Some ideas

I bought a gallon of paint and added some color to my walls.....my question is about painting an additional wall...the first picture shows the view as I look north, sitting in my living room .... the second view is looking south .....as I look at this picture I can see none of the color I added to the north walls...should I paint the end wall to. Ding some of the color into this room also?

I think colored accent walls are very dated, so I would stop doing that.

Suggestions? I live in an area that is 10 years behind the trends so that puts me right on track.....how do you envision adding color to this open floor plan?

With an accent wall, ask yourself what are you trying to highlight....it should be something architectually beautiful. I would pass on it and paint all the walls...something subtle if your husband is leary. I think it would do a lot to warm up the place.

Just saw that you painted the wall....how about something neutral instead, that works with your furniture and color scheme? When you paint a wall here or there, you're chopping up the room, which I would avoid.

Thanks for your suggestions....yes I agree with the "chopped" comment....I want to add some warmth to the home.. And after 11 years of "off white" walls I am itching to do something....my walls are really just one continuous wall since everything is so open...So I thought I would try to accent the dining area .....I Really don't know if I want all walls the same color....the wall over my stairway leads down to the family room ...which is a walkout...so the walls are even connected to this downstairs area...... My kitchen counter is a moss green corian ....too expensive to change that up! I am in need of some change though.....

"Adding color" should not be a goal in and of itself. The goal should be creating a beautiful space. I would paint all of the walls a neutral color especially if they are all connected to an open space and stop "chopping" up the area. Instead of focusing on little things like paint that don't need to be done, I would focus your energy and money on things that DO need to be done that will directly impact the value of your home .... like doing something about moss green corian countertops.

Thank you for your comments.... I respectfully disagree with your opinion on what makes a house beautiful.....and I do love my moss green corian counter tops....it is so interesting what makes a home a special place and where people decide to put their energy and time. $30 for a gallon of paint and a little time and things are different for a bit.....I have no interest in the "value" of my home except to me and my family. I feel there truly is no right or wrong in decorating ....... I am sure I have many decorating "taboos" throughout my home ....I do appreciate the opinion of others when given in a positive and helpful tone.

This is a lovely room and using different colors on some walls will add depth to an area and helps define other areas. The "accent" wall that is not part of the overall design does look out of place. The color you have added is lovely. If it were my home, I would paint the wall with the window with the arch in the same of similar color to connect the space.

I was thinking of that wall also ....I like your description of color defining an area....it describes what I am looking for exactly ...I love my open floor plan but sometimes it feels like my entire home is just one large room...adding paint seemed to change that a bit....and I was weary of the "safe" all neutral look everywhere. I thought about adding lightweight drapes to my sheers on my windows in the color of the walls I painted to see how that would tie things together...I will try that and if I don't like the look I will probably go ahead and paint this wall with the window......arched windows are outdated also but I love the window...and I have a beautiful view of our lake to great me every day....I love this. Thanks again Jonathan.

Beautiful hutch; wouldn't make it compete with anything for attention. For paint, I'd go with a neutral, perhaps light tan, throughout to visually link the rooms. As to color and/or accent: have you considered adding not wallpaper but the horizontal wallpaper trim at the top of the wall just below the ceiling throughout as well. I have paneling myself; however, you could have the trim you choose include your favorite color or theme: one neighbor used a hunting theme; another baskets; another a beach theme w/seashells and starfish; a female relative living alone used floral.

I love the idea of adding some color through your drapery. I think a color similar to what you painted your walls would look beautiful against your natural woodwork.

I think even a beige or light brown would accent it well without drawing too much attention. Would compliment your furniture well too!

Light brown was one of my choices! Thanks!

Katinparadise ........I added dark sheers on the outside of my windows....what do you think?

I am also going to buy different couch and chairs......these plaid lazy boy pieces were in style 15 years ago but not so much now.....but darn they Don't wear out and my husband says they are still "good"

I think it looks great-looks pretty with your natural woodwork. More importantly, what do you think? What color sofa and chair did you have in mind? I know what you mean about the plaid. I did the burgundy, navy and hunter green for more years than I care to remember! A solid sofa with a chair that incorporates some of the same green in a print would look wonderful in your space. You might even consider having a custom slip cover made for your sofa instead of replacing it. It's so hard to find a well made sofa at a decent price point.

Thanks ...I really like the drapes...better than I expected to...I'm not sure about the couch I was thinking a solid color maybe to match the dining chairs then a couple chairs perhaps in a print. It is a fairly large open area...I am always looking at a different furniture configuration .....just to change things around once in a while .....I just purchased the round dining table with dark maple base...had to try to match the hutch which is a family heirloom....so it is a custom 2 toned table...I would love to paint all my oak trim but my husband would have a heart attack so it is compromise ...it seems you an I have similar tastes ......any ideas you can share? Thanks so much!

I can't say enough good things about Flexsteel. Their warranty is outstanding and my sofa has held up very well over 8 year with 3 kids, 2 dogs and a cat. You can customize the leg colors, they have dozens of styles of sofas and chairs and a very large fabric selection. Here's a link to their website:

http://www.flexsteel.com/home-furniture/products/sofas-and-sectionals/sofas. I understand your wanting to paint your woodwork but you're right-compromise makes a good marriage! I think an updated sofa and chairs will make all the difference.

Thank you for the information on Flexsteel ....we have 2 furniture stores in our remote Northern Michigan Community ...and 1 of those does carry Flexsteel....YAY! I like to shop in my own community if possible but sometimes up here.....it is impossible....I will check some things out and keep you updated ....I appreciate your help more than you know!

I like the green window treatments you've added....they add visual weight to the upper portion of your room and make things more balanced. Plus they add nice color. :)

Thanks nomimama......I liked the added color more than I thought I would....when you Oder something on-line there is always a risk about what color you may truly get ....these were a great match.....my eyes are really liking the look....now to tackle the living room furniture to update.....

You're very welcome. I'm happy to help! I bought my Flexsteel sofa from a small, rural community in upstate New York where I used to live. I comparison shopped with a store in the big city and found that I saved money shopping locally. Sometimes the smaller stores don't mark up as much as the big guys because they want to stay competitive. Not sure where you are in northern Michigan but I made a visit to Mackinac Island years ago and was just taken aback by the beauty of the whole are. Good luck on your furniture search!

i like the house! i like the dinning room chairs too as much as i like mine, same! what you' re seeing is too much wood i bet. i had that, in another house and i happen to change out my rug to a medium green one and the wood tones did something magic after that. i smiled every time i walked in the room after that. i don't even like green, but it made such a difference with wood!.

i think maybe you have too small of a rug, for all the wood around it shrinks the area it is covering. The hutch is crying out to touch a bigger one and not a round one which covers less area. the hutch has mirrors inside i think, but i have seen the color wall painted and a pop of color helps expose you china like art. i used the thicker color poster paper at hobby lobby and cut it out to fit and never ruined the original furniture. i had cherry wood with blue paper and it was a beautiful look for me. i worked with color sheets i have, to help figure the size on floors for rugs and even if i have color ones for my curtain or furniture choices to figure out what a large area of color will do toward the bigger picture before buying what i need. towels on chairs anything that makes me step back and imagine more with my eyes squinted! ha just buy it and return it if you don't like it. all good stores let you do that. have fun with the hunt. make it your house with both of your taste. i wish i had those floors!

Thanks karohill.....I love your idea books on your HOUZZ page .....so beautiful!