Good Questions: What color pillows and rug?

Paula needs some color suggestions: This room needs a lift. I can only afford to replace the cushions and the mat. I find the current orange cushions too much with the peach tiles. I don't even know what colours to use. The room is a huge room with high antique white beamed ceilings and is an open plan room which has a teal/green kitchen at the other end (See pic after the jump). I intend covering up the brickwork on the kitchen bench so would also be very grateful for any ideas for that!

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Hi Paula- We suggest using the painting you have above the couch as a good starting point for color direction. Perhaps consider finding pillows that pick up the warm green tones from the trees and grass, maybe something in a light olive, or sawgrass color. For the rug, I'd try looking for something that had several colors in it. I'd look for something maybe with some darker reds/burgundy, purples, browns, but ideally also with some orange, yellow, and/or green accents. Does anyone else have any color suggestions or ideas for Paula? What do you think she should try? Please leave your thoughts in the comments!

Comments (8)

I don't see teal in the pic unless the wall color ( which looks cream to me)
I think thge warm tones of the floor and brick are nice in that size of an area
I would ( personally) keep everything and repaint the wall color- go to a deep warm color, chocolate brown, burnt orange etc.

Otherwise a deep but warm maroon color with red undertones ( not quite as purple as the wall) will balance all your pieces-for the toss cush and the carpet-even a pattern that incorporated all the colors to help tie it all in!!
for color reference look at Benjamin Moore rouge and maple leaf red-2084-30 anjd 20- has enough warmth the pickup on the wood and floor tones, yet balances the cooler mauve walls

I also agree with bball.

Because the first one is a flash photo I assume the true colors are in the last photo, right?

Personally, I would repaint the wall, the rosy pink seems to fight with the floor, couch, and kitchen. Choosing to work with the color family used by the majority of the space instead of changing several items to accommodate one easily-changed element would be the most efficient way to solve your problem. However, I understand that not happening b/c I have taller than average walls too.

Accessories-wise, I agree with Johnathan about using the painting to get your colors.

If you do get pillows, try kidney shaped---that would balance out the scale of the sofa; you could do one larger kidney in the middle of the sofa (rectangular and low); ditto, hollyindc--gotta lower that painting. Good luck---you could also paint the wall a nice blue/green/ that would be very cool and balancing for the tile colors----if you want specific color, email me. thanks, jana

Paula, I have looked at your post several times before commenting. I see much potential in your place, and wish I had more photos to work with. I realize you asked about colors for pillows, but your discontent is deeper than that.

First, let's start with the wall color. It is divine. Maybe this is a good jumping off point for you. In fact, if you look at the post two below yours (the one with the large whicker chair) those pillows are wonderful and similar to what I was going to suggest, i.e., kind of a dusty fushia and periwinkle.

I see quite a bit of disparaity between the first and second photos. The second certainly appears to be much more modern and simple. I adore the table with the aluminum chairs and the aluminum pieces lined up on your kitchen cabinet. This photo seems much more modern and simple than the first, which looks very traditional to me.

I think you might be happier of you reconciled the dissonance that exists between the two spaces so that it flows better. Here are a couple of simple and cheap fixes. One, that sofa. Probably expensive, very sturdy good quality, maybe inherited, maybe no budget to replace. However, not very good looking. Perhaps it could be covered with a lovely white sheet, this would make for much more comfortable lounging as well. Then, of course your new pillows.

Now, the painting. Also, not very attractive, but perhaps that is because the frame is very wrong. Bring the painting lower and replace the frame, maybe with a chunky white frame, or maybe even aluminum like your other pieces. Good frames can be found at second hand stores. Buy a frame much larger, but do have a large white matte professionally cut.

I would also suggest a large standing lamp, something organic or even asian-inspired. Target has very nice knock-offs. And you need an organic coffee table, but that is more difficult to find so take your time with that, don't buy something just to buy something.

Hope this helps. You are on your way to having a very lovely place. Hope to see a post with some after photos. Thanks for sharing. Good luck!

a white sheet, wow genius!! Trust me, trying to keep any piece of fabric on a leather sofa from sliding off at a mere glance is nearly impossible- work with your sofa not agaist it!!
BTW the sofa is sexy!!

Don't use a bedsheet to decorate, the couch is funky and cool. Bring the painting lower, and center it over the couch. Apple green silk throw pillows. A bright, shaggy rug that picks up the green. I have a danish wool rya rug that I bought on eBay for $160. If you can't find one, you can buy a carpet remnant in a deep pile shag and tape the edges.

Hi, I'm the originator of this post and I am so very grateful for everybody's input. I am now sitting back and considering all responses before I make my purchases.
I forgot to show the 'teal' colored kitchen cupboards in my original post but I don't know how to load a pic on here. The cupboards are behind the brickwork shown in the second pic.
Also, athough in the pics the main wall does look pink, it is actually a deep "grape" colour.
Can someone tell me how to upload any "after" pics I may take?
Again, it is so nice to find this wonderful site where people are spending their valuable time and talents helping others.

Regards, Paula