apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

no question the only way to go here is a pale blue out of the couch. that and lots of crisp white trim (keep the cabs white) . i think that will add a clean, updated vibe that will take your couches to some place that makes it seem like you WANT those couches, and give it a bohemian, earthy vibe.

Are you planning to keep the couches? How long will they need to be considered, do you think? I'm not saying you shouldn't keep them if you like them, but it's good to know whether or not that is your plan or if they are place holders and you plan to replace them at the next phase.

Pull out that pretty gray blue color from the print in the couch and start with that color paint. Don't go to light. You need it to have some weight to balance those sofas. That color will also highlight the white cabinets and stainless hardware nicely.

You can either go minimal or maximal. If you like the sofa's upholstery and want it to stand out, I would consider painting the walls something in the blue family that works with the blue in the pattern (hard to tell just what color that really is), and paint the kitchen something in a more copper or bronze.

If you want to try and neutralize the the fabrics intensity you can paint the living room a more neutral shade in the gold (pale) or brown (pale) family borrowing either from the flowers or the field color. Then treat the kitchen with a stronger version.

I'd go with a blue-gray on walls with crisp white trim probably including kitchen.For a rug, I'd try something neutral and textural like a large jute in a light natural color so that the couches pop and look quirky but intentional.

If you put that fabric up against a pale or neutral wall, it's going to look like an alien object in your space. I'd go for deep blue-gray walls in your living space, and perhaps on the upper walls of your kitchen as well. If you accessorized with that great bright blue, you could have a really cozy and modern space. Stay away from any more of that gold color though... it will doom you to a retro vibe.

And, I've got to admit: the all white cabinets are dull and sterile. If you want to keep some of the white for a clean look, keep the cabinet faces white, but paint the boxes in a warm neutral. This will make the faces pop and add another dimension to a rather flat looking space.

White and that blue in your sofa.

Lose the couch.

Agreed about the blue- either an accent wall or the entire living room. I kind of like that pale sage green that's already in the kitchen, but gold/copper might work too, or even a chocolate brown, if it's not overpowering. You could also just carry the blue into the kitchen, if you wanted to. I'd leave the cabinets, trim, and doors white.

Whoops, I guess that might be a taupe or gray color in the kitchen, not green, and it looks like the living room is the same color.

My first job would be to choose fabric to have those sofas recovered - Then I'd worry about paint later...

Thanks for the ideas! :-) I had a feeling the couches may not be a hit with everybody. Unfortunately, I’m poor and hoping to work around them instead of getting rid of them. I do like the blue-grey idea, but I’m still a little unsure about how best to bring it in (which room would look best with this color, what color to paint the other room to compliment the blue, etc.)

@insanity_pepper- The kitchen and living room are a grayish/taupe. The camera lighting isn’t the best. The color is very drab and depressing, and I'd like to get rid of the color entirely

Def paint the two rooms in a coordinating blue (a deeper tone) and paint the kitchen cabinets a bronze...perhaps you could do a metallic finish.

emdub612: Definitely do the same color on all the walls- it's not a huge space, and multiple colors will look disjointed. If you think all that color will be too much, paint the wall facing the kitchen in a neutral and put your shelves in front of it. I stick by my original suggestion: go for an all-over deep blue. Leave all of the trim/moulding white, and leave the cabinet faces white. But I would definitely paint the cabinet boxes in a neutral- this will make the white less "abrupt."

Whatever you do though... steer clear of metallic paints. It may sound like a cute idea, but it's a good way to make your place look cheap.

And, while the majority may turn up their noses at your couches, I don't think they're that bad. I think if you limit your color scheme and play up the organic-looking elements (like a really textural rug) they could be a cool focal point instead of looking like hand-me-downs.

I would paint the living room into that light powdery blue you have in your sofa upholstery. The kitchen would be also painted with another color picked from that fabric, and that would be that light beige in the background. Those two would feel nice and elegant together.