apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I have a similar colored couch from R&B. In my old place it was in a room with very light grey walls. I liked the way the cool grey contrasted with the couch and really set it off.

If the colors presented are true, they are not in the same family, which doesn't sit well with my very conventional taste. I'd go with something similar to the wall color in the picture and get my punch of color with vibrant pictures. Then pillows or throws with colors similar to the art could tie it all together. Love the color of the couch. Since the couch would be so dominant in the room, I'd pick art with punch in both size and color. I've watched decorating shows get bare canvases and use broad strokes of color to create "modern" art. That might give you some control about the colors you add.

I think Galveston Tan by Dunn Edwards would be a perfect match with your sofas.

I used a dark mossy green with my neutral sofa. My husband has the same color aversions. When I said, how about green? He was like eww no! But then I showed him a swatch and said, how about "old mill" and he loved it :-)

Here is our livingroom - http://bp1.blogger.com/_ruBIbB9S0kY/R60O8ji0K2I/AAAAAAAAACg/QFiFoU8MWmw/s1600-h/IMG_0017.JPG

Orange

*doggie!*


(in reference to AndreaU's photo)

it looks likethe throw blanket is a sage/mint green. that would look nice on the walls!

I love the two pillows on your sofa!

I think that I have a similarly colored sofa, and my walls are painted Linen White, which is a warm, yellow-toned white. I am adding color through some art, pillows, and a rug, but I wanted my walls to be light and neutral, especially since the sofa is placed in a smaller, more enclosed space.

What about 1 deep burnt orange accent wall and match the other walls to a lighter shade of the couch? Also, ice blue would really bring out the color of the couch.

I suggest getting a whole bunch of decor magazines /catalogs and flipping through them one night ... but he gets to drive.

The game goes like this:

1. You have to stop at every room with a netural colored sofa like yours and flag the page with a post it (unless you both hate it).

2. Then go back through the flagged pages and identify those he likes, or likes just part of.

3. Deconstruct why he likes it. The rug? the art? the wall color, perhaps?

Be sure preview the magazines and catalogs before you bring them home to be certain there are many neutral sofas to flag, and a range of rooms you do in fact like.

Send the BF away for the weekend and paint the Living Room a nice rich Chocolate Brown with white trim, and a white area rug.

If he doesn't like it: He can either paint it himself, or it's time for a new boyfriend.

given the great white paneling you have on the wall (which appears to stop after the window somewhat akwardly) I would paint the wall the same white color. White on white is very in right now and is incredibly calming too. You can then bring in any accent colors you like from the minty green of the throw to black, and it will all look in place. i personally would stay away from the temptation of bringing too many fall colors into that room (oranges & browns)......

I don't think the picture posted is that of the OP's home.

Sleek: Thanks! The one on the left was from TJMaxx and the other one is from Pier One. I also have an orange pillow (not pictured) that really draws out the other colors!

"heatherleaf": Our dog makes it in to just about every picture we ever take at home! :-)

- that said, I also liked the idea of the calm minty blue color...

Meghan, you mentioned that your couch is an odd color and I don't think that at all. It's pretty neutral, so you have so many paint color options to choose from. You can go any where from bold to subtle. The dilemma is coming up with a paint color that both you and your boyfriend are happy with. Since he's not a big fan of experimenting with color, perhaps go with neutrals (like grays, browns) and choose colorful accessories (at least accessories are easier to change!). I can also imagine a nice sage or a dusty blue as well. Perhaps your boyfriend wouldn't mind that too much? Have fun and good luck, girl!

I like the color that AndreaU suggested. Very much in fact. Seems you could bring in some golds and browns with that.

I was going to suggest Tiffany blue for throw pillows and other accents. But what do I know?

I prefer color to no color (and like Janel's suggestion with the lavendar-greys). But if your boyfriend is dead set against it... I really think you should go with a linen white and add bursts of color elsewhere.

You can sneak in a really cool, bold pillow or two.

a warm, glowing white... a Donald Kaufman full-spectrum white paint will amaze you with how beautiful white can be (he has developed whites for many museums, galleries and stores, such as the Calvin Klein store on Madison in NYC).

either DKC-38 OR DKC-54
http://www.coxpaint.com/store/cart.php?target=category&category_id=255

...you may also want to experiment with painting an accent wall in dark brown... I'd suggest ralp lauren's armagnac...

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/colortherapy/colortherapy-armagnac-th56-015144

...or, better yet, do an accent wall in this lis-de-france pattern wallpaper by eiffinger
http://www.eijffinger.nl/index.jsp?language=en&null

(see the dining room shot in this post)
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/small-cool-2007-entries/2-aads-homage-to-his-old-dwelling-020886

Late to the post, but definitely second (third?) the others with a warm white, art & colors from pillows. Love the couch - is it inappropriate to ask where you found such a nice sectional?