Need decorating advice...

[Minnesota!]

Hi! DH and I just bought a house. I need advice for the living room...

He just called me. Apparently, his boss just bought this burnt orange leather couch/chair set. Brought it home, wife hated it. Since it was bought through a wholesaler, he cannot return it. He offered it to DH for free. Now, DH says it is really nice, and I love rustic. orangy colors. My dilemma -

I have this gorgous picture in my current living room that I really wanted to display in the new living room. It is a huge pic. It has a gold frame, very ornate. Dark blue matting. Inside it a huge calla lily. All white. I still want to display this, and I think the blue will look awesome with the orange furniture. Question is, what color do I do the walls? Do you think that I could get away with doing a burnt orange color on the walls? I want to add a little texturing, too, so will probably either roll or comb.

One more thing, the room is a horseshoe shaped, with a partial wall in the middle. Living room on one side, dining room in middle, kitchen on other side. Kitchen is going to be red. What do I do with the dining room, since all three are connected and open?? How do I make it all flow??????????

Thank you much!!

 

[LisaTx]

Fabric.

Go look at fabrics and see if you can find some you like with the burnt orange, blue and even the red. If it has other colors, you might find a color that's perfect for the walls. You can make pillows, curtains, cover your dining room chairs or even an occasional chair.

I would try to keep the walls lighter. Maybe a burnt orange color wash or a glaze. If you want texture, maybe rag rolling or stipling.

In the dining room, maybe pick out a different color from the fabric/fabrics you choose. If there is no separation on the walls, you may have to go with one color on all of the walls, and make the rooms all a bit different by using different accent colors.

Congratulations on the house! Have a great time decorating it.

 

[Robinrs]

Lisa took the words right out of my mouth!!

I totally agree with everything she said. A lighter tone on the walls will make the picture and the sofa "pop!" (decorator lingo!)

Congrats on the free sofa and chair! My sister and I were in Jennifer Convertibles yesterday and saw the most AWESOME rust colored leather sofa! I never would've thought that color was that great but leather has a way of making any color natural. She ended up buying a beautiful sand one but it bent her wallet a bit!

Have fun! I LOVE decorating!!

 

[tnkrbell]

I would say go with a sage color on the walls!! Then get throw pillows with all the colors in them to blend!!

 

[newmousecateer]

I would also suggest a lighter color on the walls.

Go to a paint store, find a color sample in the orange color of the furniture. Then look for another color sample that would have a neutral tone with under tones of the furniture.

Good luck. Sounds great.

 

[Minnesota!]

thank you all! so, you think that maybe I can do a lighter sandier orangish on the walls? then find some orange and red and some other color pillows, accents, etc. and that other color will be the color that i use in the dining room that connects the living and kitchen?

 

[Lynn CC]

I do this for a living and I LOVE color! My suggestion would be to bring home a couple of pints of colors that you like home from the paint store,and after you get your furniture in the room and the picture on the wall.... then paint a few areas with the colors you have chosen. It's easier to see when it's not a little swatch of color.

I would go with the blue that is in your picture on the walls. (I know it sounds dark, but if the trim is white it will bring out the trim on your casings....you could even add some white ceiling molding to give it a finished look. Where the room is so open the darker blue won't close down the room.
Benjamin Moore can match it for you. Is your trim white? If it is then that will go well with your Lily!
Then add the same 3 colors (white(assuming your trim is white), blue and orange) ONLY for accesories....including rugs. I think it is a very nice color scheme you have going!

I would go with a pale color of either the blue or the orange in the other room that you mentioned (depending on the color scheme in there) to tie it all in. Just ask them to tone it down Several shades until you find one that is light enough of the color that you choose.
Have fun....I would love to see a picture afterwards.