Minor (major) anxiety attack...

8 years ago

My husband and I are in the middle of some improvements to our home we purchased over the summer. We recently put new floors in and painted our living room and dining room and I love the way it turned out (see picture below, just waiting for new furniture to arrive) with the colors and wood.

Fast forward a few months later and I decided to have our family room painted and since I loved the color of SW grassland and SW Grecian Ivory so much (what we used in LR & DR), I decided to have our painter paint our built-in bookshelves Grassland, the beams and all the trim (top and bottom) SW Restful White and our walls SW Grecian Ivory (which isn’t on the walls yet). I am now thinking I made an awful decision and am having buyers remorse. We are already over budget and not wanting to re-paint so how do I fix this?! We intend to get a reclaimed wood mantle for the fireplace, paint the fireplace door a matte black color and add black matte knobs/handles on the bottom of the bookshelf cabinets when they are finished attached.

Did I just totally screw up this room?! We have already ordered a cream colored sofa and chair and a gray/steel colored recliner...

Featured Answer

Lindsay Wallace
Original Author

8 years ago

This is what it looks like today. We still have to wait for everything to dry completely but I’m happier than I was yesterday.

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Comments (32)

justlol
8 years ago
I'm not a designer, but I think it looks great! It's so nice to see someone painting their walls something other than grey, or beige, or greige! It's so soft and homey looking. I say... stay the course!
PRO
Paradigm Interiors
8 years ago
Really you have three choices:
1. Repaint the shelves.
2. Paint the fireplace.
3. Live with it until you feel like re-painting.

For wall surface surrounding masonry, I usually try to stick with soft neutrals and/or pull a color from the stone or brick. Sharp contrasts in color between masonry and the surrounding walls can create a harsh, unnatural look and the stone/brick will look out of place. That may be what your seeing here.

Are you at all interested in painting the brick on the fireplace? There’s a pretty big contrast between the green and the orange undertones in your brick. That might soften the look, but it’s a pretty permanent decision once you go there. You can change the paint color, but you can’t un-paint it. If you do, I’d go with a soft creamy color, maybe the Grecian Ivory or a shade on that chip.
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PRO
Paradigm Interiors
8 years ago
I also like the use of color! It’s a really lovely color and if you love it, keep it!
Lindsay Wallace
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks for the feedback! Not sure you can pick it up in the picture but there is a soft green in the fireplace painted on a few bricks; I thought that since this color was in a few bricks, that it would pull nicely on the bookshelves. It just looks so different now than our LR and DR.

I originally wanted to paint the fireplace white but was so apprehensive about it that we decided to paint everything but the fireplace. I’m totally open to it afterward, though. I really am aiming for a clean modern rustic look and I just keep thinking that it may date the room a good 30+ years.

I’ll wait to see what it looks like once the walls are painted (hopefully tomorrow) and report back!
Linda
8 years ago
Personally I think it’s all going to look gorgeous! Wait til your furniture is in before thinking any changes. Don’t paint the bricks as with your reclaimed mantle will add so much warmth and coziness to the room.
PRO
Sierra Living Concepts Inc
8 years ago
At this point, I also would wait until you get the furniture in. You didn't mention anything about the window treatments, lamps, artwork and other accessory items. The room can change so much with these.... You are so far along in the process, get it all in, wait a month, and then decide.
everdebz
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Seems soft and light... is it?

Satterberg Desonier Dumo Interior Design: Sherwin Williams SW6163 Grassland works well when I want a color that has some green, but is not overwhelming.

Sherwin Williams Grassland seems to be more gray and less yellow here.
everdebz
8 years ago

https://www.houzz.com/products/sw6163-grassland-sherwin-williams-prvw-vr~3355811
everdebz
8 years ago
This room with much off-white, etc.. and sun too?

Maybe a cool rug....
Lindsay Wallace
Original Author
8 years ago
Yes, it’s a beautiful soft green that I love yet next to the fireplace, it just seems a little more bright than anticipated. I’m not sure if the existing paint on walls (which seems more yellow) are pulling at it making it more bright than usual or if I’ve just lost my mind.

I definitely plan on adding a few throws, ottomans, and a rug into the mix and will hope that will neutralize the room. Does that make sense?
everdebz
8 years ago
I'll tell you my green story - but was a rug - the southwest light made it 'aggressive' and not good anymore. What's the direction to the sun?
Banjo Hughes
8 years ago
Will take a bit of time for your eyes to adjust is all. Once things get put back together I think you will love it. Big art on the fireplace or tv?
Irene Morresey
8 years ago
I think it will look lovely when you have all your things in the room. I would get a nice painting with similar colour for the fireplace similar to pic and area rug
emmarene9
8 years ago
I like it. Please post again after furniture arrives.
jbtanyderi
8 years ago
Remove the mantel: it’s counter-productive. Once books and other things are on the shelves, things will be fine.
Heather Phillips Casey
8 years ago
Check out Swatch Pop! On fb I get lots of ideas on there!
Heather Phillips Casey
8 years ago
Swatch Pop on fb
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
8 years ago
IMO once you put some decor in the built ins the effect will be quite pleasant
Lindsay Wallace
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks! What do ya’ll recommend for window treatments? I currently have on order top down bottom up cellular shades in extra white for the whole house - this is to match the extra white trim in all other bedrooms and rooms. However, I waited to order shades for this room. Now that we are doing an off-white trim in Restful White, I’m not sure we should do extra white. Perhaps a linen color in a linen texture? This room in the house faces north and we have a great view into a creek/woods so it’s not necessarily for privacy but to soften the look of the room. Thoughts?
Banjo Hughes
8 years ago
I agree with removing the mantel.
Irene Morresey
8 years ago
Some ideas. Linen would be lovely
Beth H. :
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Love the green! beautiful. hate that mantel. replace w/something like this (ignore everything in this pic except the wood mantle)

you could do something w/deeper, richer color wood,, here's a visual
Lindsay Wallace
Original Author
8 years ago
Yes! This is exactly what I want to do with a reclaimed wood mantle. The walls were done today and I like it so much more. Just need to change the mantle out, put some hardware on bookshelves once they are finished drying and accessorize. I’ll send pic shortly. Thank you everyone!!!
DH
8 years ago
it looks fine. you will get used to it
aventu
8 years ago
Your floors and wall color are very similar to mine. I think it looks very pretty! Looking forward to seeing additional pictures.
suzyq53
8 years ago
Its very pretty! Soft and relaxing. It will look great when you get every thing in place.
Banjo Hughes
8 years ago
Looks great!
suzyq53
8 years ago
Brick and green are my favorite. Don't paint the brick! I'd look into a driftwood natural look for the mantle.
PRO
Kitchen Tune-up Zeeland, Sales & Design
8 years ago
very pretty.
Natalie
8 years ago
Hi!

Looks very nice. :))

Good Luck!
aventu
8 years ago
Looks beautiful. Warm and welcoming!