea.
To the right of the fireplace is a mirrored wet bar complete with brown tile and glass shelves. 😬 Would love to repurpose that space someday.
The space is indeed huge. I have considered separate seating areas, but the way the fireplace is so central, just couldn’t figure out a functional layout. Maybe a big cozy chair in the corner where the pass-through is now...
Also have thought about a big sectional, but again the layout is tricky when we consider where to put the TV. It could work to right or left of the fireplace if we rework the shelves or wetbar area.
We do have two toddlers. Right now the “formal” dining is working as a play area.
We moved from a MCM home so most of our furniture is such... I still love MCM. I love classic style with a lot of texture, and lean toward global and scandinavian styles.
cat_ky