Hello AT,
Since it is color therapy time, I thought I would ask my own color question. I have been trying to decide what color to paint for a while and I can not come up with a solution...
(Note: Include a pic of your problem and your question gets posted first.
Email questions and pics with QUESTIONS in subject line to:
editor(at)apartmenttherapy(dot)com)
Link To All Good Questions
Email questions and pics with QUESTIONS in subject line to:
editor(at)apartmenttherapy(dot)com)
Link To All Good Questions
Our apartment is rather dark in the winter months, and so I want something that will help lighten up the space. We probably will not be changing out any of the furniture right now, so lightening it that way probably will not work.
If you have any suggestions on what colors (and what walls!) to paint, I would love any help I can get.
Thanks! Jennifer
Related Links:
• AT Fall Color's Contest!(look to see other people's color choices).
• AT's Colortherapy Posts
• How To: Choose a Wall Color & Not Screw It Up
Jonya & Brad's Modern A–Frame 
Quick Cleaning Tip: Keep Baseboards Cleaner With Fabric Softner
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Profile Chair by Ma...
Mac and Cheese: The Secret to Making It Rich and Creamy
Summer Recipe: No-Bake Strawberry Icebox Cake
Comments (4)
Some warm golden tones could look great with the black and red going on....
First of all, your room's really nice and the recessed lighting is a HUGE plus, if you take advantage of all of its charm. Since you say changing furniture (which is mostly black or REALLY dark) is a no-no right now, the next best thing is changing the few accents that are on the furniture like on the leather Poang chair and the cushions to brighter shades. (I'm so sorry I can see very little with the tiny picture) Softening the entire space with a light, yet stain resistant rug will also do wonders. That wall color is great for a normal space, but since you say that during winter it shits to darkness, you might want to consider a yummy shade of butter which again will soften the aesthetics and will appeal to your senses. Using beautiful shiny fabrics to soften the windows and changing the art to something a little "happier" will completely transform your walls, again to make it more appealing. Ideally, moving the tv over the fireplace and taking that space to make the dining room bigger would do wonders, specially when you have friends over for dinner. ANYTHING glossy, shiny and crystal-like will look beautiful if your recessed lighting is halogen, so keep that in mind when you find a few lamps to place next to your couch (which will bring MORE light to your place). Candice Olsen does a LOT of renovating work on tv in very low-light situations, so you might take some inspiration out of that. Again, great room and good luck. Hope your room turns out amazing.
I'm so sorry, I MEANT SHIFTS shifts.
A bigger picture or link to your flickr site would be helpful to see more of your space...
As a start, I would suggest that you find some really fabulous bold artwork or wallpaper & hang it in your fireplace alcove and build on the color scheme using curtains, rugs, pillows and other textiles...even mixing patterns...then paint the dining area in one of your accent colors. I think turquoise & red look great together, but you could try yellows/golds/oranges
here are some groovy paper and fabric that might give you some ideas:
http://tinyurl.com/38ugrt
http://tinyurl.com/yrf9u4
http://tinyurl.com/2gd2gw
http://tinyurl.com/2yeprc
http://tinyurl.com/27f3d9