Help with living room please!

11 years ago

Hi all.
Longtime lurker here on Houzz and thought I would ask for some advice on my new condo.
I'm terrified to do any sort of painting or decorating because I'm an indecisive guy. My taste is generally masculine and minimal I suppose. I like warm rooms but I also like greys and blues. My big pain is that I get so much light during the day that I'm a bit scared to paint and make the room really dark. I have some ideas pinned to my Houzz idea book, but I would love to hear some advice from you all.
Thanks!

Featured Answer

doctornancy

11 years ago

last modified: 11 years ago

Gray walls would be lovely. If you're nervous about color, go to a store that carries Benjamin Moore paint. They usually have a professional colorist in house who can help you find a gray that would coordinate with your sofas and not be too dark for your space.

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Comments (24)

Martha Carlton
11 years ago
Benjamin Moore Thunder might work well for wall color. Blue accent pieces, pillows etc for a pop of color.

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Tyler H
Original Author
11 years ago
That's a really nice colour, it's a bit hard to judge if it would be a bit too dark but I like how warm it is
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Tyler H
Original Author
11 years ago
Very cool. It's interesting to see how it could look!
everdebz
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Yes, and doctornancy even added a second picture between windows... your wood shades warm it up and you have nice things so far...is that your kitchen to right of stairs? What sort of lighting/ place to you live in?
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Tyler H
Original Author
11 years ago
Yep, the kitchen is off to the right. I think it's halogen lights? I'm a bit of a novice at home decorating. I will definitely check out a place that sells benjamin Moore paints. I'm glad I posted here, it's really kind of inspiring to receive advice.
everdebz
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
5 feet is wide, but idea for right of tv. Interesting countertop that goes down the side...well I see by your clock that you like red? Do you really need to paint / are walls white? cause red in a few places would add a lot...
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Tyler H
Original Author
11 years ago
The wall are all plain white. It's a new place so there were no finishings. I did the backsplash and tried to throw a bit of colour in with the red bits. I was going for more blue accents in the living room. The cushion is blue as well as the lamp, but perhaps it would be best to keep a red theme? I was thinking to make a bookcase type thing along the wall where the tv is to add some volume. I really dig the bookcases with ladders I've been seeing.
doctornancy
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Oh, my, blindsided, your kitchen was made to be painted gray. First order of business though - how about a trip to the light pendant store?!
everdebz
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Have you thought of photos in this space? if so make room for them on ladders, or have a 'dresser unit' to right for storage and room above on the wall....
LED candles are so great for night lighting/ tv watching....
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everdebz
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
For your / his amount of daylight what about adding a bit of a color to grey? I don't know why people don't do that more.... blue with bit of grey?
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Mark Bischak, Architect
11 years ago
In both spaces, consider changing the light bulbs and/or fixtures to more gently wash the vertical surfaces with light.
sandradclark
11 years ago
You do seem to like greys. Try some sample cans to paint on poster boards. While you are there get a can of coral & one of very light teal. Try color a small amount at a time. You have a wonderful pallete for art pieces. Do not let anyone pick your art. It is too personal. start with the sample paint cans to determine what appeals to you..
sandradclark
11 years ago
LED lights are the best to use, they last for 20,000 hours, are cool and are inexpensive to run.
everdebz
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
I like that after posting art, etc. I hear more from the houzzer about their likes/dislikes, and it might show how a certain color or style would look, possibly impacting earlier choices needing to be made.
Tyler H
Original Author
11 years ago
These are all such great ideas. Things I would have never thought to even try. As for art, I really like Asian influenced art, particularly Japanese zen, or Thai. I've done a lot of backpacking in Thailand so it's always been kind of a special place for me.
anne dee
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
How about this colour palette
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with light grey walls?
rickster88
11 years ago
I think that the carpet doesn't work in the living room because it has no other colour that matches with it (or even closely matches). Add some accent pieces to match with it or change the carpet.

The spot lights are good but gahhh horribly positioned. It is not accenting anything and it'll blind your eyes.
Ann
11 years ago
Table lamp is quite small for the space. Do you have any bigger lamps?
Tyler H
Original Author
11 years ago
No, that's the only lamp I had picked out for the colour. I never noticed it was small but you're right, seeing it in a photo it does seem small.
The lights are indeed badly positioned. Thanks for the feedback, it's definitely why I posted. I don't have a good eye for design.
karinfinch
11 years ago
First what a great space ! Paint it gray and how about doing on window will a very straight drape over window part bringing it to end of door going right up to ceiling very light like a white and adding red in your Asian aspired art and onto sofa with just a simple straight lined pillow add in front of the drape by window either a Art Deco chair or a tree stump inspired end table that also looks like art
anne dee
11 years ago
On a smaller scale this might be an interesting wall treatment for the TV.
Light grey walls.
Tyler H
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks very much! I love the space too, it felt a bit more unique than the other condos I looks at.
It seems like grey is the consensus :) I'm going to take a trip to the paint store tomorrow and take a look for some samples. Giving my place a bit of colour might be a good place to start.
That wall unit is very cool, and might be a good alternative to the book case I was thinking
doctornancy
11 years ago
Good luck to you. It's going to be fabulous.