Is tan an option at all???

That's what I was thinking... I need to stay away from any gold tones. I was thinking more of a very creamy almost buttery yellow/white. I think the room needs to be toned down, and updated period pieces in accessories.

Colleen, do you have a close-up of the sofa upholstery? And do the window coverings stay or will they go?

Oh, and speaking of tan, how about BM228, Shakespeare Tan? I would think some of the historical colors would fit.

Tan seems like it would work with the sofa background color and the wooden pieces in the room.

I was considering Shakespeare Tan as well as of course Shaker Beige. I'm trying to skim through some lighter colors as well, for options. I do not have a close up at this time. The only window covering that has to stay is the "roman" shade, the drapes can go, and are very gold. I am trying to talk them into painting trim, but we are on such a budget - UGH! I appreciate your feedback ladies.

I should say, that the fabric is extremely GOLD. She does also have a beautiful matching chair that was done in red velvet and it's very lovely. I wish she would have done that on the sofa as well. I wasn't involved in the fabric choices at all. I'm being brought in to clean up the costly mess.

Is the roman shade only on one window? So if the drapes come down, those windows will have nothing?

exactly... she currently has antique satin drapes from JCP that would or could come down. This room is really throwing me. It's almost way to old lady and she desperately wants to keep current furniture (all that is very old hand-me-downs) she spent a small fortune on the fabric and Furniture Reupholstery. I'm really trying to keep what we can, change with paint and add some accessories.

Pcmom1... rest of the home is just as bad as this room. But this room is the worst. The house will need a new paint job throughout. Thankfully my husbands company is the paint company, and keeping our costs very low. Hopefully we'll be able to steel some of our budget $ from that. I'm starting with this room, and going to work through the house slowly. I'm on your page with new art and pitch drapes, but she refuses to get rid of the roman. She paid almost $2000 for them... I could DIE!

Can she take the middle window roman and make three valances for the windows? Having them all different looks strange. Then add wooden shades under. Also raise them almost to the ceiling.

Painting all the walls in the yellow would help. Plus glossy ceiling and a crown molding.

Looking for rooms with gold sofas:

Is the view out of the window nice? Right now the piano is blocking a lot of the light and view. Is there room to switch things up some? Maybe shop around the house for different art?

Pcmom1, I'm glad you showed that pic. My thinking was that the only way to make this room in any way current is to go into the whites. Ben Moore has a lovely pale yellow - so pale it's almost white - called Woodmont Cream. You can see on the paint strip how it darkens to a gold. I think this is what you're looking for. It will really brighten up that room!

Gold walls are primarily what we are getting rid of. She has one accent wall, the one in photo... awful. The left photo was more of the look I was thinking? Creamier walls, updated drapes. She won't do anything new with the roman. They've only had this look for less then a year. Her husband wants to kill her that she's even re-addressing the home look in less then 1 year.. I almost feel awful for this family. The photo's don't even do this justice on how awful this really is.

Maybe go with white walls and an art gallery look. I have found great art, some originals at furniture consignment stores.

Can that roman be repurposed into an upholstered headboard?

Okay Ladies... Love Woodmont cream as well. I found a good sample of this fabric. I'm not sure if the photo will show the "gold" that it really is. All your feedback helps, making me feel more comfortable about my decisions/suggestions for my client. Thank you! I don't want to make another mistake for her. I'm second guessing all my ideas. Oh and Yes, the Piano is blocking the window. She really wants to keep it where it is.

Can the piano be turned to face the room??? I understand the player can see outside this way, but the player also has their back to the fireplace.

I think the family will be soooo much happier when the room gets painted.....and how nice your husband is there to do it!!! Paint will make a huge difference! Then see about balancing the windows.......even if the drapes are not swagged, that will help.

Thanks Abbyjean!! I like the way you think :-) Thanks so much everyone!!

I wish i could come and help and we could get this room done for Thanksgiving!!! Some one could sit and play that piano and a fire could be lit in the fireplace.

love the art gallery wall that pcmom1 suggested.

Sounds like she really doesn't want to change much! That must be very frustrating!

Room would look so much better if everything was taken down from windows, off piano, piano was at least turned and top opened up!

What do they do in this room? Doesn't look like there is much seating. Do they just want an over the top Victorian drawing room?

Free the windows and let the piano breathe!

Well she only doesn't want to do a ton of change with the stuff she spent a lot of money on. As much as I understand, I just don't... it's god awful. She's a young and fun lady in her late 30's, so this décor choice astonishes me. I just do feel she was mislead, and went along with spending her "savings" and just doesn't want to get rid of what she worked so hard for. So for that I understand.

Really? I kind of saw her in her 80's. EEK!

Is there a chair we can recover with the material from the roman? Maybe we can lead her gently.

Oh no, she's 39. I almost died when I walked in the house. She did tell me her husband is "addicted" to Estate Sales. LOL And he doesn't even pick out nice things, it's all very OLD, Gold, and ugly. Their is a chair, and actually it's beautiful. I'm looking for a photo, my computer crashed (trying to organize all my photo's).

The chair is beautiful compared to the sofa. I thought about having the woodwork on the sofa & chair painted? I'll upload the chair photo when I can find it. Hopefully soon :-)

Their home is a good back drop for some estate sales finds, but there needs to be some rhyme and reason, too. Sounds like hubby cannot just sit and point a finger at her then, either, huh?

Nope... I think part of this problem is the hubby. I think he needs to stick to his day job. LOL Stay out of design. ha!

He's out shopping at estate sales because she's throwing all the money out that window with the roman shade!!!!! I'm so awful....39??!!

Looking at the fabric sample, could you get away with Brunswick Beige or something heading toward taupey?

Yes... Agree! I need to gently tell them stop estate sale shopping. Unless your trying to find the million dollar piece, but stop with the bad decor. And yes, 39. I love my client, but no taste from decor to clothing. But she loves all updates from more modern looks you find in any magazine. I do also think she feels she can turn this into shabby chic. The window treatments are making me have anxiety! Yikes!

What about a very light gray? Think autumn tree against a gray sky

I like it... Do you have a grey you would suggest. I usually do revere pewter, but I just don't think that looks right? I've been looking through others, and don't get a good feeling on any of them.

I must admit I like estate sales also (Bring out your dead!).

Could you post photos of the other side of the room? Or just explain it. This looks like one of those formal living rooms that are never used.

When you do paint, think that white ceiling needs to go (my pet peeve). And even just adding a lush green plant and changing out the art over sofa will be a big help!

What is the entry way into the room like? Thinking maybe those two panels could be mounted to each side and pulled back with a tassel. Maybe go "tongue in cheek" over the top?

To find lots of art for wall: check out furniture consignment stores. There is a lot there if you are willing to hunt! I have found: beautiful original framed watercolor for $35, original lithograph for $15 and another for $30. Plus, if you can find that good store, there are rugs (got a great 5 by 7 for $30) tables, mirrors, etc.

Older couples downsizing sell their things this way. No one needs to be let into their home!


PS: If you click on this image it has a good color scheme: slightly darker ceiling, crown. May work.

Wow, it sound like the client is clinging to previous bad decor choices just because they were expensive. Does the client actually have any images of decor she likes? My guess is she was trying to stylistically match up the antiques and the roman shade and instead of a hit she got a bigger miss. And dear gawd that accent wall... (heads shakes in utter disbelief).

This room and the client are good candidates for a realistic 3d modeling on the room so they can actually see the room transformation. For someone who is obviously so lost on decor, it would be good for them to see piece by piece how the drapes or the furniture or the color or lighting impacts the overall space.

Don't neglect the option of slipcovers for the furniture. You might be able to pull this together easier and the client will swallow something non-permanent and change-able so much easier after the previous faux pas.

Personally, I would paint out all the trim to white. Paint the walls a gray-green (try Dunn Edwards Calico Rock). Update the room with more modern/abstract art work for contrast to the traditional furniture. Less fussy drapery panels and table lamps.

You need a paint color that will brighten up the space and make it feel more present day - this room looks very 90's, early 2000's with the dark woods and burgundy's. I think you should use a Griege and Revere Pewter (I know we hear it all the time) would be perfect. It is light enough that it will brighten up the space, but it still has a little beige color to it that it doesn't feel to Gray and modern.

It pairs well with the dark woods and the reds. The carpet looks light and neutral which doesn't help brighten up the space because it is so heavily weighted by color. Attached are some images to show R.P. with dark woods and reds. I think doing something like this will make a big difference in the space and give it a real face lift. Not to mention make it feel more "present day" which will help showcase the traditional pieces.

Thanks much ladies! I'm with you on all your suggestions. RP was my very first choice for the walls with white trim, keeping existing furniture. And awful window roman, removing panels, adding artwork, more up to date side tables with lamps, and I do agree, a green plant. An area rug maybe? I'm feeling like ideas are slowly coming together. This is a difficult one, only because of budget and existing furniture, that will and can not be removed or recovered. Thanks again for all any any suggestions. Btw... I love an estate sale too, but Lordy it helps if you have a better vision. Ha!