I do think navy would look great with that rug. The purples maybe not so much. But red? If you want to entertain the idea, I think the best shot would be to take than darkest red in the rug and see if tibbrix or Magdelena could mock that up for you.

With so many colors in that rug, you could throw a dart at the color wheel and likely match something in that rug. And I see just enough green in that rug to justify keeping the green tile in the fireplace surround.

Agree that the SW Naval or even the BM Hale Navy would look gorgeous, or maybe even a darker charcoal.

Also, I think that a gentleman's club lounge won't have white molding (or a white ceiling), so I think your husband will have to go with a slightly less 'masculine' design :)

What are you planning to use the room for?

FB Stiffkey? (bluish grey)

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BM Iron Mountain

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FB Hague Blue

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What a wonderful room. I'm one for historic, but our forefathers made design mistakes, too. If you find the lime more grating than charming, I would have it removed (I would try to save it in the process) and replace it with something from the era but more to your liking (salvage).

I posted before I saw the rug. So, yes, navy or perhaps the darkest red possible although I have to say that I can see the green tiles better with a blue.

Or maybe that dark gold?

I would wait and see how you feel about the green once a different color is up.

I think even a darker red to wine color will make that green tile pop, in a not so friendly way, but the DH may need to see that. If the green tile stays, I still favor a deep blue, dark green being the second choice.

I really don't think the red with the white trim gives the room the "country estate" feel. Doesn't work with the tile either:

Just my own aesthetic opinion (since we almost seem to be voting) - I like the dark blues much more than the red, and definitely more than the neutrals (including the dark browns)

I don't think I'd do red walls with that rug. It's just too much red/hot. I really like the pic with the quartersawn oak and NSM's Hague Blue. I'd do a more subtle, but full or deep, color with that rug and the brown leather furniture.

I hope the OPs DH will agree red isn't the best. Would it help if you told him the green tile looks like someone forgot to put away a Christmas decorations n that photo? ;)

Your room is wonderful. You are so fortunate to have found such a lovely home.

Although I'm usually a fan of green, I really don't care for the tile at all. If you guys aren't that sold on it, it seems a shame to have to work everything else around it. I like Mtn's suggestion about possibly removing it and replacing it with something of the era that you like more.

I like the tile and the carpet, but not together. Unless you love the tile, I would change it. The carpet and the floor remind me of a Turkish salon and would typically have white walls. Since that is not the look you are going for, I would pick a blue that you like and that is complementary to the rug. I would not paint the walls red unless you really love red.

I think the darker drapes that Magdalena used will help with that "scotch after dinner" feel.

The rug is great and it looks like the main body of color is red, so I would definitely NOT do red walls. All the photoshops above look garish to me for some reason, perhaps it is the white curtains that are so unappealing with those colors. Strong color walls, strong color leather sofa, red rug--- too many competing elements. You need a neutral somewhere that isn't stark white. I would def try to keep the lime tile if at all possible.

I don't care for the blue. I don't think it gives the room the feel or look they seem to be going for, that whole Hahvahd Club, brandy-snifter, smoking jacket thing. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the pic below projects the feel her DH is going for? The old English paneling look, so sans the paneling, I'd go with a deeper more neutral color to give it the "handsome" look I think you and he are going for.

I can't tell without a closer picture but I think the tile is probably original and it would be a shame to remove it. But if you do, remove it carefully and sell it.

I think it's original because it's the sort of color that shows up in vestibules and on fireplaces of houses of this age in neighborhoods here that were depressed enough for long enough that it didn't get updated. I can't think offhand of another era where tile of this color would've shown up in a LR like this.

Another vote against red walls. Red walls would be too stimulating. If your DH is going for clubby, then I think he needs very subdued, soothing colors.

I don't think even a brown on the walls has the same look and feel as the room with paneling when you have all that white trim work. If the tiles are or probably are original, I would try to work with them.

My first thought was to do a soft buttery yellow. Not a club feeling at all. It's a beautiful room. I hope you have fun making it your own and have many happy years in it. And perhaps several paint colors. :)

I love red, and I'm not a blue person either, but I have to weigh in against red walls with your rug. I'd be all for deep blue walls or something else that would make the green tiles stand out less and look great with your rug at the same time. The deep green would work, but if you really hate the lime green tiles, I'd just look at having them replaced, and go with a paint you like.

I'd be tempted to paint the room a darker more saturated version of the tile itself regardless of the rug. They have a similar rug to yours and it looks fine. Oriental rugs are what they are as objects, there's not always a need to coordinate wall color (or anything) with them.

How about this? Billy Baldwin took gardenia leaf, spit on it, and told the painters to reproduce that color, including the spit.

I think the red can work, especially if you take it from the darkest red in your rug, the one that veers toward burgundy on my screen. I would not do a bright red, though.

(Do I dare say this about such a stunning room?) Yeah, I'm going to say it: Would it be a sin to paint the tiles??

Sure, some will yell "sinner" over that. I like the lime green myself, and would work with them as is. But if I didn't care for them, I'd attempt to remove them or inquire with a professional about removing them, and replace with something I did like. If the tiles are original, I would want to pass them along to someone who would appreciate them. I'd have no problem painting them, though, if they were installed last year and could easily be replaced.

I do hope OP snaps a closeup for us first if she does decide to rid of them.

Me too, I'm so curious about those tiles! I've Googled for something similar. They might be Majolica (?) but most I turn up have more of an olive green cast...these are pretty bright.
I have to admit I like them, although I also admit they will have a strong voice in the room.

It looks a lot like "Pavilion Green" a tile color from Tile-Source, an English company that makes Victorian Tile. I think all their colors are based on historical colors.

And the winner is....

I can't believe dh and I actually agree! Thank you all for you suggestions - we are simply amazed that our goofy tiles would be of so much interest! One last request - could you identify this paint color?

Congrats! Always great when the decision has been made. Follow through with an update when it's done, if you would. Don't know that color, but I'd look at BM Van Deusen Blue, BM Azurite, and BM Lucerne, for starters.

I produced that mock up in photoshop. To get a realistic look, I have to adjust the tint, brightness and contrast so I'm afraid it's not an actual paint color. What you can do is take your digital device with you to the paint store and try to match by holding the color sample to the screen.

Can't wait to see the finished product!

On my monitor, Magdalena's photoshop mockup reads more towards the turquoise/teal blue than the greyish, so I'd start with BM Lucerne or thereabouts. This picture of BM Lucerne looks most like it does in real life.
BM Lucerne

What I would do is go and get lots of paint chips and see what blue goes with your rug. I'd also sample BM Hale Navy.

It's stunning.

Glad you reached an agreement. Navy will allow you to have a rich look and still bring in one or more shades of green in accents. Hope you will post more pictures when you are in the house and as you make progress. Have fun!

I would definitely go more for a deeper navy than a brighter blue. However, that is just me. I am just so in love with your living room. Scrumptious!

I would definitely go more for a deeper navy than a brighter blue. However, that is just me. I am just so in love with your living room. Scrumptious!

Here is the promised close up of the angst-inducing tile. Its pretty worn, so my guess is that it is original to the house. Given how much there is to do in the place, i think we have to make peace with them. I've told myself they were installed after an absinthe-fueled dream.

Those tiles are fantastic IMO -- among the best things in the room. Celebrate them!

I think that tile is beautiful and I bet it's original. It's very similar to this tile:
Majolica Fireplace Tile

They are charming, arent they? I just wish they were in another room!

I love the detail, and color of the tiles! If you remove them please use caution. Lovely house and congrats!

I love that room! and the tile is unique- I would definitely keep it! navy on the walls will look great! we painted our office/library SW rainstorm which is navy with a sl green undertone as compared to SW naval which has more of a gray undertone-- you will probably want to check out a few to see what shade you like best. with brown leather furniture, I think dark curtain panels(navy, etc) would feel the coziest!

Well, I'm not into green, but I have to say that I would have positively, absolutely no problem making peace with these tiles.

I adore those tiles and they are my favorite color of apple green---they are fantastic!

Love the tiles! What about a deep grey?

The tiles are fantastic! I would, of course, love to have those. But IF you decide to remove them, please, please, keep them with the house so that the next owners can reinstall them.

Diane

I like the tiles better after their close up. I love blue, so I would do them with blue -- and agree that navy or deeper blue so the room has a calmer feel. A brighter blue would give a much higher energy to the room. Down the road, I think you will find them to be pretty versatile. Just not as easy to work into a club feeling.

Oh my goodness! I LOVE those tiles!! But I love green , and I understand if you aren't a fan. I think navy will look so good on the walls, especially with your furniture and those tiles. Can't wait to see the finished room!!

the flowers in the tiles have a beautiful, dreamy, underwater feel---definitely to keep!

Oh, they are so wonderful up close, thank you for the picture! I'd sure keep them right there (but I love green too.) I really like the blue and green combination in nosoccermom's photo above, with the BM Hale Navy. I know you'll find something that will be beautiful.

BenM Lucerne AF-530 or Dragonfly AF-510

Those tiles are amazing and so beautiful! I love them, thanks for the pic.

Navy paint and a few small apple green accessories would be gorgeous!