it all sounds lovely and inviting, and without looking up those colors, they sound as if they would all compliment each other and go together just fine, so if there is a rule that says NOT to do it, then I'd say that rule is probably ok to break!!

They're different, but it doesn't sound as if they would be at odds with each other. Obviously, the cream/white goes with the first floor. If the blue harmonizes with the gray/green, and doesn't fight it, then there is not reason not to have different schemes.

I think that you can do whatever you like, and that your bedroom should look pretty and inviting and make you happy when you go inside..........but.......

YOU asked for rule of thumb. Generally, rooms that are either open to each other or visible from the main part of the house, should have some measure of coordination with the other parts you can see. So in your case, even though you have the Philly Cream on the walls, you might put an area rug with the reds and perhaps some reds on the bed pillows too, just to bring it in.

Red

I think rooms should flow from one to another. Tie the colors in w/ fabric, trim, art, etc.

Usually, not always, decorating schemes are made up of 3 colors in varying amounts, take one color and carry it throughout your rooms.

Thanks too everyone who offered their advice! However, I'm still not sure what to do. I'm thinking that the blue in the rug will probably work. This shouldn't be so hard.

Can you show us pictures?

Luvscritters, we have a small house too. Footprint is 1100 square feet. The two BR, the LR, and DR are each a different color (oh the horror, LOL!) the BA and kitchen are white with green tile in the bath and green countertop in the kitchen. Our BA on the first floor is between the two BR, so our MBR is basically open to guests.

HD has a CD which we used - you can take a photo of your room ad "photoshop" with other colors to decide what you like. You could take the pix from outside your MBR so that you can include the wall color in the other room. You could even use it to try out colors in the rug.

Pick a color that you love and see if it will work. That's what I did and I love it every day.

I love the idea that red offers a splash of excitement. Semms like the rest of the decor is neutral.

What I see is that your bedroom is all neutral. So, bring in that splash of excitement in the MBR because you can see it if you leave your door open. If the room is long, and there is some floor space at the foot of the bed, you might put a chair and table there that matches the LR open space. If not, you could put a red throw since it would the the closest to the door in view. A red pillow to bring your eye back a little.

Or red flowers on the night stand. I would do this when you are entertaining friends and they can see into the room, this way that room is festive also.

The other posters are right, the rule of thumb is to have it flow together.

I also feel that when you decide to add drama with high contrast (a color that pops) you really need to carry that throughout because it becomes obvious if done only once. Decorating is easier to understand when working in layers. Your walls & floors, all the 'case' or 'box' all will sit in, then main pieces, pretend your room is empty of all else but major furniture and walls, drapery. Does it flow?

Then supporting pieces, if they do not flow with main, do they flow together? Such as (to make my point easier to understand) all tree branch and natural shaped end tables, and metals flow together (you can always break the rules). Then lighting for task, general lighting done, then accessories, do they flow together, for example, all about birds and nests (reflecting the wood branch metal tables, etc.) again simplified to make my point easier to envision. Then you would have a cohesive look.

Now, being creative, artistic, and adventurous, we can bend all the rules and decorate any way we want and move things around until it is pleasing to US first... don't worry about pleasing others, it is your nest, your home.

I would love to see photos!

Here is a link that might be useful: My home Blog

I'm charging my camera so maybe I can try to post pictures later. Colorcrazy, I will look into that CD. Mary-wonderful blog. I appreciate everyone's help.

I would use the grey-green from the public rooms with the light blue as accents in the Master Bedroom. If you could find an oriental rug with those colors and even a touch of red it would be perfect. If not it may be easier to find a fabric for throw pillows which has those 3 colors. I would use the red sparingly so the bedroom scheme is more restful.

Here are some pictures of my LR and MBR. Yes I know the bedroom furniture is too big for the room but I am stuck with it. We downsized from a huge house a few years ago. I can't believe how blah the BR looks! Thanks for looking. Hope this works...

Here is a link that might be useful: LR and MBR photos

I'm not a member and can only see the BR photo.

monablair, the bedroom is basically just the picture of the bed--it takes up most of the room. I bet you thought it was all one room. Thanks for looking! Amy

Luvs, if you could find a rug for the BR that has the LR gray-green colors and put it in the BR with pillows or pictures matted in that color, that would work.