apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

"but everyone we've asked seems to think that the choice would be too bold..."

Do they live there? Do we live there?

What colors do YOU like?

Rouge is about as neutral as a dark rose can be. You like it. You don't already own clashing furniture or accessories.

The only possible reason I see NOT to do this color is that if you don't have a lot of windows, it may seem too dark when it's on large swaths of wall.

That's the reason to take Maxwell's advice about test patches. As well as a slightly lighter shade, test against a slightly more golden one. One of these colors will give the look you expect from Rouge by working with your actual light.

Since you already have a picture rail, I wouldn't get further involved with multi-part wall treatments. A pinky color has potential to look fussy and old-fashioned (or 1980s in a bad way) if it's fiddled with too much.

I wouldn't exactly say it's too bold, but after looking at the color through the link above, I'm definitly not a fan of grink.

i think a medium gray would be really dramatic with the dark wood floors, blue table, cream and white furniture.

I would consider painting the rail the same color as the main body of your walls. Right now, the rail is really chopping your room off. I'm not opposed to the two-tone concept, but having that stripe makes your room look shorter than it is.

Have fun!

For comparison colors if Rouge isn't quite right on the walls -- Valspar does a lot of muted roses, many of them from their National Trust historic colors.

You're going in a great direction even if you don't wind up with that exact shade, so go ahead, have fun with the paint swatches, and while you're at it, paint your friends :-)

melissa is right, paint out that rail. And the bottom baseboards while you're at it. Both, a gloss version of your upper wall color or ceiling.

I'm actually enthralled with grayed out blues these days... from slates to pewters.

But if sticking with the pink family, I'd take it the tiniest bit browner so it doesn't hit you over the head with pinkness. I don't think you should walk in and think "pink room."

And also if sticking with pink, make sure the furniture and other finishing selections are more tailored, modern and (I daresya) masculine, to keep it all balanced.

Follow your heart!! JMHO

You might want to order you sofa in a light fabric, since your floors are so dark (like mine).

But GOOD LUCK!

I would suggest using another paint brand. RH paint does not go on the wall particularly well...and with a rouge color, I would imagine the uneven application will look even worse. Try to match the color you love at RH to another paint brand's color family.

My previous home was a 20s Mediterranean built around a courtyard. I painted all the walls a color similar to the rouge. It was surprising neutral and went well with my modern art. I suggest you consider your window orientation. The color will appear more blue in north facing rooms and almost salmon in south facing rooms. Best of luck.

The key to any mid- or dark-tone color going on well, regardless of brand, is tinted primer.

My gut reaction is a big no to the Rouge. First, it seems really feminine to me (even as a woman), and I'd be surprised if your boyfriend would be particularly happy with it once its on the walls. Second, I fear that muted shade of pink would make your place feel very old fashioned, like grandma's house, based on your current furnishing (which i love, btw!).

Personally, i really like the blue ... it seems to brigthen up the room and give it a more modern kick. The shade probably isn't exactly right and could use some tweaking, but i think you could do something amazing in the blue family.

Definitely paint a swatch on the wall first. If you like the rouge, then go for it. I think it's a pretty color, but as others have said, I see how it could make a room super feminine or grandmotherish if not handled with care. I like the suggestions to paint out the rail and baseboards, and purchase a sofa that is modern, sleek, and much lighter than your floor. Also, stick with black and white, beiges, and metalics for furniture and assesories, rather than introducing another accent color. As for a rug, my first thought was maybe a zebra print or a light beige cowhide, but I'm not real sure about that...

Paint what makes you happy. If you paint it a color to please someone else, what's the point?

But, for what it's worth, the Rouge is lovely.

Beware of Rouge. Looks great in the store, I know, which is why I painted my bathroom that color (and bought the towels to match). Despite the fact that the rest of the bathroom is white and black tiles, the rouge was just too much. Tried to convince myself it worked for about six months and then finally painted over, a very pale pink from Benjamin Moore (forgot the name), which I love, everyone compliments it, and it makes every one look good. Would work in your living room I think, and not all that girly.

One wall in Rouge could look good perhaps...

Keep in mind, though, that a smaller room (like a bathroom) would amplify that color by reflecting it back on itself. Might not be an issue in a larger room.

Thanks a lot for the feedback!
I think I'm leaning against the Rouge at this point...but am unsure about what to go with instead. I was worried about it looking a little 'grandmotherish' too, but were were going to try to offset with adding a more modern leaning sofa, etc, which may or may not have successfully offset it. While I love gray, a couple other rooms have already been repainted a medium warm gray, and after being inspired by the fall colors contest I'd rather not have a monochromatic space! I usually have no problem making color choices, but have been at a loss here, thanks for your suggestions!

Sprinkledpink,

How about two-tone, like some of the other suggestions, but with chocolate brown and pale pink? That gives you pink, but it's not too girly. And, the masculine brown really helps to show off the pink.

I took my 6-year old niece shopping last week, and she fell in love with a coat in those exact colors...she hugged it as we walked past it in the store. I'm kind of a sucker as an uncle, so I bought it for her as an early Christmas present. She wore it for two days straight, and everyone loved the way it looked.