Is the vapor what you have? I really don’t know what happened here. She didn’t listen to you or you trusted her too much or she’s not very good?

Unfortunately, you have a lot of blue-grey that led to the room looking grey overall. I can tell you though, I really appreciate this thread. I just had a carpenter leave (doing built-ins...$10k) and this conversation showed me how important it is that I was very clear on paint, stain, style. I’m usually very much the type to say “I trust you, you’re the artist.” Now I see the problems that can cause. So, thank you.

This thread is a good example of the truth of the insanity quote (which I've seen attributed to Narcotics Anonymous and author Rita Mae Brown rather than Einstein), and also the sunk cost fallacy : ) .

I realize that you won't be staying in this house longer, but I'd invest in more blue that you can use in your new house as well in several years.

I don't think any more grey, or greyed blues, will give you the look you clearly want.

Yes it has been an interesting and informative thread for sure. One major thing I’ve taken away is that I want to hire DIS!

"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results."

Becky, thank you for the sunk cost fallacy article.

All I can say from a non professional stand point is I feel your frustration.

I strive to be as transparent as possible. In fact that wording is even in my contract. I value it. Its the way I live my life so I only know to run my business the same. I have had several clients tell me I should have been a teacher because I try to explain and inform as we go. But mostly I try to listen, listen then listen some more. If it still isnt clear to me then I ask and ask and ask more questions. But one can never stop learning and listening and finding ways to improve themselves and their business. I am happy this post is educating everyone, myself included.

DIS, You really have been a Godsend to me. I cannot begin to tell you how much you've helped me - in more ways than you realize. Your selflessness in providing all the information you have is very much appreciated and speaks volumes of your character. I have struggled with this, and in the process, I know I've frustrated others. My apologies to you all. Becky's last post was excellent and made me realize that I need to stop struggling with this. While I may not get the look I want in this house, I did buy artwork for the other room, which is a little off in color scheme, but I'm now thinking about the new home (likely in Asheville) and I'm going to use that lovely blue wallpaper Majorelle that goes with it. I was just about to tape the sample to the back of the artwork. I was also just in the process of sending more images to Maria K of the blue wallpaper you initially suggested.

The blue is less brighter than on the two samples next to pillows - closest to blue on artwork in image above; and more blue than the image below.

Thank you from DIS from the bottom of my heart.

I will not be posting on this until there's wallpaper on that unit so I can stop this amazingly long thread.

I really don't think anyone is frustrated with you but for you. The great thing about a forum is if you don't like the content you don't have to read!

I'm happy to have helped in any small way that I could. You're very welcome.

The wallpapers look lovely. Such a difference when the sunlight is filling the room!

Asheville is lovely! You will be in my state then and can look me up ;-)

We'll be waiting to see it! Good luck.

I have struggled with this, and in the process, I know I've frustrated others. My apologies to you all.

As DIS said, we're frustrated for you, not with you. And I think you've probably been hardest on yourself.

Just remember, we're in a pandemic, so lots of us have time to read and offer suggestions. Heck, a lot of us had lots of time to read and offer suggestions even before the pandemic!

You're welcome for the article, I'm glad it was helpful. I tend to be very frugal and try to make do, whether it's cooking or building our new house, but there are times when you have to know when to move on, and also to know when it's important to be happy, especially for something you're going to look at and/or use daily or almost daily.

This is not an amazingly long thread. Not even close. There are a few out there that have been going for years.

Looking forward to the installation pictures.

Wallpaper has been ordered! Very happy about that :) :) :). It works so well, has blue some silver gray, and I don't have to delete anything!

Pictures week after next!

and....

Wallpaper installer said, Gray was last year's color; blue is this year's color!!!!

Have loved loved loved this post.
I am learning to be more courageous, but to listen too. I have a hard time choosing what I love without first putting in a lot of caveats! Lol! You are doing great Ms. Peace!

Bravo!

I love the wall paper and not that art. Perhaps in a different frame it would still work but right now it seems so different from the wallpaper

I know how tricky photos can be with capturing color and tones.

The book case looks great with the wallpaper and the most important part is that you like it and feel it works well.

The blue wallpaper looks great. Now the solid pillows and art above the sofa aren’t working. Or maybe that’s what you meant when you said it’s not photographing well. Photography and lighting are so bizarre. Photos of my house make my paint look poopy brown green, but in real life it’s a great beige. If it looks good to you, I’m sure it is!

Is the piece above the sofa the one you’re matting?

You seem happier!

Honest I think you need another photograph to relate to the one over the sofa otherwise I see them fighting each other. That being said if you long for art work in the center niche, then have the colors relate......blue grey black silver white.
PS AKEXA Hampton does a lot of photographs in her designs. Check them out aka Alexa Hampton NY apartment.

Alexa Hampton

I'm late, but will say that the light neutrals and reflecting-water photo is fab, like the cool part of a beach day... quieter part. Save the wallpaper ?!

And shutters look better here than in other styles -- a coastal look is it called, casual.

Neutral room, I'd add more color - is it for book wall ?

"Sea Forest Three" by Emily Magone, 40x26x.75 · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/products/sea-forest-three-by-emily-magone-40x26x-75-prvw-vr~48116048

"Seaweed Flow I" Floating Frame Canvas Art, 32"x42"x1.75" · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/products/seaweed-flow-i-floating-frame-canvas-art-32x42x1-75-prvw-vr~139661704

"Sea Bird I" Floating Frame Canvas Art, 32"x42"x1.75" · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/products/sea-bird-i-floating-frame-canvas-art-32x42x1-75-prvw-vr~139661716

I know I'm late to the show and I haven't read the whole thread, but why don't you just paint the back of the bookshelves for now? Since you'll eventually be moving, why invest in wallpaper now?

I know someone of you will think my comments are rude and I'm sorry (not sorry). Stop sending this poster anymore ideas on how to spend money!!! PeaceOfHome, be honest with your spouse and ask about counseling. Your posts clearly show there is more to discuss than how your reading room looks.

Sorry about all of this read most the thread! Love the wall paper added. That art looks so purple for some reason in the photos. My two cents: Serena and lily company have lots of blue in their store check them out. That wall you want art, could be a great place for a gallery wall. You could do navy picture frames or navy and white and put personal pieces there. Looking forward to following the progress!

Hi Peace. The wallpaper looks lovely and I noticed the bolster pillow on the sofa picking up the color. Im so happy you like it.

I am a bit confused about what print you are talking about? Did I miss a photo of it somewhere? Or are you talking about the one above sofa? I thought that couldn't be matted and framed?

I don’t think it’s fair to judge a person’s psychology or spousal relationship from an interior design post. I will say-my desire to redecorate or relocate can be indicative of my mood...so it’s important to be mindful of your motives/intentions should that be the case here. But, Peace, I totally get you and your desire to make lemonade from lemons. There’s nothing wrong with wanting nice things the way you envisioned them. You seem to be trying to make it right as budget as you can without sacrificing the overall quality- no fault there.

PS- I say just wait until you fall upon the right art piece for your buiit-in

Peace, I thought you might like a browse with me, of houzz art ... the blue in the bookcases seems lovely.... idk anything about w.p. except that I thought it might be added to the 'sofa wall'.

feeding negativity gives it power... Some people can't stay on topic.

So here is a reminder . Topic is unsatisfied with how room came out. Want to incorporate blue. Those two things are what our focus here is on. Moving on......

I think your wallpaper is a total success! Whoever hung it did a smashing job! I love your touch of blue with the bolster pillow. Maybe you missed my question about the print. I went back and looked at pictures and still am at a loss.

For what it is worth I like the Crane print for the niche; neutral natural colors the will relate to everything in the room yet not so dramatic that it competes with the photo over the sofa!

Thank you, DIS.

The bolster pillow is really just the roll of wallpaper. I did order a pillow from Alloriam that matches wallpaper. The picture which I'm very skeptical of now using is an old print I had and just liked the calmness of it. The old matting acidicty has damaged it, so the frame is covering that portion and it now becomes smaller than original lithography. I was going to frame it but I'm not sure now. Also if I do go with a print, will a Silverish frame ($500 with museum glass) work or not, w brass table? Do you have suggestions for artwork?

Do you think it works? After yesterday, I'm beginning to feel again that the blue and grays are

not really pulling together.

'

What about wall decor that isn’t a print or photo, which I think will be hard to coordinate with your sofa art...like a pewter plate or something?

https://www.potterybarn.com/m/products/decorative-metal-disc/?cm_cat=Google&sku=6297352&catalogId=84&cm_ite=6297352&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsa7fs-KB6gIVzz2tBh2tqA2uEAkYAiABEgJ7i_D_BwE&cm_ven=PLA&cm_pla=Mirrors%20%26%20Art%20%3e%20All%20Art

Katie B. I'm going to try that! Thanks.

Were shelves there originally? Or was it always open like that?

There were shelves there; glass ones.

The wallpaper turned out beautifully! I was rooting for a darker blue for the wallpaper, but the lighter blue looks very pretty and soothing. It makes the art above the sofa look more purple than gray (at least on my monitor). I like the print you show in your latest post... Can't really tell if it's an abstract or penguins, but it looks pretty and, as you said, calming.

I was trying to make out what your print is too. I thought perhaps penguins as well. Peace that doesn't look like that large of a print to have that high of a price quote to frame it. It sounds like Matting would cover any damage. I will tell you cost wise I have resorted to Hobby Lobby to frame two prints and it was incredibly inexpensive $113 per print matted and framed. I also have used frame Bridge with great success.

As far as styling the shelves I think it would look nice if a shelf on either side was removed to make the opening larger. Here is a nice example of a simple but "clean" arrangement.

I like how they were able to use matching larger objects on either side and leaned the set work in the center. I also think leaving a framed mirror there with art work leaning on it for a layered look could be nice. I think a platinum or winter gold would help transition the strong grays in your art work over your sofa and the gold/brass metal of your coffee table.

DIS, you're an incredibly kind person. Thank you once again.

Eastautumn, I was favoring the darker blue myself (probably still do) but kept thinking the darker blue would require changing out the pillows and so I decided to be "safe," albeit I may have to do that anyways with this shade of blue. One thing I decided I did not want to change some time after I started this long post was the picture over the sofa because, during these few Covid months, my husband has more than once expressed how much he likes that image, and that makes me happy. And besides, I've always liked it even though I had favored another image by same artist.

A nice plus: If you stand in the other room with the bluer pillows, the visual expands, picking up on the same blue.

Can the darker pillows on couch be swapped with the ones on the chairs opposite? It would bring that color in the painting over to the other side (the pillows seem to match the painting). I would get a few objects too that match the art work color and put that in the book shelves! Even though your blues are all light, it might be worth getting a few diff shades of blue to throw around the room!

I like that idea Julie.

And believe its or not bouncing some gray into the built in to unify ....

Also, although the ottoman matches perfectly, you could use that as another opportunity for color with a different ottoman or poof and relocate that one somewhere else... adding some pics of stuff I found online and my design bible: Emily Henderson’s blog :) here’s a post about designing bookshelves that helped me so much with mine! https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/blog/style-shelves-3-steps

I agree with design interior south- if you got some statement pieces in the shelves with grey and white and I also think some brass to tie in with the coffee table it could make it feel more cohesive!

Not sure if anyone has mentioned this but turn all of your books (if you want to keep them all) around except leave a few bound in blues and golds that pick up on the colors throughout the room.

Can you bring in color with lamps?

Was thinking the room might need a bit of black?

The room is pretty! I would love it in my house!!!

Thank you, everyone. I would thank you all individually but that would take forever. Just know that I am truly grateful.

I do need some gray, some brass, maybe some touch of black - not ready to shop openly yet.

I love the idea of removing shelves.

I'm going to study the emilyhenderson styling attachment.

The ottoman is a match to the chairs, and although I didn't care for chairs because they'll be dated 2020 (long story) when the job just about completed right before heart of Covid, I ordered a second ottoman because I only had one for one of the "reading" chairs (lol). I thought it would make sense to have both chairs have an ottoman in next home (indoor porch chairs maybe, with ottoman? or sell them?). That second ottoman finally arrives this Friday; have no idea where I'll put it, and it's definitely gray. So ottomanS are staying in this room, in this house. I can't even imagine the stress I would have trying to now change out ottomans. Wallpaper was stressful enough and i admit knowing the room is now conflicting slightly. Honestly, I'm just going to live with this now.

Changing the color of a room after you hired a designer is no easy task for a non-professional if you don't want to change out the essence of what you paid designer for. Somehow, I now have what I wanted, a blue room. I recognize the issues, the lack cohesiveness, but it's a room that I have decided to now live with.

Place the second ottoman on the opposite side of cocktail table so you have one on each end. Or place one on each side of the centered bump out section of your built in shelves against the cabinet doors.

Really if nothing else Peace the blue wallpaper brightens up the room tremendously.

As for the chairs being outdated? No they are actually a pretty classic style that can transition well with many styles. I think they will transition well. After a few years just think about using them elsewhere and even upholstering them in a fun fabric. Maybe your strong dislike of them is tied into your overall experience or they truly aren't your style. But they can be great and because the back is spindles and open you can even float them in a room with great successs by using a fabulous fabric on the back side of the cushion. I personally love them with a printed fabric for a fun chair.

The blue in the back of the bookcase really made a difference. I think it is a beautiful room, and hope you enjoy it!