Thanks for returning Natalie, I am leaning towards a blue-gray wall color - that is a nice color in the pics, funny I kept thinking I needed to go light but maybe a shade like this would work. And you would paint the backs of the tall cabinet (I have 2 matching) a metallic gold? Hmmm, never thought along those lines at all, that's interesting..

Natalie,

Scroll down.

????

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/need-good-and-modern-fabric-or-material-under-this-curtain-instead-of-this-white-fabric-dsvw-vd~288229

Hi-kayanee!
Yes, I do recommend painting the walls in the medium to dark range rather than light, just so long as you keep your upholstered pieces neutral/med. light in color... As for the cabinet-it would be nice if the entire piece could be painted or gold leafed, and the back wallpapered in a subtle pattern. If painting is not an option, then wallpaper the back in something metallic. Look at the drapery poles in the first and second photo, the mirror in the last pic, and the black/gold desk in the last pic for finishes... AS for wallpaper-look to photo 3 a tone on tone wallpaper and how it looks paired with the metallic gold mirror... CheerS!

I would not like to see the entire cabinet painted gold.

I would avoid a strong color on the wall

I'm offering some alternatives as kayanee mentioned she wanted a different look other than safari/jungle. Using a color within the same range as that of the fabrics and such will be soothing, not jarring to the eye. I also think the gold or metallic paper will add a touch of opulence and reflect light in the space---just a different finish from all the matching wood tones would be nice---it's a lot of the same wood... :)

I like the idea of a subtle reflective wallpaper in the back of those shelves a lot! I would have never thought of that but it's quite intriguing! Maybe I could gold leaf the swirls just a little bit? When you say to keep my upholstered pieces in the neutral/medium light range does that rule out a dark leather sofa?

kayanee did say she was doing dark floors...most examples pics have shown light floors..just wondering with the darker wood furnishings if brown couch will be too heavy...depends on the natural lighting I suppose....comments pls

I added gold leaf highlights to my coffee table and end table.

I am so glad I did because it made the wood pop!

You could try just adding the leaf to the scrollwork and see how it looks-I think you could be more bold and go black or solid gold, but if you prefer subtle then do only the raised areas. You could even dry brush it with a metallic gold-and antique it, goodness there's numerous ways to change that piece up---just let your creative side have fun with it. Who knows, it may end up being your most favorite piece once the room is completed. :)

Good Point maag---I do think the upholstered pieces should be light to medium light in value.
[houzz=][houzz=][houzz=][houzz=]

thks Natalie am just an amateur but have loved reading this thread tonight. - generous kind and thoughtful responses...will return in the future for more positive learning

kayanee,

Perhaps you should choose your sofa colour next.

I like the lighter walls for your wood and British colonial style.

And a little gold goes a long way.

Linen homespun hemp.

That's very nice! Would something like this look too casual? At least I know my cats couldn't destroy this one.

Oh yes!

And on sale!

So it would look ok? I seriously worry about my cats, they are bad about scratching!

Zebra print rugs? Yard sale. Too much zebra on today's floors and other areas. I like several of the choices of the others commenting. If you already purchased the rug. - I'm sorry.

Havana Dark is woven of abaca; Honey is woven of seagrass.

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/seagrass-3-piece-sofa/?cm_src=AutoRel

Its awesome!

And you can spray it with lemon oil.

Good for the abaca and cats HATE it.

All about abaca

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/331/abaca

@531958. I'm thinking she only has ONE zebra print on her floor. And blue zebras are quite rare. With people all politically correct about ivory and what not, I'm surprised she was even allowed to import the skin. Maybe poor Kayanee came here to confess her guilt about the zebra skin and its "clash" with nature represented in the brown fabric? Did you think of that? Maybe she is already upset enough?

I like this thread. The whole brown and blue thing is a long way from the monochromatic approach, and the sear-your-retina approach, you see so often on Houzz. I like the monochromatic look. I wonder if it will go out of fashion, or if people will gradually just add more and more or bigger and bigger complementary-colour elements?

But an abaca basket . spray it with lemon oil, and see if your cats scratch or leave it alone.

HAVANA LIDDED BASKETS
$14.00 – $54.00

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/havana-lidded-baskets/?cm_src=AutoRel

See, I do like this sofa, I guess I like the contrast in it, (and of course the fact that my cats could scratch all they want and it wouldn't show). My peacock pillows from Etsy would go nicely on this. I think that's the reason I liked my WOW couch above, it had the worn leathery look on the sides and then fabric cushions. I worry about the comfort of this type of sofa and I don't want my new place to end up looking like someone's beach getaway - I'm not a big fan of tons of loose pillows in back.

Excellent kayanee! That sofa will go nicely with your wood... Like that gold on the cab- :)

I love these sorts of sofas and chairs; however, my kitty likes this stuff better than anything else. I would buy a test piece of some sort which has a vertical face. They like to reach up tall and pull down. Kitties scratch on trees outside and this furniture might appear to be a tree to them. Because my girl loved my wicker chairs, I had to rule out anything that looked like this even though I liked them and there were a lot of reasonably priced alternatives.

Ramona, I know what you mean. If you could see what they have done to the corners of my fabric sofa, ugh! I thought perhaps this stuff was so rugged that even if they did scratch on it, it wouldn't really damage it.....I love leather so I am so afraid of spending a lot of money on a beautiful soft leather sofa only to find it scratched up, I'll save that for a time when I don't have kitties, but right now, they rule and I must buy furniture to accommodate us both, lol..

Updated palette - I would have NEVER been able to put this together on my own but I like the direction it has gone - thank you to all that have contributed!

And just for fun, here are the little culprits. Harlow is the black and white female, Horatio is the orange and white male.

Way to go, Natalie ! Love your design choices and great "mix but please don't match" approach ! I totally agree that a little gold or metallic would definitely add 'opulence'. I think the kitties will look (and be) right at home and can't wait to see pics of the finished project, kayanee !

Little stinkers look like they are just waiting for you to give them any excuse. LOL. My girl insisted on going out early this morning in the dark and I knew she was going to want back in while I was finishing sleeping. I awoke to hear her bellowing at the back door. They have their own priorities which we do not fully understand although they love us to pieces. Are they a specific breed?

Whether they are attracted to this fiber is anyone's guess. The scratches will show; they will be able to shred it over time.

I don't like declawing cats. It is painful for them during the healing and even after; however, if they are just indoor cats it is safe. If they go outside at all, it is not safe. Can you train them to let you trim their claws? My girls will let me do anything to her except that.

There are chemicals you can use which discourage them because they simply do not like the smell. I think the material on your couch was just too tempting to them. From their point of view, you had bought them a scratching post.

Yes they are Cornish Rex's ....and they are full of energy and personality. I love the breed! My little aliens...lol They are strictly indoor and they do let me trim their claws but this breed is notorious for having wicked long claws with these nasty little hooks on the end...seems like I trim them and the following week, they are back! I've got soft paws glued on the male at the moment to try them out and so far, so good but it's only been a day.

I need to recover just the seats of 2 bar stools that will be close by and visible to this room...going on the above pallet just a few posts up, would any of these look ok?

they look fine right now, but we can't really determine size of pattern. why not use the peacock fabric which is only around $ 10 a yard? make sure they could actually be put into the room in some other form. I like them all.

I actually would consider swapping the bold peacock fabric for the more subtle one above (no.1). You could do as Aja suggested and make shades with them or perhaps make curtain panels to go over plan shades.

I put together a collage based on some of your choices above and style of your preferences. I like the idea of lacquering the shelf in black with a muted gold leaf. The collage has an example of the look, though I think I'd go with a more muted, antique gold. A glass coffee table with gold leaf would relate the two items and counter balance the dark furnishings you already have.

For wall color, I'd go white. Elmira White by Benjamin Moore, might be a good one to check out. It's a beige off white and I think it would be a nice quiet background color for your things.

ETA: If you go with the more muted peacock fabric for shades, I think upholstering the bar stools in the same fabric would be a nice tie in.

OMG Manon you put Harlow in the collage. Extra, extra points for going that extra mile.

Haha! I couldn't resist, Ramona!

I dont want to sound mean.. so I didnt comment on this topic.. but I have to say............I never liked many pattern fabric in a room because they do compete and clash many times.. although very subtle patterns done in contrasting textures with very little color difference can look great. But to me this question is like asking if a striped shirt and pink pokadot pants and a orange plaid coat and yellow sneakers go together. I just dont get it. Maybe thats why my house is to the other extreme...and needs more color and pattern but if I add any it will be in small doses that are not large competing patterns. Sorry had to say it.

Agree with Manon on:

✔ paint the shelves backs gold [no black]

✔ light walls

✔ the more muted peacock fabric for window treatment

However, after much thought, I do not favour the pottery barn sofa.
It is rather pedestrian.

Hold out for your WOW sofa.

FIND A SIMILAR STYLE IN A THRIFT STORE THAT NEEDS TO BE RECOVERED.

Or go with your heart's choice and buy that brown leather sofa.

Wipe the leather furniture down with a menthol oil, eucalyptus oil or other natural substance with a similar odor. Cats do not care for strongly scented oils, and they will often stay away from those areas heavily coated in such a strong scent.

Natural mint oil, eucalyptus or menthol oil will typically not damage leather furniture, and can even help preserve and protect the leather.

Also, there are inexpensive leather repair kits everywhere including automotive stores.

Another thought about the cats:

Use citrus products in the area of the leather couch. Cats dislike the smell of citrus. They will avoid areas that have that scent. If you use a cleaner for the leather sofa, make sure it is citrus-scented.

Rub a drop of lemon oil or orange oil on your cats back and watch him freak out!

to designideas4me; I originally asked this question with the first 2 pictures shown because I really didn't know if they clashed, they looked a little off to me, but after having watched hundreds of design shows, a lot of times their designs look a little off to me as well. I've always decorated with a "how many different shades of beige" can I use approach. I'm tired of it, it's Boring...I want to add a little color. I'm not sure how much of these pattern fabrics you think I'm going to have, those pillows with the bright green are just that, only 2 pillows. The peacock feathers are simple little valances no more than about 36" in height, over simple plain linen sheers. The blue in my rug isn't that jarring in person, I see you have that same blue highlighted in your design ideas as a highlight wall? Just thought I would try to give color a little more of a chance since they all seem to encourage you to do that on tv.

@ designideas4 me, mixing patterns is always a very delicate business. some people have a natural knack for it. it is easy to go too far. some variation is pleasant. personally, i love color and pattern, but want a more monochromatic look overall.

this is where individual taste comes in once you get the basics right. even so, i see things by professionals that i would never, ever do.

I am going to post my project in a little while when I have time and you can all tear it up.

Choosing a design you will live with for many years because of the cost and effort is difficult and mistakes will always be made.

I agree that pattern mixing can be tricky business - but also fun and interesting. If anyone's interested, I collected some images that I think show pleasant combinations of patterns. You can find them in my ideabook:

http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/5443666/thumbs/Pattern-Play

I think the patterns that you are considering work well together, kayanee. One thing to be mindful of is placement. A well-conceived arrangement of furnishings and the elements that unite them (pattern, color, texture, finish) are tremendously important for an aesthetically pleasing space. All in all, I think you're going to have a great room.

And, Aja - thanks for sharing all of the cat deterrent ideas. Useful information for me and my little Fur Dragon (affectionate nick name of the day for my cat). I'm definitely taking note.

I am so impressed with all of the good ideas expressed in this thread. The very process of putting them all together into a design theme, color palate, and very specific shopping suggestions that would work with kayanee's existing pieces was interesting and educational. What a wonderful collaborative effort.

I like that Manon put that persimmon color back on your design board. You need that little spice. Also, sometimes trading out the lumbar pillows with sofas and chairs helps move that color and pattern around. What I mean is take the lumbar pillow off the persimmon color chair switch it with the pillow of another upholstered piece. Other wise, love the look.

I want to know how Manon did that collage! That is super cool.

Love all the advice. 1 cat comment: our 1 kitty destroyed the corners of a couch and 3 chairs & ottoman -- all were made of that really strong grass/bamboo/ like in the pictures above. She preferred these to the 2 fabric chairs. The only thing that helps (but I would've had to spray every day and I got lazy) is Feliway Spray. It is MAGIC! Its pheromones and just makes her happy. She rubs like crazy but does not scratch it. It calms down most cats and helped here when we left her alone for weekend sometimes. Its also called Confort zone with Feliway. About $32 for a spray bottle. might stain a delicate fabric. Just FYI