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deannam4

How do I incorporate color tastefully in this space

12 months ago
last modified: 12 months ago

**updated to add pictures with lights on, curtains being replaced**

Just completed a remodel where we had to change the flooring color and change the cabinets. Wall color Alabaster by Sherwin Williams. I love the look now but I’m really struggling with all the beige and light colors since i enjoy color. What are some ways I can add color to this space. Open to all colors. The sofas and coffee table are staying but curtains are being replaced.










Rug that we tried out that seemed too much



Comments (28)

  • PRO
    12 months ago
    last modified: 12 months ago

    You have warm and cool color clash from what I can see. I have no idea how the seating fits near the kitchen, and that seating appears very beige and warm against the cool of all else.. The curtains, sorry to say, are not good at all..

    You may be able to find a rug you like to pull some of this together, but as to a size? No Idea.

    You need a drawing of the space, with feet and inches noted for walls, windows, where the island is located all the "beyond" in feet and inches.

    We have no clue anything from your pics: )

    Upload a drawing with all dimensions, as jpeg in the comments below.

    Is there a great room attached? Include it . A hallway? Same thing. Feet and inches.

    deannam4 thanked JAN MOYER
  • 12 months ago

    Do you plan to put a table under the chandelier next to the kitchen? If you own the table already, please post a picture of it.

    deannam4 thanked kandrewspa
  • 12 months ago
    last modified: 12 months ago

    Thank you for this, i figured the curtains had to go. The two wooden side tables can also go too although I just got the round fluted coffee table so that does have to stay. Floor plan is attached but basically the kitchen, breakfast nook, and living room are one open space. The barstools are attached and we will restain the breakfast nook table and chairs to match the aesthetic. The rug and curtains I feel will go a long way to start making it feel more real





  • PRO
    12 months ago

    I cannot give you sizes or specific arrangements, but if you want color, you can add it with a rug, curtains, pillows, wall and ceiling color,lamps, and wall decor. You might also consider some organic texture, such as wood, rattan, bamboo and potted plants.

    Here are some examples. These may not be your style, but the use of color translates to many different styles. (Note that some have neutral sofas, but some don't.)

    The Knoll Drive House · More Info


    Long Island Dutch Colonial Home · More Info


    Kiawah Beach House for GDC · More Info


    Traditional Living Room · More Info


    Hollywood Makeover · More Info


    El Camino Del Mar, Laguna Beach · More Info


    Family Farmhouse · More Info


    Lake Houses · More Info


    deannam4 thanked Diana Bier Interiors, LLC
  • 12 months ago

    @olychick these are so cool! my style leans liveable luxury/luxe bohemian. Diana Bier these are great examples to think through

  • 12 months ago
    last modified: 12 months ago

    A rug is a good place to work from and you could go in lots of directions, but given the green drapes/probably like the color (so I incorporated green in my examples). Try Rugs Direct and you can see how a rug will look in your room. I’d keep it light, modern and airy and add deeper pops of colors with art, cushions and accessories (suggest cream linen like drapes).


    Decide on color scheme, before adding accessories, as having a vision makes decisions much easier. Also keep in mind how the colors will work with connecting spaces.








    deannam4 thanked Maureen
  • 12 months ago

    I think the inspo image on the left looks like ”luxe bohemian”. As others have mentioned, browsing for a rug or art is a great way to head you towards accent colors that appeal to you.




    deannam4 thanked ffpalms
  • 12 months ago

    The wall color doesn’t seem to go with the upholstery color. Paint color is cool and washed out. If the paint is there to stay, then you can mitigate it with other colors and combination prints/ patterns, but it does drive the color scheme. Have you found any inspo pics with very similar background colors, but accent colors that you like? Or, do you have other colors you’d love to use if walls were different?
    Of course, colors may look very different IRL in your room than how they come across online.

    deannam4 thanked marmiegard_z7b
  • 12 months ago

    @marmiegard_z7b ironically the wall color is Alabaster by Sherwin Williams which I thought was a warm color. We just painted with this reno so we are stuck with the color. I love blues and greens and oranges and pops of color make me happy. Here are a couple inspiration pics






  • 12 months ago

    How exciting to have a new kitchen. You do have a mix of cool and warm. I wonder was this intentional or is this the lighting. Do you have the brightest bulbs in your kitchen light fixtures? I am always amazed how the right bulbs can make a kitchen look white and a dim bulb can make cabinets look yellow.


    Having a mix of cool and warm is not unusual. In fact if you have the right intensity it can work just fine. And, You are not alone there are 100s of designed rooms with a mix of cool and warm. I love the suggestions from Diana Bier and Olychick. Great rugs, pillows and ways to make the space beautiful.


    Here are a few more





    Bashian Nolen Area Rug Multi 3'6"x5'6" · More Info




    Nourison Celestial Sealife Area Rug, 7'10"x10'6" · More Info



    Pillow Decor, Venetian Velvet Peacock Teal Throw Pillow 17x17 · More Info




    deannam4 thanked Boxerpal
  • PRO
    12 months ago

    I think that if you have colorful items in your room, the warm/cool thing just takes a way back seat, so I wouldn't worry about it. If you are going for a neutral palette, then the way they work together becomes a lot more important.

  • 12 months ago

    Thank you for the helpful replies! definitely have a lot to work with now.

  • PRO
    12 months ago
    last modified: 12 months ago

    I suggest you look at the Loloi rug on wayfair under Amber Lewis or ChrisLovesJulia.





    This one is nice too.. it's the Bordeaux


    you say you like blues

    Loloi has the one in denim.


    I hope you plan on doing some type of art on this wall. (and pls tell me you're replacing those drapes!)

    photoshop isn't my thing, but this gives you an idea w/art, white drapes, some type of buffet, some greenery


    sticking w/neutrals. bring in some charcoals, blacks, golds,




    I always like a nice black wall. you could do some open shelving and a dry bar here.


    Walnut always warms up a spot. can you use a natural wood console/buffet anywhere?


    I like blue and green too. My kitchen is white w/marble, dark island, gold accents. I have a black leather sofa, and this chair. I used this vintage walnut piece under my Leopard Litho art piece



    another way to bring in color besides art, are pillows and throws. don't forget the greenery. natural wood, textures




    deannam4 thanked Beth H. :
  • PRO
    12 months ago

    Check your light bulbs. Get warmer white LEDs and see if that changes things up. We had all S.W. Alabaster in our last home with primarily 2700 LEDs and this was nicely offwhite with a bit of warmth. Navy blue is a great color to use with your elements.

  • 12 months ago
    last modified: 12 months ago

    https://www.athome.com/a519-olivia-navy-floral-area-rug-5x7/124392555.html


    I have SW alabaster as my wall trim - it is a lovely warm color! I have a fireplace that tends to "go gray" - it is definitely a cool. So I understand your dilemma of mixing warm and cool. This is the rug I have in my den with a "nearly taupe" sofa and it works beautifully! Even my sister (actual decorator and is in big-name mags) loved it - she couldn't believe I chose it lol. The yellow undertone in alabaster will work well with the yellow (not pronounced) in this rug. The blues are a bit warmer than icy navy, and there is even a little taupe in it. The green can go a bit olive or forest, it is just that good a rug. Do check it out!

  • PRO
    12 months ago

    I know you said the coffee table stays but it seems too small for the sofas size. Try it in the corner between the two sofas. Then I would find a square or rectangular coffee table in a warm wood to bring the feeling you desire. Then large art on the wall behind the one sofa. Plus a beefier lamp on round table (formerly coffee table). Here is rough mock up of looks.

  • PRO
    12 months ago

    Here is the rug.

    deannam4 thanked Flo Mangan
  • 12 months ago

    I’m not an accent wall person, but might it be possible for the OP to paint the wall a different color. The wall that is 16.8’ long and against which the one couch is placed? Something stronger than the Alabaster? Perhaps a blue or teal from one of the rugs? That way, too, the coffee table might be less stark against the couch. An accent wall might bridge the cool Alabaster and the warm couches. And add the color that the OP wants in the room.

    deannam4 thanked ptreckel
  • 12 months ago

    Wow, that is so weird about Alabaster- it is reading like s pastel blue- gray for me, so must be the lighting/ monitor effects, as it is touted as warm.

    deannam4 thanked marmiegard_z7b
  • 12 months ago

    The carpet you selected was too bold for all the other finishes.


    I would change to a carpet with some of the warm whites and soft greens.


    Keep your vase, add more of blues and greens as accent colors.


    Remove some of the harsh black and white coffee and end tables and use wood.







    deannam4 thanked Jennifer Hogan
  • 12 months ago

    From all the comments definitely taking a look at the different rug options. Do I need rug to pick curtains or should those be neutral?

  • 12 months ago

    I vote for color in your curtains but definitely get the rug first.

    deannam4 thanked Paula
  • 12 months ago

    I would make that decision after getting a rug. I am more likely to do white or neutral window coverings (or just shades) and more colorful art, but you need the rug before doing either.

    deannam4 thanked Jennifer Hogan
  • 12 months ago

    Here’s some ideas based on the artwork. I like the chunky black table lamp to repeat the black of the coffee table.



    deannam4 thanked ffpalms
  • PRO
    12 months ago

    I do not like the rug you chose either. The trend of rugs looking like cans of paint were splattered on them is not a good look IMO.

    Can you try a hand-knotted Persian style? They are classic and can be very colorful, either in pastels or in more saturated colors, and can set a palette. Here are some ideas:

    Living Southern · More Info


    Living Room Rug Interior Design Inspiration · More Info



    Echo Park Spanish Renovation · More Info


    Mountain Chic · More Info


    Vidal Living Room Interior Design · More Info


    LINDENWOOD CIRCLE · More Info


  • 12 months ago

    Thanks again for all your replies so far❤️. I’ve started playing around in Foyr with some of the rug suggestions and threw some neutral curtains in with different pillow combos






    I’m definitely going to do art on the breakfast nook wall, although there isnt enough space for a buffet. Any thoughts seeing these?

  • PRO
    12 months ago

    Your table lamp is too short for the area.

    Here are some alternate area rugs. It looks like the coffee table is not sized correctly for this room. Who can sit on the sofa and reach the table to put down a drink????



    deannam4 thanked BeverlyFLADeziner